[Rob Brownfield]

Been an Orvis fan for the last 10 or so years, but my latest Orvis purchase, Pro Waders, have major issues. After several frustrating conversations on the phone, they are going back for a refund.

So, I am looking at possibly the Patagonia range, mostly because I can actually go and try on a pair before buying, but also because I have heard nothing but good things.

Any other suggestions on a hard wearing wader that can stand a bit of sliding down banks and kneeling whilst holding my head in my hands crying at another missed take?

Cheers chaps.

[Sandy Nelson]

My life greatest bug bear 

I think it depends how long you expect to get out of them.  I usually get one dry season and then by the end of season two they are leaking, that goes for Orvis, vision, guideline, simms, Patagonia, Airflo basically everything I’ve tried. Some have leaked from the start of second season but My Patagonia’s were the only waders that lasted into season season 3 before leaking. But Patagonia no longer make the lower price level models and it was one of those.
Consequently I now look at waders as a consumable and won’t pay over £200 for them, I don’t care whose they as they will only last 2 seasons anyway.
My current pair are guideline Kaituns and so far have proved very comfy and I’m still dry (granted they are 2 weeks old as t he simms freestones completely let go at the start of this season 1.5seasons)
I walk a lot and that seems to be a more important criteria these days, I need to be able to move in them without rubbing a seam between my legs.
I know that’s probably no use, but I find waders totally frustrating

Sandy

[James Laraway]

I agree with Sandy.

There is NO point paying much as whatever the make and price breathable don't last

My tactic has been picking up heavily discounted (last seasons) ones from the like of john norris - normally they dont fit great but for £130 to £150 you can get a good set and if they leak send them off to diver dave for a total re-seal

This normally means i get 3 or 4 seasons out of them.

I also find that neoprene waders last me far longer - i think i had my vision sub zeros for about 6 or 7 years before they have up. That was float tubing in them on a regular basis. So if you can put up with being hot then its the way to go in my view 

[Liam Stephen]

Rob my new Patty Swift currents are leaking after a handful of trips. Ankle and crotch seams, common issue from guys I’ve spoke to. Usually they are shithot with repairs but the current state of affairs means things are taking longer. 

[Rob Brownfield]

Ahhh, I shall just resort to wrapping myself in clingfilm then!

[James Laraway]

Not being funny but at northwards of £600 for a pair of waders they shouldn't leak for at least 2 years, no matter how heavy the use -  end of.
Clearly they have no concept of product testing or reliability because that is 100 % unacceptable 
So much for paying for a premium product ! ( i dont care how good their repairs are - they shouldn't need repairs at that price !)

Rob my new Patty Swift currents are leaking after a handful of trips. Ankle and crotch seams, common issue from guys I’ve spoke to. Usually they are shithot with repairs but the current state of affairs means things are taking longer. 

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

There are some offers on Hodgman waders at the moment. I picked up a pair of H5 waders, they seem very robustly built. But can't comment on their longevity.

[Duncan Inglis]

My solution was the get them seam sealed by Diver Dave. I’ve also had Dave test and seal older Simms waders which cured the leak problem, the only issue with them was getting them on and off after sealing. A dusting of talcum powder sorted that but did leave dust marks on my trousers, again easily dusted off. I have arthritic knees and an artificial hip so getting chest waders off can be an issue. Moving to Vision zip front waders, supplied and seam sealed by Dave has helped and after two seasons no leaks.

[Jeff Donovan]

Over the years I have stock-piled, I have a pair of the old Simms neoprene waders here somewhere, probably been only worn a couple of times at most. Snowbees, Scierras which are still in their boxes. Keep a keen eye on the discount & discontinued lines, pays dividends in the end.   

[Mike Barrio]

I see John Norris have Guideline waders on a 50% offer at £129 at the moment.

https://www.johnnorris.co.uk/collections/sale/products/guideline-reach-waders

[Richard Bates]

After many, expensive disappointments with breathable waders I almost gave up and returned to neoprene's in all but the warmest weather. The neoprene's were reasonably tough and easy to repair but are very uncomfortable if you cover a lot of ground. After reading Henry Gilbey's bass fishing blog, I took a punt on a pair of Vision Koski  waders and I am very pleased with them. Over 300 days fishing so far and no leaks. I give my waders hell, 50% of use is in salt water and walk between five to ten miles most trips. These are not cheap but have outperformed waders costing twice as much.
Boots are another matter, I cant believe how short lived they are for the cost!
Any suggestions on boots?

Richard

[James Laraway]

I would never recommend anything from Simms due to the price but their wading boots are properly bombproof.,....I've had a pair for years and they are like new.  They are built like quality hiking boots....

[Richard Bates]

Which model of Simms boots are they?
 I bought a pair of Vision Musta Michelin boots but have only use them twice, the sole is stitched to the upper so shouldn't fall off! 

[Steven Kidd]

Just noticed this thread,

I used to have a pair of Orvis waders which were bombproof and lasted many seasons of trouting........during my 8 year gap, mice ate the feet out them in the garage......i then bought another pair of Orvis waders and they didnt even last an entire season....sent them back and got a replacement of Snowbee STX,

The Snowbee were on a good deal, sub £200 and feel like a thicker more seal skin type textured material, hard to explain but so far so good.

Steven

[James Laraway]

Simms Freestone...

Which model of Simms boots are they?
 I bought a pair of Vision Musta Michelin boots but have only use them twice, the sole is stitched to the upper so shouldn't fall off!

[Richard Bates]

Cheers James, interesting looking boot and available in my local emporium.
 I will have a look, not many boots can stick estuary work.

[Stevie Rennie]

I’d second the Simms Freestone boots, near indestructible construction but mine were a tad tight for trekking reasonable distances, so let them go and opted for Orvis, which are equally solid so far.

I’m deliberating over buying a new pair  of waders and considering the koski’s but thought I’d scored with a pair of Vision Ikon’s new old stock last season and they lasted about 2 months before seeping at the neoprene boot tops then all hell broke loose on the seams.

I’ll dabble with treating them myself first but for a few hundred quid I expected at least a season.
2 new pairs of neoprene daiwas too and a second hand pair of orvis, all leaking in one season.

It irks me to see fellow anglers on the bank in immaculate near perfect waders and mines regardless of 1 week or 100 usually clarted in mud and in a heavily worn state.

The Vision koski’s, any other users recommend these?

[James Laraway]

Cheers James, interesting looking boot and available in my local emporium.
 I will have a look, not many boots can stick estuary work.

If your wading on soft ground like sand how about these? I bought a pair for float tubing and the sole is tough enough to walk over easy ground in, plus salt water is no problem...
https://www.istsports.com/https://www.istsports.com/S65-5mm-sneaker-sole-boots.html

[Dave Robb]

GAC were selling off all their Hodgman stuff last season at some decent prices

https://www.fishingmegastore.com/stockingfoot-waders/hodgman-aesis-sonic-digi-camo-stockingfoot-chest-waders~36458.html

I got these as a back up for my Orvis sonics, and for £150 they seem to be a solid pair of waders.

Thick material which feels like it could take a bit of a beating.

Only a couple of sizes left.

Waders are one of those things that are best bought when on offer /  in advance to have a pair on standby.

[Richard Bates]

I hate recommending kit to anyone because we all use and abuse stuff differently.

Stevie, I've never used the Ikon's but I think the Koski's may be similar. The Koski's are the lightest waders I've used and also the best fit. More like scrambling around in a pair of lightweight hiking trousers but i think the relatively soft, light material wears well. I may have just been lucky with this pair.

James, thanks for the link to the boots. I use a similar pair on some occasions for wet wading, however, I spend most of my time slithering around on weed covered rocks and studded boots are a must.

I also have  a pair of Guideline Laxa waders(bought in a sale!) which seem very well made BUT they are showing signs of wear after only a few trips. The material is showing signs of fraying on creases on the inside leg from walking.  They do not fit as well or offer the freedom of movement of the Koski's so are now my back-up waders.

What we wear under our waders probably affects them too. I always wear Under Armour type compression  leggings with an additional  pair of stretchy thermals over them in colder weather. Again, very easy to move around in and wicks sweat away from your skin but is very kind to the internal seams on the waders.

On reflection,  perhaps good fit and free movement that doesn't pull the seams is the secret to longevity. 

[Stevie Rennie]

Hey Richard,

No worries, as you mention we all use them differently, good points on what we wear beneath affecting seams and agree the fit and comfort factor were spot on. I’m assuming the Koski are much the same as the Ikon range.

I’ve decided against buying any new breathable pair just yet and opted to attempt the repair of 3 pairs here first, although the first attempt on my Orvis set failed last night.

In a fit of rage at yet another soaking,  I’ve just bought a pair of Vass 600’s to see me through until the repairs are properly done.

 I actually don’t mind the pvc type waders at all once in the water and
I’ll get some good use out of them on  lochs too but trekking is another story and where the breathables come into their own.