Any cheap waders? Whats the difference between felt sole or lug sole?

1. Felt soles give better grip on slippery rocks but are already illegal in three states and more are considering a ban. If I were buying waders today I would go with rubber soles.

2. Most folks get a stocking foot wader and a set of wading shoes or boots, but you can get boot foot waders. They are cheaper and generally associated with hunting, but can be good in mud/sand/gravel bottoms. I would not wear boot foot waders in larger rocks, especially if the rocks have any kind of weed on them.

3. It's hot in TX. Breathable waders are more expensive, but far more practical. Neoprene are good for cooler weather, but you will sweat so much you'll swear the things are leaking if you try to wear them in the summer heat. Rubber are the easieast to patch and the cheapest, but you'll get cold in cold water and sweat to death when it's hot. There's a reason they are the cheapest.

Academy usually has a good selection of inexpensive waders. bass Pro and Cabelas have less selection in really cheap waders, but better selection over all. Hope that quick run down helped.

Johnny pointed you in the right direction. I went with hodgman breathable waders and cabelas ultra lite felt soled boots. This setup has worked really well for me in the rivers and streams. The waders and boots cost me about 100 bucks together. I found the waders at academy on sale.

I got some BPS waders, and boots about 3 years ago. I don't use neoprene either. My boots have a felt bottom. I don't use them a whole lot, but they sure are handy when you need them. I had a snake come up on me one day while wearing them, and that pretty well put the cure on me in fishing weedy water near the bank in late spring. I must of made some kind of record getting out of that water, and on to the bank. ;-) When I fish in the heat now, I usually use some water shoes I bought last year. I can't handle wearing waders when it is hot.

Neoprene can get WARM in the summer months and should really only be used for Duck Hunting...when it's usually cold. there are inexpensive breathable fabric wader out there. Given the movement away from felt bottoms, I'd go with a decent rubber or even studded rubber sole. Being the klutz that I am, I've had studs on my boots for a while. The 2nd thing to consider in boots is ankle support. River bottoms are NOT sidewalks with rocks and crevices in the bottoms (of limestone, for example). Good ankle support can prevent you from going down...not much more uncomfortable than fishing in wet underwear...

To add to what others have said...

One drawback to boot foot waders is that the boots on those are generally don't offer much ankle support or a very good fit. You can spend a little more and get the kind with laces but that doesn't equal cheap.

I would recommend that if you're mostly fishing that you find a good inexpensive pair of breathable stocking foots, paired with wading boots. There are all kinds of inexpensive options. For example, LLBean has their Emergers chest and waist-highs on sale. Decent waders and best warranty around. I really like my Hodgman waist-highs and use them almost all the time. If you don't get felt, then make sure the rubber soles are some sort of "sticky" rubber. Most are these days but they are not all equal. Aqualstealth and Vibram are the best but I agree studs on those are good. I went to Korkers recently so I could switch out the soles. I only want to use studs when I need them.

I have some Cabelas breathables that have served me well for several years. I agree that bootfoots and neoprene are not very suitable for fishing.

Last year I bought a pair of Simms wading boots with felt soles. Simms was closing out their felt soles for reasons mentioned above so I got these for cheap. These boots are awesome! Very solid and protected my feet extremely well wading in Colorado last summer.

Check out this link Some good deals here

edit: check out this one too. Refine results to "wading gear and tubing"

yup id go with

http://www.hodgman.com/Lakestreamreg-Lite-Breathable-Stockingfoot-Wader-P2054C69.aspx

I have a pair of the Simms boots with steel toes (or at least really hard toes). I have never slipped on rocks, but I have slipped lots on clay. I don't think felt soles would help there. They are not cheap, but they will hold up. You can also wear them wet wading with Neoprene socks in the warmer months.

I can't believe no one has mentioned mrfc.com they have some of the Simms feltsole for cheap, they also have a few other big brand waders and wading boots.

That's a good point. Many manufacturers and vendors are bailing on felt due to its greater tendency to transmit organisms. Some jurisdictions are banning felt altogether.

But if an angler is judicious in maintaining cleaned felts then this could be bargain time!

I'd keep an eye out for the orvis sale that they have every year. I picked up 3 sets f guide series for $60 each last time I was there. Stocking foot is my preferred because I can use my wadeboots by themselves when it gets hot. And rubber sole no studs on em. In Tx you dont need the studs im

shorts & old tennis shoes are an option here in Texas for 8-9 months of the year

I don't know if i'll ever own a pair of boot foot waders. Mainly for the fact that most of my wader time is spent in a float tube.
When I do want to wade shallow streams/creeks, obviously different environments require different boots.

I have a pair of the Hodgman Classic A/P Breathable Stockingfoot Waders and they have served me well.

When in the float tube or in a harder, not sharp rocky bottoms, I got a pair of the World Wide Sportsman Flats Boots. They are perfect between wader socks and flippers.

My favorite 'boots'(??) have been discontinued, but you can still find them if you look around. The Simms Pursuit Sandals.
These sandals are really comfy, easy on/off, and do stick to mossy rock, as advertised. I'm actually thinking of getting another pair before they disappear, completely.

Went to Academy and found a $19 pair of leather work boots (size or so larger) with built-in ventilation holes that drain water quick. I wear them if I know there are hidden obstacles.