Wader Recommendations ?

[rw]

I have recently started fishing a section of river that holds muskies...but it is hard to navigate by myself. Fish out of a square stern canoe. This stretch of river has a number of shoals and ledges so I must get out and pull the canoe in spots. Need a good pair of cold water (winter)waders...guess I will need chest waders...may run into situation where hip boots won't let me get deep enough. Have never owned any neoprene waders and they aren't cheap so was wondering if anyone could recommend brand/style based on your experiences ? Thank you !
rw

[DocEsox]

I have lived in waders most of my life. If you are looking for warmth during the cold part of the year I would find 5mm thickness neoprene. Get the boots at least two sizes big so you can wear at least 3 layers of good socks. The first part that always gets cold in the winter are the feet and toes. I have had terrible luck with anything which holds the Cabela's brand for waders...I have bought several pairs and they all came apart rather quickly. I have had good luck with relatively inexpensive (80-100 dollars) Hodgman waders. You can get some great ones but you have to spend over $200.

BrianW

[B420]

RW,
I spend a ton of time in waders due to the nature of my work, and just about any 5mm neoprene style wader should get you by. I have a pair of Red Ball waders, but they may have been bought out by LaCrosse or vice versa. I prefer the style with the built in boot and the felt sole. Have used these many time also for early spring steelheading, and duck hunting in the fall and have never gotten cold in them(except the times I have fallen in!)
B420

[John Skarie]

I am retiring my Cabela's 5mm waders after 10 years of hard use. Including duck hunting, flyfishing and work.

Most of my friends have them and no complaints. I easily spent 30-40 days a year in them.

JS

[Bob Babcock]

I have a pair of Cabelas guideware 5mm bootfoot waders for winter steelheading. I also have a stockingfoot pair that I've worn during the winter. The bootfoot pair is the only way to go in the winter. Like somebody else said, buy them 2 sizes too big. The only thing I do differently is to use felt liners from pac boots instead of a lot of socks. I like my cabelas, but my wife has a pair from Orvis and they are much nicer, but relatively expensive. Simms also makes a very nice wader, but they are expensive too.

[rw]

Thanks very much for the replies. Sounds like the 5mm neoprene/bootfoot waders is the way to go. Can't really afford a set of high-end waders right now. Have been looking at some "Bone Dry" brand waders in Bass Pro but don't know anything about the quality. Cabela's is also an option. Thanks for the responses....they were very helpful!
rw

[DocEsox]

I would go what the others who have owned Cabela's 5mm say on them. I have had bad leakage problems with 3 pairs of their waders. Two were breathables and the other was their 3mm waders. Maybe the 5mm are better...but that is what you need for cold weather.

BrianW