Most surf fishing guys will tell you boot foot waders. Mostly because there is just no way to keep the sand out of the stocking foot waders with a wading boot. However, I did ask this question to the Orvis Company and they claim that their stocking foot wader with the built in guard over their wading boots and then another neoprene sand guard over top will keep all of the sand out? A lot of the jetty guys use the stocking foot waders. Also, takes a lot more time to put on the stocking foot waders vs boot foot.
I think your best bet is the breathable waders. I have a pair of neoprene which are way too hot in the spring, fall and summer and they are also VERY heavy. In the winter I would just layer clothes underneath the breathables or they do make insulated bib sets to go under them too.