Waders?

[Corndog]

Hey all,
Ya know....I've reread all these posts about waders and noone mentioned the number of times per week they fish, if they walk through brush and prickers, or do a lot of hiking from spot to spot in them.

Example: If you've had simms for 32 years without a leak, but only fish once a year, then your waders don't get used very much. Hence the reason they've lasted so long. Give us more details.

I think A Polinger needs to know more facts before deciding unless he already made his purchase.

I didn't chime in on the wader discussion before cause I was a little embarrassed that I buy cheapo's from Walmart. I buy Hodgeman's when Walmart puts them on sale for $19.95. Which will be happening again shortly.

Facts: I fish 3-5 times a week, beating them to death in the bushes and BFB prickers, sliding down the cliffs of the Mongaup on my ass, and over-extending the crotch climbing over down trees and boulders on the big D while chasing a striper down river in the dark. I'm lucky if I get 50 trips out of a pair of waders before I get that horrible gonad chill.

So I say, Hodgeman all the way.

Cdog

 

[DoubleHaul]

From my original post: "Easy to hike in and TOUGH."

I fish 3-4 times a week from April to December then switch over to neoprene for the winter. So I think 40 trips a year is a fair estimate.

Dliving the dream)​

I hike to backwoods ponds in the Adirondacks-mud-granite rocks-snow-ice-pucker brush & a nasty bush we call "witch-hopple".

I am HARD on waders, often falling & sliding on the steep descents into the rivers & streams of the Adirondack Mountains.

This is not park & fish. It is a fairly common thing to wear waders & snowshoes at the same time in early spring.

I'm sure you get the picture by now. Still: Cloudveil for me. My second choice would be LL Bean.

 

[NJflyfishR]

WOW nobody has Patagonia waders... Iv'e had mine for about 5 years and I love them. They really stand by their products and they strive for customer satisfaction. But i guess just like everything else, it all comes down to personal preference. What ever works right.

 

[troutbum2676]

I have a pair of pro-line waders and a pair of hodgman hippers, both bootie style and use a pair of hodgman boots for the summer and a larger pair of chota boots in the winter. Best waders and hippers i've evere owned. i only had replace the waders twice after a few leaks/seals and i fish about three/four days a week year round. for my money i stay w/ proline on the waders (100$) and the hogdman hippers (45$) both in breathables.:guns:

 

[ratmatt]

I have a pair of Cabales Guide series breathable waders that i have been using for about 4 years now...No leaks very comfortable, and about $200.00 less than the name brands..I would highly recomend them to anyone....

 

[CreekAddict]

L.L. Bean there is nothing better...

Best post in the thread.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

After 8 months of abuse my Patagonia Watermaster Lights started to wear through on the inside of the knees. Not on the seams, but on the edges of the seam tape. A little duct tape (while I was looking for my aquaseal) seemed to do the trick but then I slipped heading into the West Branch of the Croton and ripped a massive hole in them. (I'll report on Patagonia's customer service once I send them back next week).

They held up well for a while, and the fall that induced the rip would have ripped any waders so I'm not too disappointed, but the wearing-through of the knees was definitely a let-down. They're good waders for part time duty on backpacking trips where weight is at a premium, but they are not everyday waders. I went with a pair of Tailwaters XT's to serve that purpose. Haven't used them yet, and I am having trouble finding the right size (I'm neither large nor short, but that seems to be the size at this point, though I remain skeptical and may exchange them again) but they're on sale now and come with a free pair of wading boots so it's a good deal if you're in the market for a new pair of both.

 

[eddavidson9]

started to wear through on the inside of the knees. Not on the seams, but on the edges of the seam tape.

I posted about the same problem on my bean emerger waders a while back...after a year and a half of wear. instant replacement when I brought them back to the store of course. Researching some options to prevent future occurrances with the new waders, I came across these ( Amazon.com: Adventure Medical Kits Adhesive Ripstop Repair Tape (4- 3 x 5) ( Pack of 3 ): Health & Personal Care ) and "installed" them as a wear patch. As a first impression, they are very low friction and seem to bond pretty well for a cheap adhesive patch. They are quite thin though, so I dont know how long they will last. Time will tell and I'll follow up with how it works out. I'm considering going over the edges with aquaseal to help keep them from peeling up.

 

[Fisher]

Best post in the thread.

The statistics (majority) seem to greatly disagree with you.

 

[clearstream]

I was looking at simms and patagonia this year, but balking at $300 or $400, and the salesman brought out his last pair of Hodgman guidelight breathables, at a discounted $150. I fish hard, and fall often, bushwacking all the way. Already used 45-50 times in 6 weeks. I love them. The booties fit so tight I almost can't get them off, They're very light and breathable, overall fit is great. Also come with a wading belt. Only downside is not enough pockets. Converts to waist high easily, and the suspenders are removable.

 

[eddavidson9]

The statistics (majority) seem to greatly disagree with you.

i dont think so. skim's post was a statement of fact. the stats are representative of individual preference. apples and orangutans.

 

[CreekAddict]

i dont think so. skim's post was a statement of fact. the stats are representative of individual preference. apples and orangutans.

Exactly.
LL bean are the best. The bottom line is, every pair of waders will leak, eventually. (yes even simms, GASP) LL bean will just take your leaky pair and give you new ones. I'm using the bean Helix waders now, and absolutely love them. If at any point I don't love them, LL will either exchange them for the same or different model, or give me a check.

 

[AKSkim]

I'm using the bean Helix waders now, and absolutely love them. If at any point I don't love them, LL will either exchange them for the same or different model, or give me a check.

That is what I am wearing now are the new LL Bean Helix.

Started wearing them in the Smoky Mountains.

After I beat them up a little bit more I'll post my findings.

So-far so-good. Then again I expect nothing short of that to begin with.

 

[CreekAddict]

I've only been wearing mine for about three months. I beat the shit out of my waders, and hike a lot when I'm fishing. No problems yet here either. I'll be putting my formal review up at the end of the year. They should have about 150 -200 days on the water by then.

 

[eddavidson9]

They should have about 150 -200 days on the water by then.

sucks to be you

 

[CreekAddict]

Marriage.


It's ruined many a good fisherman.

 

[eddavidson9]

so before you would have had how many fishing days a year?

i mean...i "fish" almost every day, but i'm lucky to get in the waders once a week. i make up for it by "loving" them very thoroughly and toughly.

 

[Drossi]

Exactly.
LL bean are the best. The bottom line is, every pair of waders will leak, eventually. (yes even simms, GASP) LL bean will just take your leaky pair and give you new ones. I'm using the bean Helix waders now, and absolutely love them. If at any point I don't love them, LL will either exchange them for the same or different model, or give me a check.

I had a different experience with my LL Bean Streamlight wading shoes, the felt sole seperated from the wading boot. I was going to throw them out any way but I had heard such great things about Bean's customer service that I gave them a call. Granted the shoes were 5 years old but they weren't worn in any other spot and still had some useful life on them. The CSR basically told me in so many words that I was SOL (which is what I expected). Don't automatically assume that they will just take an item back, they could deem it past its useful life or that it was abused (she mentioned that also).

 

[AKSkim]

The CSR basically told me in so many words that I was SOL (which is what I expected).

That is a first for me hearing such a thing.

I have seen someone return a Double L Rod that looked like it lived though the battle of Stalingrad and was taken back without a word.

Hope you still have them. Give them another call.

 

[CreekAddict]

The magic words are "I'm not satisfied". I mean don't abuse it, but if you're not satisfied, let them know, they'll replace them.

eddavidson- I'm lucky enough to have the ramapo river running right through my back yard. I also have quite a few trout streams within 20 minute drive from my house. I fish just about every night or even before work. I'm not doing 8 hour days every day, but I get out there as much as I possibly can. My waders get used every time i'm out. Who knows how much more I would fish if I wasn't married.

Anyway fellas, I'm off to Panama for 9 days. Hopefully I come back with some hd tarpon porn. WOOO WOOOOOOOOO

 

[Drossi]

That is a first for me hearing such a thing.

I have seen someone return a Double L Rod that looked like it lived though the battle of Stalingrad and was taken back without a word.

Hope you still have them. Give them another call.

I replaced them but I might still have them kicking around the garage but that was a few years ago now too. I was accepting of the fact that I got 5 yrs hard service out of them. I'm brutal on waders and boots anyway. I still buy Bean gear, I just bought a pair of aqua sole boots from them. It didn't change my opinion of their stuff, I just wanted point out that they may not automatically take something back that has given the customer years of good service.

 

[jlajoie]

I've stuck with LL Bean ever since I learned of their return policy. I had one pair of waders lose its gravel guard hook, and they insisted that I send them back for a new pair. Just had that new pair leak like a sieve on the B-kill yesterday, so they will be going back too. I think that LL bean is the only company that will send you a new pair BEFORE they receive your old ones! Love that customer service!

 

[eddavidson9]

I've made 3 returns to bean. Each time I walk in, I start to tell whoever is on the floor what the issue is and before I can finish, they ask me if i want a straight up exchange or an alternative. I have yet to actually ask for an exchange or refund, it's always offered before i have a chance.

 

[LyNcH]

I know I am a few months behind, but I have owned too many pairs of Orivs waders to ever recommend them to anyone. Granted they have replaced them for me, but after 5-10 uses, they should not need to be replaced. I just got my recent replacement of Tailwater XT's and have worn them 2 times, no leaks, for now....

I just ordered the Simm's Exstream muckboot waders. CTobia's had the G3's with muckboots last year when he took me out on his boat (which now I can return the favor and take others out on my boat this year) and another friend also has the G3's w/muckboots. I was convinced as my feet always freeze and they were toasy warm all day.

Oh.....the best yet!!!!!! I used my orvis gift cards from their returned crappy waders to pay for over half the cost of the new Simms.

My next pair of trout waders once the Orvis XT's start leaking, and they don't replace them, will be a pair of LL Bean waders at our local Albany store

 

[charlieincambridge]

I had a pair of Simms that lasted 7 years of hard use. To replace them I got a pair of LL Bean wicked tough that were 20% cheaper than the Simms. They were done in less than a year. I was ripped because they had seam failure while I was in Alberta!!!! I sent them in and the next pair did the same thing after 4 months. I've now had another pair of Simms for 3 years and expect plenty more. I wade fish at least 50-75 days a year and lots in the salt. LL Bean may be good for some and overall a decent company, but for hard use and longevity (especially when you're relying on them on a trip) Simms is the ticket.

Charlie

 

[LyNcH]

I forgot aboutthis post Charlie, thanks for the input and I agree with you 100%.

So on 9/2/09 I posted that Orvis had just sent me my new pair of tailwater XT's to replace another.....well guess what, the new pair lasted 2 whole days and the soles started to separate from the boot. That was it, I complained to Orvis one last time and they gave me a full refund.

I have jumped onto the Simms boat after seeing how durable they are through a couple friends. I own Simms only, I have the Extreams for winter and a pair of stockfoot Simms for spring/summer/fall. I suspect I won't be writing anymore complaint post about waders anymore, at least I hope.

Charlie, I see the battenkill has been ripping lately eh?

 

[CreekAddict]

Since returning the LL's three times, I have since switched to SIMS. Happy so far.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

I got my Orvis Pro Guide 3's back after sending them in for repairs. I counted a total of 13 spots where they patched the seams with aquaseal, and it looks like they also reapplied some of the seam tape as well.

This is after only 2 months of use, during most of which I was studying for the bar exam!!!

 

[LyNcH]

I got my Orvis Pro Guide 3's back after sending them in for repairs. I counted a total of 13 spots where they patched the seams with aquaseal, and it looks like they also reapplied some of the seam tape as well.

This is after only 2 months of use, during most of which I was studying for the bar exam!!!

It's too bad we all had to learn the hard way as to how unreliable Orvis waders are. It makes me nervous that their quality control lacks so consistantly as I am a fan of Orvis rods/reels/lines/fleece etc. I have always recommended their gear to others, but am starting to 2nd guess this as I don't know ANYONE who has not had a premature issue with their waders. Waders now, what next?

PS - Their Mirage floro tippet works well, until you start fishing in water colder than 42 degrees or so. I have learned the hard way that G-max floro is the way to go in cold weather, and what a difference!

 

[WBDluver]

same for me regarding Orvis. Most of their stuff is made in China now days and the quality reflects it. My pro guides leaked right out of the box. My second pair I have had 3 years now and the built in boots are cracking. My uncles Simms going on 6 years. I ordered a pair. will be fishing in them as soon as i get them