The last time I bought a pair of La Crosse hip waders was ~15 years ago. They've long since dry rotted. I'm wanting a new pair; I may not remember correctly but I thought I heard somewhere the new ones aren't like the old ones at all.

I'm looking for a new pair of uninsulated La Crosse hip waders. What do I need to know? Where should I be looking? Size 12 if that helps.

The Lacrosse trapline hips are still good.
Maybe not as good as the old black outriggers that were USA made, but they’re still pretty tough.

Had a pair of lacrosse big chief hippers over 25 years ago. They lasted nearly 20 years and they were a true ankle fit. Put a lot of miles on them before dry rot. Picked up another pair of the same about 5 years ago and they were garbage. Their ankle fits are now loose as a goose and slop around on my feet. Hard to find quality hippers now.....good luck to ya

I don't buy Lacross waders anymore

What do you recommend instead?

You should be looking at Dan's.

https://danshuntinggear.com/froglegs-brush-buster-chaps.html

Big Chiefs are low quality, I agree.
The Trapline hips are 100 times tougher.
I wear hips dang near year around. Everyday late October to mid April, then pretty much weekly the rest of the year. A pair of Lacrosse Traplines will last me 2 full years. Sometimes 3 years if I don’t do something dumb.

All I wear

X2. Follow their sizing guide and choose what brand boot you want.

I am seeing dans Frog legs for 189.00 ...are those the boots of beaver trappers ..are they insulated ? Been a lacrosse guy for the last 25 years...but I need a pair of boots ..lost my heel.. somewhere