I haven't seen them first hand, but I would venture a guess that they are made by Itasca who makes most "house brands" for companies. They made them for Mack's for a good while, and I believe make them for Fort Thompson currently. I had a couple pairs of the Itasca Mack's waders. One pair leaked after a season and a half, and the other pair leaked 3/4 of the way through the first season. Bought a pair of Fort Thompson's before last season and they too leaked about 3/4 of the way through the season, all pairs leaked at a seam. Not trying to discourage you, or say that other may have not had great luck out of them, just sharing my experiences.

 

I had a pair of their 3.5s last year. Good waders if you like neoprene. I'm a breathable wader guy myself. I did jab a hole in the side of the boot about the 2nd day I wore them but have no idea what I stepped on to do it

 

I've found that the "less expensive" waders dry rot quicker and will need replacing sooner. I know guys will say you have to take care of them and I agree. Been doing this for 40 years. Bought a pair from Academy last year and took them out of the black garbage bag I had them stored in and bent the rubber over on the foot and I already see cracks at the bend. In waders, I think you get what you pay for. But.....you have to take care of them.

 

I bought some Simmons/ itasca brand in bottomland

I'll let you know lol

I just made hip boots out of my hodgman waders that were over 5 years old. Those and my cabelas waders were the best ice owned. The cabelas lasted 10 years

I have some mpw waist highs I'm not real crazy about. They don't leak but they aren't that comfy lol

 

I bought some Simmons/ itasca brand in bottomland

I'll let you know lol

I just made hip boots out of my hodgman waders that were over 5 years old. Those and my cabelas waders were the best ice owned. The cabelas lasted 10 years

I have some mpw waist highs I'm not real crazy about. They don't leak but they aren't that comfy lol

I'll second the cabelas waders. Had a pair of that lasted 7 seasons before I stepped on a log at Raft Creek and cut a hole in the boot. Would've gotten another pair just can't talk myself into buying a pair of waders in the max4 or max5 pattern. If cabelas can ever get natgear pattern I'll buy them another pair in a heartbeat!

 

Would not recommended hunters refuge waders. Bought mine last year and they leaked opening morning right in the crotch. I wish I had spent the extra money and got some better ones. But I'll be trying out the new Fort Thompson hybrid waders soon.

 

Cool thanks a lot for the replies! May give the fort Thompson waders a shot or jut get another mpw/lacrosse pair in natgear

 

Cool thanks a lot for the replies! May give the fort Thompson waders a shot or jut get another mpw/lacrosse pair in natgear

Fort Thompson's are made by the same people making the Hunter's Refuge waders...

 

I'll second the cabelas waders. Had a pair of that lasted 7 seasons before I stepped on a log at Raft Creek and cut a hole in the boot. Would've gotten another pair just can't talk myself into buying a pair of waders in the max4 or max5 pattern. If cabelas can ever get natgear pattern I'll buy them another pair in a heartbeat!

THIS^^ I have heard so many good things about cabelas waders but I cant understand why the only pattern they have is Max4 or Max5? I guess us timber hunters make up a small % of duck hunters. Give me bottomland, mobu, natgear, heck anything not max4/5.


Also, here is a tip if you cut a hole in the side of your boots. Take them to a tire shop and have them put a tire patch for a radial tire on them. Ive done this before and it works perfect.

 

Bought the Itasca 2 years ago and they gave out the end of last season, went to hunters refuge and bought the same ones in nat gear for 185$ 2 weeks later they were on sale for $80... [emoji58] if they are still on sale I definitely wouldn't mind spending $80 on a season of staying dry.

 

THIS^^ I have heard so many good things about cabelas waders but I cant understand why the only pattern they have is Max4 or Max5? I guess us timber hunters make up a small % of duck hunters. Give me bottomland, mobu, natgear, heck anything not max4/5.


Also, here is a tip if you cut a hole in the side of your boots. Take them to a tire shop and have them put a tire patch for a radial tire on them. Ive done this before and it works perfect.

If a duck gets close enough to tell you what camo pattern you have, it should probably be dead or flying 90 to nothing because you missed three times.

 

I tried the Roger's brand waders last year 5mm and they were great. No leaks at all. This year on the first hunt It felt like I had on a rice strainer... Kept inside in a closet all year

 

Bought a pair from Academy last year and took them out of the black garbage bag I had them stored in and bent the rubber over on the foot and I already see cracks at the bend.

If you had coated the rubber really heavy with Vaseline before you put them in the bag, I bet you wouldn't have found any cracks.

I've done this for years and it is amazing.

 

If a duck gets close enough to tell you what camo pattern you have, it should probably be dead or flying 90 to nothing because you missed three times.

I agree. Half the waders are under water and the other half usually has a jacket over it.

 

Itasca waders can be had for $120 at my local outfitter. Just consider it a fixed cost for duck hunting. No more than a case a shells and I've never not gotten a full season out of them. Never fails, If i spend more for the better pair, I just put a hole in them myself. IMO.
Side note:
I have a good pair of the new lacrosse waders that I purchased with gift cards and they are nice but I wouldn't spend that much on something that I'm going to put a hole in if it was hard earned money.

 

I'll second the cabelas waders. Had a pair of that lasted 7 seasons before I stepped on a log at Raft Creek and cut a hole in the boot. Would've gotten another pair just can't talk myself into buying a pair of waders in the max4 or max5 pattern. If cabelas can ever get natgear pattern I'll buy them another pair in a heartbeat!

Mine are Original mobu
They had the original shadow grass back then,
But they also offered fago flauge advantage wetlands lol

I don't get they automatically assume that duck hunters want advantage. Max4/5 or shadow grass blades. Everyone don't hunt in cat tails or fields

 

If a duck gets close enough to tell you what camo pattern you have, it should probably be dead or flying 90 to nothing because you missed three times.

I could care less about camo pattern. I bought a pair of cabelas 5mm neo for 149 earlier this year when marked off 100 bucks. I forgot about the fashion statement some may need to make though.:fit:

 

If there ain't no ducks to shoot, we need to at least match from head to toe:biggrin:

 

If there ain't no ducks to shoot, we need to at least match from head to toe:biggrin:

I treat duck hunting just like golf. Not very good at it, but I at least want to look like I know what I'm doing!