Just wondering what people are using for cold water chest waders. Use will be primarily for river fishing.

Cret

Neoprene. Compare grams of insulation in the boots, too.

I have a pair of 5 mm Neoprene waders that were made by Wardell. They are very warm and over 25 years old and still as sound as the day I got them.

Yep on the neoprene.

Long johns

walllee: "Yep on the neoprene."

Yes neoprene all the way.

Neoprene is the way to go. I have a pair that I use about 5 times a year, and they are 25 years old and no leaks.

I spent a decade fly fishing glacial rivers in Alaska and I always used breathable waders instead of neoprene. Early or late in the season I'd wear a thick pair of fleece pants under the waders, and always heavy socks, but breathable waders keep you from getting sweaty and wet inside your waders, which will get you cold very fast.

If you are fishing ‘cold’ water say late October/November 5mil neoprene are great. The problem though is that you don’t have much air around your feet for good insulation so your feet will get cold if you fish later in the season and through winter. So in that situation, 5 mil boot foot waders neoprene are best. Sweat has never been an issue for me winter fishing but in early to mid oct yes for sure. There you want breathables and feet can begin to get cold but not too bad. I read something about 20 years ago of guys getting 5 mil neoprene and cutting off the stocking foot section and gluing insulated rubber pack boots to the upper section. Also there used to be a ‘steelheader’ model of waders made for this very issue, similar to the diy pack boot approach but can’t remember which manufacturer made them.

Moonman