Wader Recommendations: Hey guys, I am looking into buying a pair of chest waders and i’ve looked at the 2 different types (stocking foot and regular with the plastic boots). I know you...

Dallask Loc: New Jersey

Hey guys, I am looking into buying a pair of chest waders and i’ve looked at the 2 different types (stocking foot and regular with the plastic boots). I know you guys are probably more experienced in this stuff than I am. So, I was wondering which ones you guys think I should buy. I will most likely be using these to wade in rivers and bays and the ocean to fish for stripers and blues. Let me know! Thanks!

-Dallas

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Check for any regulations about which type of boot may be acceptable. Stocking foot waders and boots with felt soles can track in lots of invasive species which get caught in the fibers.

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

I like the felt soles because they give better traction on slippery rocks

Dallask Loc: New Jersey

Thanks I will check that out. Do you prefer the stocking foot waders. Or the waders with the boot attached as one piece. Thanks!

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Dallask wrote:

Thanks I will check that out. Do you prefer the stocking foot waders. Or the waders with the boot attached as one piece. Thanks!

Personally I would go for the boots attached and were socks inside them. The water can get really cold.
A lot of places, IE States, will NOT allow the Felt bottom ones. Check the Fish and Game regs in your State!

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Dallask wrote:

Thanks I will check that out. Do you prefer the stocking foot waders. Or the waders with the boot attached as one piece. Thanks!

Well I use mine for duck hunting, too so I go for the boot foot.

TimFly Loc: Hacienda Heights, CA

Dallask wrote:

Hey guys, I am looking into buying a pair of chest waders and i’ve looked at the 2 different types (stocking foot and regular with the plastic boots). I know you guys are probably more experienced in this stuff than I am. So, I was wondering which ones you guys think I should buy. I will most likely be using these to wade in rivers and bays and the ocean to fish for stripers and blues. Let me know! Thanks!

-Dallas

If most of your wading is in rivers and possibly lakes, float tubing, then I like stocking foot waders as to the fact that you have many different boot or fin options. If you do more surf fishing then the boot foot option does a much better job at keeping the sand out of your boots but you limit the sole options.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Check LL Bean, Simms, Orvis, and High N’ Dry. Most of my chest waders leak before they are a year old. Bootfoot breatheables are good for warm weather and neoprene for cold weather.

BUMMERS Loc: Redding, CA

Attached boots are much less liable to leak. Sealing the bunched up material at the toes of the stocking feet is difficult, snd they are eventually going to leak.

Dallask Loc: New Jersey

Thanks for all of the replies. I think i’m going to go with the attached boot ones. I appreciate it!

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

Dallask wrote:

Hey guys, I am looking into buying a pair of chest waders and i’ve looked at the 2 different types (stocking foot and regular with the plastic boots). I know you guys are probably more experienced in this stuff than I am. So, I was wondering which ones you guys think I should buy. I will most likely be using these to wade in rivers and bays and the ocean to fish for stripers and blues. Let me know! Thanks!

-Dallas

For rivers I’d recommend breathable stocking foot waders with studded felt sole boots. For the ocean wading in sand I still like stocking foot waders because the boots have more support and are easier to walk around in deep sand. However a lot of surf fishermen prefer the boot foot waders because they don’t get sand in them . I ve found if you use gravel guards and keep your feet moving you can minimize the amount of sand that gets between the neoprene stockings and the boots. Frogg Toggs Hellbender for boot foot , Anura for stocking foot.

stopnstare Loc: Philadelphia, PA

I've been using my neoprene chest waders for about 30 years along with a high-end pair of leather fishing boots with Thick felt souls...with steel studs that are great for slippery rocks under water. As for the sand/tiny rocks, I use ankle sleeves that attach to the boot hooks and they seal out anything that tries to get into the boot tops. OH...And the waders are sockfooted. My bigger problem is I wear a size 14D So finding a pair that fits is always an issue! I have to shop at either Cabellas or Orvis or LL Bean for most of my equipment. Most sporting goods shops only go upto size 12...13 at most. Oh...and those that are complaining about the neoprene leaking within a year...I've been using Gorilla glue to seal the leaks and it works great. I recently used the rubberized sealer advertised on TV and it is much better since it's pliable...so no stiff areas where I used the Gorilla Glue.

Fish4fun Loc: Clinton, NJ & Venice, FL

I’ve had both types, most recently the stocking foot ones. If you do any amount of walking in the waders either to or from your fishing spot or while in the water the stocking foot waders are far easier to use. Gravel guards work well to keep the sand out of your boots. Felt soles resist slipping better than do rubber with spikes which is better than just plan rubber soles. If you’re just fishing sandy bottoms it doesn’t matter though. A number of states do prohibit felt soles. Some boots come with soles that can be switched.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

CRKfish wrote:

For rivers I’d recommend breathable stocking foot ... (show quote)

I would like to add that felt sole on the the beach is not recommended. Also you really need to rinse everything well with fresh water after using in saltwater. I’ve been using my Frogg Toggs Breathable stocking foot waders for 6 yrs in the surf and they have no leaks . They also come with built in gravel guards. They are the most comfortable waders I’ve ever worn.

Fishing Fool Loc: redding, ca

I like the stocking ones and then purchase boots that have felt soles you can replace as needed. They really help in moss covered rocks and slick bottoms and if necessary get the ones spikes if where you wade is very mossy and slick.