I still love my old school rubber hip boots

LMFAO! Thats wrong dude! The picture that is.

I read most of the thread down to Maharishi's disturbing link and couldn't get any further. But to answer the first big question.....
Best waders for the buck is kindly an oxymoron. In waders, just like rain jackets, I'm a firm believer in getting what you pay for. You won't regret forking over the cash for the Simms.