I have heard similar advice from anglers who spend a lot more days in waders than me. Basically it goes buy 2 pairs of cheap breathables and a tube of aquaseal. So that's what I did. Now they weren't Frogg Toggs and I don't have any experience with them but my 2 cheap waders cost me well over $200 and didn't last a year even though I wore neoprene in the cold months. My Chotas had the leg seam separate while I was fishing - I spent the day soaked and my Columbia's developed leaks through the entire length of the crotch seam - both left and right. Neither could be fixed with a single tube of Aquaseal. I could have used that money for a good pair of Simms. I bought a pair of G3s which are expensive but I could have just jumped straight to the G3s which are the best waders I have ever owned as far as reliability goes. Talk to some of the shop owners - people use them for 10 years and more and maybe just replace the feet. I you fish 35 to 50 times a year you will likely replace your Frogg Toggs every year. Do the math. Buying some of the less expensive Simms are probably a better deal in the long term.
I am one of those guys that would much rather spend less money on more, then drop a whole bunch of money on one product.
I easily fish 200 days a year, if it's a slow year, up to 300 on years where I am getting out lots. I had a pair of Frogg Toggs hellbender waders for 2.5 years (put nearly 700 trips on them), and to be honest, they were the best waders I ever had. They have an extremely nice fit, and don't degrade. I would highly endorse the brand. I got that experience for a grand total of 129.99 USD (back when the brand was starting out). I have gone through nearly every cheap brand on the market - Frogg Toggs are the only ones I would recommend.
I have since moved to Redington Sonic pro waders. Super nice fit, but had some problems. Already warrantied them once due to foot issues. I dropped over $300 on them, could have bought 2 pairs of Frogg Toggs to last me ~5 years, or $300 on these Redington's which lasted 8 months, and then I had to wait a month for waders (luckily it was the summer so I could wet wade). Once these Redington waders die on me, I'll be back on the Frogg Togg wagon with a tube of aquaseal if I need it (which I never really did).
I've had the same debates with people over jackets. Why would I drop $300+ on a Simms jacket. Sure that jacket may have lasted them 7 years for their fishing, but I guarantee it wouldn't last more than 3 years with what I do to my gear. Walk backwards through salmon berries that can hold you up when you jump at them - then come back and tell me how long that jacket lasted. I can grab a Frogg Toggs for 50 bucks that I have no problems replacing every year. Beat it to death, and replace. Each one has lasted a year, so 3 years = $150 bucks, heck even 6 years of jackets is still cheaper than the Simms one or another comparable brand, and I don't feel as bad when I trash the cheaper jacket.
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Topic: Waders (Read 14457 times)