Hi -
Haven’t been visiting here, or fishing much lately. Things have slowed down to where I should have more time for both. I’m in the market for some new breathables. Could I get some recommendations? Unlike some of you lucky folks, I probably spend less than twenty days per year on the water, so I can’t justify the really expensive ones. Thanks for your help.
George
How many days a year do you fish? Take this into consideration.
I can usually get about 200 days out of a pair of guide weight waders.
The more money you spend the more days you will get out of them.
That said, for the money I would consider silver label Orvis’s.
At $189 they are fairly reasonable for what you get and should last at least 100 or more days with proper care.
Dan Bailey waders might be another good option. I have not used them for a number of years but in the past I have had good luck with them.
I think you can find them in the $200 range.
Rob
So, you don’t care if they leak? Or, 20 days per year X ten years = 200 days of use. A dollar a day, right? (for cheap ones.) Or $2 a day for good ones. ($400.00) ?
DH picked up a pair last Fall when the fishing items were on sale. He tried them out couple times this Spring and loves them. He wished he bought them years ago. Now he’s trying to get me to get a set.
Anything Simm’s, would be recommendation. Still made in the good 'ol USA…well, they’re waders anyway. I’ve had my guideweights for 3 yrs. so far and they’ve blown away any of the other, cheaper waders i’ve used.
Castwell’s right. Go with the good ones. You’ll save big time in aggrevation alone.
I agree with PSPaint. I just stumbled upon a huge sale on Simms Guide waders and grabbed a pair for around 200 bucks. I didn’t really think that there was a huge difference, but let me tell you - I love these things. It was 80 out the other day and I could stand to drive home in them (dont ask…)without becomming drenched in sweat. The extra money does pay off in the long run. One thing I urge you to consider, is how much time you spend on the ground. Some of the limestone streams around here demand a careful approach. I know that the extra money I spent is paying off with those re-enforced knee pads…something to consider. Also, DianeID, i’m confused…picked up a pair of what, breathables?
I recently agaonized my way through this one and decided on the new version of the Cabela’s. I just couldn’t get to the point based on the input I got from asking on two boards where I could justify the added expense of Simms. I had a good experience with my last pair and they have since been improved to fix that pair’s major deficiency.
I used a small part of my “savings” to buy some hippers. The hippers are not breathable, but who cares with hippers? They’ll get their first trial on a small high mountain stream that requires some hiking tomorrow. I plan to carry a plastic garbage bag for times when I want to sit down.
Yup, Frank, ain’t these boards wonderful as a source of ideas!
GBurgFisher–yes, a pair of breathables. I didn’t post a name because I have no idea what brand. DH does. He bought them, he wears them and trying to get a pair for me. I did try them on, but maybe it’s me. I don’t mind getting wet, and the water isn’t that cold to me.
Diane
(Waiting for the river to lower)
[Well, the water right now is a bit chilly, but it’s snowmelt…what can I say?]
Hodgman.
That’s the brand he bought. We’re not sure how they will perform in the long run, but they’ve been used twice this year in fairly rough areas. (With the river at flood stage, we’re limited to res., lakes, ponds.) The price was right (on sale), and it’s hard to find anything that will fit his foot and height.
Thanks for the input. Castwell, $400 for waders would leave me very little money to spend on fishing for the rest of the year. As much as I enjoy fishing, as a budget item it’s way below a lot of other things.
I’ve gotten about three year’s use out of my old Hodgman’s that I paid $90 for. I am just curious to hear about other people’s experience with low to mid priced waders before I buy.
Cabelas Bluestream ($79.99) have served me well for the past 3 years roughly 20 to 30 outings. Up here in Wisconsin I use my neoprene early and late season, so they both serve a seperate purpose.
“Illegitimus nil Carborundum”
Don’t go cheap, you will regret it. Waders are one item, where you better be sure of the quality! Take a look at the Simms L2. They are Gore-Tex, with built in gravel guards. So far thay have been the most popular wader I sell. $229 for a good quality wader, I have yet to have any come back, and so far everyone who has purchased them has been happy with them.
Josh White [url=http://www.rogueflyshop.com:5bf39]http://www.rogueflyshop.com[/url:5bf39]
[This message has been edited by caster (edited 12 May 2006).]
I went with the LL Bean Emerger’s. Cost about $100. I’ve had them 3+ years, using about 75 times or more per year including in the salt. No runs, no drips, no errors. And they come with a guarantee you can’t beat. Whats not to like.
jed
I just took the same plunge. I bought a set of Orvis Clearwaters ($129)which fit me perfect, (Large/short), and last years model of the Orvis Henry’s Fork wading shoe. The shoes are on sale now for $70, that’s 40% off, as they have a new model this year. So for 2 beans, I am all set. I love them. I liked the opposable buckles on the suspender straps, so i can use them as a waist high set also, with the straps as a belt…I know that they will be backed if there is any problem, my local shop, (Hudson Valley Angler) has a great owner who stands by his product. I am happy!
Mike
[This message has been edited by Mike Bee (edited 12 May 2006).]
[This message has been edited by Mike Bee (edited 12 May 2006).]
I am on my fourth set of breathables. I had three different Cabela’s Dry-plus waders and before the end of every season they started to leak. I just Bought a pair of Columbia Henry’s fork waders ($159). Wow, they are look and feel bomb proof. I do a lot of bushwaking when fishing. I think these will hold up to that. They look and feel like the Gore-tex waders at half the cost.
I tried Cabelas and they lasted all of 4 outtings before the seems started to wear out. I sent them back, got another pair and they did the same thing. That’s when I bought the Simm’s.
I’ve used a number of Hodgeman’s waders and they all seemed to last about one season before the coating they used, wore off and then they leaked like crazy.
I would seriously pay a little more and save yourself a whole lot of aggrevation. Simm’s does make less expensive waders. They use to make a Freestone pair that ran around $150.
The further up the price scale you can go without breaking into the kid’s college fund the better off you will usually be. Waders near the top of the line from Cabelas, Hodman, Cabela’s, Orvis, or whomever will usually outlast their entry level offerings. The more expensive models usually fit better, have extra materials at the knees and butt and more perks such as belt loops, inside pockets, etc.
Eventually, all waders will spring leaks. My first pair of waders more nearly fifty years ago, those hold Hodgman Wadewells, had so may bicycle tube patches on them by the time I pitched them that they were more patch than waders.
My first Simms waders lasted about 8 years under heavy duty fishing more than 100 days per year before they gave up the ghost.
I now have a pair of Orivs Pro Guides which have proven to be very tough and comfortable. I also have a pair of Hodgman breathables with the insulated bootfoot which have gone through three winters of steelheading in Washington and Canada without a problem.
Fit is critical in breathable waders. You need a lot of slack in the legs as they do not stretch. Bending, or stepping over logs will overstress crotch seams if the leg isn’t long enough. So, don’t buy them to fit like a nice pair of chinos. Most early leaks are caused by stressing the seams. Leaks that occur after years of loyal use are just signs that you’ve worn the waders hard and probably have gotten your money’s worth.
Good Fishing,
Les Johnson
I have heard several people express satisfaction with the Orvis Clearwaters, so I just ordered some. Thanks for all the advise.
George
Plaidad, make sure you try to get the “deal” on last year’s Henry’s fork boots, too! 40% off, a really nice shoe, and more comfortable then I ever thought possible!!!
Mike