My hodgemans are in pretty rough shape, I can tell by the amount of water I ring out of my socks. I’m looking for waders that are best suited for alot of movement. I’m pretty active when I fish, lots of walking and hiking, trying to hit as many holes as possible. Your suggestions are appreciated.
dmbfanweeee;
Can I ride along? I’m considering breathable’s too and would like to get as much info as possible. I’ve got several month’s before I’ll need them.
I broke down and finally purchased a pair of breathables last year. I ended up forking over the $200 for some Dan Baileys and I love 'em…I’ve probably used them around 30+ times so far and I do quite a bit of hiking through brush, etc. and so far, they haven’t leaked on me…plus, they have a wading belt built into them…
I can’t say enough good things about those waders…
Get a pair of Beans. LIFETIME WARRANTY. I will say it again, LIFETIME WARRANTY. I just brought a pair back that I had absolutely destroyed in every unreasonable way possible, barbed wire, burns, the works, aqauseal wouldn’t work anymore. They gave me a new pair and as a reason for it marked something on the order of did not perform as wanted. I got a full refund and used that to upgrade to a better pair. Once I wear these out, another pair coming my way no questions asked, LIFETIME WARRANTY.
If you research many of the forums, you will find a number of people always singing the praise of Simms waders. I do own a pair, the G3’s, and can say they are alright. I would seriously consider the Patagonia or Dan Bailey waders. Both are quality products and have a very good warranty. Whatever you decide, pick a company with a good warranty.
[url=http://www.rockymtnfly.com:b2a0e]Rocky Mountain Fly[/url:b2a0e]
Also in the market for some new breathables… I personally dont recommend Bailey’s…(but it may have been the model) I’m on my fourth pair in 4 years, I hade two pairs which showed major wear around the knees from rubbing against them while walking. Actually had holes wear through in both knees (on the sides) on both pairs. The first pair lasted three months the second pair didnt even make it a month before they started to leak. Was able to return them to the shop I bought them at and get them exchanged, after the second time the shop upgraded me to the guide weight at no charge. Had a buckle snap after about a month so returned them also for some new ones and have the ones I use now for about two years but these are showing signs of wear and its about time for new ones. If I were to buy Baileys again…it would be guide weight and I must also confess that I love the fleece hand pocket on them.
I am thinking of Simms but am going to wait until March or so to start looking. I will confess that I am very hard on any kind of fishing gear I buy.
I am not knocking Bailey’s as a whole…just dont really care for their waders. I like the shop and have no problems with their hooks (Dai-Riki). This is just my personal opinion so I hope I didnt really offend anyone.
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
edit: I agree with PaulM about the warranty on the Baileys also…because of that I have been able to replace the ones with problems at no cost to myself.
[This message has been edited by MarkKillam (edited 12 January 2006).]
LL Bean - can’t beat their customer service.
Given that they sell Simms, too, one is effectively getting a “better” warranty by going with Bean than you get from Simms itself.
I’ll definitely consider this on my next set of waders.
On the other hand, there’s an element of interpretation involved here. If you get many, many hard seasons out of a piece of gear, and it just plain “wears out” - I’m sure Bean will still replace it for you, but at what point does that become unreasonable? To Bean’s credit, they leave that decision up to the consumer. I suspect that this level of service results in loyalty that offsets losses from those that might abuse this policy.
Simms… And get the best you can afford.
If you can’t drop the bucks for the Simms, get a pair of Hodgmans. I use the Hodgmans for a backup and they are great for the money.
Ken
“The memory of a fisherman is more like fiction than journalism, that is, it doesn’t ignore the facts, but it is not entirely bound by them, either.”
John Gierach
LL Bean. Have a pair of their bullet-proof waders. No leaks for 4 years and I use them hard.
I am going to give you a different spin on this. Over the past 20 years or so, I have used Gillies (now defunct), Ronny’s (Defunct?), Dan Baileys, Simms (the one’s currently not leaking), Redingtons, and I also had the Bare Blackwaters. All but the new ones have leaked, some sooner than others, but they have all started to leak. Thinking back, I followed the “buy the best I could afford,” if I had to do it again, (and I am sure that I will)I would buy a reasonably priced pair of waders with good company backing. With that in mind, I would look very strongly at Dan Baileys, but not the ‘Barebones’ model.
I’ve been agonizing over this myself.
I’d like to give the biz to my local shop. They only stock Simms and the closest I can get to the waist high’s I like are the RiverTec model at $280.
Or I can simply replace my currrent Cabela’s Gold Medal Dry Plus waist highs for $140. They’ve improved the design to be less likely to wear through at the inside of my knees where the current ones have from friction.
I have 3-1/2 years on my current ones and can get another year or so with patching. But I fish in Colorao’s winter, so would probably shift to using the patched ones only in warmer weather.
I’m wondering if the Simms will outlast the Cabela’s by 3-4 years to justify the price difference? I’m not a label snob type and would hate to pay twice as much for nothing.
I cannot afford Simms. But my wife bought me a pair of Simms chest waders as a gift. I have no experience with others…but I wouldn’t part with the Simms. Period.
Gem
I’ll have to agree with Oldfrat here, try the Cabela’s “dry plus”. I have them and they haven’t leaked although they’re beat up enough they look like they should (lotsa blackberry vines around here). My buddy is a dyed in the wool Simms fan now says just get the Cabela’s, then you don’t feel so bad about it when they start leaking after a couple years.
Greg
I bought my first pair of breatheables this year in the Simms Freestones. I have had nothing but good luck with them. I’ll probably be staying in the Simms line from now on.
Mike
There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.
Patrick McManus
Greg F,
No offense intended, but I’m surprised you are agreeing with me since I have yet to make a decision on this one. 
I truly am hung up on this decision! Kind of like the mule who starved to death because he ended up between two bales of hay.
I think, though, that you are agreeing with the bias that is probably evident in my post. My bias is to go with the less expensive option because of a doubt that the more expensive one is going to be worth it.
I’m kind of secretly hoping that somebody with experience will jump in and say that I am certain to get 7-8 years out of the Simms.
I normally try to be decisive. This one has me hoping to get more facts before I decide.
I have a pair of Simm’s. The ones below the G3’s. It sounds like you fish like I do. Moving around and hiking alot. I have absolutly beat the crap out of mine for 2 1/2 years. I have patched a few things but I can’t believe they still keep me dry. I find there is little movement restriction. 7-8 years may be a little high on the expectation scale if you fish alot. 3-4 years may be more reasonable.
[This message has been edited by Ed Woodsworth (edited 13 January 2006).]
This has been a very good thread. I agree with a couple of comments.
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I think we should all be reasonable with regard to using the warranty. I know Bean and Patagonia will replace things with almost no questions asked. If we get a couple years out of the waders, I would hate to abuse the warranty the provide.
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I also agree with buying a pair of reasonably priced waders. I’ll admit that I’m hard on my gear. Probably becuase I’m a big guy… All waders will leak at some point and I don’t think some of the high priced waders are any better than the resonably priced well made waders.
One final word. I’ve heard good things about the new Cloudveil waders about ready to hit the market. Not sure about the pricing, but that brand might be something to consider over the next few months…
[url=http://www.rockymtnfly.com:319b5]Rocky Mountain Fly[/url:319b5]
Great responses from you folks!
My first breathables were (and still are back-ups) Cabela’s Dry Plus II’s. Made the mistake and stored them in the attic-like a dummy- found out on the water the heat was not kind to the sock bootie seams. Fixed the leaks. My primary and two year old waders are Orvis Silver labels- the funky orange tan color. They feel like khaki pants in and out of the water. Love’em.
A quickie emergency fix for leaky waders when you find out TOO late and the fish are biting is a big black plastic garbage bag between your waders and your socks and fleece pants liners. Hey, in chilly Alaskan creeks with no backups or stores around…you do what you have to to be in the water!
I fish, therefore I swam.
[This message has been edited by featherchucker (edited 13 January 2006).]
I had a pair of Hodgemans that were great and lasted me for several years. I only wear them about 6-8 times per year. They recently started leaking very slightly just above the the neoprene foot attachment. I broke down and bought a pair of Simms Classic Guide Waders. I am sold!! Simms are comfortable, easy to move in, tough (5 layers in th legs) and guaranteed. They are also made in the US in my favorite fishing state. I am a happy customer.
Dr Bob
Thanks for all the help. I’m trying to stay in a budget, but I’m lucky enough to live about 50 yards from the creek, so I fish alot. I think I may need to go with a higher quality wader. I’ll check the LL Beans and the Simms. Any Orvis owners? The local fly shop sells em’.