Waders are arguably some of the necessary items of substances for a waterfowl hunter. Their means to maintain you dry, heat, and cozy is a key consider how lengthy and profitable a hunt is perhaps. So, whereas I already had a cheapo pair of thinner PVC waders that had finished wonderful for scouting spots throughout heat days within the fall. I knew after our final scouting journey that they might not work for the winter. So as an alternative, I received a brand new pair of Magellan Sportswear Neoprene Bootfoot Waders to waterfowl hunt with this previous winter. And what a winter it was, whereas I didn’t get out to the pond almost as a lot as I’d have appreciated this season. The situations of each hunt in these waders had been fairly completely different than the final. So let’s get into how the Magellan Sportswear Neoprene Bootfoot Waders held as much as this previous season of waterfowl looking.
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Product Overview – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders
The Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders are the in-house model of neoprene waders from Academy Sports activities + Outdoor. Centered on being a extra budget-friendly line, these Magellan waders have an MSRP of $99.99 and can be found by shoe dimension, from males’s 7s to 13s with no half-size choices. These being bootfoot waders, are extra of a “do-it-all” form of waders that can be utilized for something from waterfowl looking in a swamp to chasing trout in coldwater streams.
Specs and Options – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders
- 200 grams of Thinsulate Insulation throughout the Rubber Boots
- Handy Entrance Storage Pocket
- Adjustable suspenders with Neoprene Shoulder Pads
- Strengthened and Molded Knees
- Bootfoot Design
- Building – 85% neoprene and 15% polyester
- Shoe Sizes – 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13
- Colour – Brown
- MSRP – $99.99
Match & Consolation – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 8
When it got here to selecting the scale of the pair of Magellan Sportswear Neoprene Bootfoot Waders, I went with a shoe dimension bigger than what I put on for normal footwear. This was to have the ability to comfortably put on and layer in thicker wool socks contained in the wader boots. Because the shoe dimension is the one approach to dimension these chest waders, there was a slight concern that the match wouldn’t be the perfect. However that was not the case, with the waders becoming nicely throughout the hips, stomach, and chest. I’m 5′ 11″ and the scale 12 waders cease proper underneath my armpits, so hold your peak in thoughts when selecting these waders. So, the one factor I’d advise if you’re looking in hotter climates is to go along with a boot nearer to your precise shoe dimension for those who don’t want the additional layering. When it got here to consolation and mobility, I used to be initially involved that the thickness and weight of the fabric can be a problem, particularly within the bitter chilly on a few of these hunts. However after trudging by way of the sludge and slop round and within the beaver ponds all winter, I discovered this wasn’t a problem. I actually had no points mountaineering in early within the morning and setting out decoys, or later within the day when the bottom softened, so we needed to get the SxS unstuck from the swamp so we may make it house.
Sturdiness & Construct High quality – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 7
The largest concern with neoprene waders is the stitching within the seams giving out and letting water in. However after a winter of waterfowl looking, whereas they’re not the prettiest relating to stitching, these Magellan Neoprene waders held up simply wonderful. The seams are nonetheless holding up with no leaks once I lately went trout fishing in the identical pair. The neoprene/polyester materials of the waders remains to be going robust with no noticeable patches of damage on them or the boots. The bolstered kneepads are nonetheless going robust, even after I by chance put a treble hook into the stitching.
Breathability & Temperature Regulation – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 7
The extent of chilly I handled this winter was one thing new to me. Frozen-over ponds usually are not one thing I’ve handled earlier than. Whereas that could be the norm up north, in Georgia, that doesn’t occur often. So the beaver ponds we hunt froze over and had us often in there attempting to interrupt up the ice, and after we weren’t, we had been sitting on the financial institution in 15°F temps ready for the geese to point out up. So whereas my face, arms, and shoulders had been freezing, every thing from armpits on down was pleasantly comfy. I went a shoe dimension up with the waders as nicely, so I used to be simply in a position to match a pair of good thick wool socks and a few waffle bottoms contained in the waders. I didn’t discover any moisture trapping, however then once more, it was so chilly that sweat wasn’t an excessive amount of of a priority even when slogging by way of the mud out to the spot. I assume this may not be the case, say if I had been sporting these on a summer time day within the Chattahoochee.
Options & Storage – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 6
On the subject of options on these neoprene waders, it’s truthfully a bit barebones. The Magellan Neoprene Waders include just a few added options, a chest pocket, shoulder pads, sewn-in knee pads, and Thinsulate Insulation for the boots. The shoulder pads are at all times welcome to scale back fatigue, and the chest pocket does include a patch of velcro so you’ll be able to safe no matter is in it a minimum of a little bit bit. The knee pads being fabricated from neoprene and sewn into the waders is an efficient, low-cost characteristic that helps lengthen the lifetime of the waders as nicely.
Ease of Use & Upkeep – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 7
Whereas initially I used to be a bit frightened in regards to the neoprene itself being a bit stiff with how chilly the climate was, I didn’t actually have any points with placing them on or taking them off this season. Whereas I had been informed that neoprene would stiffen up and make these uncomfortable to put on and transfer in. I didn’t discover that to be the case when shifting round. My physique warmth was a lot to maintain any stiffness within the neoprene at bay. For cleansing after a hunt, a easy hosing off was a lot to get nearly the entire mud and clay off the waders. Something left behind on the material coating of the neoprene would come off with a lightweight brushing from a comfortable brush and water.
Waterproof Efficiency – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 9
These waders did precisely what they wanted to this waterfowl season, which was to maintain me dry and heat. I had no points with leaks all winter lengthy, even when going nearly as much as the highest of the waders once I stepped right into a beaver channel by chance whereas taking out some decoys. Even when there was ice on the skin of the waders whereas the air temps had been within the teenagers, I didn’t have any condensation subject, nor did any leaks type from kneeling within the brush or punching by way of ice.
Value & Worth – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 9
Coming in at simply $99.99 for the neoprene waders, the Magellan Neoprene Waders are arduous to beat the worth you’re getting. Whereas these aren’t the fanciest or lightest pair of waders, the value is difficult to beat, particularly if you’re taking somebody new to waterfowl looking out for the primary time. They’re a terrific entry choice on the planet of waders that you just don’t have to fret about roughing up.
The Backside Line – Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders – Ranking: 8
Total, the Magellan Sportswear Males’s Neoprene Bootfoot Waders are a strong alternative for a great entry pair of neoprene waders. A no-frills answer that may hold you heat and dry on the market throughout the winter when you attempt to deliver house some geese. The couple of additional options that these waders include, although, are nicely appreciated, with the shoulder pads protecting you comfy and the entrance chest pocket handy for protecting additional shells and calls. Coming in at $99.99 and often in inventory on the many Academy Sport + Outdoor areas retains them simply accessible for lots of hunters, particularly ones who want waders final minute however don’t need to spend a ton. My pair held up very nicely this winter, in quite a lot of situations. Even throughout the few hotter days we had, the hike to the ponds was not horrible in these waders, whereas not breathable, the match is open sufficient to maintain some air shifting round you if you are strolling. They even saved my ass a pair instances with how excessive they put on once I took a stumble tripping on underwater stumps and beaver channels. I’d wholeheartedly suggest these to others, like I did for my buddy’s child, who wore a pair himself for the few hunts he joined us for this winter. These are a strong pair of neoprene waders for not a loopy amount of cash, that did precisely what I wanted them to do that winter, hold me dry, heat, and cozy, so I may keep out and hunt for longer.
