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Anybody wear breathable waders for duck hunting? I got a pair for work but they are not insulated enough to wear for hunting but they are SUPER comfortable. And they dont get holes in them as easy as many people think. The looseness of the material allows sticks to brush against the material without putting a hole in them. Heck they are probably better than neoprene waders when it comes to sticks putting holes in them.

I know Macks has a pair they sale but before I buy them, I want to know they are warmer than the cabelas non-insulated pair I have for work. You can always wear 4 layers underneath the waders if they are not insulated but I would rather have a pair with some insulation.

I have a pair of non-camo ones for fly fishing, and a pair of camo ones for early duck hunting. I've only used the ones for duck hunting a couple times for teal season. I've fished on some very chilly days (mid 30's) in my breathables and I never got cold. I just wore a pair of polar fleece pants and my camo pants on top under the waders. I'd love a pair that have the boot built in for duck hunting. The ones I have are the like the fishing style where you have to wear wading boots, and they have a tendancy to stick in mud more than the normal duck waders. I would wear them a lot more. Because I surely don't need my 5mm 1000 gram thinsulate neos when it's 50 degrees.

I'm actually going to Argentina, and am bringing my breathables there since it won't be very cold, and I am trying to pack light.

i have a pair of the drake boat pants. have worn them for 2 years and love em. i will be buying a pair of the drake est which is like the boat pants but full chest waders before this season. i wear them 80%of the season from early teal thru the coldest days. they are so easy to get on and off and dry much faster. i just layer up for the colder days. i have found that the only time i wear my drake chest waders is when i am in timber and the waist highs are not talll enough. i absolutely love them but they are expensive. others make nice ones too like lacrosse.

In 5 years breathables will be the duck hunting standard, just like they took over the fly fishing world 10 years ago.

I have a pair of Mack's breathables and there is plenty of insulation in the boots. They are built to allow for layering to keep you warm in about conditions you will face in the South. I hunted in 19 degree temps last season in mine and didn't get cold. The boots are cut lower than Lacrosse so they may rub a little until you get them broken in. They are also light enough for early teal season.

augustus_65 wrote:I have a pair of Mack's breathables and there is plenty of insulation in the boots. They are built to allow for layering to keep you warm in about conditions you will face in the South. I hunted in 19 degree temps last season in mine and didn't get cold. The boots are cut lower than Lacrosse so they may rub a little until you get them broken in. They are also light enough for early teal season.

Thanks for the info..the only negative reviews I read about the Macks breathables are that the boot tends to rub your shin raw if you are walking long distances..

I'm just sick of my neoprene waders that are tight in all the wrong places and have 30 lb boots..i agree i think breathable will be the standard wader in a short time

I bought a pair this year. I was tired of the old neoprene waders that leaked in the crotch. New waders every two years.

I got some Cabelas waders that are breathable. Not as cheap as I would have liked but still.......

I plan on wearing some longhandles and some fleece pants under them to keep warm.


I'm done with neoprene for a while.

I've had a pair of Cabelas Warrior II's for 3 years - these are the ones with the 1000 gram boots and from what I hear, may be harder to find. The key is that you can "Dress-Up" or "Dress-Down" underneath depending on conditions. Have hunted standing in crotch deep water in sub-freezing temps and absolutely comforatable. I believe the key is that I am not building up the sweat underneath while putting out dekes and all the other things required pre-hunt.

So easy to walk and maneuver in. And, let's face it - there's many morning during the season where the lows are anywhere near freezing - some days make it to the 60's and 70's. Never Neoporene ever again for me.

I went on a rant awhile back on the current state of waders. Someone make a pair of comfortable, seamless waders that are breathable, and you will be a very rich man.

Hunting down here further south of ya'll, I have been using them exclusivley for the past 12 years. I am on my second pair of Cabela's boot foot waist highs. I love them, I can stuff them into a dry box on the boat and they are always there if I need them.

I agree on the durability. I have been very pleased.

Do the Drake boat pants have boots? I love my hip boots for work and walking in and out of shallow places. I'm looking for something without insulated boots.

Yes.. Let me know if you decide to get some I will hook you up...

The other plus of waisthigh breathables versus hip boots is no itchy but from sitting on a wet seat in a blind.

Ummm, itchy butt.

Very few things in life I hate worse than itchy butt. Very few.