I have been flyfishing for some time now and haven't had the need to use waders. However, I have started to fish colder waters and I am soon buying waders. I was wondering if anyone can help me because I am not sure if its worth spending $150 + on breathable waders when I can get a pair of Neoprene at Cabela's for $90. Thanks!

HI,

I think breathables are the way to go, unless you usually fish in a cold climate. If you wear neoprenes in warm weather, you will be soaked by the end of the day from your own sweat. Neoprenes do have an advantage in cold weather beacause they will keep you warmer. Breathables can be used in cold weather also. All you have to do is wear insulated clothing under them.

I think breathables are worth the extra $$$

I have fished in breathables at temps in the low 20's
I put the breathables on over fleese pants, fleese socks over another pair of socks. A long sleeve t-shirt under a fleese pullover under a hooded sweat-shirt. A pair of fingerless wool gloves with break open heat pads inside.....stayed toasty. Had to put my rod in the water every few minutes to de-ice the guides. Caught a ton of fish.

Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate it!

I would say how much are you going to use them. If you haven't needed them till now, I would say not very much. In that case I would say, go with what you feel you can afford.
I prefer breathables also, without a dought, cause you can layer. Plus in the warmer situations, they are much more comfortable to move in.
But whatever you choose, I personally would stay away from Hodgemen's breathables.

Breathable waders with good synthetic layering clothing are much more comfortable and verastile than neoprene waders in all but the coldest weather. If you do much walking in neoprene waders even in cold weather, you will sweat and then it is really hard to stay warm.

I've done alot of walking in neoprene waders. It's true you do get soaked pretty quickly and you had better fish hard and fast after that because you are going to get cold quickly. The breathables are the way to go for sure. I agree with flygoddess on the staying away from hodgemen waders. They will leak on you immediately or if you are lucky you might get two or three trips out of them before you have a leg full of water.

I went fishing last week and it was 29 degrees. I wear nylon bottoms and tops, then fleece bibs, then a wool light weight jacket, with wool wader socks, and then waders. I was in the water for 4-5 hrs, guides icing up about every other cast if I was lucky and the only thing that got cold was my fingers and toes (toes I think was also due to the fact that the bootie on my waders is to large, so I have to pull them up in the back, and I didn't do this so my toes I think was lack of movement).
I wear the windstopper finger/thumb less gloves with the fold overs, but as you know you can't fish with the fold overs on.
With that said, I think they can handle the coldest of weather (wind stopper factor) plus good layering. I would say that it is no less comfortable than the neoprene even in walking. Warmer weather though they shine big time.
Never wear cotton under any kind of wader (including Levis).

I'd say in this day and age that breathables are the best way to go. If you are on a budget, I'd also recommend you take a look at the Simms Lightweight Waders. Gore-Tex is simply the most breathable lining on the market today. Well worth the difference in price if you'd like to stay drier. Just my $0.02 worth. Good-luck!

What's neoprene?

Thanks! Yeah I was looking at the SIMMS breathable, mostly the lightweight ones and will probably settle in those. I'll be fishing in Lake Mead mostly and in the tailwaters of the Colorado, so it'll be warm water. Don't wanna be sweatin all day!

At $199 for Simms lightweight, I would look at Cabela's Guide Tech (great warranty) plus they have built in gravel guards and a nice front exterior pocket and Patagonia. I bought a knit cap this year that said Simms on it and the cap was $26. I do feel that with that name on it the price goes up. I know Gore-Tex is a great cloth but, the other company's are not bad.

Yeah, I see what you mean. I was looking at the Cabelas Gold Medal Dry Plus, the Cabelas River Guide Dry Plus, and the more cheap Cabelas Dry Plus Gll. Any body have any input on these?

I've got to say that I don't even use waders when the water is warm enough. If the water gets too cold, then I use the waders.

I use neoprene waders but they are only 2mm thick. I don't sweat in them . Less thickness or ply can mean a big difference when it comes to neoprenes so don't think all neoprenes are bad. They also have kept me comfortably warm in freezing cold Georgia mountain streams.

In the flyfishing world like anywhere else you get what you paid for. When it comes to breathable products Gore-Tex is simply the best. This was prove by Fly Fish America in 1999 when they tested all the breathable waders they could find. Gore-Tex was anywhere between 20%-50% more breathable than any other product at the time. It still is the most breathable material today. In fact, I'd suggest you go to your local flyshop and pick up Fly Fish America 2006 Gear Guide as they write an article about breathable waders.

As for comparison, a few years back I was helping the CA DFG electroshock a local stream. I used my Simms Guided Waders (Gore-Tex) and DFG had the Cabela's Dry Plus waders. At lunch time we all pulled out waders down to our waist. I was a little damp but those guys from DFG were very wet. The temperature during the elctroshocking was in the low 80s. It proved to me how much better Gore-Tex was compared to the other breathable materials. As for warranties, Simms has a lifetime warranty for material and workmanship. They will also fix any waders at their cost at worst. cabela's has a one year warranty. If the waders start to leak afterwards you'll just have to buy another pair. A good friend of mine bought the Cabelas Gold Medal Dry Plus waders 2 1/2 years back. It has sprung a leak at the seem were the neoprene socks attach to the waders. Wher he calle Cabela's Customer Service they said they couldn't do anything about it. Cabela's has one of the better customer services too! Just giving you some more things to ponder. Good-luck!

I agree that Gore-Tex is a great cloth. I have Orvis Pro Guides (which are pretty much in the same price range) and I have had them for 3 yrs and fish at least once a week year round. I have had no problems. Like I said earlier, it really does depend on what you wear underneath. I have never owned Cabella's or Patigonia, just going on customers say so. On other forums, they swear by Cabella's. Personally, if and when I need a new pair, I will be looking at the Simms, but I wear mine so much, as I said year round and I like to make then waist high in the summer. I have just heard good things about the Cabella's and Patigonia and I would take a look at them.
If you read the next page of FFA, it says,"Gore-Tex may have been the first permeable-membrane fabric system, but it's no longer the only player in this genre. Yoday, Entant, Orvis No Sweat, Sterns Seal Dri, Patagonia Hydro-Storm and Cabella's Dry-Plus are all viable contenders". Layers is important in the construction, look for 5 layer. Just a little FWI
Also, you do have to wash (in a washing machine) your waders once in a while to clean the dirt from the pores.

I have had the Hodgman "breathables". They sucked before the end of the season. Got some Orvis mid range then traded up to the Guides. Only part that sweats on me is down around the ankles. That's because of the neoprene booties.

Summertime all I wear is my baseball cap, thong and breathables when I fish.