Better Shoulder Straps Adjustments Would Be Nice

Comfy and so far no leaks, I will leave an updated review on how long they last. However, please make a better way to adjust the shoulder straps. It’s time for improvement. The standard straps just plain suck.

Best Waders

Best waders I’ve owned. A must for winter inshore wading.

Great fit with enough room to layer. Extremely dry and durable. I wish there was a pocket inside and zipper definitely need to get use to.

Initial Review Of Zip Up Freestones

While I have not used them yet I will give them 5 stars for the fit so far. I paired the waders with the salt boots for striper fishing and so far I am completely satisfied with the overall fit and feel while in them. That said a little hiking and fishing in them will tell the whole story. So far so good.

The Best Value For Casual Anglers

I have now had three pairs of Freestone waders, the last of which was the zip model and I do believe the convenience of the zipper justifies the cost differential. I probably spend around 75 days a year in waders with around half of these being hard use days consisting of climbing over rocks, busting brush, and hiking. At this level of use, the Freestones have lasted me 2-3 seasons before they are at the end of their service life and I find this very acceptable for the price point. All of the waders ultimately failed in high abrasion zones in the seat/crotch/between thighs due to the waterproof membrane layer becoming worn and delaminating from the other layers and tearing. This may sound bad, but after hundreds of miles of abrasion and wet-dry cycles this is all one can expect from Toray fabric in a properly fitting and cared for wader. The 4 layer Toray is fairly puncture-resistant. Despite most of the thorns and brush contacting the 4 layer portion, most of the pinholes would be in the thinner upper portion. Overall, I was very pleased with the durability and features of the Freestone line for the price point, but have since upgraded to a Gore-Tex wader. If you expect to put as much wear and tear on a pair of waders as I do, then you may consider doing the same, but for causal anglers looking for a solid and feature rich offering you've found the best value with the Freestones.