Breathable wader technology seems to have matured considerably, even since I bought my Ronny's just 4 years ago. As mentioned in an earlier thread on rain jackets, Gore's patent on Gore-Tex has expired so other manufacturers are now offering comparable technology at a more competitive price.
One advantage to buying more expensive waders these days might be getting heavier, more tear- or puncture-resistant fabric. In fairness to my Ronny's, I'm not easy on waders. Bushwhacking through Devil's Club or sagebrush, sliding down banks, scraping against rocks, logs and barbed wire fences, they've stood up to it all with nary a puncture or a rip in the fabric. But then, so have my Hodgmans.
While my Ronny's have handy built-in belt loops for a waist belt, that seems to be corner that Hodgmand and Cabelas have cut in trying to hit the $100 to $150 price point. But for a third to half of what I paid for the Ronny's, belt loops are something I can live without.
Kent Lufkin
I have looked through the archives I could find on this subject and most of the information was a year or more old.Questions are concerning the Premium Dry Plus @ $139.95 and the Gold Metal Dry Plus wader @ 169.95? 1.) Have the waders been improved over the last couple years? 2.) Are the Gold Metal waders worth the extra 30 bucks? 3.) Another wader under $200.00 that you would recommend over the Cabelas wader? 4.) Breathability? 5.) Anything else would be appreciated, good, bad, ugly, etc... The cost seems very reasonable, however, if they are crap waders I don't want to go there. TIA, JRT
