Guys whats your views on Neoprene feet on Breathable waders?

My thinking is why do they insist on making the feet on breathable waders from neoprene, when one considers that on a lot of waders when they do leak, its the feet area and in particular the taped seams.

Breathables are made to keep the waders lighter, less condensation when wearing them in warmer seasons of the year etc etc. Whereas Neoprene waders are generally accepted and used for the colder periods and thats the main reasons why the two different materials are made/used. But why not take the breathable material down to the feet and make the feet as a continuation of the waders?

I know there will be seams required on the feet here as well, but less so and as it is less stretchy and thats where in my opinion the neopren feet fail due to the pulling on/off and can damage the seams or indeed the material its self, especially around the heels.

We don't need to keep our feet that warm with Neoprene surely in the warmer months, when a pair of good quality socks would do the trick there!

So whats your thoughts on this, would it work?

The answer is that no coathed manmade fabric can cope with rub wear - breathable feet might last 2 trips !

This is why I have but little time for breathable anything - and especially used in conjunction with Float Tubes - there's big rubbing if you are finning in any type of floatable !

Me I use 5mm British Made Good Quality Neoprene and sweat a bit - the current pair have lasted just on 11 years ! And cost around £250 in today's terms - this is far cheaper than 3/4/6 /........... sets of breathables .

But what do I know

Best wishes

Steve P

Crossing over from the hillwalking/mountaineering trade, goretex socks appeared on the market in the early 90ies and quietly sank without a trace. The problem with breathable materials is that they're easily punctured by very small things: grit, twigs, grass, bracken etc - all things youre likely to encounter gearing up, or on the walk down to the river and one tiny hole = wet feet because the lining's designed to spread moisture over a large area so if you had a leak over your little toe the fabric would ensure that your whole foot got wet. They'd also have to be seam taped which would be just as prone to failure. Stick to neoprene.

Couldn't agree more Steve. Breathables are brilliant on a clean bank/beach but the minute you have to do any scrambling about through undergrowth or over rocks or fences, they've had it. I've got a pair of Greys breathables that have got so many Aquasure blotches they look like a bad case of acne. Still don't leak though. Neoprene for me too.

The comment on gortex socks got my attention so off to Google. Apparently they still are available, all be it I've yet to see anyone with them.

Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks Socks - Free Shipping at REI.com **
REI is a HUGE outdoor recreation store here in the US.

Real problem for me (and I'd assume others) is the neo-booties make my feet sweat regardless of the water temperature. That leads to damp .... then cold feet. I've use the Sealskinz socks for years (same pair) and they do work a treat. In the summer, even in 50 degree water, they're heavy enough that I don't need anything but a silk sock liner under them. Toastie Toes.
fae

Edit** Ordered up a set to see what we see. The Internet works even at 0050 in the morning.
Fred

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what about the stuff they use to make sealskinz socks? I've had a pair of those for a couple of years and wear them every time I put on my walking boots and they have held up fine.

If it works it was my idea though and I want royalties :P

No clue what they use, but it works and they're far 'warmer' than one would think.
fae

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withdrawn etc

for the firstv time ever i do agree with steve. but sadly i cant were neoprene as i cant get on to fit me. so im stuck with the breathable waist waders on my tube. if anyone does make some baggy ones you would look rather daft i think,what shape you would look like just buy a dry suit for the sea that would do you could wear anything in one of those in the winter

phil

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stop buying bottled water we have,nt got enuff to fish in now so stop it get the water companies to do there job and clean the water every where!!!!

You cant compare the two types!!
Neoprenes are made to keep you warm and dry in colder conditions and do that fine.
Breathable waders are for warmer conditions where they keep you dry and cooler.
wearing neoprenes in the summer when walking around a lot you just as well not bother as you will be soaked in sweat , on the other hand you can always put on base layers in the breathable ones.
Iv got both and wear the neoprenes maybe 10% to the breathable 90% of the time.

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