My breathable waders, after several unsuccessful repair attempts, are about to be retired. They did last me 3-4 years I think.
I am about to buy a new pair at the local sporting goods store. I can get either Hodgman Wadelites or Frogg Toggs Canyon Toggs for the same price. I have only owned the one pair of breathables before, although I have had success with Hodgman neoprenes back in the day.
Anybody have experience with either, or preferably both? I am sure I will be fine with either, but if they are the same price, I might as well find out if people have a preference. I figure I have a boat now, so I am not going to "live" in my tube like I have in the past.
Thanks.
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[cool][#0000ff]I believe that Hodgman is now owned by Stearns. Not sure how that will affect quality one way or another.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had better luck with the Hodgman neoprenes than the wadelites. Many of the latter leak right out of the box. Most will develop pinhole leaks in the "breathable" fabric after only a short period of use. I know guys who have gone through several sets of wadelites...with the guarantee...to keep a dry pair. But that is a lot of hassle. Better to spend the bucks on better quality.[/#0000ff]
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As much as I dislike Ebay, I would go there for Rivendell waders for sure. They are down to limited sizes, no return, but I have been tickled pink with mine.
I have a pair of G3s and bought Rivendells for a back up. I haven't worn the G3s much since.
Illinoisgiller
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I second the Rivendell.
To bad I didn't know sooner, William Joseph had their sale and I picked up a pair of Dry-Namics for the old man. The sign read, buy as is @ $30. but his appeared brand new. He put them on and sat in the tub...dry as a bone, so I believe they are brand new, just last years.
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Thanks for the input. TubeDude, I was leaning toward the Hodgmans, but now I am worried about them. I also considered the Rivendells, mostly in an attempt to save some cash, but I wasn't sure how the quality compared and I also was hoping to buy local. Might have to give them another look.
Pinhole leaks won't do, that's pretty much where my old waders are now after all the repairs.
I was gonna buy a Simms pair before I got my boat, now I would rather put the extra cash toward, well, toward getting my boat running again
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FG... Next purchase needs to be a water heater at your house!
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Already got ONE....??????
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Just my 2 cents worth..........in my humble opinion "going cheap" is usually always the most expensive way to go. The cost of constant replacements of "cheap" products and the time involved in doing so costs more than getting quality products.
My purchasing pholosphy has always been most bang for the buck. Not the most expensive and not the cheapest. By doing this I have rareley been disapointed.
I did purchase some 380.00 Simms convertables last year. I can't say enough how happy I am with how comfortable they are, easy to put on and take off, and I love how they convert to chest waders when needed. They are warm and I don't sweat in them. If they hold up for 4 or 5 years it will be worth it. And they are made in Montanna. Keeping Americans working is important to me.
I wash them after a few trips and they are always in a bag for transport and hung up at home. Will see how long they last.
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Heay Madfisher, Poky agreed with you till last year[
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I have had Simms boots for many year, but...alas, made in China.
I would check the waders label.....just sain'
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FG actually I know the high end waders are make in Montana. I'm not surprised that the boots are made overseas. I'm sure they are not geared up to make anything else but the waders. After all that's the core product. All their apparel are made over seas and would not buy any of it as its WAY over priced AND make over seas. Nice stuff but out of my budget for clothes.
Its just the waders are sooooooo damn nice. Love em lots. As of now and only a half a season into it will see how they hold up.
NOW ICE BE GONE!!!!!!!
PS....... I just checked the label and yeppers Made in the USA. [
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I ended up just getting the Frogg Toggs. Seems like there aren't many opinions on them out there, so I guess I'll be the guinea pig. From some of the Wadelite horror stories, I figured they had a good chance of being better. I'll give a review once I have some hours on them.
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Nice...can't wait to hear your report. I need to score some waders for clients, so interested in your report.
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