re: Opinion on Expensive Waders

I can't speak for the expensive ones you mentioned but I hunt with several people that have worn banded waders and they usually have to get a new pair every year from having tears and leaks. One guy had a pair that the sole came off the boot while we were hunting one day. To me, that's unacceptable on a $250+ pair of waders in their first season.

Me personally I've had a few lacrosse waders from macks pw, a pair of itascas, and a several cabelas pair. My favorite are the cabelas by far. The boots in the itascas were supposedly 1600 grams but my feet like to have froze last year on a couple hunts.

When I was in college I had a pair of cabelas ultimate hunting waders and I tore a hole in the upper portion of the boot one morning walking through some button woods and snagged it on a sharp broken branch. I boxed them up and shipped them back to cabelas after filling out the repair form and in less than 2 weeks they sent me a brand new pair for free. Between that service and how comfortable they are I'll always buy cabelas.