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In the last three years, the call of migrating waterfowl has drawn me afield more than any other animal, and I spend countless hours each year in a blind. Between crawling in and out of boats and pit blinds, breaking ice to open up a landing hole on a sub-zero morning, or busting through the brush to get to a hidden marsh away from the crowds, my waterfowling schedule is pretty tough on waders.
When I first started at Cabela's in November of 1999, they handed me a pair of prototype waders, and told me to, "Use them as much as possible, and test them out." Mission in hand, I have worn these waders to pits, sloughs, rivers, and reservoirs across the state. I tried to wear them out, but after two seasons, they are still hanging in there.
Passing the Field Test
The waders I was wearing are prototype models of the Cabela's Ultimate Hunting Wader with Armor-flex™. By adding Armor-flex™, Cabela's has made the best wader they offer even better, and they did it without increasing the price.
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The Ultimate Hunting Waders are constructed of 5mm neoprene with 1000 grams of Thinsulate™ Ultra insulation in the boots for major warmth, even in the worst of conditions. The Velcro shoulder straps keep your waders up when slugging through that marsh mud, and they don't get in the way of you shouldering your shotgun when it's time to "Take 'em!"
The big difference is the new outer layer of Armor-Flex material. It sounds great, but what is it? Cabela's footwear designers knew that the 1000-denier nylon coating used in the previous Ultimate Hunting Waders was the right recipe for durability and abrasion resistance. However, the nylon did not stretch. While it was tough stuff, you just didn't get the full benefit of the flexibility neoprene waders normally offer.
So, the design team experimented with several fabrics and eventually found a solution that combines the durability of 1000-denier nylon with stretch Lycra. Not only is Armor-Flex tough and durable, but it is truly a 4-way stretch material, giving you all the comfort and mobility you need for sitting in a pit blind, walking through the muck, or hunting out of a boat.
They Have My Vote
These waders are truly the most comfortable neoprene waders I have worn. The Armor-Flex material makes them extremely comfortable to stand, sit or kneel in all day long.
At first, I wondered whether the addition of the stretch material would compromise durability. My waders are a true testament to the fact that it does not. This year, we had a real winter, and I can't count the times I had to break ice and kick open a landing hole with my shins. I also spent a lot of time hunting out of steel pits, and being the guy with the retriever, I was clamoring in and out a lot to help find downed birds or adjust the dekes. I have torn several other waders on the rough steel pit edges and jagged ice, but my Armor-Flex models took all the punishment and abrasion, and still show virtually no wear.
I was also impressed with the boots on these waders. The 1000-gram Thinsulate™ Ultra insulation was more than adequate to keep me warm, while the bob outsole provided a lot more traction in the mud than previous lug soles I had used. They fit well and provided good support for long treks to my hidden spots.
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These waders have a higher back than most, which does provide more warmth, and I found out that it's handy, should you take an "accidental swim" with the decoys. While breaking ice on one freezing morning, I took a nasty spill that I figured would result in my waders quickly filling with icy water. However, the high back design allowed me to recover before the frigid water came over the top - saving me a day of hunting, since getting wet at those temperatures could spell trouble.
If you are looking for a tough wader that is comfortable enough to wear all day, Cabela's has the answer with their Ultimate Hunting Waders with Armor-Flex. While they are packed with features, Cabela's improved their Ultimate Hunting Wader without increasing their already great price.
Offered in the most popular waterfowling patterns of Advantage® Wetlands™, Mossy Oak® Break-Up™, and Mossy Oak® Shadow Grass™, you can find the concealment you need whether you are hunting flooded cornfields, flooded timber, or the local marsh. They are also offered in stout models for us "larger sportsmen" that need a little extra room in the seat and chest. For those who prefer "hippers," an Advantage Wetlands hip boot model is available with the same Armor-Flex material, 5mm neoprene and 1000-gram Thinsulate™ Ultra.
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