Wader season is coming up and I will be needing a pair in a couple weeks when I head to the coast. I don't really want to spend an arm and a leg.... But at the same time I don't want to buy a cheap pair that only lasts 5 trips..... Anybody have any recommendations?

I've always had good luck with Hodgman breathable waders. I have a pair of waders and a pair of wading pants. They are both several years old and have seen a lot of water time in Montana and Arkansas rivers.

+1

I got LL Bean Breathable Waders when they were on sale for $150. I wore these this weekend and they were awesome. My only complaint was where the boots and pants connected rubbed the [censored] out of my shin but I also had ankle high socks on.

You may want to stay away from the ones with the built on boot. I hear stories that it is very difficult to swim in those if you go into the drink by accident...

I haven't been looking at the waders with boots, they just don't seem as comfortable, but I didn't think about how hard it would be to swim in them...

Don't forget a belt for the waders. Cabela's has some of their waders on sale online in the Bargain Cave.

I bought a pair of Frogg Togg waders from Cabelas recently. On sale for about $80, I think.

I like them. I tried several pair on at academy and the stocking foot was too small for my feet. Frogg Toggs feel pretty good. Gotta get a pair of oversized shoes though..

If you can find wading/ guide pants they are much less restricting when in the yak, for me at least. And the ones I found were actually cheaper than the comparable full waders.
Anyone have any pros/cons on full length vs pants??

I still haven't found the right shoes to wear with my wader. What are you looking at? I have the standard boots but they are a PITA, I want something less cumbersome.

Hank, I almost bought some frogg toggs today, but I couldn't find any reviews.... Thanks got the advice guys

I'm gonna get some cheap running shoes or something.. Something light and not clumsy feeling. Roger said they have some of those water shoes on sale at Academy that are better than the slipper-like ones..

My Columbia drainmakers have big time grip even on the most slippery surfaces. I'll keep an eye open for them in a larger size to accomodate the wader socks

I have several waders - some magellan hodgeman brands, a cabela's guide brand, and a gander mountain brand. Lighweight breathable and a pair of neoprene. They all have the stocking feet in them and IME all should hold up well in a yak as it is easier on them than hiking/wading. While yakking, I have been wearing sandals or open water shoes over the booties instead of my wading boots. Much more comfortable in a yak but I wouldn't want to wade extensively in rocky areas for fear of wearing/cutting the booties. If you are doing a lot of wading, stick with wading boots or take both and use them accordingly. Yes, Academy had some of their sandals and water type shoes that are normally about $20 for $3.xx (50% off clearance price). I bought several pairs a size bigger than my normal size and they work very well with the wader booties so far. They also have those cheap $5 water shoes for about $1.25 - but these wouldn't work well with waders IMO.

I haven't worn them fishing yet, but they feel pretty good to me. Plenty of room to layer but still cinch up well with the belt and drawstring.

I bought these:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Frogg-Toggsreg-Canyontrade-Stockingfoot-Chest-Waders/1433644.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3D832118%26WTz_l%3DHeader%25253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D22%26y%3D4&Ntt=832118&WTz_l=Header%253BSearch-All+Products