I was in a shop the other day and saw the new Simms line (well part of it) when the rep was visiting (nice guy by the way). It seems they have a few low end waders coming out but they looked kinda cheap. They were Gore Tex, but the fabric seems thin and not like their older waders. They are under three hundred bones, but just don't look or feel tough and I think they're being made in China.

My question is does anyone really care if something is Gore Tex anymore when some companies are building non Gore waders that are super high quailty? I read an article on breathable waders a few months ago and it was saying how Gore isn't really the only "best" ticket in town anymore. It's techie but apparently some other fabrics are coming into their own. I just wonder if some folks are not riding the Gore label to sell product. I overheard a few things that I'm gonna keep quiet cause I may have not heard them right, but all I'm gonna say is I'm researching my next pair of waders very closely.

Bryan