Fishing waders help?

I have never been fly fishing but I want to start so I thought I would start by buying waders and boots but I am not sure what to look for or what makes a Good wader. I want to buy some for this weekend but again I am clueless on what to get. I have a flyrod and some flies and thats it.

any help or advice will go a long way!

When I started fly fishing years ago, the standard for waders were neoprene chest waders and felt sole boots. Waders with built-in boots were around, but more for duck hunting though they perform basically the same way. Chest waders also were often needed for float tubing. More recently, I've switched to breathable waders (and I like my Frog Togs), because they are lighter to hike in with, and for added warmth, you can wear sweats, jeans, whatever. You can buy shorter neoprene if you don't plan on wading above the waist, but you never know when you'll take a spill or misstep. But there's always the danger of drowning if water gets inside (neoprene is the same stuff used for wet suits), so iif you go breathable, it's good to belt them tightly above the waist or better yet, if there's sufficient risk, to wear a PFD vest. I guess if you're looking for your first waders, 6 mm neoprene stocking foot will cover the most conditions and might be overkill for some, but breathable waders are more comfortable in warmer weather.

As for boots, there's quite a cost range, and different sole compositions...felt, metal studded, etc. That selection often involves knowing the river bottom type where you intend to fish. I have both. Felt is now a concern for transferring didymo (rock snot) from one river to another, but if you make sure they dry out fully, I'm not so sure. Net-net, breathable waders and stud soled wading boots are probably the up-to-date choice for younger folks taking up the sport.

https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-r...belas-bootfoots

This is a little old, so some of the models have been replaced or updated, but the general ideas stand.

Generally, you'd probably want breathable waders and boots to go with. Try them on together before buying. You can probably get out the door at Cabelas or BPS for like 150 with something decent. The consensus seems to be that more expensive generally is more durable, but if you don't hike through thorny forests or use them 100 days a year you probably don't need top end waders.

I would avoid felt boots for the reasons above.

Here in Texas I would recommend the breathable waders with stocking feet. You can wear shorts underneath when it’s warm outside or get some felt wading pants to wear when it gets cold. Get you some good wading boots. As mentioned above, I’d avoid the felt soled boots. The ones that I use have metal studs to help keep you from slipping. It seems that a thorn bush will tear a cheap pair of waders as quickly as a really expensive pair so I generally buy the cheaper brands knowing that they will eventually need to be replaced.
Also, a quick google search will disprove the theory that waders will fill with water and drown you by pulling you down. I have also personally witnessed a friend going overboard while duck hunting. He fully submerged in his waders and had very little trouble swimming. He was dang cold though.

I've been in this fly fishing gig for many years...including several trips to Alaska and far away saltwater destinations.

My advice to you would be to buy a pair of those Academy (Magellan I think) breathable stocking foot waders for $50 to $60 bucks and if/when they leak, throw them away and buy another pair. I usually get at least 5 years on a pair before throwing them out.

You can pay hundreds and hundreds of bucks on expensive waders...but my advice is to use your money on top rods and reels (if fishing the salt) and don't waste it on high $ waders.

I’ve had good luck with the Magellan breathables available at Academy. Spend $400-600 on the top names or spend around $100 for the Magellans, it’s your money.

I will second Magellan waders for sure. I fish a ton of days a year including almost every day during the sandbass run. I crawl around stalking trout in the mountains and put them through a beating. Have three years on the pair I have now finally got a hole in the heel that is an easy patch. Just don’t get boots there at Acadamy they will have none you like.

http://www.troutwranglers.com/about/blog/item/73-repair-your-breathable-waders-with-ease