wader question

[pcking78]

  Just getting into duck hunting a lot.  I don't care a whole lot about comfort, I just don't want  to have to buy new waders every year.   I was reading reviews on the Basspro canvas/rubber waders and some said they weren't as durable as neoprene.  However, on an earlier thread here many said that the neoprenes weren't very tough.
    Is there any other option??  Someone please tell me what they feel are the toughest waders out there.

[Macthediver]

In my opinion the toughest waders I have worn are the black rubber waders made by LaCrosse Boot. I maybe some what biased because I grew up with LaCrosse boots. Living in LaCrosse I had friends and family that work for the company. The boot however are no longer made in LaCrosse, but are infact made in China.
That said
The black rubber boots were made with commercial fisherman in mind. Their tough and most times can be repaired with a simple tire patch. I personally had a pair that lasted several years of trapping and hunting. I still have the lower part of the boots to wear has hip boots after I tore the upper beyond repair.
What I'm currently wearing for waders are the Gander Mountain 5mm guide series neoprene. I bought the neoprene after wearing my son boots trapping. I had put a stick threw the ankle of my brown camo canvas rubber LaCrosse boots. It can take days to dry the inside of wader so I snatched his boots. They were so much warmer and easier to move in that I went and got a pair of my own.
I do have to say that after coming out of the water and freezing the out side of the boots rock hard. They were hard enough to crack just above the knee when I bent down. Good thing it was the last day of the season. So that is a only single draw back I found with that pair of neoprene. I'm pretty up to speed on making repairs to things like that and my repair held though this years season.

Something to consider when purchasing waders.
If you walk alot in moving water with some current. Neoprene boots will take you off your feet just a little sooner than regular rubber boots. The flotation properties of neoprene mean that the boots float you better. As you wade deeper you have less weight making bottom contact.
Everyone who wears waders has heard the horror stories about how waders can drown you.
I can say from experience that with a little practice in the water both rubber and neoprene wader will float you just fine.
<<<(Notice I said PRACTICE)>>> Meaning a pool or controlled safe water area.

Neoprene is the far better choice for both warmth and floatation. If you should get in water over your heard wearing them.
I personally don't believe there is one all around best style wader. Other wise the many choices wouldn't be out there.
I myself have the canvas rubber pair, a stocking foot neoprene and a boot type neoprene. I find myself using all three pairs at one time or another.
I would have to say shop around and by the best you can afford.

Mac