Yes, I've searched the forums for answers. Lacrosse are good, Lacrosse are bad. Dans are good, Dans are bad. I've looked at Amazon reviews also. Lots of bad reviews for almost all brands. I do have a pair of knee high OLD Lacrosse Burly's that lasted 15 years but that probably isn't going to happen with any boot any more. So let's here opinions again. These will be for muskrat-mink trapping in drainage ditches in winter so must be insulated.
Thanks for the replies ahead of time.

I bought lacrosse trapline waders 2 years ago. First pair leaked right out of the box. Sent those back for warranty. New pair seems better so far, been using them this year. They do keep you warm. Almost too warm if the temp is over 25 and you have to do any walking out of the water.

Always liked the lacrosse. Just not a fan of insulation though. Insulation is more for situations where you're not moving for long periods of time. As someone that stays cold, insulated waders burn me up if I'm moving. I'm wearing dan's chest waders now.

None of them I have found have soles(especially heels) that wear like they used to.

My LaCrosse waders are seeping in already ...New last summer

When these start leaking I am going to look into other options.

Its either Cheap and replace yearly...or every couple years

Or Spend a fortune and even those leak

I just get the cheap Pro lines from Duke. ($60 for the insulated version). The good thing is they are heavy enough where they are durable. The bad thing is they are heavy (rubber).

I'm like Calvin.. I don't get a lot of mileage out of any brand. So why buy the expensive ones?
Duke is selling Frogg Toggs now.

I've had good luck with the Lacrosse hip boots with 600 grams of thinsulate. AK waters are always cold. Used mostly for fishing. I'll buy them again.

I bought a pair of dans hip boots a few weeks ago. so far no leaks or punctures and i have been through some briars while trapping rats and beavers. cant seam to keep them up all the way even with adjusting the belt strap, have to keep pulling them up, might have to figure out a suspender type set up. i got tired of the cheap ones leaking immediately, I could have just worn sneakers and would have been just as "dry" as wearing the cheap hip boots

Lacrosse trapline hippers. Many years of use and still ticking,

My Lacrosse big burly's just died this year bought them in 2008 for a moose hunt wore the studs down flat I'll defiantly be buying another pair. Have a set of swamp tuff waders and they've been great only 2 years on them so far.

X2 Big Chief

Thanks for the replies. I haven't decided yet. I see on You Tube 330Maniac is wearing Hodgeman neoprene waders. I don't need waders but will keep checking on other sources suggested for hip boots.
25 years ago I was in Cabelas in Nebraska looking at insulated leather boots. I asked the sales guy where they were made. China. But he did add that if Cabelas kept some employees there to monitor the processing the quality stayed pretty good. Maybe that's the problem with Lacrosse now, not enough oversight on the manufacturing process.

I think the most durable hip boots I've owned were Ranger's but that was a long time ago. Two pair of the Cabela's Guide Series didn't hold up and I see they've discontinued them.

Cabelas BP
Discontinued way too much stuff

LaCrosse... founded in 1897... they've been doing something right IMO.

Not lately. Since they moved manufacturing to China, it is very hit or miss.

Wasn't aware... just another company gone that route I guess.