That's true of Neoprene, can't argue that - I guess I just got used to being careful of my Neoprene waders. I've never had a tear in either Those or my Muck boots (knock on wood) and I go through a lot of rough stuff but if I feel it pulling I stop and free it. Cost too much to tear 'em up I reckon. I'll bet if I got caught bad on what some call Cat Briars or Devils Thorn here in NC, without seeing them first - I'd be looking for a repair kit in a hurry, though. However, I punched through a regular Rubber boot of good quality with those one time. They are bad to the bone - or at least the rubber.