Here's my advice: Buy the least expensive Orvis waders- they have booties and waders which fit me best. If they die in two years it cost me $45.00 per year to enjoy dry wading. Or buy another brand and use the same approach. You are essentially renting use over time.

Once I asked Rick Pope why TFO didn't sell waders, and his answer was simple-" Les, we once did sell them years ago under Springbrook, and they leaked all the time. In fact, all waders leak... we cannot honor our warranty with this type of product."

So there you have it.


Les

Thanks again to all for all the great input.
Orvis did right by me and gave me $75 credit for each pair my failing waders
After much discussion on sizing they are shipping
me a pair of the Zippered Silver Sonics for $150 off.

Very much looking forward to putting them to use for
those cooler sand bass days coming up.

I think what I've learned here is that all waders get puncture leaks just like tires.
However, better waders with better seams and higher quality fabrics are less
likely to suffer catastrophic failure that can't be readily patched in the field.

With my luck this would happen to me in a sleet storm on the brazos 20 miles down stream
from my car.

Well I will throw my 2 cents in here. I have used the Cabelas brand breathable waders for years and I think they are a great deal for the money. I had a pair for years that got used pretty hard on the coast and they stood up quite well. I just wore neoprene scuba style boots over the stocking feet. This pair finally developed a leak and I decided to replace them. Got some Cabelas dry plus ones (I think that is the version). Only used them once but they seem to be of good quality for around $150 or so.

If you use em all the time like a guide you probably need to look at the Simms. If not, take a hard look at Cabelas brand.

I will add to your recommendation, I have been using Cabelas waist high stocking foot waders and swear by them. My fishing partner and I both wear them and wade walk lots of water. My partner (retired) fishes several days a week and usually gets two to three years out of them. I still work so may days on the water are much more sporadic, my last pair gave me about 5 years. For the money I'm hard pressed to spend more. For us knees go first, some of the streams we fish require staying low so a pair of strap on knee pads have their place in the kit bag. I have also noticed that after a trip waders get rinsed and hung in the garage until dry then back in the bag, they seem to keep their suppleness alot longer. I spend the money on the boots, Simms guide boots are my ticket, sturdy and comfortable all day and stand up to the sometimes long walks to and from the water and wear like iron.

Looks like you gents are on to something with the cabelas boot foots......
http://www.in-fisherman.com/gear-accessories/the-quest-for-bullet-proof-tough-waders/