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Waders - What are the best available?

Joro702

New member
I've used Patagonia now for the last 5, In the 5 years I've gone though 4 pair of waders. Their warranty is very good as they keep sending me new waders when I have issues with them. Currently I have the Patagonia Skeena River waders, I've used the 6 times, I fished the Mongaup this morning and they are leaking. I'm getting a full refund and would like to get everyone's opinion on what to get??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
 
I've used Patagonia now for the last 5, In the 5 years I've gone though 4 pair of waders. Their warranty is very good as they keep sending me new waders when I have issues with them. Currently I have the Patagonia Skeena River waders, I've used the 6 times, I fished the Mongaup this morning and they are leaking. I'm getting a full refund and would like to get everyone's opinion on what to get??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I've been using SIMMS forever but I also use Patagonia. I honestly don't think you can beat Patagonia's return policy. Why give that up for another company? SIMMS are very good but if I had my choice, I'd return the Pats once a year for a new pair (if necessary).
 
I have Orvis silver label waders....I have fished well over 150 times in them..I have never had an issue...I have had Grey's ..they sucked....I have had Dan Bailey's, they were OK, but the Orvis ones are awesome.....They were under or just over $200.00 I can't remember....Speaking of waders, can I put them in the wash, or will that ruin them.....
 
I've had Patagonia in the past and currently use Simms. Simms are super comfortable if you spend some $$ but I can't say they're any better than the patagonias. Orvis gave me nothing but problems, leaking through defective seams within 2-3 uses. I must've sent back 4 pairs of Orvis waders before I finally gave up.
 
The new kid on the block is Redington. We have sold many pair of the Sonic pro model and have no returns as far as I know. They are a GREAT BARGIN for $299.95. The zipper model is $399.95. We also carry the Crosswater for $99.95. I have Simms currently but my next pair will be the Sonic Pro's. Stop by Shannon's Fly and Tackle and check them out. I'm sure you'll be pleased.
 
Thanks all for your advise, I really appreciate it. I'm leaving to fish the Rapid River and Magalloway river in Maine on Thursday so I needed to get them fast, I ended up ordering the SIMMS G3 guide and should be here my Wednesday.
 
Simms. As Harvey said, we're selling a ton of Readington Sonic Pros and they aren't coming back like the Dan Bailey's did. Great reviews, but I haven't tried them myself.

What I don't understand is how so many of you get leaks in good or decent waders. I once owned Orvis waders the year they cheaped out and stopped using Gortex and they weeped all over. I exchanged them and the 2nd pair were no better. That fly shop (in PA) told me Orvis changed materials and lots of those waders were coming back, so I bought Simms G3s and never looked back. At some point, Orvis went back to Gortex, but they burned me and lost me as a client. I think lots of guys are walking through multi flora rose bushes and getting tiny holes that lead to small leaks (your pants will have a small wet spot near these leaks). That is not the wader's fault! Whenever that happens, don't send them back because that's the reason we all pay $400 for $50 waders. Do what Simms and the other manufacturers do and turn them inside out, take a bottle of rubbing alcohol and put some on a cotton ball, and rub the alcohol over the area you are getting wet. If you see even a tiny spot or thin line that is darker than the rest of the material, apply a small amount of Aquaseal on the area. You don't need the alcohol to dry even. Problem solved. In all my years wearing breathables, I've never experienced a failed seam. Just the odd tiny spot from a briar and one nasty encounter with a Hyde's boat anchor cleat that required a patch over the tear but which lasted another 3 seasons.
 
Simms. As Harvey said, we're selling a ton of Readington Sonic Pros and they aren't coming back like the Dan Bailey's did. Great reviews, but I haven't tried them myself.

What I don't understand is how so many of you get leaks in good or decent waders. I once owned Orvis waders the year they cheaped out and stopped using Gortex and they weeped all over. I exchanged them and the 2nd pair were no better. That fly shop (in PA) told me Orvis changed materials and lots of those waders were coming back, so I bought Simms G3s and never looked back. At some point, Orvis went back to Gortex, but they burned me and lost me as a client. I think lots of guys are walking through multi flora rose bushes and getting tiny holes that lead to small leaks (your pants will have a small wet spot near these leaks). That is not the wader's fault! Whenever that happens, don't send them back because that's the reason we all pay $400 for $50 waders. Do what Simms and the other manufacturers do and turn them inside out, take a bottle of rubbing alcohol and put some on a cotton ball, and rub the alcohol over the area you are getting wet. If you see even a tiny spot or thin line that is darker than the rest of the material, apply a small amount of Aquaseal on the area. You don't need the alcohol to dry even. Problem solved. In all my years wearing breathables, I've never experienced a failed seam. Just the odd tiny spot from a briar and one nasty encounter with a Hyde's boat anchor cleat that required a patch over the tear but which lasted another 3 seasons.

I set my buddy up with a pair of Sonic Pros because he didn't want to shell out coin for the Simms. He likes them, and his brand new Dan Baileys leaked right out of the box! He was pissed!

Now, as for waders and abuse, some of you would probably cry if you saw the stuff I was busting through. If you're not wearing G4's or G3's, then I wouldn't even attempt to bust any brush. I walk clear through briar patches and don't even think twice about it. The G4's can handle the abuse I put on them here in Alaska with ease. On the days I am wading, I will hike an average of 5-7 miles round trip. A good portion of that is through the woods and brush.

If you are serious about fishing, then you should be serious about your gear. You get what you pay for with Simms. I have two summer pairs I rotate between, and one pair of G3 Muckboots for the winter months. My one pair is beat up cosmetically, but they keep my warm and dry!
 
I have a pair of the Sonic Pros with the zipper that i use for winter steelhead. Great to be able to drain the Python with out taking off you coat. However, the Sonic Pros material is heavier and thicker than the Simms and not as comfortable in warm weather.
 
I have a pair of the Sonic Pros with the zipper that i use for winter steelhead. Great to be able to drain the Python with out taking off you coat. However, the Sonic Pros material is heavier and thicker than the Simms and not as comfortable in warm weather.

That's because it isn't Gore Tex! Duh. Wanker.

Plus Simms G3 and G4 waders are made in America! Not in a sweat shop like the sonic pros.
 
Simms.....Only pair of waders I've ever had for more than 5 years. I'm bad on them too. I'll bushwack through brush and briars. If I didn't get clumsy and fall on some brush causing a pierce they probably wouldn't ever have leaked. (That was my fault and in no way would I have ever have sent them back even with a warranty). Anyway it was nothing acquaseal couldn't fix. They are still going strong.
 
CTOBIAS that 5 mile hike for you is more like a 1/2 mile for everyone else. Those short legs make you work hard
 
While they aren't the best waders available, the new Orvis Silver Sonic waders are pretty awesome. After a summer of use (like 30 trips), mine look and function like new. I'm positive that Simms are better, but I can't convince myself to spend $400. Also, I've owned two pair of Redington waders and both sucked hard.
 
Yo nobody mentions LL Bean. Not saying that they're the 'best available' but they have a lifetime warranty on all their gear. I have the Kennebec series. Mad comfortable and haven't had an issue after 35 outings and many long bushwacks. I'd consider 'em a great value at 160$...
 
Yo nobody mentions LL Bean. Not saying that they're the 'best available' but they have a lifetime warranty on all their gear. I have the Kennebec series. Mad comfortable and haven't had an issue after 35 outings and many long bushwacks. I'd consider 'em a great value at 160$...

Word up to that yo.
 
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