Perfect Steelhead Waders

[Burtbords149]

After freezing my toes off too many times in ice cold water I've finally found a pair of waders I think I'll stay warm with. I wanted a pair of bootfoot insulated waders with a breathable body. Simms Exstream's are discontinued, they can custom make a pair for a steep price and Orvis sells their River Guard bootfoot for $400 but I wanted something lower priced.

The companies that make lower priced waders didn't seem to have well insulated breathable bootfoot waders except in camo (not preferred).

Then salvation came in the for of Caddis Systems Deluxe Breathable Bootfoot waders. They have 600 gram thinsulate boots, same breathable material as Simms Freestones. I haven't fished in them yet but they fit well (which is tough for a tall skinny guy with a 12 shoe). And they were only $180!

Though the picture and caption on the box say 600 gram Thinsulate my pair of waders happened to come with 1000 gram boots. I'll call that a "happy accident" until I find out otherwise.

I spoke with a sales rep at Caddis and they said at the beginning of the season they can customer mix match wader bodies and boots to order which may be necessary for some.

Anyway we'll see how these fair up in Pulaski this Thanksgiving weekend.

Anyone else find an ideal cold water wader or have any experience with Caddis?

Tight lines, Mike

 

[Simms]

Dont you know anytime you slip on a pair of bootfoot waders, whether it be breathable or NOT, you ARE considered a SNAGGER? God forbid the waders are a treebark brown or an olive green, then your really fucked. NO longer will you need to worry about cold feet, but the colorful expletives and physical abuse you will endure while winter chroming..Do I know anything about caddis waders? no.

 

[LyNcH]

Mike,

Do you have a link to where you bought the Caddis waders from? While I have 2 pairs of Simms Exstreams, I always like to know what else is out there for when people inquire. Orvis recently discontinued their silver label bog bootfoots, I can't seem to find the riverguard waders, do you have a link for that as well?

Thanks,
The LyNcH

 

[danme]

Here is a Link for the Caddis System Waders -- Dont ask me about them I just googled it and am looking as we speak


Caddis Wading Systems®. Neoprene and Breathable Fishing Waders and Wading Systems, Hip Boots, Wading Shoes and Wading Accessories

Peace
Dan

---------- Post added at 10:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 AM ----------

Here is anothe Link That actually has prices on the Caddis Wading System --- These Waders are very Intrigueing -- At least to me -- The PRICE IS RIGHT TOO

Caddis Fishing Waders – Caddis Hunting Waders – Caddis Waders

 

[CTobias]

Best cold weather wader is the Simms G3 Guide Waders with the Muckboots....I know, they don't make them anymore...a little birdy did tell me Simms is releasing a new bootfoot wader in the spring sometime. Not sure why they are waiting until the spring since the Fall would have been a better choice.

Going to go out on a limb and say that the Caddis are made some where other than the U.S.

 

[Burtbords149]

I avoided the camo colored waders even though they had 1200 grams of thinsulate in the boot...although if there was no other option I'd still get them.

Lynch I got mine off of Amazon because thats the only place I found a size 12 but it seems like all the big box stores have sizes 7 8 and 11...amazon has 7 8 9 12 and 13. Here's the link Amazon.com: Caddis Men's 2 Tone Taupe Deluxe Breathable Boot Foot Wader: Sports & Outdoors I haven't searched for the Orvis Bogs recently so I'm not sure if they're out there or not.

They offer free shipping and they arrived in 3 days. They have a part that protudes backward on the heel I guess to help kick them off but it looks good for strapping korkers on.

Yeah I wish I had gotten on the Simms bus before they stopped making them. I hear Simms will custom make the Muck boot onto any of their American made waders for an extra $100 maybe.

They're definitely make outside of this country but they assembly here so if you ask their reps when the time is right you cna get them to stick their warmest boot on a breathable top....or maybe a zip-down top that could be handy. Anyway stay warm out there folks.

 

[Lonewolve]

here ya go:
Fs: Brand new xxl size 13 simms exstream bootfoot wader lug sole - Spey Pages

these are simms exstreams never used for 250

 

[danme]

Simms Waders are way too EXPENSIVE for my taste -- With some shopping around you can get waders as good if not better for less money -- When you buy SIMMS Products your paying for a NAME especially waders -- Lets see what waders do --- THEY KEEP YOU DRY and if Insulated they keep you warm -- Thats the porpose of waders -- Now not all waders are created equal I will grant you that but NEOPRENE IS NEOPRENE -- GORE TEX IS GORE TEX -- If the seams of the waders are quality and the craftmanship is good then you have a good pair of waders.

If you shop around and you read the comments of people who have bought them you can get good quality waders for under 150.00 and thats expensive IMOVHO -- When Neoprene first came to market in the wader industry back in the 80's I was enamored by SIMMS WADERS -- I wasn't to happy with the price though -- I researched every company at the time making NEOPRENE WADERS and I found a GREAT PAIR of waders (To Bad they aren't in business anymore) Called RANGER -- I paid 75.00 for 5 mil neoprenes that I fished with for over 10 years with -- They NEVER LEAKED -- They NEVER ripped and they were the best pair of waders I ever owned. The only reason o retred them was because of the newer breathable style waders or I would still be using them -- In fact the only reason I went with Neoprenes was because I had a really really bad Bone Infection In the Joint of my Great Toe on my left foot -- To make a long story short I had 6 Surgeries and eventually had the Joint Removed -- I was out of work for 1and 1/2 years and the cold water/weather was and still is excruciating on my foot. Now the Breathable Stosking Foot waders come with a Neoprene Bootie so I still get the Insulating factor with the neoprene while taking advantage of the COOLER and Lighter breathable style wader.

I hope this helps out anyone looking for Affordable Waders

Peace
Dan

 

[CTobias]

Simms Waders are way too EXPENSIVE for my taste -- With some shopping around you can get waders as good if not better for less money -- When you buy SIMMS Products your paying for a NAME especially waders --

I have to disagree with you there. You might be paying for the name, but you're also paying for quality. Plus all their high end waders are made in America. I have yet to find a wader made in America that can compare to the G4 or G3 line. If you look around you can find Simms waders for much cheaper than retail.

 

[LyNcH]

I'll 2nd CTobias. My pair of Simms Exstream winter waders is the BEST money I have ever spent on ANYTHING fly fishing related, and Lord knows it is an insane amount over the years. Anyone who fishes a good amount in the winter and fits in the exstreams mentioned will never regret the purchase. Since they are lug soles, a good pair of Korker Casttrax and you will be set for several years to come, as long as you take care of them.

Simms is the only brand waders I have never had an issue with. They are worth the extra money IMO and will always own them until their quality changes. With that being said, because their quality is so good, I don't anticipate having to spend money on waders for many more years. While I have never owned a pair, people are as passionate about Patagonia waders as well, and with the quality of all their cold weather layering systems I have, I can see why.

 

[D'ANGLER]

I have two pair (one still in box) of the stocking foot Caddis Neoprene Waders that I wear only on the coldest days when I do not plan on doing any walking. Otherwise I layer accordingly using my breathables. Mainly I will let my friends use them when they come up as a spare. At 50ish bucks they are disposable if they leak, but haven't had to get rid of any yet. (nothing a little aqua seal couldn't fix). Then again I wouldn't wear them to the prom, but who give a sh*t at that price.

 

[Fredy]

Has any one tried the Cabelas brand neoprenes or LLBean?

Went to try on my 5mm Orvis boot foot neoprenes and my fat azz did not fit :crap:
I like the boot foot, it tends to keep my feet warmer than breathables and wadin boots in the winter.

 

[Burtbords149]

So I tried the waders out on the SR last week and they worked out great the water was in the low 40s which isn't ice cold but my toes were toasty with just a pair of budget thermal socks. I'd still like to see what they're like in 33 degree water with liners and polypropylene socks. All in all a good investment and the rest of my body wasn't sweating..or cold either.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Nice. The big key to warm feet is you gotta have room in the boot. If you cant easy wiggle your toes then your to tight and no matter the boot or socks your feet will get cold.

Also toasty toes are great for a day out on the water. A cheap investment for a days worth of comfort.

 

[LyNcH]

What kind of soles are on the boots?

 

[LyNcH]

Hey Chris, where is that birdie?

Best cold weather wader is the Simms G3 Guide Waders with the Muckboots....I know, they don't make them anymore...a little birdy did tell me Simms is releasing a new bootfoot wader in the spring sometime. Not sure why they are waiting until the spring since the Fall would have been a better choice.

Going to go out on a limb and say that the Caddis are made some where other than the U.S.

 

[LyNcH]

So I tried the waders out on the SR last week and they worked out great the water was in the low 40s which isn't ice cold but my toes were toasty with just a pair of budget thermal socks. I'd still like to see what they're like in 33 degree water with liners and polypropylene socks. All in all a good investment and the rest of my body wasn't sweating..or cold either.

So what is the feedback on these waders after a season of use?

 

[CTobias]

Hey Chris, where is that birdie?

They are still working on a boot deal last I heard. I know a lot of people are calling for them to bring back the boot foot. I will let you know more once I find out what's in the works.

 

[LyNcH]

They are still working on a boot deal last I heard. I know a lot of people are calling for them to bring back the boot foot. I will let you know more once I find out what's in the works.

They are going to have a hard time finding a better boot than the muck. I treat my Exstreams like gold so they can last and last until Simms comes out with something new. If I had known the muck deal was going to end, I would have ordered up a pair of G4Z's with them on. By time the deal was done, I called Simms and they were sold out of size 13 boots already....

 

[Simms]

mmm, love my G4z's!!!!

 

[CTobias]

Got an email back from Simms. No firm date on when they are going to be released, but it is a priority.