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Thread: Wader opinions, Everybody has one

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    near Ft. Wayne, Indiana
    Posts
    198

    Default Wader opinions, Everybody has one

    I know opinions are like...never mind..So lets hear them on waders. After 3 1/2 years of fishing in at least 4 different states my Hodgman Streamlight waders ($79 Dick's spoting goods specials) have begun to leak on a leg seam. I will make every attempt to identify the leak and use this pair for some warm water streams around here. But, due to a recent windfall, precipitated by my back muscles, ( I never get called for the design and engineering part, just the heavy lifting) I have $180 to buy some new waders. What's the best thing going for the price. Don't need boots, just waders.I'm a Med. to Lg. Want breatheables. Don't care about bells and whistles, just wear and durability.

    ------------------
    These are the idle thoughts that posses a man's mind when he's not able to fish.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Location
    Poulsbo, Washington State, U.S.A.
    Posts
    4,387

    Default

    $219.00 Chota might be just what you are looking for. [url=http://www.chotaoutdoorgear.com/CyberMerchant/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=92&section=store:1da5c]http://www.chotaoutdoorgear.com/CyberMerchant/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=92&section=store[/url:1da5c]

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Northfield, MA USA
    Posts
    1,849

    Default

    LL Bean's Emergers. In your price range too. After going through other waders I bought these 3 years ago and have had zero leaks or problems. If ever I need a repair or replacement that I thought should be warrantied, LL Bean's has the 100% guarantee and they back it up.

    jed

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Huntsville, AL USA
    Posts
    20

    Default

    Given the inherent problems associated with the off shore manufacture of waders make sure you buy exactly what is recommended by folks with long experience with the specific wader. The problem here, is by the time folks have long experience with a specific wader they are normally no longer on the market and the replacement can be garbage.

    Since all waders are now produced off shore there are virtually no repairs available. They just send you a new pair that will probably fail in the same manner that yours did..... bummer.

    Ralph

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Lancaster, NY, USA
    Posts
    873

    Default

    There's three I would try...Simm's, Simm's and Simm's. I've used numerous brands and none have held up as well as my guideweights have. Those would be out of the price range, but they do make less expensive ones. I would check them out.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Woodinville, WA, USA
    Posts
    272

    Default

    If you are looking for breathable waders for average use, the ones recommended are fine. I have a pair of Hodgeman Wade lites that lasted me about 6 years before they developed pin hole leaks. If you want dependable, comfortable and probably the only brand of waders you will own after you have had a pair, go with Simms. They are worth the money. You get what you pay for.

    Dr Bob
    Bob Widmaier

    My biggest fear when I die is that my wife will sell my fly fishing gear for what I told her I paid for it!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Golden, Co. USA
    Posts
    798

    Default

    "Since all waders are now produced off shore there are virtually no repairs available."

    Sorry, my Simms are made in Bozeman, Montana. The lights are $200. Six years and not even a pinhole.

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