[joker]

I'm guessing there are some folks on here with helpful opinions about make/model of good sturdy but light waders. I'm interested in using them for some photography projects which will have me wading and sometimes kneeling in creeks and rivers as well as in shallow salt water. At times I'll be doing enough of an approach hike that I'd be likely to want to have the waders in (or strapped onto) my pack until I get to the water, so I'd like them to be at least somewhat lightweight, though durability is even more important. Opinions or advice?

[hbb]

You may already be aware of this, but waders will generally either have a built-in boot (heavy and bulky) or will be stocking foot, with a neoprene bootie built in. The foot on stocking foot waders will be too bulky to fit into your normal shoes/boots. Simms is the gold standard, but Redington is a good value, and more-or-less locally based. Cabela's house-brand is not bad.

[Ski]

[Jaberwock]

I'd get the lightest weight quality waders w/ stocking foot you can afford and skip the wading boots, taking crocks instead of boots. This should work OK since it sounds like you won't be walking around much in the water. I've done miles in crocks in waders and they are SLIPPERY, but the do work. And they are way lighter than wading boots. I'd get a pair of Simms and call it good, they have some made-in-china now that are good and about 1/2 the prince of their USA made stuff. I use Simms for work and truthfully get the same milage out of the USA ones as the china ones. If you don't have to go deep, you could consider getting some wading pants which will be even more compact. Excited to see your photos!

[graywolf]

I've got a couple of pairs of lightweight hippers: one from Orvis which is an ultralight coated nylon stocking foot without neoprene, the other is made by Hodgeman out of waterproof/breathable fabric with a neoprene foot. I've used both for years of fly fishing on the upper Elwha, Duckabush, Bogachiel, etc. Both have proven durable and leak proof. I usually take a lightweight pair of wading boots made by Orvis, but have used them with a pair of Tevas (not as comfortable). I also have a pair of lightweight waterproof/breathable waders (chest high) from Cabela's, but only use them when I'm fishing not too far from the car.

[hbb]

[Ski]

^ That is the reason my father never owned or used waders after having watched that scenario play out. (Might also be the reason I've never used the pair I own, which were given to me by a well-intentioned friend.)

[graywolf]

That's why I always have a sheath knife very handy whenever I wear waders. I also wear a wading belt.

[joker]

Great input - thanks! The specific brand recos align with what I've found elsewhere. And the safety tips are clearly important - again thanks!!

[JVesquire]

I use Reddington's Palix River waders. They're a lot less expensive than Simms and pretty good quality: https://www.redington.com/fly-fishing-waders/palix-river-wader

[Slim]

Not sure if you're looking for hip or chest waders. I have owned many pairs of Simms waders and they are bomber. I also have a pair of Frogg Togg lightweight hip waders that I use for less demanding situations - http://www.froggtoggs.com/waders/men/canyon-stockingfoot-hipper.html

[Yeti]

Wiggy's makes a pair of 10oz hip waders - http://www.wiggys.com/clothing-outerwear/lightweight-waders You may also want to look at the Chota "Hippies" http://chotaoutdoorgear.com/shop/hippies/original-hippies/

[joker]

Thanks - hippers look like a good plan for starters, both in terms of $ and weight. I can imagine cases where I'd like a bit more height, particularly for kneeling down to look at the camera back and through the viewfinder, but I'll see how far hip waders can get me before taking the chest plunge.

[Malachai Constant]

Light and sturdy seldom go together, in any event do not go cheap, the son of a friend was killed when waders failed by Fall City.

[hbb]

Dredging this thread back up to post a link to a review of some new lightweight packable waders from Patagonia: Patagonia Middle Fork Packable Wader Review These look very promising, but they aren't cheap ($349).