Waders: Stocking foot or Boot?

[Ecchi]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy another pair of waders as my old ones have kicked the bucket. My previous pair of waders were neoprene from CT.

I'm looking into something a bit higher quality as I will start hitting up headwaters this spring for trout and might be trecking a while to get to the river or to find good holding waters.

I want to get breathable waders.

Now, I know there's two kinds of waders essentially; stocking foot & booted. (I'm getting chest waders, not looking at hip waders and the like.) But I have no idea if it's worth it to pay the extra bucks for both boots & waders.

Can you guys let me know what you're using and why? Is there really that much more of a benefit to stocking foot? Are they comfortable to wear? (neoprene socks in the boots?! Doesn't it get too hot for your feet?)

Also, any recommendations for good economical waders would be awesome.

Cheers,

Ecchi

 

[Yanni]

I'd say Stocking foot. Boot foots will sometimes leak where they're attached, and can just replace 1 or the other when worn out with stocking foots. Just try them out at the store and buy which ones are better and better for your(more comfortable, affordable[whatever your price range is], etc).

I'd mainly say just don't get rubber ones. Neoprene ones are better because they have a more tight fit which won't allow water to sink in if you fall in or such. Having even a boot full of water can be very dangerous and hard to move with(let alone chest waders filled up), their simply not safe to wear.

 

[Mykester]

I'd say Stocking foot. Boot foots will sometimes leak where they're attached, and can just replace 1 or the other when worn out with stocking foots. Just try them out at the store and buy which ones are better and better for your(more comfortable, affordable[whatever your price range is], etc).

I'd mainly say just don't get rubber ones. Neoprene ones are better because they have a more tight fit which won't allow water to sink in if you fall in or such. Having even a boot full of water can be very dangerous and hard to move with(let alone chest waders filled up), their simply not safe to wear.

You can simply get a wader belt for $5 which will prevent that.

 

[Yanni]

I'd say Stocking foot. Boot foots will sometimes leak where they're attached, and can just replace 1 or the other when worn out with stocking foots. Just try them out at the store and buy which ones are better and better for your(more comfortable, affordable[whatever your price range is], etc).

I'd mainly say just don't get rubber ones. Neoprene ones are better because they have a more tight fit which won't allow water to sink in if you fall in or such. Having even a boot full of water can be very dangerous and hard to move with(let alone chest waders filled up), their simply not safe to wear.

You can simply get a wader belt for $5 which will prevent that.

Buying new boots anyways, why not just buy something safer and better off the bat? How tight are you going to put that belt or how high up? Water would still get in with a belt(many boots have a belt with it anyways and it can still be a problem, wouldn't matter if it's a major issue.. rather avoid it completely).

 

[efka]

get breathable waders and wading boots, you won't be disappointed.
try wilsons they have better prices than basspro.

any decent breathable waders and boots will run you $400. but it's worth it, and once you start steelhead fishing there is no turning back :lol:

i use simms Blackfoot waders and freestone boots.

 

[ex0or]

im using bare lightning wader (neoprene) stocking foot its cheap and you will not even feel the cold water in your legs
its cheap in lebaron i brought that for 79$ + tax only. buy a chest wader that you are comfortable to wear and try it 1st before you buy it :lol:

 

[Mykester]

I'd say Stocking foot. Boot foots will sometimes leak where they're attached, and can just replace 1 or the other when worn out with stocking foots. Just try them out at the store and buy which ones are better and better for your(more comfortable, affordable[whatever your price range is], etc).

I'd mainly say just don't get rubber ones. Neoprene ones are better because they have a more tight fit which won't allow water to sink in if you fall in or such. Having even a boot full of water can be very dangerous and hard to move with(let alone chest waders filled up), their simply not safe to wear.

You can simply get a wader belt for $5 which will prevent that.

Buying new boots anyways, why not just buy something safer and better off the bat? How tight are you going to put that belt or how high up? Water would still get in with a belt(many boots have a belt with it anyways and it can still be a problem, wouldn't matter if it's a major issue.. rather avoid it completely).

Drill some holes to keep the water out.

 

[efka]

I'd mainly say just don't get rubber ones. Neoprene ones are better because they have a more tight fit which won't allow water to sink in if you fall in or such. Having even a boot full of water can be very dangerous and hard to move with(let alone chest waders filled up), their simply not safe to wear.

:lol: pls stop, you will confuse poeple.
i saw few people falling in water and standing back up, and when draining waders on shore a glass or two of water drained out. unless you are talking surf fishing, chest waders are more than enough. you can barely see people fishing above waist, chest waders are not even made to be waded above waist, as most of them have front pockets for tackle and so on, they are extended higher than waist for extra protection in case you step too far.

 

[kalipso27]

I got the stocking neoprene ones from lebaron for 70beans last year. bought water shoes and a pair of those cleats.
tbh they were sweet at first but then the heel started to leak, after just 2 niagara hikes and now i hate my life. lebaron is kinda stingy on the return policy, they would not switch them out for me. If it were bass pro there would have been no problem with the return.
maybe if they were more expensive they wouldn't have leaked and perhaps came with a patch kit(which they did not)
but they were warm and only 70 so if it were me, i would buy the cheapest neoprene stocking but get it from bass pro instead. not lebaron