Hey folks,
I need new waders, and I’ve narrowed it to two: the Simms Freestone Zip and the Simms Headwaters (non zip).
I am replacing a cheaper pair of Dan Bailey waders, so either one is a step up, however, I’m trying to decide if the lesser material and addition of a zipper is better than traditional waders in true Gore-tex.
Any opinions?
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff,
I have a pair of Simms Headwaters and also a pair of Dan Bailey Lightweights. I switch back and forth to spread the wear. I’ve had both for about a year, which is about 40 trips each for me. I prefer the Baileys, mainly because I find the lower legs, from the knee down, to be more flexible, and a little roomier than the Simms. I find the stiff, multi layer lower legs of the Simms to be a little hard to remove when doffing the waders. I suppose the flip side of that is that they should resist a lot of kneeling on rocks. Also, I like the interior chest pocket on the Baileys better than the exterior mesh pocket on the Simms. Keeps my camera dry. So far, both waders are holding up fine. I suppose you’ve been through this, but try on both waders if you can, and do plenty of squatting and kneeling to check freedom of movement. Also try them on with your own boots as you may find the fit is different due to the sock feet materials and designs. Good luck.
Spyderman
i think it was Betty that suggested once that you put your foot into a plastic bag before donning your waders and it will make them very easy to remove.
I have to tell ya I tried it and your feet slip out like butter …pure joy !!!
Bernie
Thanks Spyderman for your opinion. I’m definitely not getting another pair of baileys though. Mine have leaked for 5 of the 7 years I’ve owned them - Now days I’m an occasional fisherman, so I haven’t really cared. I wouldn’t be looking now, but a local shop is going out of business, so I can get the simms at a nice discount. I liked the comfort of the baileys, but I really hated the gravel guards. The would never stay down on my boots. Also, the pocket makes no difference to me as I never used the pocket on my baileys.
I’m mostly trying to figure out if the tradeoff of Gore-tex is worth it for a zippered front.
Jeff
I had a pair of Freestone (non-zip) for 3 years which I really liked; thought they were pretty durable and comfortable although I admit I didn’t put a whole lot of miles on them. When they developed a minor leak in one of the feet, I shipped them back to Simms, hoping they’d fix them. Instead I get the word from the service dept. that they’re not repairable (really?) but that they’d replace them at no cost (except for $20 shipping) with a new pair of Freestones; thought that was a pretty good deal until I got the new waders, which started to leak in the feet within a few months. Got on the horn to Simms customer service and they told me that they’d had some problems with the low-end products in their line since they outsourced production to China and I could either get another pair of the Freestones (again at no cost except for shipping) or upgrade to a pair of their gortex waders for only $200; the rep told me that since the gore-tex were “Made in the USA” they could guarantee I’d have no problems but if I went with the Freestones, I’d be calling him back within 6 months complaining about the same problems about leaks (no kidding, that’s what he said). I got into a discussion with him about what quality control should mean and if Simms is going to put their name on a product it should probably invest a little time in said quality control, but got nothing but the standard company run-around about outsourcing, increasing costs, etc, etc. I replaced the Freestones with another pair of same (didn’t have an extra $200 floating around, but just happened to be around Bozeman so I dropped them off in person and saved the shipping cost) in April and yes, they have developed a pinhole leak in the left boot. I’m debating sending them back, since I know where that will lead, or just breaking out the Aquaseal and going after the leak myself, which will probably void the warranty.
Bottom line - I’d be extremely leery about buying any of the low end of their waders since quality control seems to be problematic, at best, and more likely non-existent; if you’re going to buy Simms, consider the gore-tex. Sorry for the rant, but just trying to pass on my experience.
Regards,
Scott
Scott -
I find your story truly amazing, and wonder why Simms would continue to sell these waders knowing the problems that they have. I think that I would be inclined to demand that they refund my purchase price.
John
John,
Considered that but for what I paid for the 2007 Freestones (which is what I’d be re-funded), I could could only buy half a pair of today’s model and I’d still probably be looking at a $200 outlay to get waders that were crafted with some pride in workmanship or at least some true quality control. The old Simms “Made in Montana” pitch needs to be revised. I apologize for the sidebar session here, just want to share my Simms experience with the OP since Jeff is considering wading into the low end of the Simms lineup.
Regards,
Scott
I have the Headwaters and have worn them for the past three years. I am very pleased with them.
Will be trying the plastic bag trick!
My experience with waders and rain gear is that Gore Tex breathes better and is more comfortable than other water proof breathable materials. Better breath ability means more comfort in warmer weather or when you are walking and generating body heat. I view the zipper on the Freestone waders as an unnecessary potential point of failure (leaks). I would pick pick the made in the USA Headwater waters.
I was happy with my Cloudveils but for obvious reasons I will have to switch here soon.
I will be going Simms G4 zipper front…
Whatever you buy make sure they fit properly!! You should be able to lift your leg high enough to put your foot on the seat of a kitchen chair. If not you will soon have seams leaking!
But even more important than that:
Make sure you look fly in them!!!
I also had Cloudveil after about 10 years of Simms. The Simms were fine and I never had a problem with them , they were just getting old and I was worried about having a problem - I gave to my son and he still wears them. I decided to try Cloud Veil and had similar leak problems. Each time the customer service was very good about replacing them but I got tired of going through all the hassles. Still have them with lost of Aquasil patching lots of little leaks - and they still leak. I went back to Simms for the G4 guide wt. – and had custom feet put in them. Yes they are expensive but I would rather spend the money to get what appears so far to be a good product than a moderate amount of money for junk. I have had them for a hear now and so far so good.
You have do what you have to do within the budget. I avoided the zipper for the same reason mentioned above – seems to me to be a weak point and eventually a leak source.
Good luck, I’m sure you will get lots of good and diverse opionions
Isn’t that the point ??
Thanks everyone.
I ended up going with the Headwaters waders. I decided that the upgraded materials and fact that they’re sewn in the US was more important to me than the zipper.
Jeff
Good one, John. Big chuckle
Does anyone have any experiences (positive or negative) on Patagonia’s Water-Master Waders?