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Days until Sept. Goose and early teal. 8 paydays. This year I'm replacing a bunch of worn out stuff, like my waders. Has anybody bought the cheaper Rogers Waders? We're down to one income, money is going to get tight here really soon.

I need a new pair, myself. Can't believe how much they've gone up since I got my last pair about 6 years ago. I'm going to keep trying the Sportsman's Guide, which is where I got my last pair.

Focus on field hunting geese.

Cheaper, dumber birds, more meat.

Probably more bands to be had as well, if you're into that.

don taylor wrote:Days until Sept. Goose and early teal. 8 paydays. This year I'm replacing a bunch of worn out stuff, like my waders. Has anybody bought the cheaper Rogers Waders? We're down to one income, money is going to get tight here really soon.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Waders/Hunting-Waders%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104674680/i/103895280/Cabelas-Warrior-II-Waders-Stout/749093.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-waders%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1101198%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%3FWT.mc_id%3Dgoogle%257Csitelink%257CUSA%26WT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26WT.z_mc_id1%3Dsk33IrV69%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU%26gclid%3DCL3Hy8PplbcCFXN0MgodYScALQ%26pcrid%3D21457143916%26rid%3D20&WTz_l=PPC%3Bcat103895280

These are not super cheap, but they will last longer than most waders... save money over time.

I have their processors and I like them a lot, they are the only pair to last me 2 seasons... going on a third (have started leaking at the seams a little, tho). Also, from the sounds of things the upgrades would make them a great pair of waders. Mine don't have the inner layer of neoprene and they are still warm if I wear liners.

Downsides:
They are a little bulky compared to neoprene... and they wont float if you fall in the water

I have switched over to 100 % breathables. I will never own neoprene again.

The Cabelas brand breathables have lasted pretty good to a couple seasons of abuse. I love them.

Tomkat wrote:I have switched over to 100 % breathables. I will never own neoprene again.

The Cabelas brand breathables have lasted pretty good to a couple seasons of abuse. I love them.

I don't know how Don hunts, but as most of you know... Neoprene's flotation qualities will allays keep me coming back.

Breathables are great for instances that don't require a boat ride or deep water...

I have to buy a new pair of breathables this year. I had caddis waterfowl system breathables and they lasted two years. That's good for me.

Tomkat wrote:The Cabelas brand breathables have lasted pretty good to a couple seasons of abuse. I love them.

A couple seasons in Kansas is 10 seasons anywhere else.

bill herian wrote:

Tomkat wrote:The Cabelas brand breathables have lasted pretty good to a couple seasons of abuse. I love them.

A couple seasons in Kansas is 10 seasons anywhere else.

Do they duck hunt in cactus? Or is it the unpredictable weather?

No lip, but we have a thing called barbed wire here that reminds me of cactus. My breathables have crossed more than a few fences.

As for the boat ride, I always wear a life jacket.


Sent from a fancy ass phone

Everything damn thing that grows in that state is practically made of barbed wire.

Woody wrote:

Tomkat wrote:I have switched over to 100 % breathables. I will never own neoprene again.

The Cabelas brand breathables have lasted pretty good to a couple seasons of abuse. I love them.

I don't know how Don hunts, but as most of you know... Neoprene's flotation qualities will allays keep me coming back.

Breathables are great for instances that don't require a boat ride or deep water...

I'm with you Woody. Neoprene waders + neoprene parka = survival suit in big, rough water.

Tomkat wrote:No lip, but we have a thing called barbed wire here that reminds me of cactus. My breathables have crossed more than a few fences.

As for the boat ride, I always wear a life jacket.


Sent from a fancy ass phone

Mine were done in by barbed wire and black berry vines this year.

Haven't crossed barbed wire while wearing my waders in many years. Seems that around most bodies of water, there is rough scrub brush and other growing things that like to rip or put holes in waders. My biggest prob with waders is after the hunt and off season care. Definitely due for a new pair.

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

bill herian wrote:Everything damn thing that grows in that state is practically made of barbed wire.

It occurs to me you have spent some time crawling on the ground out here.

The hedge along makes the state a porcupine.

I understand WF mans case for neoprene. It just aint gonna work for me. I truely like the freedom of movement breathables give me, and I have never been cold in them.

Bootlipkiller wrote:

Tomkat wrote:No lip, but we have a thing called barbed wire here that reminds me of cactus. My breathables have crossed more than a few fences.

As for the boat ride, I always wear a life jacket.


Sent from a fancy ass phone

Mine were done in by barbed wire and black berry vines this year.

Mine were "done in" by an erection that followed a nice scotch triple.

I need to get down to Kansas this summer to snag a nice whack of hedge apple. I've got in mind to make a bow and that's one of the best woods in north america for that purpose.

3legged_lab wrote:Mine were "done in" by an erection that followed a nice scotch triple.

Ever hear the story about the little dutch boy? Just keep the leak plugged and you'll be fine.

Breathables are comfy, but I have frozen my nads to the core in them. The pinhole that was barely noticeable with neoprene, will stick your marbles up inside your ribcage when it gets cold. Mine did not hold up to breaking ice or freezing solid while hunting. Need to break down and get 2 pairs.

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

bill herian wrote:I need to get down to Kansas this summer to snag a nice whack of hedge apple. I've got in mind to make a bow and that's one of the best woods in north america for that purpose.

If you ask me nice I will save you the trip and mail ya one....up to you.

waterfowlman wrote:

Woody wrote:

Tomkat wrote:I have switched over to 100 % breathables. I will never own neoprene again.

The Cabelas brand breathables have lasted pretty good to a couple seasons of abuse. I love them.

I don't know how Don hunts, but as most of you know... Neoprene's flotation qualities will allays keep me coming back.

Breathables are great for instances that don't require a boat ride or deep water...

I'm with you Woody. Neoprene waders + neoprene parka = survival suit in big, rough water.

I don't have a Neoprene Parka, I just throw on a float coat...

Tomkat wrote:No lip, but we have a thing called barbed wire here that reminds me of cactus. My breathables have crossed more than a few fences.

As for the boat ride, I always wear a life jacket.


Sent from a fancy ass phone

... which provides way more flotation than a "jacket/vest" I don't know what kind you are talking about TK, but the regular life jackets will help little to none with non-neoprene waders.

Bootlipkiller wrote:I have to buy a new pair of breathables this year. I had caddis waterfowl system breathables and they lasted two years. That's good for me.

Bought a pair of those and they lasted maybe 8 hunts before they started leaking. Most of those hunts were out of boat too so they didn't get a bunch of abuse.

Cabelas waders have been the best for me. The fit, durability, and price make me a repeat customer.

Would love some feedback on the Rogers waders as well.

Woody,
Its similar to this one.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=751174&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D104794380%26categoryId%3D104741280%26subCategoryId%3D104328180%26productId%3D1150718%26type%3Dproduct%26destination%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fbrowse%252Ffishing-boating-life-jackets%252Fcabelas%252F_%252FN-1100591%252B1000002949%252FNe-1000002949%252FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104328180%253FWTz_l%253DUnknown%25253Bcat104741280%2526WTz_st%253DGuidedNav%2526WTz_stype%253DGNU%26WTz_l%3DUnknown%253Bcat104741280%253Bcat104328180&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-021436


Educate me here, I dont want to drown. I do think I would float with this and a pair of breathables.

jarbo03 wrote:Breathables are comfy, but I have frozen my nads to the core in them. The pinhole that was barely noticeable with neoprene, will stick your marbles up inside your ribcage when it gets cold. Mine did not hold up to breaking ice or freezing solid while hunting. Need to break down and get 2 pairs.

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

I would just like to say here that Jarbo is the ultimate gear tester. A season of equipment for Jarbo equals 5 seasons to me. Even if we go in the same hunts the same times...jarbo tends to grind it down.

Tomkat wrote:

jarbo03 wrote:Breathables are comfy, but I have frozen my nads to the core in them. The pinhole that was barely noticeable with neoprene, will stick your marbles up inside your ribcage when it gets cold. Mine did not hold up to breaking ice or freezing solid while hunting. Need to break down and get 2 pairs.

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

I would just like to say here that Jarbo is the ultimate gear tester. A season of equipment for Jarbo equals 5 seasons to me. Even if we go in the same hunts the same times...jarbo tends to grind it down.

I'm a glutton for abuse. There might be a boat that can help solve this!

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

jarbo03 wrote:Breathables are comfy, but I have frozen my nads to the core in them. The pinhole that was barely noticeable with neoprene, will stick your marbles up inside your ribcage when it gets cold. Mine did not hold up to breaking ice or freezing solid while hunting. Need to break down and get 2 pairs.

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

It's the best way to go. If you can afford a pair of each your golden in any situation. Me and gadwall froze our asses off wearing our breathables one one hunt during a cold front. I can't imagine wearing only breathables somewhere where it actually gets cold like Kansas.

Tomkat wrote:Woody,
Its similar to this one.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=751174&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D104794380%26categoryId%3D104741280%26subCategoryId%3D104328180%26productId%3D1150718%26type%3Dproduct%26destination%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fbrowse%252Ffishing-boating-life-jackets%252Fcabelas%252F_%252FN-1100591%252B1000002949%252FNe-1000002949%252FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104328180%253FWTz_l%253DUnknown%25253Bcat104741280%2526WTz_st%253DGuidedNav%2526WTz_stype%253DGNU%26WTz_l%3DUnknown%253Bcat104741280%253Bcat104328180&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-021436


Educate me here, I dont want to drown. I do think I would float with this and a pair of breathables.

When we sunk the boat the DNR office who showed up told us about a test they conduct on new lifejackets every few years...he told us about it because we didn't have any on.

Basically they tied 15lbs to them and they jumped in wearing street cloths.

The self inflaters were the worst.
holding them up between 10 and 15 feet from the surface, so treading was required.

Next worst were the vest type.
Same as above but 5 or so feet from the surface.

The only type to pass were the float coats...

I will post a link to the ones we have later.

This ain't Kansas or PA, but I've found cold weather comfort largely a matter of what I'm wearing under breathables and where. First year I had mine, standing in iced up water for a few mornings wasn't a problem as long as I had light duofold long johns under my jeans. But I did get chilled sitting largely exposed out of the water one morning when the wind was whipping temps in the 20s. So I bought a pair of heavy fleece long handles and a pair of Cabela's heavy fleece wader pants that, to date, have both proven way too dang hot to wear under breathables in what generally passes for cold here. Maybe someday South Louisiana will see cold enough weather to let me enjoy those investments.

Bootlipkiller wrote:

jarbo03 wrote:Breathables are comfy, but I have frozen my nads to the core in them. The pinhole that was barely noticeable with neoprene, will stick your marbles up inside your ribcage when it gets cold. Mine did not hold up to breaking ice or freezing solid while hunting. Need to break down and get 2 pairs.

Sent from a gnarly phone with a kickstand

It's the best way to go. If you can afford a pair of each your golden in any situation. Me and gadwall froze our asses off wearing our breathables one one hunt during a cold front. I can't imagine wearing only breathables somewhere where it actually gets cold like Kansas.

Boot, I wear some good Avery waderpants. They are called brutal weather pants. Works like a champ.
I used my breathables to break ice, walk on ice,etc.

I looked up a few pictures for ya. Next time you are out shivering in CA with your buddies in breathables, think about these. I wore my breathables in all of these hunts.





I am not saying we come anywhere close to the folks north of us in the way of cold and bad weather...but this ain't no picnic some days.



GKR and I kneeled in icy water for 4 hours to get these birds. Notice my breathables on? His dog had his gonads dipped in that water the whole time.
Everytime I look at this picture it makes me twinge. This hunt was a hard core ass buster, its a miracle these 2 fat boys didnt have a heart attack on this one. We did get into the birds, but we worked for it.





This one looks nice, huh? We froze our asses off laying in blinds on the bank. GKR eventually made me leave and took me to Caseys and poured coffee and doughnuts in me. I was so cold I couldnt quit shaking. That time the breathables didnt make it.



I dont think anything would have kept us warm.

Woody wrote:

Tomkat wrote:Woody,
Its similar to this one.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=751174&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D104794380%26categoryId%3D104741280%26subCategoryId%3D104328180%26productId%3D1150718%26type%3Dproduct%26destination%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fbrowse%252Ffishing-boating-life-jackets%252Fcabelas%252F_%252FN-1100591%252B1000002949%252FNe-1000002949%252FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104328180%253FWTz_l%253DUnknown%25253Bcat104741280%2526WTz_st%253DGuidedNav%2526WTz_stype%253DGNU%26WTz_l%3DUnknown%253Bcat104741280%253Bcat104328180&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-021436


Educate me here, I dont want to drown. I do think I would float with this and a pair of breathables.

When we sunk the boat the DNR office who showed up told us about a test they conduct on new lifejackets every few years...he told us about it because we didn't have any on.

Basically they tied 15lbs to them and they jumped in wearing street cloths.

The self inflaters were the worst.
holding them up between 10 and 15 feet from the surface, so treading was required.

Next worst were the vest type.
Same as above but 5 or so feet from the surface.

The only type to pass were the float coats...

I will post a link to the ones we have later.

This is the one I have, it is a cheaper one, most go for $200-400, but this one is $130.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/onyx-flotation-jacket-realtree-max-4/0000000073409?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping%2Bsearch&utm_campaign=google%2Bproduct%20search&gslfah&gclid=CP32sKyPlrcCFelAMgodeEUAfQ



If you are wearing non floating waders the problem with other jacket types is that treading water for an extended period of time is very difficult with all the extra bulk... they are better than nothing, but not much.

If you have neoprene waders on, any life jacket will do. The neoprene waders float like a cork and the jacket is just there to keep your head pointed towards heaven.

!!!! FYI most likely none of the ones you can get for hunting (camo) will help, if you are unconscious... They do not force your body to float face up (heads up but not face up)... the one I have is a class three PFD just like most others.

The float coats just provide more flotation. Which I don't understand this, but they don't include that in the classifications until class one, which requires self righting as well as 22 lbs of buoyancy.

Another thing I find odd is that I couldn't find any mention of superior flotation for the "float Coats" anywhere
So, I am purely going off what the officer told me.


I do know one thing for a fact, if the water is over your head, you better be in neoprene waders and some sort of life jacket... it will likely SAVE YOUR LIFE!

If we had been just a few yards further out (we were at about 60) none of us would have made it, with life jackets on we would have been fine for quite a bit further.