Recommended breathable waders

[scotview]

Which breathable, stocking foot waders would you recommend for price up to say £150 ?

[dunbar]

If you can be bothered buying from the States, Simms Classic Guide goretex (older model). I got a pair of these for about £140 including shipping and duty. You should still be able to find some on ebay or some of the US online shops. These retailed in UK for about £350. Sportfish did have some pairs but still over £200 (reduced).

[colliedog]

Hi Scotview,

I also bought a pair of Simms classic guides from the states - only problem is within a couple of outings they were leaking from the foot - not very convenient in the middle of the fishing season as it's not a case of just taking them back to the local tackle shop.

My observation having owned breathables by Vision, Orvis, Airflo, Simms, Hardwear and Redington is that there is no consistency - some last for two or three seasons, some are leaking after only a few months - price is not necessarily a good guide to longevity.

In future my approach will be to buy two or three pairs of cheaper waders at around £100 rather than buy expensive ones - that way I'm more likely to getting a few seasons worth for my money.

Overall with breathables I think the pros (comfort) outweigh the cons (performance and cost) -even with the odd leak or two I still seem to end up drier than I ever did wearing Oceans.

CD

[sinkingtip]

Having recently had to condemn my 15 years loyal pair of bog standard Ocean's I once more entered the "21st century" and bought a pair of breathables. Looked around, as you do, and sought the advice of others. The same name kept cropping up - Orvis Clearwater Endura Stocking foot. Approx £175 for waders and boots. Ghillie recommended - no, he didn't have a pair kicking around the back of the hut.

Ended up getting a pair of the Grey's GRX for about the same price. Totally happy (so far) in terms of quality / style / detail and finish.
A little over the £150 budget but no where near the £350 - £600 sheet models - "beh christ min - ye can get a weeks fishin fur the cost 'o they waders" (you can just hear it !).

[madkeen]

Used the greys breathables for 2 seasons now and no sign of leaks ;D

[pertempledog]

I know that many of the International guides, who see the lot and wear most of it, are very impressed with Guidline. I have not owned a pair yet myself but when my current set of Simms are past repair (and they too are getting leaky - I get two years at best from them) the Guidline will be on my list of breathables to consider seriously.

P.A.T.

[darrenuk]

I would rcommend the Orvis brand, I have had a pair for 4 yrs now and no problem and they were doing a money back gurantee, 1st yr 100%or replace.2nd yr 75%, 3rd yr 50% 2nd 25%.
All there tackle is guranteed if not satisfied even after you have tried it for 2 yrs say you can get a full refund no questions.

[splash]

I'd generally agree with Colliedog opting for the mid-price rather than top of the range jobs as I have done previous. Here's the report card from my experiences:

Orvis Clearwater - bought when breathables first appeared around ten years ago. Paper thin but still leak free albeit sparingly used. Used them for a trout fishing trip to Colorado last year and they were more than up to the job

Simms Guide - lasted 5 years before eventually leaking at the seams and foot. Ripped the a**e out them on the Annan jumping over a barbed wire fence but easily repaired and fully serviceable thereafter

Hodgemann Wadelite - Cheapo's bought in US as back up pair to above mentioned Simms. Lasted about a year but not bad for $40 in a sale. Friends pair still going strong

Simms G3 - Quality but beginning to leak after 3 seasons

Vision Flywater - lasted 3 trips albeit one was to the Teviot at Sunlaws on the Teviot, the graveyard for breathable waders to be promptly replaced by

Vision Extremes with Zip - going strong after half a seasons work and very pleased to date. The Zip as has already been stated by Zephead is of obvious benefit for al fresco ablutions

If I was buying a new pair I'd certainly go the guideline route recommended by PAT. These seem to have a good balance between, robustness, price and breathability at around £200. I'm a big Simms fan but at £659 for the new G4's you must be aavin a larf....

[altmor]

Agree with the comments re Orvis - had the Clearwater and now on the Silver Label - a good comfortable fit and a joy in summer.

[zephead]

Aye the zip is a good feature but after further extensive field testing the breathability of the Visons is nowhere near as good as the last two pairs I have had.

Lots of condensation trapped in the after I finished fishing yesterday and thats after I'd sat with them unzipped over lunch.

These were bought for me but if they hadn't been I'd have chosen a pair of Guideline.

ZH.

[speycaster]

ive got the new vision exreme waders with the zip used them 8 times now no probs also bought the extreme boots as well £300 for the two so far so good no more cheapies for me if you get three seasons out of your breathables you have done well

[scotview]

Thanks to everyone for their input, very much appreciated.

I currently have the old style Vision Extremes and after three seasons they are leaking slightly on the inside of the knee due to rubbing when walking. I'm sure a touch of aquasure will see them to the end of the season.

I reckon that I'll invest in a pair of Grey's GRX.

The Orvis guarantee looks good but they dont have built in gravel guards and in the short fitting their boot sizes seem very small after converting to UK size.

This forum certainly provides some cracking, unbiased info.