Neoprene waders-3 mm or 5 mm?

[Big Sky]

Are 5 mm overkill? How are the Cabela's brand?

[yellowlab]

Depends on your primary use. I fish in the early spring a lot and the 5mm are a lifesaver if you are standing in sub 40 degree water for long periods of time. They are also nice for late season duckhunting. The rest of the year I use either 3mm's or breathables. The only thing I have noticed about the cabelas waders ,and all of the other lower priced waders, is that the boots are lower quality. The work but will wear out before the neoprene does.

[Mattman]

I have to agree with Yellowlab on the 5mm being the way to go early and late season. I can put up with being a little too warm other times of the year more than I can put up with being cold at the best times of the year. I have stocking foot waders so I don't know about the boots holding up. My Cabela's 5mm reversibles have held up well. Great wader.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Box]

I have same 5mm reversible stocking foot, and they are good, but mine is mostly duck hunting... Althought the plastic buckle on the shoulder stinks for shooting - I have to keep it unbuckled. Know they have them velcro, which is better for shooting...

-Box

[Gumbo]

If your name implies you're from MT, then 5mm without question. I'm from UT and would consider anything thinner.

[Atomic Eye]

A really outdoors friend of mine, Dave, gave me a piece of advice that is worth copying and putting on your bulletin board / tackle box / wherever. "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment!"

I bought 5-mm neoprene for my wife & me, and she'll stand in comfort in December rivers honking on that duck call to try to bring them in to my labs & me. Was it worth the additional price? Is the Pope Catholic?

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[Backwater Eddy]

The 5 mill is better to keep the cold from settleing into your joints. If you spend much time in water under 50 they really make a big diference.

I spend many hours in Baby Huwies (Rubber waders) in cold water and they will stiffen you up like a old black lab in no time at all.

The 5 mill is a much better investment, you can always wear shorts under them if it's warm.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/home.html

[Bob G2]

I vote for the 3 mm Neoprenes. Reason being that they are much more flexible than the 5's, lighter, also less bouyant when standing in the water. The bouyancy factor kind of bugs me, especially when fording in waist to chest high spots, as I like to feel my feet solidly planted, not to where I also have to fight that darned bouyancy in my legs from thicker neoprenes.

Alot of how warm you will be has more to do with how you dress. Rule number 1- Stay away from cotton! They will absorb water from condensation and perspiration, thus will make it easier to chill you.
For socks, I like a good either coolmax or thermax undersock, and use a good quality wool/synthetic sock. For cold conditions, think expedition weight, or whatever the thickest you can find. For pants,
200 weight polar fleece is what I use when it is cold. You can also use a good pair of lightweight thermax long underwear under the polarfleece, but I find I don't have to nearly all the time. In warmer water (40 degrees or so), I am fine with 100 weight polarfleece or a light microfleece. Again, polarfleece will wick moisture away from your body. For a top, I vary with types of shirts, but usually I use a lightweight fishing shirt, and vary how thick of polarfleece top I am going to use, then a good Goretex jacket.

My frame of reference is standing in 32 degree waistdeep water, many times with subfreezing air temps during the winter. The take home message on this is dry=warm. I never get cold if I am dressed properly, even when I don't wear my neoprene waders during the winter and go with traditional waders. Another thing with 5 mm is that if you do any amount of walking, especially as it gets warmer, you will sweat like crazy.

[Neal/CO]

3mm are more verstile, just dress properly underneath in early spring.

I bought a pair of the Cabelas last time and really regret it. They came apart at the seams in three different locations after one seasons use. Spend the extra 30 bucks and get some Hodgemans!

[Hutch]

Go with 3mm ....I have been using them for 10 years waterfowling and trapping .....had no problem ....wear a pair of jogging pants pver them to reduce tears and purchase velcro staps for easy adjustment
Redball would be my first choice ...and stocking foot...years of service fromm this product Hope this helps

[Gumbo]

Yea, I hear people comment all the time about being cold in their float tube. Never happened to me in my 5mm's, even when fishing the Green River below Flaming Gorge in December.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Mine are 3.5 mm and I use them for spring Steelhead fishing in ice cold run-off. As mentioned above, I dress correctly under them and I have never gotten cold. Correctly means, to me, polypropaline long underwear, fleece pants, wool socks, T-shirt, insulated flannel shirt, Mediumheavy coat. I don't think I'm overdressed except when doing some long walks. 5mm probably would not be much different. If you plan to use them later in the spring or in the fall before it gets too cold, the 3 or 3.5 mm might be more versatile for you.