waders/orvis

I'd love to get 5 years out of my waders.  I fish over 100 days a year and 60 is a lot more than most anglers.  If the waders were worn-out I don't think you can complain.  Seems leaking after a year is a different story.
How long do your hunting clothes last in the outdoors? 
I don't believe a company should be held responsible if you wear something out in a reasonable time. 
 

No one should expect breathables to last forever.  All breathables will fail at some point if they are used enough.  5 years is pretty good.  Orvis stand behind their products better than most.

no, i looked at the usual places for leaks like the booties and seams. I was getting water on the front of my thigh and legs, really it's as if the material just gave up. When i turned them inside out to dry, you can see the material just looks like its dissappearing/thinning/worn out. the booties filled up and actually held the water in last time i wore them. I agree that five years is good and i blame myself(karma) for bragging about the life to my buddies. I'm still questioning weather a company should say "yes, they wore out, our waders don't last forever" that doesn't sound like what i'd expect from orvis.

Speakin of orvis .. they are having a huge sale (shocker).
 
You can get a T3 for $300 if that's your fancy.

I don't see a complaint to be had at 60 days per year for 5 years.  At 10 hours per day that's something like 3000 hours.
 
I think you got a refreshingly honest answer from Orivs in that the waders were worn to repair.  You said yourself that they were very worn.  Personally, an honest answer is much more appealing to me than the standard positive spin everyone puts on everything today.  Offering 20% off on a new pair seems like a very nice thank you for buying Orvis and please buy again with us.
 
You even said you bragged to your friends that your waders lasted so long.  That would indicate to me that you were satisfied with the 5 years but you were hoping squeak something for free and you didn't get what you took a shot at.
 
I'm not tryin' to beat you up or hack at ya.  I'm just thinking that you are contradicting yourself a bit.  I'm also OK with contradicting yourself too, I do it all the time.  I tell my family all the time, "It's different when I do it"
 
Scott

You hit the nail on the head cr500. I knew it but there's that little bit of question still there. Why not 5000 hr waders?  The bragging to friends was more of them complaining when theirs leaked so soon after purchase. I have watched them return them to cabelas for full replacement. I'll probably go with cabelas just to try something different. JEB could not have been further offf the mark. I walk quite a bit and fish many different places. each time i see the green briars"wader eaters", i take my time and work through them. we always joke "WHat are we huntin rabbits or fishin". still, they did hold up great.

I got a t3 9' 6 wt 4 piece once for $237 brand new.    Sold it but it was nice.

If you think about what makes breathables breathable???  We are really pushing the envelope of performance.  Just like high modulus rods.  A microns thick membrane to make the waders breathable versus thick rubber or 3mm's of neoprene.  Push the performance envelope and durability has to suffer by definition.
 
I'd buy a pair of breathables every other year instead if the most durable 3mm's without a complaint.  I wouldn't buy the low or mid-level Cabelas, mine and other's have kind of delaminated after a season.  I have a pair of Patagonia's I love these days.

If you found a brand of breathable waders that lasted for 300 fishing trips, I'd buy the same waders again if they are still made.  In my experience,that's oustanding. I"d be at the 20% discount on new waders.

Still,
 
It might still be that backside, you may not be safe yet.

I bought a pair of cabelas top of the line 3 years ago and this year noticed just a slight dampness in one leg. Am thinking of going to a tougher neapream for duck and steel.