I've never had waders before since I lived in Florida moat my life. But I'm going to get me a pair this week. What do you guys recomend. Neoprene or breathable. And what kind of shoes do you wear with them? I'm assuming you have to get one size larger right?

breatheables, one or two sizes too big.

Breathables are cooler in summer and you can layer as needed for cooler weather. Boots for sock foot waders are already oversized. I have eight pair of waders, from cheap breathables and neoprenes to high end breathables and neoprenes. If, i had to choose only one pair, they would be mid range breathables. My suggestion would be to wear shorts, not blue jeans, and go to Cabelas and Bass Pro shops and try on everything you can. You will find sizes vary from brand to brand. I don't know your build, i'm 5'9", 265 and 54 inches around my chest, i have a hard time finding sizes to fit around my chest and not have an inseam so long i could hide a fishing pole in them. If you choose loose fitting breathables, one word of caution, wear the belt, it may save your life!

That's one of the biggest pieces of misinformation on the internet...the idea that waders will pull you under if you fill them with water. Here's what actually will happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-YISzAXP4k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg08KmaD-E4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJR1hZbzXk&feature=related

Great videos there. I already knew it was a myth as it's been discussed on Tkf a few times.

i have breathables. in winter u can wear sweats underneath and summer u are still cool/neoprene are great in winter but summer no way. i heard if the waders fill up it will make u heavy and if u flip the yak it would be hard to get back in with all that water in your waders

I don't wear waders in the summer. There is no point in that. I'll probably get me a pair of neoprene ones.

You can watch all the videos you want and you can believe what you wish. I had the same carefree attitude about it until i found myself in a situation in slightly more than kneee deep, fast current, below freezing temps. Never again will i have a pair of waders on and no belt. I've been doing this for about 35 years, i've taken a plunge many times, that was one time i'm glad i had a quick thinking buddy. I was so give out from fighting the current and the cold water that i could not grip his hand. I guess this topic is like debating life jackets and seat belts, what's the point. I offered my advice based on what i've experienced and one close call that could have went the other way.

Really, wear the belt. The guy in the 2nd video was wearing a belt!

i wear breathables in colorado in the summer. thats some cold water right there. if u are in cold water for a short amount of time overboard away from your yak you can be in trouble.

. If you keep watching you'll see he takes off the belt.

the belt slows the water from entering the waders...the belt is a great grabbing spot for rescues

IF I am staying in the yak or hitting some moving water, I'll have on a dry suit. If I am wading and just using the yak to get around in the winter, neoprenes. Fall and spring, and Summer.. I'll wear breathables.

there is a very good reason to wear them year round.. Its Vibrio. Nasty lil bug smaller than a needle point that can flat out kill you.. that and MRSI.. Methacillin Resistant Staff Infection... From here on out.. I'm in waders.

I vote for breathables.

Stay away from very fast current when the water is very cold and your decision making needs to be sharp. If you plan to be in this situation, get a wet suit.

I wear breathables, frog toggs on top or those to help stop paddle drip, and a life jacket if I'm alone or if the situation calls for it.

I went once when it was really really cold, this means below 32 to me, and I took a QB hand warmer and a few of those warm packets. My buddy didn't, and I could have sold mine for a few hundred after the first hour.

Time will tell, but after the last few weeks, I'm impressed with the Magellan Mag2 Performance Breathable Waders.

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=co...0156-02458-0001

For a $100.00 bucks, it would appear you can't go wrong with these.

What kind of shoes do you wear with a dry suit style waders that have large sewn-on booties?

Mions are the bomb!!!

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._up#Post3326395

Hey Yak, do you think those Mions would be good for a river with a lot of abrasive rock, like the Devil's?

Absolutely.

Cool looking water shoes.Do you wear those year round?

I would have thought that small sized gravel would work its way inside the shoe and either be unconfortable or wear holes in the booties.