theoriginalnickyp
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I'm looking for a breathable pair of decent boot foot hip waders. Anyone have a pair they like?
Hip Waders
- Thread starter theoriginalnickyp
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TimMurphy
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Dear nicky,
Years ago, there were a lot more choices in hip boots. I have a pair of Orvis stocking foot hippers that are at least 20 years old that I still use. Today, I think Frogg Toggs is the only company left that makes hip boots. I bought a pair of their canvas felt soled hippers for use in colder weather that I like a lot. If you have a Tractor Supply near you they sell Frogg Toggs.
Regards,
Tim Murphy 🙂
Years ago, there were a lot more choices in hip boots. I have a pair of Orvis stocking foot hippers that are at least 20 years old that I still use. Today, I think Frogg Toggs is the only company left that makes hip boots. I bought a pair of their canvas felt soled hippers for use in colder weather that I like a lot. If you have a Tractor Supply near you they sell Frogg Toggs.
Regards,
Tim Murphy 🙂
fritzer
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I tend to agree Tim. I still have a 30+ year old pair when Prof Dan Bailey was in business. I'm glad to have purchased them when I did.
wildtrout2
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Frogg Toggs were the only hip boots I could find. I have a pair of the felt soles as a backup to my Orvis waders.
TimMurphy
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Dear nicky,
Just to expand on choices a bit, if you are willing to consider waist-high waders you will have dozens of choices. With those it would be best to go to an actual store to try them on though because even though size designations are the same from brand to brand the actual sizes can vary widely. If you are 5' 11" and weigh 175 to 200 pounds you should be able to buy just about any brand. But if you are taller and wider or thinner it's a crap shoot as to which size will fit.
Regards,
Tim Murphy 🙂
Just to expand on choices a bit, if you are willing to consider waist-high waders you will have dozens of choices. With those it would be best to go to an actual store to try them on though because even though size designations are the same from brand to brand the actual sizes can vary widely. If you are 5' 11" and weigh 175 to 200 pounds you should be able to buy just about any brand. But if you are taller and wider or thinner it's a crap shoot as to which size will fit.
Regards,
Tim Murphy 🙂
Chaz
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Years ago I gave up hip boots for wet wading when it’s warm enough, about 60-60. Other wise I I’m in full waders. The main reason being you never know when you’re going to get wet with hip boots.
theoriginalnickyp
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Looks like I should have started a thread on time machines. Wet wading isn't a bad thought. Wonder why hippers are out of style?
dudemanspecial
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I feel like I saw a set of frogg toggs at D-i-c-k-s.....not 100% sure they were breathable.
Edit: still unsure why we need such a strong bad word filter here that we cant say the name of a popular nationwide sporting good store.
Edit: still unsure why we need such a strong bad word filter here that we cant say the name of a popular nationwide sporting good store.
Simms has the below, but I've heard that their quality has been steadily declining, so buyer beware.
www.simmsfishing.com
For half the price, I have heard decent things about Paramount waders and they will probably be the next brand I purchase once my old Simms finally die on me.
paramountoutdoors.com
Simms Fishing
Simms Fishing, famous for waders made in Bozeman, MT, offers the best fishing gear & fly fishing gear.
www.simmsfishing.com
For half the price, I have heard decent things about Paramount waders and they will probably be the next brand I purchase once my old Simms finally die on me.
SLATE Zippered Waist High Guide Pant - Paramount Outdoors
The SLATE Zippered Guide Pant is a waist high Stockingfoot Wader pant. Waterproof breathable with 6-Ply nylon full wrap lower legs and TiZip zippered fly
paramountoutdoors.com
Just realized you wanted bootfoot - you're out of luck with Simms but it looks like Paramount has some.Simms has the below, but I've heard that their quality has been steadily declining, so buyer beware.
Simms Fishing
Simms Fishing, famous for waders made in Bozeman, MT, offers the best fishing gear & fly fishing gear.
For half the price, I have heard decent things about Paramount waders and they will probably be the next brand I purchase once my old Simms finally die on me.
SLATE Zippered Waist High Guide Pant - Paramount Outdoors
The SLATE Zippered Guide Pant is a waist high Stockingfoot Wader pant. Waterproof breathable with 6-Ply nylon full wrap lower legs and TiZip zippered fly
If you do any sort of walking/hiking though, I can almost promise that the stockingfoot will be a more comfortable option.
Bamboozle
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I never wear chest waders, preferring to wet wade most of the year and using hip boots or Muck Boots in winter when I never wade deep. I prefer hippers over waist highs (AKA wading pants by some) because they are more comfortable and it's easier when nature calls...
It's not hard staying dry in either if you carry a wading staff; just use some colored plastic or electrical tape and mark your staff about 2" - 3" below the spot that would be over the top or your Muck Boots or hippers.
Boot foot hippers are warmer in winter and easier to get on and off. However, most options out there aren't really made for wading anglers so they have rubber lug soles that can really be treacherous depending on where you wade. That may necessitate adding studs or felt to the bottoms which isn't easy.
That being said, the choices are slim and if you want breathable boot-foot hippers like you stated, slim to none might be more appropriate. However, hippers are not even close to being as hot and uncomfortable as waist-highs or chest waders so I wouldn't rule out NON-breathable if you are sold on hippers.
If a lack of choices makes you consider stocking foot options, if you have anything other than really skinny legs, MAKE SURE to try them on first!!
I have large calves. When I was looking for a back-up for my beloved but discontinued Hodgman stocking foot hippers, I couldn't find a pair/brand that wasn't ridiculously tight in the calf area like a pair of skinny jeans; I guess to save a few pennies on fabric.
For me, that meant I couldn't layer socks or pants like I do in winter and going up in size only added length to the Neoprene bootee, not the amount of material in the lower leg area. Bottom line, I'm babying those Hodgman's...
Finally, if you are NOT going to use them a lot, you may want to do when I was a kid, go cheap and buy a new pair every couple of seasons. I couldn't help but notice these in a quick search. They are NOT breathable but they are boot-foot and cost a little more than those Ideal hippers I bought as a kid at Two Guys...
IF they have your size, at this price you could buy 8 pairs for the cost of one pair of Simms breathable stocking-foot hippers...
Good luck!
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theoriginalnickyp
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Those Hodgman's are likley the answer. I want something quick and easy for short outings on small creeks. Those are cheaper than a pair of waterproof neoprene socks!
JG63
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Because they work - they’re comparatively cheap - and with care you don’t have to replace them in two seasons - we can’t have that can we? Every Automobile company, Appliance company, and hosts of other companies apply the same marketing ploy
wildtrout2
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Totally agree.
theoriginalnickyp
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Hodgman's arrived, first impression is that they seem cheap, which they are, so that's fine.
I don't think they are exactly what I'm looking for but for $25 should be fine until I find what is.
I don't think they are exactly what I'm looking for but for $25 should be fine until I find what is.
nymphingmaniac
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sounds strange but.... Typically, the crotch area of the upper wears out on the chest waders first - no jokes please. I usually get the booties replaced during the life of a wader so the booties and legs as still good.
I cut my waders off at the junction of the uppers and legs and used those as hip boots. Works fine.
I cut my waders off at the junction of the uppers and legs and used those as hip boots. Works fine.
Do you tie something onto the legs to hook them to a belt or something to help hold them up? This is actually not a bad idea. Some days, hippers are just right.
TimMurphy
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Dear jifigz,
Many years ago, when I first started suffering from Dunlap's Disease, as in my stomach done lapped over my belt, many places sold clip on suspenders that worked with hip boots. I had a pair but have long since forgotten where I put them.
I bought Frogg Toggs Canvas hippers, and they are stout enough to stay fully upright and never fall down, with or without belt straps. I can wear them with shorts with no belt and they stay upright.
Regards,
Tim Murphy 🙂
Kms
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I just spent four hours on the little lehigh in these and they were very comfortable and dry. Very light weight and definitely breathable, but I certainly wouldn’t go traipsing through thorns with them.
If you still want boot foots, these frog toggs are about as cheap as they come. They’re not breathable, but the tops are open so I dont think ir matters as much as with waders.
If you still want boot foots, these frog toggs are about as cheap as they come. They’re not breathable, but the tops are open so I dont think ir matters as much as with waders.
wildtrout2
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I have a pair of those too. Cheap enough as a back-up, and easy on and off for brief outings. But, you lose the ankle support that wading boots provide. So, on all day trips I'll wear my Orvis waders/boots.
