Hi I'm going on a fall brown bear hunt in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge this Sept. I already have a pair of LaCrosse ankle fit hip waders, but was wondering if a pair of Simms Goretex chest waders and vibram soled wading shoes would be a better choice. The waders and wading shoes weigh about the same as the LaCrosse, seem to be better for hiking and are breathable as well. They aren't cheap though.

Thanks

I've fall bear hunted SC and SE Alaska several times and went with the waders. They're nicer than hip boots because they'll keep your butt from getting wet if you sit down. It's also nice if you walk in any streams and accidentally stumble on slippery rocks, which I did several times. However, breathable waders will take a beating going through the brush and their life expectancy will be significantly reduced.

I wore the LaCross hip boots for twenty five years or more before I started wearing Simms. I still prefer the hip boots on days it is not likely to rain as they are not as hot -- but if it looks like rain or is cooler I'll put on the Simms.

Hipboots!!

You don't have to get undressed everytime you need to take a leak.

I like waist high, breathable waders. They cover Kay9Cop's point as well as waterrat's.

Thanks all, been in the Rockies since 1972, we don't even need tents when we camp. No mosquitoes, little rain, just a ground cloth and a fly cloth / lean to. A little snow now and then lol ...

I am a big fan of wading pants.

They keep your but dry and easy to take a leak when needed. Use these with wading shoes and you are good to go...

Last spring I wore waist high breathables on my brown bear hunt on the peninsula. I liked them much better than hip boots I've worn on 2 previous peninsula hunts. Be sure and wear good wading or hiking boots!

Anyone have a Rec' on wading shoes?

Any input on Barney's Sports Chalet Korker's wading shoes ?

I bought an over-sized pair of walking/jogging shoes. If your ankles are OK, you don't need boots.

My guide on the peninsular wore the chest high waders. He cut the booties off and then duct taped the neoprene ankles to his regular boots. I, on the other hand, suffered through 10 days with the wading boots. They are not made for hiking. I will be trying his method this fall in AK. The neoprene ankles seem to seal pretty well.

I bought a pair of hiking boots large enough to fit over the booty end of the waders; works great. I never did find a pair of hip boots that would not give me blisters, ankle fitting or otherwise.

Using regular hiking boots with wading pants will give the best support for long hikes, but regular hiking boots don't drain well and will stay perpetually wet. I prefer to use wading boots and these are the ones I use right now. They provide good support for moderate hiking, but I wouldn't do anything more than maybe five miles in a day.

http://www.cabelas.com/product...74680%3Bcat103896180