Neoprene bootfoots are nice and warm, and can be great for March and December in the Missouri River. But they're bulky, too warm for late spring and early fall, and are clunky to walk in.
Breathables are so nice - they're like walking around in sweatpants. A decent pair of regular wading boots feels like just wearing sneaks. So much nicer.
However, they are not insulated - need to dress warm underneath.
So, I have both.
Frog Toggs makes decent breathables. I have a pair of the Anura's.
Boots are Simms. Worth the money.
I stopped at Scheels in Fargo a couple weeks ago, and checked out the lower priced Simms waders, Freestones. They are half the money of their upper end ones, and I thought they were pretty decent. Maybe someday...
I have stopped expecting ANY waders to remain 100% dry though. In the past 20 years I have had maybe 8 or 10 pairs, and they all leak a little, before long. I don't get it - I'm not tough on them, but I guess it's just the way the cookie crumbles.