David,
Let there be no doubt about my opinion: buy breathables! And a sock model.
There are soooo many reasons to go that way of which I can mention:
- comfort - good breathables feel like a good pair of jeans.
- volume - they pack really well.
- weight - nice both when traveling and wearing them.
- warmth - they are as warm and sometimes warmer than neoprenes. Don't let anybody tell you differently! Most people who say the opposite have never worn breathables.
the debate about the last issue is ongoing and eternal, but considering breathables as "summer waders" is cheating yourself from being warm and comfortable in cold water. It's what you wear underneath that matters. Wear the right pants and socks, and you will be warmer than ever.
In really cold, running water a pair of firm, non-compressing boots might keep you toes a little warmer, but I myself and the guys I fish with have bee wearing breathables only for the last decade, and trust me - we do fish in cold water, sometimes crushing the ice on the way out!
I have written about this before in this article, and it still stands.
Other things to consider is fit or shape. There's a huge difference in the shape of the waders, and you should try them on in the shop wearing a thick layer underneath. Get them big enough! If the feel tight and difficult to get in and out of in the shop, imagine yourself outdoors in bad weather with nowhere to sit and no support. Especially the legs should be wide and easy to pull on and off.
Personally I also go for simple: few zippers, few buckles, few stitches. The simpler the more durable.
And regarding the number of layers and the quality of the fabric... some breathables have three layers, some four and some five. I don't think it matters much as long as the outer layer is strong.
My experience is that worn extensively, these waders will stay waterproof for a few years and then start leaking. I think the membrane simply stops working and starts breaking, and once that happens you have to go out and buy new waders. There is no way to keep on repairing a pair of waders where water seeps in in multiple places.
And my impression is that this goes for expensive as well as cheap breathables.
Personally I prefer socks and loose boots. I can choose the best boots, and I can exchange one part and keep the other, which I have done many times. I seem to eat my way through more waders and boots than the average angler. My friends tell me I can destroy anything!
Well, a long post, but I hope it helps you decide.
Martin
