Has anyone tried the ?next generation? breathable zippered wader more than just a few times, so as to be able to give a ?first hand? consumer report?
The price tag on this equipment is pretty steep, but if they hold up and perform as advertised I’m interested and would like to hear what you folks, that have used them for a while have to say about the product. Is the functionality of this product truly durable and does it standup as well as the non?zippered breathable waders.
Bob
I’m all for improving fishing gear, but in this case, they’ve spent a lot of energy solving a problem that I don’t really think is all that important. The extra $$$ and the additional complexity, bulk, weight, and risk of failure of a zipper isn’t worth it to me.
If I had a bladder condition and had to pee all the time, I might consider it. However, curently, I don’t have to “answer the call” often enough to worry about having a zipper in my waders.
Even with “problems,” there is add-on equipment with a bag to take care of that for the guys. I agree that the added cost and potential for problems outweighs the advantage of having a zipper. IMHO
Joe
Ahhhh… it’s kind of fun to sit back and watch you all debate the merits of something that’s likely to be expensive and also something i absolutely don’t get tempted to buy. :lol: 
I looked at the price tag and chuckled, they cost as much as a high end fly rod! The fly shop guy said: 'yea but it incorporates extra pockets, like a vest"; to which I replied: “I don’t wear a vest”.
The zipper idea isn’t new, Cabela’s had a version many years ago and I believe Hodgeman has/had one as well. I guess for the person with issues who wears waders all the time it could be a big help but if you wet wade instead…well…you can just…
…well, you know…
And let’s not forget the catastrophe IF you forget to zip up after!
Since there seems to be a plethora of posts on this board regarding leaky waders, especially at seam areas, I think I’ll pass on zippers.
Heck, what’s next, drop seats?
I received a pair of the Hodgman zippered waders last summer for a product review. I believe they use the same zipper that Simms uses though the Hodgman waders are about half the price. While I don’t have a “problem”, it is nice to be able to relieve oneself without having to remove vest, rainjacket, etc. during a pouring rain (an event which occurs frequently here during steelhead season and the rest of the year as well).
So far the zipper has proven to be water-tight and the waders (which, except for the zipper, are the same as the Pro-Guide model) have performed admirably.
Would you need a zipper??? “Depends” :lol: :lol:
DuFf
Dufin, that really hurt. I am just speechless (well obviously not)) 
Being that age, the thought of a zipper is appealing but the thought of leaks is not. I think I’ll hold off for a while before jumping to a pair of zipper waders. I wonder how well they work in the salt. I have very few zippers that don’t bind after some salt water use. I can only see problems with a zipper binding up when you are expecting it to work.
jed
The RiRi Storm ? waterproof front zipper technology has been used in dry diving suits for a number of years so I suspect that its been pretty throughly tested. The first practical waders using this technology came from Italy under the brand name Sir Francis Evolution. Bill Edrington who owns Royal Gorge Anglers in Canon City Colorado started carrying them a year ago. If you would like to see pictures and read a spec sheet about them, Bill has an eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/Royal-Gorge-Anglers. I think the Sir Francis are much better constructed than the Hodgeman and they are certainly priced better than the Simms.
To my knowledge, none of the current sponsors on FAOL carry the Sir Francis waders. I have no connection with RGA or any dealer, and have no financial interest in the product.
