heres the story. i dont really want to wear my neoprene chest waders for summer steelheading (too hot) and want to get a new pair that arent as warm. i got a few options.

1. uninsulated breathable chest waders

2. breatheable guide pants

3. breatheable hip boots

4. neoprene hip boots

5. plactic? nylon? whaterever they are made of hip boots

what do you guys think? what would be my best option? they can all be found in the new spring cabelas catalog.
Thanks alot
Tyler

Once you go breathable, you never go back!!

Go with the breathable chest-highs. And do a search for breathable waders on this site and you will find a huge amount of information, opinions and reviews regarding all the brands.

Definitely go with something breathable -- be it pants or chest waders. The style is really up to you, but I'd probably go with the chest waders, as you'd be able to use these in the winter with some long underwear and fleece pants layered beneath. Neoprene is a lousy choice for warm summer days -- sweaty, sticky...yuck. On warm days, a lot times I just "wade wet," wearing a pair of shorts and wading boots.

I've become a big fan of waist-high breathables for both summer and winter. Shorts and boots are also good when it's hot, as mentioned above.

A driftboat!

Get chest high breathables with most breathables you can also wear them as waist highs. People say they prefer neopream's in the winter as they are warmer but I just put more layers under my breathables when I think its gonna be too cold. Have never put my neopreams back on since i got breathables. Dan Bailys are nice for $200.00 I have beat the crap out of mine with no problems. There is only one flaw in their design which is the velcro strap for the built in gravel guards. Velcro dosent work well under water well.

Tyler I just did a search on Hodgman Waders and found plenty of summer options in breathable waders. Most of the pricing was reasonable and selection was good. Here is the url:

Hodgman waders

I am thinking of a pair of those Wadergators might do the trick for me this summer. If you are like your moniker says 'Typical Teen" most teens I know are budget conscious.

Shorts and sandals

Tyler Celli:

Here you go----Cabela's DryPlus G-II, boot foot, with felt sole. Great boot for the money, about $110.00.............They work oh so good, easy on, and easy off!!!!

"Worse day sport fishing still better than the best day working"

thanks everybody!
tyler

TYLER, AS FOR HODGEMAN WADELITES, MYSELF AND MY FISHING BUDDY HAD BAD EXPERIENCES WITH THEM. ALTHOUGHT THEY ARE GREAT FOR SUMMER, I.E. COOLER AND LESS CUMBERSOME, WE BOTH EXPERIENCED MAJOR SEEPAGE PROBLEMS AND NOT FROM PUNCTUREHOLES. THIS HAPPEN WITH ONLY 9 MONTHS OF USE..I CALLED HODGEMAN AND WAS ADVISED THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO TURN THEM INSIDE OUT TO DRY EVERYTIME I USED THEM. I ALWAS HANG THEM UP AND THEY ARE OPEN AT THE TOP TO DRY.. HODGEMAN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEIR WAS NO INSTRUCTION ON THIS WHEN I BOUGHT MY WADERS AND GAVE ME A NEW PAIR, ALSO MY FRIEND.THE REASON IS THAT THE WATERPROOF COATING DETERIATES IF NOT ALLOWED TO DRY QUICKLY. I ADVISED HODGEMAN THAT IF IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, I WOULD CONTINUE TO SEND THEM BACK FOR REPLACEMENT..I FISH EVERY DAY IN THE LATE SUMMER AND FALL AND WITH THE RAIN AND HUMIDITY, IT IS VERY HARD TO DRY THEM OUT DAILY, EVEN WITH A BOOT DRYER. SO IF YOU ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, CALL HODGEMAN UP, AND TELL THEM YOU WANT ANOTHER PAIR...REGARDS DENNIS

I had 2 pairs of hodgemans I wore the feet out on both pais in less that 1 year per pair and also with both pairs the seames in the crotch area wore out. I recommend simms brand waders only! I have heard good things about Dan bailyes and reddingtons. but I only have experience with Simms. My pair of simms guideweights are over 2 years old (heavy year around use) and are just now starting to leak in the feet a tiny bit of Aqua seal and they will be like new. Also Simms lightweight gortex waders are only slightly more money that Hodgemans and will last you longer. However if you only fish a few days a year they might be ok for you. but if you need it to be for sure buy Simms

Damn, I wish there was a company that made affordable (read $200) waders large enough to fit me.

JacobF-
Have you look at the Simms Lightweights?? $199 and them make a ton of sizes, not as many as the Simms Guide Models though. They are guarenteed to have a size to fit you but you are looking at 4 bills.

I'm 6'6" and about 300 lbs. Do they make waders that large? For my neoprene waders, I wear the Hodgeman 5X size.

The Simms Lightweights come in a XXL which support a girth up to 52" and an inseam of 36"...the Guide Models in many many many sizes including a 3xl which they only make for special order and runs $475.

In the Dan Bailey Lightweights, they make a XLK but the girth only goes up to 52" at the very most. They run $199.