Looking for great Hip Waders...

[craigthor]

90% of my wading is in small driftless streams and I rarely go more than knee deep in the streams. I've been using a pair of Chota Hippies this last year and they've held up well but have developed a pin hole somewhere around the bootie to wader connection and not that it is cold I need something leak free. I have emailed Chota though probably won't hear anything back till next week.

Anyone else use hip waders and if so which ones? Thinking I would want to stick with stocking foot as I have boots though if I could find a comfortable pair with attached boot I would consider it.

 

[mudbug]

I've been wanting to buy some but I can't remember the brand, maybe someone else remembers. These can be worn as either knee high or hip high waders.


Got it. The Chota Hippies.

 

[craigthor]

I've been wanting to buy some but I can't remember the brand, maybe someone else remembers. These can be worn as either knee high or hip high waders.


Got it. The Chota Hippies.

I've got those and they are alright though one of them has a small leak that I can't find so I'm waiting to hear back from them. I can be pretty hard on them as I walk though thick brush and such.

 

[itchmesir]

Sometimes there's definitely a need for something that goes above the hip... Especially here in the Driftless... I've been belly button deep and deeper in the past... Have you considered chest waders with an integrated wading belt? You can then roll your waders down to waist highs when it's warmer. Also that extra length is a nice wind resistant layer during these cold months...

Imho a lot of hippers are only a couple bucks cheaper than the waders of the same brand... May as well pay a little more and get what's the most versatile

 

[craigthor]

I've got a couple pairs of chest waders including a pair of Hodgmans from the late 90's that are still leak free.

 

[Ard]

Hi Craig,

I don't want to seem out of step with the topic but have found that many days that I fish it is raining. Although I get the hip wader thing sitting down without something over your butt is not cool. One other drawback was that when I used hip waders I always found a spot where I could get in too deep no matter where I fished. I would not go lower than the waist and them would be sure my jacket would cover the gap so I didn't end up wet. Rainy days have produced more and bigger fish than sunny days for me hands down

 

[craigthor]

Thanks, maybe I'll run with my old Hodgmans for a bit and see how well I like them.

 

[ib me]

Most of my waders are from cabelas hip waders with boot & sock foot.They get a lot of abuse with not leaks yet Ive had them for at least 5 yrs. If & when they start to leak I will buy cabelas again. I also use Hippies when chasing Brookies & my first set started somewhere around the foot & leg area also. They lasted 3yrs. with knee crawling & stickers I'm happy with them so I bought another pair
Dennis

 

[fredaevans]

As Ard, and others, have mentioned is Hippie's have some real built in limitations. Inclement weather being the worst of the worst. But for small stream wading they really do bring 'something to the table.':thumbsupu

 

[Ard]

I agree with Fred in what he says; think about this maybe, for actual small streams where I don't intend any real wading I wear a pair of 18" La Cross gum boots. They get it done and are handy for other uses as well.

 

[craigthor]

I agree with Fred in what he says; think about this maybe, for actual small streams where I don't intend any real wading I wear a pair of 18" La Cross gum boots. They get it done and are handy for other uses as well.

I'm known to throw my muck boots on they are ~20" though more often then not I seem to get just above them which is what I'm loving about having hippies.

 

[itchmesir]

LL Bean makes a pair of hippers... Boot foot only... But Bean has one rock solid warranty

 

[dhaynes]

I have a pair of Chotas and Orvis Silver Sonics... You can't beat the Chota's for low water and warm weather. I wear the Sonics in cold weather and when I'm wading deep. My wife wears hers pretty much year round. But, as someone pointed out above, the Chotas won't take a lot of abuse.

 

[craigthor]

I have a pair of Chotas and Orvis Silver Sonics... You can't beat the Chota's for low water and warm weather. I wear the Sonics in cold weather and when I'm wading deep. My wife wears hers pretty much year round. But, as someone pointed out above, the Chotas won't take a lot of abuse.

Yeah, I've heard good things about the Hodgman Hip Waders though they only come in boot foot I'm told they are awesome as far as durability.

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 PM ----------

Took and sent an email off to LL Bean, they have a reasonable priced pair of Hi Waist Waders that may work well, only concern is some of the reviews from recent show that there seems to be some quality control issues in the making of them. After sending them an email I got a prompt reply back and the rep couldn't help but is forwarding my email to a product specialist who can answer my question now to wait to here back. Everyone says they have the best customer service I just prefer not to have to use it on a monthly basis if there are build issues.

---------- Post added at 11:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 PM ----------

If I can ever justify the price:

G3 Guide Pant - Simms Fishing Products

Drool, these would be absolutely perfect!

 

[Rip Tide]

I have a pair of the Hodgman canvas hip boots and I wear them a lot.
They're pretty much the same as I remember my grandfather wearing 50+ years ago and in my mind that's the way a real fly fishermen dresses.

That said, when you wear hip boots it's good to remember this old adage;

"Hip boots are the best way to measure how deep the water was when you got wet."

I don't think that Hodgeman makes the canvas hippers any more
Pro-Line might.

I haven't seen them lately, but I also have some Cabelas fly-weight stocking foot hip boots. They fold up small enough that you can stick them in your pocket.... which is probably why I can't find them.

 

[quickdraw]

I fish driftless streams a ton, I mainly use my Simms g3 guide pants, yup they're almost perfect. I do a lot of wet wading in the summertime when it heats up. My last pair of waders were handed down to me and I used them a ton and Handed them down again. They were made by dan bailey. They also make stocking foot hip boots. They're reasonably priced and made well. I don't think you can go wrong there.
I will add the material they make them out of is lightweight, but really durable. It works well when it's hot out. When it's cold a pair of good long underwear does wonders.

 

[dhaynes]

I used rubber bootfoot waders I picked up from Sports Authority for about 18 months. They were inexpensive and kept my feet dry. They were fine boots. Ripped a gash in one boot but a layer of superglue fixed that fast! I did find them to be hot in the summer. But the biggest drawback I experienced was that they were not well suited to walking long distances. My feet hurt after a while. After my wife got chotas and liked them, I switched also... My feet really appreciated it!

 

[craigthor]

Heard back from an LL Bean Product Specialist and they suggested I wait till later this month they are releasing a new Kennebec Wader that will be seam sealed guessing similar to the sonic waders that Orvis sells. I do see Orvis is phasing out the lower end Sonic line up as well.

Still undecided and since I'm not in a hurry I'll keep looking as I'm not sure what I'm after yet.

Still looking at hipper types and I see Hodgman has many on special right now.

---------- Post added at 01:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 PM ----------

Well think I have it down to 2 options at least for more research:

Hodgman Wadewell - Discontinued but these are the canvas/poly/rubber uppers with built in boot. Talked with a couple of people with them and they really like these. Super durable and very comfortable. Also I may be able to pic them up cheaply.

LL Bean Kennebec Hi Waist Stocking foot - Kennebec Waders with Superseam Technology, High-Waist Stocking-Foot: Breathable | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean New super seam sealed non stiched design. Price is decent and if they have the CS everyone talks about if I should wear them out they would replace them.

 

[waterfordcreek]

For warm weather and small streams, i have been using Frog Togg Hellbender wading pants.

They are very inexpensive. I have beat the snot out of them!

Reviews are not good....some say customer service sucks. I have had no problems. Both of my nephews also own....same experience.

I am guessing i have close to 400 days in them...no issues. I might just be lucky.

 

[craigthor]

Thanks I'll have to add those to the list to search more on. I'm tossing my Chotas in the wash and going to wash and hang dry them in the house. I'll take them out the next time I go and see if they still let in a bit of water and order some aqua seal and try to pin point the leak and seal them up. Have to say they are my favorite ones so far and even after reading SIMMS site they say all waders will leak at some point or another and they just need some routine care. May as well learn how to fix what I can while it's too cold to fish.