What should I buy?

Simms breathables

Simms g3 have served me well and will likely be the only wader I buy going forward. Not a cheap option, especially once you buy a quality wading boot.

Since you're just getting into ducks and geese, uninsulated breathable. When it grabs by the throat you can buy the several hubred dollar waders they are speaking of and yes they are worth the money.

This. Go get some from Academy. They should last a season or two. Enough time to decide if you're committed. If not, you're out ~$100 instead of ~$500. I went this route and after two seasons and a leak I went Simms and never looked back. You don't need camo from the waist down if you have a good hide. If your hide is really good, I could argue you don't need camo above the waist except for a hat. A good pair of boots are vital in my opinion. Especially if walking in. Make sure you try on the boots with the waders or be prepared to return them. I wear size 13 boots, but typically I am 11.5 / 12 shoe guy.

Academy’s Magellan waders in brown worked for me for a few seasons until I went with Gator Waders in camo (they’ve been great, and very comfortable, for 3+ seasons now). The academy ones were cheap and I think they might still have a pretty decent warranty. Spend your money on a good jacket (I do recommend camo for this), decoys, gun, hat, etc.

I'll stay away from the mfg and just talk about footwear. Here's my opinion, if your trudging in calf deep mud. Boot
Foot waders tend to stay on better than stocking foot with wading boots. I do have expensive wading boots but I'm not going to walk through that mud in them. Those are for trout streams. On a more solid bottom the stocking feet and wading boots that actually fit are way more comfortable. Since I could be hunting either on the same lake, I wear the boot foot pair unless I know I'll be on solid ground.

I am going to say the opposite on this... I laugh watching buddies in boot foot waders trying to walk through mud. If you have a good pair of lace up wading boots they are not only more comfortable but also have zero foot movement in the mud. Look what fishing guides who specialize in wade fishing.... they are not wearing boot foot waders.

I have bought high dollar waders and cheap ones. In my experience, waders cost about $75-100 per year. Meaning you will get a year or two out of $150 waders, and 5-7 years out of $500 waders. I haven't tried the $1000 Sitkas, but I would expect they would be good for 10-15 years if the trend holds.

Stocking foot breathable waders are definitely better if you will be walking a lot. They are also much more comfortable in warmer weather. Boot foot neoprene are warmer and more durable. I have both for different situations. Walking through deep mud sucks, I don't care what you are wearing, lol.

Simms G3 with riparian camo should do you well. Awesome with great breathability, support in the knees, interior/exterior chest zipper pockets.

I have an old pair of Cabela's heavier boot neoprene boot waders. Made well, but that was well before the decline in quality after the BP merger.

I'm going on my 3rd season with my Sitkas. Love them so far, and no issues.

No matter what you buy - take care of your stuff. Especially if you're hunting the coast. Wash it down after every time you go out. I noticed my Simms looked "damp" after a hunt. Went online and found the care instructions. I thought I was being good about keeping them clean. The amount of dirt and grime in my tub after washing them was disgusting. They didn't look dirty, but boy were they. The performance afterwards was way better.

The only boots I could get to say on in mud are my expensive wading boots. May be my feet but all the rest end up stuck in the mud with me holding a stocking foot in the air. Boot foot waders are lousy, I agree, but I don't have that problem with them.

My 3rd season as well. For breathable, outside of Simms, rest are Junk.

After 18 seasons of waterfowl, I have my fair share of waders at this point. I had lacrosse, that lasted me 5 seasons, and may have been my favorite pair to date. The boot was unbelievably comfortable. They redesigned the boot, I bought a pair a couple years ago and after 2 hunts, they became a back up real quick. When I first got into waterfowl, the cabelas super mags were by far the best boot for a long time until I found those lacrosse.

I bit the bullet and got a pair of sitkas and since lacrosse helped design the boot for sitka, they go on and off with ease and stay on when in the mud. An outstanding pair of waders but at $1000 a piece, its hard to swallow that cost, and I get that. First hunt this year, I finally did it, I popped a hole at the ankle and they were sent off for warranty repair.

Still dont like those lacrosse in my garage, so I got a pair of Drake waders. I have to say, I am thoroughly impressed with these waders for their cost. The only thing is the boot is a little wider and likes to come off the foot when in sticky mud so you have to wear a thicker pair of socks or I would say go down a size or half a size. What I do like is the pant leg that goes over the ankle and protects the exact spot I popped a hole in my sitkas. Thats well thought out imo. I might even go as far as to say I might just get my sitkas back and set them next to those lacrosse waders and wear these drakes until they finally pop.

Cutemdown waterfowl has deals on waterfowl stuff. Their shipping is really quick as well. You can find some drakes waders there for pretty reasonable price. I went with their neoprene model and I may get a pair of their breathables soon too. I do like breathable waders but being so used to neoprene, not sure I ever got used to the breathable sitkas. Where I hunt, it gets cold, and its already cold, so that 5mm neoprene is heavy but it is warm and I can still appreciate that. Down in Texas, I am sure breathable is the only way to go.

I got into waterfowl a handful of years ago, and the Academy Magellan brand of breathable waders are great for starting out.
If you can, get a pair of the Garrison line - breathable, great boot, easy to take care of, and pretty durable.

If you wait until the offseason, they go on sale, i got a pair for about $129 a few years ago, and they are great.

After this season, I think its about the final year for them, and i'll probably invest into a pair of Drake, Branded, or Sitka waders.

good luck!