I have decided it is way to hot out for neoprene waders. I have been to sportco and GI Joe's and neither have what I am looking for- relatively cheap boot foots. I am not interested in Simms or any other brand for $400.00+
I think I will subscribe to the theory of replacing cheaper ones every two years or so. I am in the $100.00-250.00 price range. Hodgemans seem okay, but the Cabelas G2 and Gold Medals look better... am I missing something? Anyone with G2 or Gold Medal experience? Is there somewhere that is offering a great deal or better waders other than Cabelas?
Any opinions would be helpfull.
Thanks

If you are going to drop the coin on a pair of Cabelas just so that you can utilize their warranty once a year, do yourself a favor and drop $150-$199 on a pair of Bailey's or Simms (Bailey's Lightweights, Simms Freestone, Simms Lightweight).

The Simms breathe the best and for more most, have the best cut and the Bailey's have a warranty that is almost identical to Cabelas (but count yourself unlucky if you ever have to utilize the Bailey's warranty as these waders have a near perfect track record....cant say the same about the Cabelas!!)

Cabelas breathables = crap.
Try the Baileys, they're in your price range.

I got a pair of Bailey's this spring and I can't be happier with them. Hurry up and get a pair. As soon as you do, you'll wonder why it ever took you so long, and you'll pity all the schmucks in neoprenes. Getting skunked is much, much more fun when you're not drowning in your own sweat!

Is there a local store that carries the bailey's?

Isn't Bailey's a fly fishing mail-order catalog? Where do you puirchase Bailey Lightweights?
I appreciate the heads up! This is not an item I want to experiment with or learn from mistakes!
Thanks

I'm pretty sure Kaufman's has Bailey's.

I bought my Bailey lightweights at Ted's in Lynnwood.

Anyone know of a store close to Auburn that carries them? I'd like to try a pair on before I buy them.

They do. Give the Downtown store a call (206-448-0601) as they arent too far from 'ya and talk to either Gary, Greg or Jeff. All are good guys!

Thought Id put my .02 on this one. I recently purchased some of the new Simms freestones, and am very impressed. Time will tell, but so far so good. I was a long time hodgemans/cabelas customer for breathables and have not been impressed lately with the durability of either. The Freestones are only $149 at Auburn SM (just about the same price as hodgemans) and have a lifetime guarantee to boot.
Only complaint I have with them is no built in gravel guard.
Good luck
RL

I bought a pair of Cabela's breathables every other year for the past 6 years. I thought about it for a bit, and my buddy that guides in Montana has had his Simms for 8 years (200+ days a year on the water). He's still wearing the same pair of waders. You do the math. I bought a pair of Guide Weights...and have never been happier with a pair of waders in my 34 years of fishing.

Take Sparkeys advice.
The simms worked out great for my girlfriend and the size was a perfect fit, thanks ryan.

Well don't buy Hodgmans. I'm on my second pair in a year. The first pair leaked in the crotch and this pair I have now all the tape on the seams in the neoprene feet has come off. It's a good thing that they are sewn and glued or they would probably leak also. I would send them back but I've put a few holes in them since May. It seems that no matter how you take care of them something always goes bad.

Jim

Wow- sounds like I called that wrong. Simms and Baileys are sounding like the better wader over Cabela's, nothing like eating your words after half a dozen posts. I'll check out Auburn Sports and Kaufmans.
Thanks for the advice.

Matt-
You are very welcome!!...I am happy to hear the waders were a good fit and are working out great!!

Hey Sparkey, if I were to pick up a pair of Bailey's (I'm also in the market for some waders, I've gone thru three pairs of hodgemens already), will they work during hunting season, or would I freeze?

Thanks

Curtis

I've sold a number of breathable waders to those duck hunting and I have a few good freinds who duck hunt in them and have no complaints. If you properly layer up, you will stay just as warm, if not warmer in breathables.

But if you wait around a couple months, Simms will be producing a bootfoot breathable wader at $199 (the Freestone Bootfoot Wader) which is made out of an almost identical material to the Bailey's. I have sold a number of the Freestone stocking foot waders since they were introduced a year ago and haven't seen a single wader come back due to leaks.

Those who seriously duck hunt in their breathables prefer the bootfoot route because it keeps their feet so much warmer.

Did not even get a summer out of the dry pluss before patching the inside of the legs.They do not wear well at all.

Sparkey set me up with the Bailey's with built-in gravel guard for about $200 and I couldn't be happier.
Once you've worn breathables, you'll never wear neoprene again.