I’ve been thinking about saving my pennies over the winter and getting a stocking foot pair of these waders in the spring. Does anyone out there own a pair? Opinions?
JeremyH
PS - I am NOT a Simms fan. Please don’t suggest that I buy a pair of Simms waders instead.
Well, my experience with Orvis is NOT good. I went through 8 pairs of Silver Label waders in 5 years. It got to the point that when I would bring them back to Orvis, all I got was grief. The last time I took them back to Orvis, they charged me $35.00 and the store where I returned them sent them back to me insted of to be repaired.
As a result of that, I have not made a purchase from Orvis and am getting ready to put all my Orvis stuff up for sale.
At last I said I had had enough. I bought a pair you don’t want to hear about.
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
Everyone is different. I have silver labels and use them a lot, never had a problem. Orvis customer service is excellent in my opinion. Treat your waders well and they should return the favor.
<*(((((><
Jim in CO
I would also check out the Patagonia Watermasters, in the same price range. I’ve never had a less than excellent product from them, and their customer service and guarantee are great.
I recently went through 3 different pairs of Tailwaters in the bootfoot model. All 3 went back to Orvis due to leaks. I wound up with Simms RiverTeks…no leaks to date.
kphume-
Sounds like all your Orvis fishing gear is junk,sorry to hear that,i suppose you will be selling the gear at junk prices,be sure and post it here first.
Mike
Now, now, Mike…
I never said ALL of the Orvis equipement I own is junk, In fact, the ONLY issue I have with Orvis is the waders and their attitude about standing behind them.
I’m a very opinionated person and refuse to do business with companies that do not treat me like I treat my clients. I have not been in a Kmart store since they got Rosie O’Donnell to be thier spokesperson.
Also, since I guide a good bit, I can not in good faith have a client use Orvis equipement that I claim to stand behind, when I really don’t.
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
The best luck I have had is with Cabellas Guide Tech. On my third season, including some serious steelhead bushwacking, and only one small leak so far.
Eschew Sesquipedalian Obfuscation
I have a pair of Orvis waders that are bottom of the line and have had no problem with them for 4 years.I always fold mine and put them in a giant ziploc bag pushing all the air out. Then hang it on a hanger in the closet.Ozone will break down the membrane in the waders that helps keep you dry.UV will also do this.I don’t know how to prevent the UV problem from happening though.To each his own.
Thanks for all of the responses so far! Olive_Matuka, I have been considering the Patagonia waders, but there’s not a source for them locally and I’m a very odd size. Basically I like that the tailwaters are essentially a waist high that can be chest high if needed, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for.
JeremyH
Heck, if that’s the only thing putting you off, just go to the Patagonia website and click on the sizing chart on the wader page - I find that as long as you know your height, etc, the sizes are pretty accurate, with a little room left over for layers, squatting, etc.
And the Watermasters can be worn with just the waist belt as well.
*Disclaimer - I don’t work for Patagonia, just always been happy with their gear.
[This message has been edited by Olive_Matuka (edited 08 December 2005).]
I have owned a pair of Orvis Clearwater waders for about 3 years. I don’t know what difference there is between the Tailwaters and Clearwaters, but mine have served me well. I do not baby these waders. I float tube and bust brush and have no problems so far. You have no idea how thick the black berries get along the streams around here that hold smallmouths. As far as service goes, I can not say. I have not had a reason to use it since the waders have not failed yet.
my $.02
Clint
I feel closer to HIM when I’m fishing.
[This message has been edited by Bluegill Budd (edited 09 December 2005).]
I have 2 pair of Dan Bailey stocking foot waders. One pair for float boat and one pair for the river. Been using one pair for 3 years and the other for 2 years. Never had a problem with either one. Now that I have said this, they will both probably start leaking!
Warren
Well, I purchased a Hodgeman set of waders and have used them twice a week and never had a problem. Paid less than $100 bucks too. I think my brothers leak but he has hooked them like three times. I own Orvis reels and a Orvis rod and love them. Couldn’t live without. Good stuff!
I have a pair of hodgeman waders. I’ve had them for 3 season and so far no leaks. The pair I have are the canvas with the insulated boots. They keep me dry but I’ll tell yah, I cant wear them in the summer I cook and in the winter, I freeze. But they keep me dry and they were cheap. You could give the neoprene version a shot, they were only $70.
I would also be interested if anyone actually used these waders, and could provide an opinion. I know about all the ones listed, but still, no one has really answered the question.
I have a pair of the Tailwater lace-up bootfoots and have used them for a couple of years now. I do product reviews for a magazine so I have the opportunity to try quite a few wader models; at the same time, since I’m trying so many, I don’t get the chance to really pound the hell out of any particular pair. I find I’m using the Tailwater waders more and more frequently, especially in the winter, because they are extremely comfortable. So far, I’ve experienced no leaks during what would would be the equivalent of probably six solid months of use had they been the only pair I was wearing.
Maybe I should clarify my previous post. I am in no way bashing Orvis equipment. I have Orvis reels, rods, wading staff, etc., that are all superb. I had one of the early pairs of Orvis Clearwater bootfoots that I wore for 5 years before they developed problems, and have a second pair as backups that are 3 or 4 years old with no problems. My only problem ever with Orvis products was with the TailWater XT bootfoot waders, and I truly regret it, because they are the most comfortable waders I’ve ever put on. But after 3 pairs in a row that leaked, I have to think that Orvis dropped the ball with this model.
Yea, Maybe they did! Personally, I think a good pair of Cabelas waders will suffice.
I have to vote for the Cabela’s myself. For about 129 bucks, you can get a good pair