Well, it’s time for new ones. My waders have officially seen their last day in the river. I am looking for reviews from users to get an idea of what’s out there, what’s better, what’s best etc. With that said…
So what do you wear? What are you’re likes and dislikes about them? Would you buy another pair? Etc.
Thanks
Jeff
I have 2 pair i would reco-mend. I fish alot in the winter so I use a bootfoot 4ml. neopreem in the cold times and a breathable stocking foot in the summer. (if I am not in a boat) both are made in Canada by Fitzwright. They are sold under the Bare label. both seem to keep out water. All of my fishing partners use Simms with good luck. And i think Bailey has a good wader for the money.
Rich
Jeff,
Depends on $$ and what you fish for (and where).
IMHO, even in colder weather, “breatheables” are nice to have.
My 0.02$
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/:f8f9d]http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/[/url:f8f9d]
Sorry,
I forgot to put in my requirements. I am looking for breathables. I fished with neoprene for a little while, but now find breathables to be much more comfortable in all seasons. The only other requirement I have is durability. I am pretty hard on waders and vests. The last thing I want is to have to think about my waders while I’m crawling through rhodies or busting through brush to get to where I want to fish. I know that some care has to be taken, regardless of the wader, but I want to know that they are going to last through at least a few seasons of hard use. As far as money, I’m not considering it. I don’t care what price they are, as long as they are comfortable, keep me dry, stand up to some abuse and last.
Jeff
I just finished the quest for new waders. After talking to folks who owned them, I was going to buy the Orvis Silver Label II stocking foot model. But! They don’t come in a size and configuration that will accomodate my short stature and large feet.
So, I looked further and decided upon LLBean’s Gore-tex GQS model. They arrive today.
hth
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
After doing the same searching, I decided on the Orvis Pro-Guide, was going to go with Simms but for the price saving I also got the Henrys Fork boots that were on sale. They were at my door in 2 days & the fit is perfect. On the questionof durability I will not know for a few months.
I’ve got the Orvis Clearwater’s. They are nice and so far (1 season) seem to be pretty durable. For a few more bucks (if I’d had it!) I might have gone with the Pro Guide’s. I like the way the pant leg goes all the way down to the boot, eliminating the need for gravel guards.
[url=http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?dir_id=758&group_id=777&cat_id=5593&subcat_id=7310&pf_id=60L3:0b05b]http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?dir_id=758&group_id=777&cat_id=5593&subcat_id=7310&pf_id=60L3[/url:0b05b]
A tip picked up from a buddy , “Remember to take a garbage bag with you to bring your wet muddy waders home in .”
Yep , good tip I suppose , I arrived home after dark tired and hungry , was going to clean waders off with the hose and hang them up in the morning . So I left the bag and waders on porch overnight . Had a hard day fishing so slept in . Wife sees the garbage bag on porch , puts it out in the Can , I am shopping for new waders now .
Gnu Bee,
That’s a hoot. … We use Rubbermaid boxes for everything.
We have a couple taht are for the wet stuff like waders and boots, … That way we don’t mix up clean clothes with wet stuff etc. (and don’t throw out anything by accident).
SteelieD,
Funny, I looked at the Orvis’s and went with a different maker 'cause I didn’t like the cuffs on the leg bottoms. Being a forest worker for most of my life, I’ve tripped over small stubs of stumps too often to want a pant/wader cuff over my boots. (Ever wonder why foresters have such short pant legs?)
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/:48ac0]http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/[/url:48ac0]
[This message has been edited by fcch (edited 28 February 2005).]
I have the Simms guide weights and love them, as do many people from a quick search about waders. They are pricy, and I just had some repair work done on them (cost me $53), which included fixing a couple of leaks, replacing neoprene boots (because tape seal was peeling) and shipping them back to me. They were 3 years old at the time.
So I spent about $325 (when I bought them) for 3 seasons of use… another $50 to keep them going. I guess if you bought a cheaper pair every couple of years, I might be slightly ahead (if you assume I get 6 years total out of these after this repair). In my opinion, well worth the money (and my time in not having to shop for new waders every couple of years).
Hextall,
All neoprene will eventually leak or seep water.
In theory, neoprene ISN’T waterproof. It’s just so thick, the water doesn’t come through. The booties will eventually compress and water seeps in. Many think it’s the taped seams.
Gravel and grit inside your boots helps accelerate this.
I wear an extra pair of 2mm neoprene socks over top my stocking foots to help make them last longer (then again, that water is usually pretty cold here, so my feet don’t get TOO hot).
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/:a0afd]http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/[/url:a0afd]
You say your hard on waders and want breathable. There is an obvious choice for you, The Simm’s guide goretex called the G3. They are more breathable and more re-enforced then their standard goretex. They are made for guides who put many days on the water and they can really take a beating.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Jeff
I am happy with my LL Beans Emergers. They cost about $100 and have lasted two or three full seasons. They ahve a lifetime guarantee so if you ever feel that you did not get your money’s worth you can return them or get a partial credit. So far zero leaks, comfortable and looking like almost new.
jed
If you want the best quality wader you can buy that will take daily heavy use for as long as waders will last, buy a pair of Simms G3 waders. Assuming, as you said, cost is not a consideration.
Fish while you can,
FFMachine
I just bought a pair of Simms Classics and I am happy with the decision. Ive worn them 3-4 times already this winter and Ive finally realized what I have been missing as far as comfort goes. Im sure you would be happy with the G3 waders as they are a step up from the classics with a few more features.
Seege
Thanks all,
I have decided on the simms G3’s. A little bit of sticker shock, but I don’t want waders to be a problem anymore. Hopefully they live up to their reputation.
Jeff
Jeff,
You will certainly not be disappointed.
<*(((((><
Jim in CO
I don’t know what type of fishing your doing but I would highly recommend the LL Bean gore-tex waist waders. They sell for $200 but worth every penny. I think they are basically equivalent to the Simms $300 gore-tex waist wades just without the name. One additional thing I like about these waders is the gore-tex feet instead of the traditional neoprene. I wear a pair of neoprene socks on the outside of them just to make sure a rock doesn’t tear them and to help keep my feet warmer.
Troutcatcher
The last thing I want is to have to think about my waders while I’m crawling through rhodies or busting through brush to get to where I want to fish.
Crawling through Rhodies?!! Man I hope you don?t get any pollen on you or maybe a flower pedal stuck in you vest! 
Sorry but from the land of the blackberry that?s just too humorous to pass up. And the Kiwis might really have a word or two about wader eating shrubs!
Get the simms guides and call it good. Durable and cut really well.
Have fun
Paul