A Polinger
Just finished a River Runs Through it!
Looking to get new waders. Who do you use?
AP
AP
Give us a try!
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Waders?
- Thread starter A Polinger
- Start date
Matt Grobert
6/0 Olive Danville
Dan Bailey's - they fit well and still don't leak after tons of use. The price ain't bad either.
theartoflee
Anadromous Angler
I have the simms G3 and do not highly recommend them. Although comfortable I am on my third pair in less then a year. I have had alot of issues with mine from the gravel guard breaking to the tippet pouch breaking along with lots of leaks.
I have heard nothing but excellent things about Dan Baileys. I have also heard good things about the cloud veil. With that said for the money Dan Baileys are good with a great warranty. Needless to say much cheaper.
One thing about simms is their customer service rep is nice and pleasant to deal with.
I have heard nothing but excellent things about Dan Baileys. I have also heard good things about the cloud veil. With that said for the money Dan Baileys are good with a great warranty. Needless to say much cheaper.
One thing about simms is their customer service rep is nice and pleasant to deal with.
joeyd
Just finished a River Runs Through it!
I have both LL.bean and simms guide waders. For half the price LL.bean is a better choice. They both do the same thing which is protect you from getting wet "most of the time", only difference is that LL.bean has a 100% money back if your not satisfied. I had my beans for a year when they had a leak, I called them up and a new pair were sent that day.
Simms has great customer service as well but they would rather have you send them back for repairs. I believe 1st repair is free and after that there is a charge. I believe its around $30.
My opinion is for half the price I would go with LL.bean again. Just my two cents.
Simms has great customer service as well but they would rather have you send them back for repairs. I believe 1st repair is free and after that there is a charge. I believe its around $30.
My opinion is for half the price I would go with LL.bean again. Just my two cents.
Green Butted Skunk
Stockie
I wear Orvis... I live about an hour from Manchester and they leak so often it gives me a reason to go back and spend more $$$$ on stuff "I just gotta have." Never can have enough stuff....and any reason I can give my wife as to why I must go back to "That fishing place" is a good reason....
Thank goodness for my leaky Orvis waders, without them I may have to lie to my wife.....
I suggest trying different pairs on for comfort and buy 2 pair with the best warranty you can afford. It seems all brands leak, while you are shipping one pair back for repair or replacement you still have a spare set to fish with. Be prepared.....
GBS
Thank goodness for my leaky Orvis waders, without them I may have to lie to my wife.....
I suggest trying different pairs on for comfort and buy 2 pair with the best warranty you can afford. It seems all brands leak, while you are shipping one pair back for repair or replacement you still have a spare set to fish with. Be prepared.....
GBS
dcabarle
Administrator
I use Simms but I've heard only good things about:
Dan Bailey's
Patagonia
LL Bean
Orvis is a nightmare.
My Simms are probably 6 yrs old. They have pin hole leaks in them but it doesn't bother me enough to fix them. I'm not about to give SIMMS 500 bux for a new pair of waders. That's ridiculous in my opinion.
Dan Bailey's
Patagonia
LL Bean
Orvis is a nightmare.
My Simms are probably 6 yrs old. They have pin hole leaks in them but it doesn't bother me enough to fix them. I'm not about to give SIMMS 500 bux for a new pair of waders. That's ridiculous in my opinion.
The_Sib
Learning Latin
I have Orvis ( Pro Guide ??? I think, any way, top-of-the-line ) bought in 2001.
I'm easy on waders ( read careful ) and I've had no leak issues.
That being said, due to fishing related injuries in 2003 and 2006 (season enders)
I only went out about 5 times in 2003 and 4 times in 2006.
I also wear Orvis hippers a lot - depends on the stream.
So, the waders don't get all that much hard use.
I did have an issue this spring up on the D - the wader belt clasp broke.
I have to get a replacement belt but have been tying the web belt in a knot.
I do like the "convertable to waist-wader" feature for warmer weather.
That being said, I'd buy another pair BUT would also shop around and look at other manufacturers' products when they do need replacing.
I'm easy on waders ( read careful ) and I've had no leak issues.
That being said, due to fishing related injuries in 2003 and 2006 (season enders)
I only went out about 5 times in 2003 and 4 times in 2006.
I also wear Orvis hippers a lot - depends on the stream.
So, the waders don't get all that much hard use.
I did have an issue this spring up on the D - the wader belt clasp broke.
I have to get a replacement belt but have been tying the web belt in a knot.
I do like the "convertable to waist-wader" feature for warmer weather.
That being said, I'd buy another pair BUT would also shop around and look at other manufacturers' products when they do need replacing.
Had a pair of Orvis lightweight breathables which were comfortable but when I started fishing weekly/daily they didn't hold up. Didn't expect them to , they are not designed for what I put them through.
Then Cabellas, which were hot and sort of stiff then leaked before they should have.
Then LLBean (gortex) which were uncomfortable then started leaking too soon.
Then I figured I only live once and spent the money on Simms G3. They are easily worth the money. Just as comfortable as the lightweights. No leaks so far. (about a year old approx) They are great.
Then Cabellas, which were hot and sort of stiff then leaked before they should have.
Then LLBean (gortex) which were uncomfortable then started leaking too soon.
Then I figured I only live once and spent the money on Simms G3. They are easily worth the money. Just as comfortable as the lightweights. No leaks so far. (about a year old approx) They are great.
Joe D
Registered User
Over the years I've used waders by Orvis, Simms, LLBean, Converse, Red Ball, and several no-name brands.
For the past dozen years I've been mostly using Orvis with no problems. Their Tailwater wader with the built in boot has to be the best wader I've ever used. Their Silver Label waders just might be the most comfortable wader I ever wore. They also have a decent warranty and repair service. I did try a pair of Simms Guide Weight waders five or seven years ago. Leaked like a strainer from day one. I still have them to remind me never to buy another pair of Simms again. But at $700 for a pair of G4's I doubt that will happen anyway.
Keep in mind that sooner or later all waders will develop a leak from one thing or another. Buy the best you can afford that are the most comfortable to you.
If you play in the water, you have to expect to get wet.
Joe
For the past dozen years I've been mostly using Orvis with no problems. Their Tailwater wader with the built in boot has to be the best wader I've ever used. Their Silver Label waders just might be the most comfortable wader I ever wore. They also have a decent warranty and repair service. I did try a pair of Simms Guide Weight waders five or seven years ago. Leaked like a strainer from day one. I still have them to remind me never to buy another pair of Simms again. But at $700 for a pair of G4's I doubt that will happen anyway.
Keep in mind that sooner or later all waders will develop a leak from one thing or another. Buy the best you can afford that are the most comfortable to you.
If you play in the water, you have to expect to get wet.
Joe
NJFred
Trout Hunter
Have any of you guys purchased those new waders with the zipper running up from the crotch to the top of the chest?
How well does the zipper work? What is the particular utility of the zipper vs regular waders. Is the utility of this feature worth what seems to me as a leak wating to happen?
How well does the zipper work? What is the particular utility of the zipper vs regular waders. Is the utility of this feature worth what seems to me as a leak wating to happen?
I've got a pair of Cabela's 3 years ago, had a small leak this spring, no problems since. I've also got an old pair of Red Ball neoprenes that I've had for about 10 years. Lots of leaks, fixed them all and they still work alright. Last year I put sheet metal screws in the soles for winter wading, seems to be working fine. I figured why not give it a try, I got my moneys worth out of them
DoubleHaul
DoubleHaul
Cloudveil 8X. A bit spendy but worth the extra. Goretex Immersion Technology is top notch. Go all day in the float tube with great comfort. Easy to hike in and TOUGH. Feels like you favorite pair of jeans
Hey GBS, If my waders leak I have to make a trip to Colorado to do a warranty like you.
A trip to CO would be aweful, don't you think?
Hey GBS, If my waders leak I have to make a trip to Colorado to do a warranty like you.
A trip to CO would be aweful, don't you think?
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Eagle Claw
Trout Hunter
I am very disapointed with my top of the line Simms, they should not be leakers after a year of use for the price I paid. I thought price = quality, the only thing I got is comfort, if you consider being wet comfort. I have heard good things about Dan Baily and that will be my next pair. I will send them back for repair and they will become backup waders.
Just proves you don't need high end, high priced, and a pair of highly disappointing waders to enjoy fishing.
As always, enjoy what you have.
AK Skim
I've been told by some knowledgeable people that you can't measure how good a pair of waders are by the number of years that you have owed them. You measure quality by the number of days that you fished in them. They claim that a good pair of waders are good for about 200 fishing days and then some breakdown should occur. Having said that I have had lousy luck with my Simms G-3's not getting more than 30 days out of them before they started to leak from the seams. This happened twice!
onemorecast
New member
A few weeks ago, I got a pair of LL Bean Flyweights. Both feet leaked from the first day, yet I continue to use them because it hasn't been cold enough for it to bother me. I called Bean today to inform them and the very pleasant "Mainer" CSR told me a new pair is on the way and I can send the defective waders back when the new ones arrive. I wasn't expecting much from $70 waders, but the fabric is nice, they fit pretty well and they are comfortable. Too bad they leaked, but at least the customer service is great.
I also got a pair of Patagonia's around the same time, but haven't worn them as they are pretty heavy and bulky - I figured I'd save them for colder weather when I need the room for heavier clothes.
I also got a pair of Patagonia's around the same time, but haven't worn them as they are pretty heavy and bulky - I figured I'd save them for colder weather when I need the room for heavier clothes.
theartoflee
Anadromous Angler
Unfortunately I have a pair of G3 Simms waders. I dont think I have ever been as let down with a product not living up to there marketing hype as the simms G3 waders. I would even go as far as to say any product not necessarily fly fishing related.
Simms claims that these waders are the standard by which all other waders will be judged by. I think a more accurate comparison might be to compare these waders to culinary equipment such as a spaghetti strainer.. something that water can run freely through and has lots of holes right out of the box.
Simms claims that these waders are the standard by which all other waders will be judged by. I think a more accurate comparison might be to compare these waders to culinary equipment such as a spaghetti strainer.. something that water can run freely through and has lots of holes right out of the box.
In the recent issue of American Angler the article "Reinventing the Wheel" Simms states
"... together with substantial input from the company's return department-an unequaled source of information about how their own products could fail. Among the important lessons learned from these data was that the seat of the waders had been a prime failure area and the leg seams along the sides were failing over time due to wear."
Failing over time due to wear???
Maybe they should take a peek every now and then at NEFF to find out just how good their products are doing.
As always, leaving the PR to the PR people and American Angler.
AK Skim
"... together with substantial input from the company's return department-an unequaled source of information about how their own products could fail. Among the important lessons learned from these data was that the seat of the waders had been a prime failure area and the leg seams along the sides were failing over time due to wear."
Failing over time due to wear???
Maybe they should take a peek every now and then at NEFF to find out just how good their products are doing.
As always, leaving the PR to the PR people and American Angler.
AK Skim
onemorecast
New member
Since someone brought this back on the radar, I thought I'd add that Bean had my replacement waders to me within four days and they don't leak. Yet.
kiwi trout
New member
Hi i have a pair of simms g3 for the last 4 years I used them in New Zealand, where I used to live (250 days a year for 3 years)and until now no problems,but Im worry because I bougth a pair of the new simms just 2 months ago and I havent have the chance to used them ,I hope they will be ok. now I live In princeton N J
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