Hey all, I'm getting ready to purchase new waders this year and I 'm trying to decide which to go with. I thought about stocking foot because most places I hunt require a significant walk. Thing is ,I've heard they are brutally cold on the old tootsies. Any thoughts ?
stocking foot waders can become quite cold at times, but are not too diff't from a normal pair of hiking boots on a walk in. Boot-foot waders can be warm (with the right amount of lining), but can be a real pain to walk some distance in. My thought is to get a pair of boot waders for the comfort you'll want later, and wear a pair of tennis-shoes or rubber boots for the walk in. JUst my two cents, good luck!
unless your walking all the way in through deep mud. i would say bootfoot.most stocking foot waders cant hold up against thick brush and stuff like that and dont last.. cabelas brush or ice buster waders are the toughest longest lasting waders. i just got done with the 6th season on my icebusters.
just my thought....I have a pair of camo stocking foot waders for flyfishing that I have used for ducks...The problem that I found is when I am in water with a soft bottom (cow ponds are by far the worst) I have sank in quite deep and amost lost a few boots...I have not tried the mud things or the ankle things to keep your boots on...but also in those types of water you get alot of muck in your boots...so I guess it would depend on which type of water terrain your going to be on :smile:
funny, i just replied to another post about this...lol. i use stocking foot because i do a lot of fly fishing too. i have been using the set i have from cabelas for about 6 years without any problems at all. the only downfall i see to stocking foot waders is when you're bundled up for cold weather it can be somewhat difficult to get your boots on. other than that, i like them.
if you don't have a dual purpose, definitely go with the boot foots. hth.
For flyfishing I use feltsole and stocking foot. I love the felt sole to stick to rocks. Felt sole freezes and grass sticks to it so don't get felt sole if you hunt when its below freezing.
I used to hate bootfoots, they would wear on my shins etc. The newer boots that have fleece lined boots are really comfortable though. Wear the right gear underneath with the right socks, and I am happy and comfy all day...
For hunting I would go with bootfoots, if your walking far, throw you waders in a decoy bag and carry them in.
I've used the boot foot for ten years. I got a pair of boot waders this year and love them. Fast on and off and warmer too. My feet usually got cold towards the end of the season. The waders I have now have a liner and are great.
I use bootfoots...have a couple pair with different insulation levels....if the walk is long, why not use regular boots and carry the waders either in the decoy bag or around your neck....you can then get the tough waders that will be much more versatile.
I have to walk in a long way also. This year I wore my knee boots for the hike in, and, draped my waders over my shoulders with the croth on the back of my neck and boots pointing out in the front. I also carry a backpack with 3-8 decoys stuffed in it, and my gun. Next season I believe I'm going to have a pair of boot hip waders unless its really cold, then I'll lug my neoprene boot chest waders. I walk about .75 mile one way, and, I manage fairly well....bieng a near 40 year old over wieght smoker....Y'all have a nice day!
Same... nothing like having to take off your stocking foot waders in the middle of the hunt to put foot warmers in your socks :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: Go with the cabelas line
If you hunt in alot of deep sticky mud- stocking foot is the way to go...But if you are in a very cold area, they can get freeze your toes out quick. So boot would be warmer.. The new full waders with crotch - zipper are very cool if you drink as much moring coffee as we do... As for long hikes- wear cheap sneakers and carry those waders in. It will give you more energy to tromp through the marsh, place decoys, ect..
Stocking foot it is!! LOL :toofunny: :getdown: :getdown: personaly, i never tried the stocking, but from what i have been told, there not for hunting purposes....mainly warm weather fishing.....my $0.02
Stocking foot work great. Beats spending $200+ on boot waders. I think I got mine from cabelas....5mm, solid brown for about $70. Then just go buy a pair of rubber boots.....works great
So I am thinking about the upcoming duck hunting season and have decided to get a new pair of waders.
In years past for fishing I have used both breathable and neoprene and both boot-foot and stocking-foot waders. All have their merits and limitations.
I tend to like breathable best since they are cool in early season and you can layer well with UnderArmor and fleece and stay toasty later in the season. I find stocking foot waders matched with a good wader shoe are most comfortable for the long walks into the blind. However late in the season, it's hard to layer the feet and still have the wader shoes fit, so my feet do get cold later in the season. Only other concern is I am hard on waders and some added protection on the shin/legs would be good on breathable
So I had an idea and wanted to get the boards opinion. Do you think a good breathable stocking foot wader paired with a good rubber knee boot such as LaCrosse AlphaBurly Sport 18 series, or Muck Boots, or the like would work. My thoughts are I could wear my regular wading shoes in the early season and switch to the AlphaBurly's later in the season when it gets cold. They look like they are pretty tight fitting at the tops are neoprene and have back gussets and cam-locks to help keep them on while walking in the mud.
It seems most boot-foot breathable waders have failures at the point where the boot is attached to the waders. This seems like a way around that while providing extra protection to the waders with a much more comfortable boot.
Do you think they would stay on? Do you think crud would get into the boot? Do you think the boot would rub a whole in the wader? Other then added expense, what other problems do you foresee?
I think it all comes down to temperature on boot foot versus stocking foot.
I have both and wear the stocking foot with wading shoes in the early goose and teal season. Once it starts getting cold I have to switch to the 5mm neoprene boot foots. It's a lot easier to insulate something that's already insulated.
I'm with most...if I am going to get all clammy walking to a blind (carrying WAY MORE THAN A HUMAN SHOULD HAVE TO!) lol...I'll carry in the waders and put them on to set out decoys. It's a lot easier to slip in and out of boot foots than stocking waders.
To your question...and idea...do both if you can. Especially if going lighter allows you more marsh opportunity to walk in and sit down in some cattails, etc and enjoy a new spot with a 1/2 dozen dekes. I love blinds but it's nice to mix up a walk and a new wetland spot for fun.
To follow up on my post, I ended up getting some Hodgeman bootfoot breathable waders that have a laceup bootfoot. I tried them on and they felt very comfortable even when I added an extra pair of thick socks.
The bootfoot on this pair has an easy lace up system and a gator that slides up/down over the waders so mud & burrs dont get into the laces. You can tie them as tight or loose as the conditons require. Seems like it gives a great amount of flexability for all season hunting conditions.
Best thing is they retail for $239.00 and were marked down to $199.00 and marked down again to $139.00 and when I went to the register, they were rung up at $119.00! What a smoken deal!!!
Hope this helps!
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