Hodgeman Waders

[cpierce]

http://www.hodgman.com/Sale-Fishing-C69.aspx

Does anyone have any experience with Hodgeman breathable waders?

Thanks!
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[iliketofish]

I had a pair. they worked fine for a while, then after about a year they fell apart past the point where it made sense to repair them. I personally like cabela's brand better for around the same price but they last MUCH better. in my opinion and experience anyway. I could look up the specific model of the Cabela's ones if you want.
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[michael44]

I had have had a pair of neoprene for ten years they started leaking in the feet last fall. I paid about thirty bucks at Wal-Mart for them
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[windriver]

Same experience as Iliketofish. For breathables I would go with something better. The Hodgeman neopreams are so cheap that you could by three pair of them before you get to a brand that really might last longer. So I buy hodgeman neopremes and then just plan on them falling apart in a few years. I am hard on waders doesn't seem to matter how careful I am I will find a way to cut them.

Windriver
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[cpierce]

Thanks all for the replies! I had heard vague rumors of leaks with the lighter weight Hodgmans. I know that there are good ones that make it ok, but I would probably end up with the lemon pair!

I am thinking I will pass on them. I do a lot of brushy adventures with my waders, besides the tubing.

I am just doing some research before buying to replace my Simms. Right now I am leaning toward Wm Joseph's, or Cabela's breathables rather than the Hodgmans, though Hodgman's sale price is tempting.
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[pisces_mortem]

My Hodgman waders have lasted through five seasons of moderate use. I fish McCoy and upper Camas creeks and have put only one stick through them.
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[michael44]

I must have had the best pair they ever made []
Not only did I use them fishing, I used them all fall chasing duck and geese, Those things took a pounding.
You can't even read any of the words that were printed on them and they are all faded.
I will still use them when I am out hunting geese in the stubble fields, they are great for keeping the sand out of your pants.

I want a new pair for fishing that aren't so hot to wear during the hot months of fishing.
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[cpierce]

It seems there are really mixed reviews on these. Are some of you talking of Hodgman Neoprene? They seem to be better than the new stuff.

I have an older pair of the neoprene waders and they have lasted.

What I am looking for is the breathable waders.
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[chrome_junky]

i use the nylon breathables and i love them the last pair lasted me 4 seasons. wore them for fishing and duck hunting.
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[STEELHEADKID]

I have a pair of the original hodgeman guidlite waders with the zippered front. These puppies set me back almost $500 six years ago and only this fall did that start leaking in the crotch. I'd say it was money well spent as I spent a ton of time in em!
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[iliketofish]

That's good point. I guess I should point out that the pair that I gave a bad review was a very cheap pair, so I knew what I was getting into. You get what you pay for.
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[brookieguy1]

From what I've heard, Hodgeman "Wadelite" breathables leak out of the box or very shortly thereafter.
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[prvrt]

I have the neoprenes from Walmart that cost around $40 and they have lasted me for 3 years now. They have the stocking foot. My friend has a pair of the breathables with boots and has had leaks around the boots. For the price, you can not beat the neoprenes, but not so sure on the breathables. I bought a pair of Orvis breathables this last summer up at Challis and so far they have been great. Time will tell with these as I need more time using them to see if they were worth the money.
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[MMDon]

The problem with most of these wader companies is the same problem you see with reels. When they first come out they are made by reputable Mfg's in one country. As soon as the product takes hold they move the country of origin and change Mfg's overseas. The first person to buy the product raves about it and the rest get "screwed," if you will excuse the vernacular. The original Strechlite Breathable waders were the bomb. Since then not so much. The Hodgeman Neo's have always had problems. They weren't thick enough material and the seams always had problems IMHO.
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[cpierce]

I did notice they are all made in China.
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[poky-mon]

first pair i ever owned were hodgeman neoprene. upgraded to my first pair of breathables and they were orvis lasted 10 years 100 plus days a year of wearing them started getting good leaks in the seams. replaced them 3 years ago with simms wear them 100 plus days a year love em they are well worth the money. The part that sucks is when you go fishing and they leak, it can ruin your day
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