I’m wanting to get a float tube as a Christmas present for my dad…?
Posted by admin on Thursday, January 7th, 2010
He had to sell his boat for financial reasons. He fly fishes for bass and trout mostly, but uses bait casting gear for bass also.
…and I already have a float tube in mind, I need a set waders now. I have a few questions regarding waders.
1. Who makes the best set of waders?
2. Who makes the shittiest set of waders?
3. What are good brands of waders?
4. What’s a good price for good waders?
5. What kind of accessories are available for waders? Bags? Vests? Backpacks?
6. Do they puncture easy?
7. Are they comfortable?
8. Will they keep you warm when its cold and cool when its hot?
Filed in Fly Fishing Reels | 3 responses so far
AIRFLOWon 07 Jan 2010 at 8:02 pm 1The best waders i have found (breathable ones, with a neoprene stocking foot-which you need for adding a wading boots to and then flippers) is Simms. Although they will set you back a good few $$$. Full neoprene waders are not an option, neither are rubber/PVC waders as they often have a built in boot which makes moving your feet and flippers almost impossible.
If your looking for a pair of reasonable quality waders, I would look into Cabelas own brand of breathable waders. Then buy a pair of wading boots to match, i personally like the new “sticky rubber” Vibram soles, as ive found them to be as good as felt and studs in the areas i fish, in terms of grip etc.
If your looking into good waders, that will last a lot of seasons then, don’t expect to pay anything less that $100, in fact $150 would be more reasonable, then another $80-100+ for wading boots. If this is too much then you can look into second hand breathable waders and boots, but check them for any cracks and also ensure the fabric isn’t hard, it should be soft and easy to move.
Although you can wear a fly vest when float tube fishing, i prefer to use the accessory pouches available for most float tubes to store fly boxes etc. Also breathable waders will keep you warm providing you wear a thermal base layer, i have a set by Simms and they keep me warm in snow etc without any problems, in the summer breathable waders can keep you cool and wick away sweat.
Breathable waders can be repaired easily with aquaseal, available from Cabelas, Loon outdoors also makes a UV treated wader seal.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/subcategory/subcategory.jsp?id=cat600398&navCount=0&parentId=cat20431&navAction=jump
The Wormiston 07 Jan 2010 at 8:15 pm 2rather than answer each question individually, l’ll just sum it up for you.
l fish from tubes. a lot.
for me, the very best waders to use are none at all. just shorts. but at times they become necessary.
many socal lakes do not allow body contact so waders become a necessity.
l have used neoprene, canvas, cheap vinyl and have finally settled on a good set of breathable ones from hodgman.
vinyl gets hot in the summer. tears easily, best to avoid completely.
canvas is heavy. and can get uncomfortable.
started with neoprene. nice and comfy in winter. they get hot, hot, hot in the summer. and they are NOT made for sitting in a float tube. the seam in the crotch of mine was the first to go. you slip around in the seat of your tube. the butt area wears next. the material flexes fine when walking. in a tube the seams do not. you can roll the top down while wading in a stream. you can’t do this in a tube.
my point:
breathable no stretch fabric waders are definitely the way to go. they retain enough body heat in the winter to keep you comfortable. in the summer, you don’t wind up sitting in a puddle of sweat. all the others are very bad about this. they are light, fold up into a small package and store easily. you can put them on or take them off easily. not so with neoprene.
but, whichever type you decide on, get stocking foot waders, wear beach wading slippers, divers booties or a cheap pair of light tennis shoes so you don’t damage the foot with your flipper strap. the flippers will stay on better with some sort of shoe, anyway.
hodgman is a decent brand. most of the others should be fine. prepare to spend $150.00 and more.
there should be enough gear storage space in the pockets of your tube.
vinyl would puncture the easiest. canvas being the toughest. there shouldn’t be too much worry of punctures while in the tube. they all come with repair kits.
m gon 07 Jan 2010 at 8:55 pm 3Agree with breathable, stocking foot, light weight (not rubber or neoprene) waders. I have only bought expensive Simms and Dan Bailey waders but since buying my last pair I’ve fished with friends who have Hodgemans and a brand called D-A-M and IMO they are just as good. No waders are puncture proof so spending a ton of money won’t buy you longer life. Hodgemans are probably the most readily available of the good, inexpensive (100-150) ones.