I will hopefully go out duck hunting for my first time this winter. For waders, do you guys typically get you exact shoe size, or go big/small? I typically wear a size 11.5, so do I go with 11 or 12 waders? thanks.

Mine are 1 size bigger. you definately dont want exact size being you wear heavier socks and you want room so your feet stay warm. Too tight and your toes will be cold all day.

12 - to allow for double sock size - go bigger and in muck you will have a hard time walking.

JW

i have ducks unlimited size 9. they are warm. and fit nice i only weigh 130 pounds but they are comfortable.

Here's the dilemma.....too tight and they are a BEAR to get off especially if your
feet sweat. Also, you will wear heavy weight socks and I PROMISE they will
be tough to get off. My advice if you are say a 10.5 get an 11 if you are a
10 get an 11 and so on and so forth. Also, if you walk in heavy mud and they
are TOO BIG they can easily slip off.

I have the Cabelas brand waders.
I have a size 9 foot and purchased a size 10 wader, with a heavy wool sock they fit perfect.

I have the Cabelas light mag waders... best waders on the market(colder temps go with the ultra mags) I wear size 13 shoe and have size 12 waders they fit well but are still a bit large(I'm 6'2'' 200 lbs). You can't beat cabela's customer service either. They will replace your waders no questions asked if they get a leak...

on a side note if you buy a pair that are too large and baggy the inside of the legs will rub and cause a leak in no time. Make sure they fit snug but comfortable. Best bet would be to try them on first if at all possible.

I get them to have thick socks too, so I go with the same size.

In over 30 years of hunting and fishing, waders are the most disappointing outdoor product I've used. They never seem to last long. Thus I keep on the lower end of the price scale.

I get the boots uninsulated with the bottom boots attached. I wear either insulated underwear or running pants under the waders. When the waders see the end of their useful life, I cut off the boot bottoms and make them 14 inch archery boots or boots to wash the vehicle. I get some satisfaction that all the wader money didn't all go down the same tube.

Size 12 is what you want.