Pro Line Neopreme Waders

buckhunter · #1 12-19-2005, 12:06 AM

I have to get a new set of waders. I've just about decided to go with neopreme this time but still concerned about tearing them in the marshes of New England. Saw a decent looking pair at Dick's today. The were listed as 3.5 m/m with 600 gr of thinsulate in the boot. I believe they were priced at about $100.

Tried to compare with a pair of Hodgman's. The pro line looked like tthey were a little stronger that the Hodgman's but I really don't know. The Hod were listed a 3.5 m/m with 200 gr of thinsulate.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

skeet · #2 12-19-2005, 09:10 AM

Buckhunter.. I use waders quite a bit. Had a pair of proline. Get a good pair of waders. Don't waste the money on them. Plan to spend about 150 bucks and get a pair that has some cordura on the outside. The neoprene waders are great but a little more prone to tearing etc. My prolines lasted exactly a week when they ripped in the crotch. That was a real takeup when I went out after a baldpate. The company replaced them after some bull..the replacement pair didn't last through the season. The ones I am using now I acquired from Cabela's and have had them for 3 years...Still as good as new. Oh BTW get as much insulation in the boot as you can afford and make sure the boot is not tight on your foot. And consider getting a pair of the fleece pants with foot stirrups to wear under the darn things. You'll be toasty warm most of the time. The surprising thing about waders is that you will be warmer standing in the water than on the marsh. Air is usually colder when I hunt than the water is. Carry your gun on a sling and use a walking staff when in the water...just in case!!

fabsroman · #3 12-20-2005, 03:32 AM

I use the same setup as Skeet, sans the walking staff and I really like it. I love the fleece liner with the boot straps. I hunted several years without the boot strap version and the fleece liner would always ride up when I put the waders on. I really love the Cabelas icebuster waders that I bought and I think I have had them for about 5 years now.

TreeDoc · #4 12-20-2005, 11:05 AM

buckhunter,
Given the fact that it gets colder than "you know what" back there, I would think that you would want a thicker wader?

I just set aside some 5 year old Herter's titanium 4mm for use when I make an occasional trip to the Refuge and replaced them with a set of Hodgman 5mm / 1000 gram bootfoot Zipper fronts. After 3 uses I find they are very comfortable though my only complaint is the boot is not as sturdy as the Herter's was as they fit more like a tennis shoe rather than a stiff boot. Not bad but just not as supportive as what I was used to. Zipper front is great after all that coffee in the a.m. and they're really easy to put on too.

buckhunter · #5 12-21-2005, 12:02 PM

Where I hunt I have come to realize that the neopreme's are probably not going to work that well. I ordered a set of Cabelas Brush Busters. They will definately not be as warm as neo's but I will bet you they will not rip. If you have ever got wet when its about 5 out you will appreciate it. I ordered them big and will layer under them.

Our marshes just have too many sticks, rocks and dead mobsters in them. I suspect thats it would be a matter of time before I would poke a hole in them.

Thanks for the imput.

buckhunter · #6 12-30-2005, 12:17 PM

Got my new waderw. Real nice quality. Looks almost indestructable.

Now the funny part. I made a big mistake by trying them on in front of my wife. I sat on the kitchen chair. Put my number 12 in the boot, perfect fit. Stood up and pulled them on. A little tight but not too bad. My wife smurked and said now sit down. I managed to bend about 10 degrees and that was it. Totally locked up. No way was my ars going to touch the chair.

It was worth it just to see laugh her butt off. So back to Cabelas they go. I will have to settle for hip boots whcih should be fine. The search is on.