Banded brand waders

Just curious if anyone has any experience with these waders. I'm considering investing in a pair of the Redzone 2.0 but wanted see what's y'all opinions? I like the fact they "look" heavy duty. I've always bought cheap wade s my whole life and if I run and gun hard I'm buying a new pair every 3-5 years after they've been sealed up so many times I'm putting patches on patches lol. I really do try to take care of them. Seems impossible to stay clear of briars in the dark. Also does anyone have any ideas of a sturdy brand for brush? I remember Nite light made some for coon hunting that were bad boyz. Appreciate it!

I have a pair of banded redzone waders and they started leaking real bad after only 1 season. Luckily they were still under warranty and were replaced, but spending that much money on a pair of waders I would expect them to last longer. I personally wont be buying another pair, but maybe others have had different experiences.

I'm just gonna leave this here

In all seriousness, I haven't heard good things about Banded waders.
I've heard Drake quality has gone downhill too.
A lot of people swear by the Sitka's because they are comfortable and have a lifetime warranty.

I have these, the uninsulated breathable, don't care for only a one year warranty, but they did alright last year. I wish they had a touch longer inseam, I think, because I can't get a full bend of the knee.
https://www.gatorwaders.com/collections/hunt-waders-bibs

Got a couple buddies that use them all I can say is they have a good warranty policy and it gets used.

Heard bad things about banded waders, might be worth looking into academy branded waders they have a lifetime no question asked warranty on all their products, from what I have heard.

Get some breathables. You can thank me later.

I also don't have any experience with banded waders either but, that's by choice.

A buddy has a pair right now because he got them on clearance. Absolutely hates them. That's all I've heard of them too

Academy's policy slowly has been changed since it was purchased from the family and a private equity owns them.

I have gator waders. I like the features and they’re the most comfortable waders I’ve ever worn. They’re on their third season. I got the insulated breathables.

Very well thought out waders. Can tell it was designed by a duck hunter. However, mine leaked. They were replaced under warranty. I haven't taken the new pair out of the box yet to see how they hold up.

Got a pair on their second season. I’m probably going to buy the Simms boot foot guide waders next time.

Simms has a long and excellent reputation in the fly fishing world.

Worst waders ever made. I bought gator waders this year and they’re good so far.

Ive been wearing Banded brand waders for 5 years. Love them and never has a tear what so ever.

What has changed with their policy?

Simms - You will pay for them, but they are fantastic and customer service is said to be great. I've never had to use it. Got tired of returning Academy and having leaks at the worst times. I have the G3 breathable (5 years) with flat sneaker boots (3 years).

30 day return policy on waders only now, its BS!

Every single pair of Banded waders I have owned have leaked.

Well I seem to see a pattern developing. I certainly appreciate the insight! Always good to put questionable information before the THF jury. Cheers gents!

Talked to Mack’s PW- less than 5% of Black label Banded breathables come back- 100% of those were punctures.

All breathables stink- Unfortunately Cabela’s has change their policy I can probably swap the same y pair off every year for five or six years I’ve got a couple pairs of neoprene had a pair of redheads for nearly 30 years easy repair leaks

Try Rogers tough man uninsulated. Can’t get myself to spend 1000 bucks on Sitka- warranty is good but will cost u money for each repair. Toughman got the xtra material on knees shins and butt to protect from punctures. The problem is seams will always fail eventually

I would look for any brand that uses glue instead of thread believe Hodgman has the same process

I bought the breathable RedZones last year and they developed leaks. Sent them back in September and they replaced them with the new 2.0 model. I’ve only used them twice so far but they feel and look like a much better product. I like them but need to see if they last. I think They have a 2 year warranty now. I’m sure Sitka are better but just can’t bring myself to pay that much.

Shocking the amount of bad reviews on the banded waders. I got some for Christmas right after the breathable came out and hated the way they fit. Traded them in for the Drake breathable which I loved.....BUT after 3 years of not hunting very hard, they now leak. I think I may just start buying cheap ones and replace them every year. They all suck.

I was going to throw out a pair Cabela’s I’ve swapped three times took back give me a gift card I was completely shocked if you find the right people at the counter and you’re nice and courteous to them they’ll swap them but the Cabela’s are probably as bad as any I’ve ever had

Outside of the black label and potentially the newsitkas they probably do all suck- The Rogers tough man that Are reinforced are about as good as I’ve seen for a couple hundred bucks

Ill add there are no "cheap" waders anymore. None that will last a season. 3 seasons of use before a leak is pretty danged good