it seems a daft thing to post about but then thought someone might have an opinion on the subject.

i have got the weed cut coming up in june on the river and for the last fourteen years i have always
used the usual rubber/pvc style waders, and every year i swear to try and get a different pair.

has any body tried other waders, what are the neoprene ones like?

the weed cut is hard work and wearing them for 10 days at a time 8 hours a day throughout june july and aug they get uncomfortable and by the end of it smell like a roadkill gypsey.

any opinions gents?

I don't know that they will be much better, but neoprene waders do seem to fit a bit better. Sadly, they are all going to be hot. I don't know water temps where you are going to be working, but it appears to me that if you are cutting weeds, the water temp will be "up". Having said that, I think anything you put on is going to be uncomfortable. At least the neoprenes would be a bit less bulky.

Best of luck to you.

I've spent the last thirty years or so working in the water, have done waders, hip boots, and wet wading. There have been some very big improvements in the last few years in wader technology. If it's cold, use neoprenes, they are tough and warm. If it is warm out, they are extremely hot. There are new breathable waders out there that are great in hot weather and warm water. the toughest are made for duck hunters. They can be pricey, but they are really tough. For day to day use, we seldom got more than two years, even from good waders until about ten years ago. The new ones lasted us for three of four years. That's with daily wear for about five months a year, in the ice and snow and in the summer sun. Take a look at Cabelas or Bass Pro on line, and you can make a pretty good guess from the description. The commercial boots are not made for working in streams. they are for industrial settings. The sole is also important. We found rubber cleats best for mud, felts and felts with spikes in them for rocks.
Hope this helps
Bfly

thanks,
it all helps.

i normally only get one season out a pair, the weed cutting window is quite small, but still it takes it out on the gear i use.
it generally is warm/hot weather when doing it but the water is chalk stream so pretty cool and constant.
i will have a look around, for durability i might try a neoprene set.

thanks again

You might try the 3 mm thickness, they are a little less hot than the 5mm. Was wondering if you chalk streams are like our limestoners, soft bottom, with a lot calcium deposition, but nice gravelly riffs?
Hope they work out for you.
bfly

Alex,

Neoprene when youare actually working in it will be really hot, and more importantly you will run the risk of dehydration through sweating in them. It's amaxing how quickly you will lose fluids in neoprene.

I've used the breatable stockingfoot waders for the last 4-5 years and they are very comfortable, especially with a belt. Also the boots give you a lot more ankle support than the booted versions.

Rgds,
FB

I second those who say the neoprene will be too hot for you, even standing in a chalkstream.

I'm not a regular wader user myself, most of my fishing doesn't require them, but lots of experience of fishing friends has been that you pretty much get what you pay for and even then the "breathable" waders don't last so very long. The suggestion about looking Cabelas for something suited to duck hunting might be a good one. Cabelas will ship to the UK but it is quite expensive, last time I bought from them they charged 25% of purchase price for shipping. However with the dollar low you might do alright, though there is probably 22%ish duty etc as well.

I havent seen the neoprene ones, but i can tell you many years ago a friend of ours almost drowned wearing loose fitting plastic nylon ones...they accidently got a heap of water thru the front as he bent or mis stepped in the river and that was enought to throw him off balance, his then pride and joy B25 went under so did he and we had to rescue him....Extreme case i suppose but tight fitting neoprene i think may be safer.
Good luck.

I can heartily reccomend the Cabelals (non insulated) Dry-Plus series of waders.
Very lightweight material, and mine have stood up to 4 seasons of duck hunting without a leak.
The material is thinner than denim cloth, and very flexible.

I was one of the first 2 people at our duck club (around 200 members) to use these instead of the normal neoprene ones. Now almost everyone uses them.

You can see them at www.cabelas.com , and do a search for "dry-plus"

When you get waders full of water, they are not actually full. Grab your knees, point your feet downstream and float 'til you can stand up or someone can pick you up. You will get real confused for a few seconds, and your instinct is to try to swim or struggle to the surface, you must grab your knees, or just stand up if the water is shallow and not moving fast (less than 1/2 meter per second). It would be good to practice this in controlled conditions with a couple of friends. Never wade alone. Much experience talking here, with many close calls. Waders will usually pick up about forty pounds of water. Too much for you to swim with, but the bouyancy of the air will carry you. Neoprene won't fill, so that is nice, and you will stay warmer in cold water after you are dunked.
Bfly