Waders ?? What are you using?

For those of you that use waders in your float tubes, what are you using?  I got back into float tubing last year after a long absence.  I use a round Caddis tube.  After my first outing, I found my new Orvis Encounter breathable waders leaking in the crotch. Disappointing, to say the least!

Gadabout wrote:For those of you that use waders in your float tubes, what are you using?  I got back into float tubing last year after a long absence.  I use a round Caddis tube.  After my first outing, I found my new Orvis Encounter breathable waders leaking in the crotch. Disappointing, to say the least!

I have been using Frogg Togg for the last few years they are great. They are Hellbender Stockingfoot Guide Pants. They have worked well for me.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

All waders will leak eventually, seams, crotch, booties, etc
When LL bean had lifetime guarantee, would just get replacement every 2-3 years
Simms is $60 for repair after first year but high up front cost
I just buy cheap amazon ones + good pair of dive boots as stocking foot get abuse by constant rubbing on fins/straps
So far these have lasted 2 years of surf fishing, saltwater and fresh tubing, hiking into spots, seem to be a good combo.





[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Caddis Elite stockingfoot. Usually with a surf booty if I have to walk any distance to keep from tearing up the stockingfoot. They are a little light for winter so I use a fleece pant underneath when the water is colder.

My big question is...Why would you wear waders in a float tube?  Major questions about safety...like what happens if you were to get a leak in a body of water and your float tube starts to sink?  or What if you get displaced from your float tube and you find yourself in the water...in your waders?  Not a good place to be.  You should be looking at Wader Skins Pants or Leggings.  These are 3MM neoprene form fitting aquatic systems designed to keep you safe and comfortable in the water.  No filling up with water with leg anchors to drag you down (in fact they have a certain level of natural buoyancy). Check them out at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  Any questions, ask me (or SP Dan here on the forum).  Be safe our on the water in your float tube or pontoon boat with Wader Skins.

I don’t know, in 35 years of float tubing (with the same tube), I’ve never considered it an issue. I'm mostly using my tube on quiet ponds, never moving water. If I sensed my tube had a leak, I’d just get back to shore before it became a problem.

And what if you did NOT get back to shore? I think waders could become a serious hazard. A friend fell off a tube once, with hip boots, and sunk like a rock. I would guess waders would be a wet coffin eventually. Just something to consider.

PFD and wader belt. Got to be safe as you can at all times. Waders in most cases keep you comfortable and always you more time in the water. I only fish with out waders once and that was at Lake Perris when the temp was 80 degrees at 6 am. Other then that I am always in waders. Everything in life is a risk but there are things you can do to minimize those risks. That is a PFD and wader belt.

Roger that. Keep that wader belt tight! Cheers. j

jklingel wrote:Roger that. Keep that wader belt tight! Cheers. j

I know that wader belt can suck sometimes but it should buy you sometime.

Here's another funny (now) story about a rubber raft near-fatal. The husband of a coworker and his buddy were moose hunting up here many years ago, in a 10' dinghy cruising shorelines calling moose. A moose appeared and the gal's husband rested his Weatherby 460 on the tube, laid down and fired.( A W 460 is a gargantuanly powerful rifle if you don't know of them.) He was dressed in fall up-North gear; nothing light. As soon as he fired, the dinghy exploded and he sank in 10' of water. He managed to "jump" up several times to get air and then sink again, thinking on his last one he was dead. Another buddy stripped and hauled him ashore gasping. I don't think he ever did that again....

Dang!!
Now that’s a story from experience!!

Thank you for sharing that.

SP Dan <“))><

I use Simms waders. they are awesome. I have used the cheapo rubber waders with boots for years and they work well too but can get a little toasty in warmer weather and not near as easy to walk in if you need to carry your tube a ways.
I also always wear a pfd regardless if I have waders on or not.

I use Frogg Togo’s too. They are inexpensive and work pretty well.

Safarihunterjohn wrote:I use Frogg Togo’s too. They are inexpensive and work pretty well.

Could not agree more with you.

rjb_Skins wrote:My big question is...Why would you wear waders in a float tube?  Major questions about safety...like what happens if you were to get a leak in a body of water and your float tube starts to sink?  or What if you get displaced from your float tube and you find yourself in the water...in your waders?  Not a good place to be.  You should be looking at Wader Skins Pants or Leggings.  These are 3MM neoprene form fitting aquatic systems designed to keep you safe and comfortable in the water.  No filling up with water with leg anchors to drag you down (in fact they have a certain level of natural buoyancy). Check them out at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  Any questions, ask me (or SP Dan here on the forum).  Be safe our on the water in your float tube or pontoon boat with Wader Skins.

I would have a set of these already. I keep varying in weight. Have diabetes. Have a lower back injury also. Found weight and stress on the back was good for me. My spine actually pulled apart in my injury. Found out when I helped carry something heavy. Pain went away for first time in years. It was soothing. I also take high grade minerals. Easily lose weight. Anyhow.. I vary in weight. Trying to find what works best.
I have two pairs of waders. Two pairs of Dryft wading pants. A set of quick dry pants, and wet shoes. Pair of neoprene socks. Heck… as soon as I can foresee any stability. I’ll probably get wader skins too.