[SmalliesNEyes]

Happy someone made this thread since I was eventually going to make one before spring.

How well do stocking foot waders really work? I'm worried they'll leak so I've looking at attached boot waders

All I've ever used in like 12+ years of wading are stocking foot waders. I started out buying cheap pairs of stocking foot breathables. Like $40-50. Those would typically last a season, maybe two before the leaks started to pop up in the seams by my balls or down in the feet.

I went with these for my last pair. http://www.basspro.com/shop/en/white-ri ... extensions

I've gotten three seasons out of them without leaks so far. And even took my first ever wading spill in them a year or so ago, going down hard on a knee right on top of a big boulder. Still no leaks due to the reinforced knees. Didn't even scrape the fabric in the knees. Been very happy with the purchase, and would highly recommend them at that price point. Bonus to having both an internal pocket on them, as well as multiple external waterproof pockets.

My next pair of boots will be a pair of Korkers with the swappable soles. About 99% of the time I'd prefer to have the felt. But in colder weather with potentially icy conditions, I'd definitely want the rubber lug possibly with studs, or the rubber lug for more muddy conditions. The felt occasionally made climbing back up a bank a little more difficult. But I still prefer felt the vast majority of the time.

 

[SmalliesNEyes]

So the "socking" foot style are actually like waterproof socks that slide into the boots... that makes more sense. I thought they were like normal pants that you had to somehow "seal" with the boot. I have to do some more research. A quality pair of waders will run me as much as a entry level kayak :crazy:

Yeah, the "stocking foot" booties are neoprene usually, and they're connected/sealed to the actual waders, just like if you had a pair of "boot foot" waders. Then you just slide boots over the stocking foot and tie them.

 

[SmalliesNEyes]

I would avoid wet wading, honestly. People still do it, but like Rambler said, you have to be ready to accept the inherent risks that come from it. Infections/diseases being the primary concern(although much less in moving water). Think... anytime you step into stagnant, muddy bank water, and all that crap is stirred off the bottom, and you have open wounds anywhere on your legs/feet? Not a good thing. Even if you stand in constantly fast-flowing water the entire day, you'll likely have to get into or out of the river at some sort of stagnant/slow-moving area that is loaded with muck and mud. I'll pass on contracting a flesh-eating bacteria, and just put on my breathable waders.

 

[SmalliesNEyes]

A wet wade rivers in Michigan that are pretty clean (clean enough to swim and tube in). It is fun to do it on a hot summer's day. I wouldn't do it on the DPR or even the Fox I think. As SmaliesNEyes points out, there are still downsides beyond water quality, thorns and poison ivy on the bank, scrapes on rocks, leeches etc. Also, it is better to have good water shoes, otherwise you will be constantly getting stones in your shoes. Still the downside is more than balanced out by the advantage of not wearing waders on a humid 80-90 degree day.

Only river I'd probably wet wade is the K3. I'd avoid it on the Fox, Duper, and DesPlaines. Fox is in between for me. I know a lot of lower Fox water comes from the Chain, and we tube and swim that all the time. So I'd probably do it if I didn't have a choice or it was just too nasty and hot out. I never get super hot in breathables, though, so idk. Any time I do, I find somewhere deep enough I can physically sit in the water, but not go over the waders, and I just do that.

 

[SmalliesNEyes]

What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Aarrr If it doesn't kill you.
DPR is clean compared to some third world countries although when you stir up that muck well it's muck. I don't know enough about flesh eating bacteria but that is a game changer if it shows up around here. Like the West Nile I am sure we will hear about it more. So yes I have also been in the DPR with some water shoes and jeans.

It's in every single body of water already. Every one. It's just a matter of if it finds a way into an open wound or not. It can be caused by e-coli, strep A, and numerous other bacterial infections, which then develop into necrotizing fasciitis

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/watch-fles ... d=32051761

Avoid warm river and lake water if you have open wounds.