I would like help in getting another pair of 5mm neroprene chest waders 1600g.

My last pair of Cabela's lasted 3 years now they leak.
What do you guys like?

Thanks you for your replies Jim

My last neoprenes were from cabelas. Lasted maybe a year before leaking. I still have them. Wear as last resort. But can’t provide much help for picking new pair. I’ve gone to breathables for everything. Keep 3-4 pairs and rotate between them. Only way I might buy neoprene again is for spring steelhead where there’s little movement

Seem to go bad even if you do not use them.

Waders last as long as the care you put into them. Hang to dry after every outing. I have an area in the house I hang mine, boots up and they last long enough to not fit anymore, lol.

I have a special place in the basement where I rotate through three pair hanging in a row. Just coming in from the bottoms I take 'em off and hang them over boot dyers, no matter whether I sprung a leak or not. Sweat easily builds up in 'em. If there is a leak, I place a piece of tape next to that spot.

The middle pair, sometime during the day, gets inspected and any leaky areas, that are dry by now, get repaired with Aquaseal.

The pair that's been repaired/inspected the day before hangs ready to go.

Neoprenes are very susceptible to punctures, especially when working in areas with beaver. But the ease at which one can maneuver around in 'em makes it worth it to me. Especially when setting up bottom edge sets.

Don't know if I'll buy neop. again

I'll add that most the time I'm wearing La Crosse insulated hip boots. The neoprene waders are primarily for bottom edge setting.

And no, I'm not promoting La Crosse boots. Ever since they dumped their employees and moved the operations overseas their product has been substandard, IMO.

Biggest thing I miss with the business was the outlet store there in La Crosse.

Good info Muskrat! And I too agree...ever since LaCrosse sold out they have cheapened their boots but the price keeps going up?
Using Frogg Toggs now...so far so good.

I found when my neoprene leaked I would find the leak dry them out and use nothing more than clear silicone sealer rub it in on the leak let dry over night worked for me.

They dry out. Nothing you can do about it.

I can't keep the boots from dry rotting and developing cracks. Mine have always been stored inside and it happens time and time again.

I'm debating on going to the bootless waders and just buying my own pair of boots.

End of season I clean up all boots, allow to dry thoroughly, then spray Armor All liberally on the exterior. Wipe good.

Boots go in large, black plastic bags and laid horizontally on the shelf. Seal the bag if you can. Never fold 'em.

This has worked for me over the years.

I much prefer this. It’s too hard for me to find a pair with decent fitting boots attached. Overtime you may find that you’ve accumulate a few styles of boots that fit some waders better than others. A real cheap option instead of wading shoes/boots is to buy a cheap pair of rubber boots at Walmart or farm store. They are quick on and off. Just use a hot drill to make drain holes by the footbed

First pair of neroprene waders i bought from Jerry Nelson at Mn rondezvous, $250 , 1983 Still have the heavy buggers, still use them, more patches than a shotgun target after turkey shoot.

I prefer breathable waders. They've come down in price over the years to where they're comparable in price to neoprene. You get a lot more movement and flexibility.

My first pair of neoprene were my dad's Hodgmans from the late 80s. Wore those for a few years when I first started duck hunting until they literally fell apart. They "died" 25 years after he bought them. Then switched to lacrosse neoprene and they would last about a duck season before they were turned into Swiss cheese slogging through cypress swamps and buck brush.

Switched to breathables and will never go back. The one complaint I've had with the breathables were a pair made by "Banded". Was breaking ice one morning and a sliver of ice gashed the boot in a spot where it's constantly being flexed each time you step, so a patch wouldn't hold tight. The pair of breathables I have now, I've had for 4 years. Wear them water trapping and duck hunting all winter long.

Got a link to your supplier, Massac?

I left neoprene's a few years ago and I love my breathable. I buy mine from rogers sporting goods. Their brand of breathable waders are made for them by frog togs. I have been wearing them to trap and duck hunt for about 5 years. As a side note, rogers sporting goods is a top notch place. They are great to deal with and you can usually get free shipping on most orders.
Here is their link= https://rogerssportinggoods.com/