Getting back to fly fishing after many years of abstinence. I now have the means to get top quality gear. Plans call for retirement, possibly in NE
Tennessee, where I would be fishing a variety of tailwaters and mountain streams. The only equipment I lack, other than flies for the area, is a pair of
waders. Are the more expensive ones, like Simms, worth the extra money? Do they last long enough to justify the cost over the ~$100 kind? Any
recommendations welcome.
John
Tengas, Fenwick, and Marryat photo by Alpago |
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Question about waders
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 swampsavage |
Question about waders |
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Sport
Posts: 5 (05/12/09 15:52:29) |
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frogmorton |
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Master Guide
Posts: 262 (05/12/09 16:22:37) |
Red Truck Fly Fishing has some of their Simms waders on sale right now. Some are less than $100.You can find them at http://www.redtruckflyfishing.com/. Red Truck is an offshoot of Leland's Fly Fishing of San Francisco.When Orvis
changed their Silver Label waders a couple of years ago I bought three pair on sale. I'm still using the first pair and they've bushwhacked through
some pretty rough terrain, still no leaks. Manufacturers are constantly closing out models so if you can find a good sale on a name brand, stock up.
Last Edited By: frogmorton
05/12/09 18:35:41.
Edited 1 times.
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Rockthief |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1264 (05/12/09 16:47:10) |
cannot say that I am qualified because I have only used one pair in five seasons. My inexpensive Hodgeman waders started to leak after two years but I coated
the seams with silicone and that helped for a couple years but they are leaking a bit again. Simms are well-regarded but if they are worth three or four
hundred I cannot say.
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harleydeen |
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Master Guide
Posts: 366 (05/12/09 17:23:31) |
To me it comes down to what are YOU willing to pay for a no ask questions type warranty. I've been using hodgemans since the late '80's (neoprene)
then a few years ago I decided I wanted to try a pair of breathables. I did my research for awhile till I had the extra cash and I bought a pair of the Orvis
Pro 2's. I loved them and even loved their warranty better. It's just too bad that I lost a bunch of weight that year after buying them, so I ended
up selling them and have yet to buy another pair of breathables.
My point is don't necessarily look for brand name, but look instead at the warranty that backs up the product.
Tight Lines,
Harley Lk. Stevens, Wa. |
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kinzua |
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Guide
Posts: 118 (05/12/09 19:05:51) |
Get Simms, preferably the models made with Gore-tex, the most breathable fabric. Be aware that some of the lower end Gore-tex models may have an unbreathable panel on the lower leg fronts - not really an issue unless you easily perspire. Simms have lots of sizes for a perfect fit. They should last several seasons with the proper care which is essentially: watch where you walk to avoid briars and barbed wire, keep them clean with an occasional hand washing, and allow them to dry to avoid mildew. Learning how to find and fix pinhole leaks will save you the hassle of returning the waders every year for such easy repairs (usually a $30 charge after the 1st year). All you need is some Aqua-seal (included with waders) and a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. To fix pinholes, 1) turn the waders inside out, 2) spray with alcohol, 3) any pinhole will quickly appear as a gray spot, 4) immediately cover the gray spot with a very small dab of Aqua-seal, 5) let cure for 6 hours - done. I've had good experience with Simms warranty service. Any repairs, even accidental, in the first year of ownership are on the house. |
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cofisher |
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Posts: 1527 (05/12/09 20:11:08) Administrator
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I've been using Simms Guide series waders for about 5 years. The only holes I've had to patch are the one's I put in through carelessness. That
being said, my days of paying those prices are gone. Look for a good warranty, and as kinzua said, learn to spot and patch unless it's a major meltdown
then use your warranty.
You must lose a fly to catch a trout. ~George Herbert
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armyflyfisher |
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Master Guide
Posts: 534 (05/12/09 20:23:25) |
I'm on my 3rd season with my faithful...and inexpensive Hodgemans. The only hole that has appeared happened when I walked into some barbed wire, but that
was easily fixed with Aqua-seal.
David |
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BH Spey |
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Master Guide
Posts: 251 (05/13/09 14:21:45) |
I'm on the start of my 8th season (about 95 outings) with a pair of Hodgeman Wadelites Waist Highs that I paid $89.99 for and just had to patch my first
small leak in the neoprene foot. I can't see a pair of $700 Sims lasting me 56+ years to make it worth the additional expense! Heck, I can't see me
lasting another 56 years for that matter!
-- This Space For Rent --
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swampsavage |
thanks for all the input... | ||
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Sport
Posts: 6 (05/13/09 17:02:01) |
...I can't see paying $700 for waders either but my well settle on the Simms G3 for a little over half that figure. Since year-round trout fishing is in
the offing where we plan to settle I expect to be on the water several dozen times a year. It may well be cost effective to go with the Simms. Comfort and
features play into it as well. Hope to be posting some of my exploits later this year if all goes as planned. I'm already saving a bundle after the posts
here reassured me I don't need the latest whiz-bang graphite thingamadoodle. My Conolons, Wonderrod, TrueTempers and Medalists will do nicely I expect
along with a couple of nice bamboo's I plan to restore. Fish won't notice if I use the proper presentation.
best regards, John |
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shakeylee.clarksclassicfl... |
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Guide
Posts: 52 (05/13/09 23:31:11) |
i use hodgemans.i got them on sale for under $60.i'm on my second year with them and when they need replacement i'll look for another inexpensive pair
of breathables.i intend to extend their life by buying hip waders to use in small streams.
cheap waders usually last me 3-4 years.i would expect expensive waders to last me 5-6 years.you do the math,haha |
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Laramie Spinner |
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Guide
Posts: 202 (05/14/09 12:58:01) |
Gads! I AM a dinosaur. I have nothing but U. S.-made LaCrosse and Red Ball boot-foot hippers. I've owned the LaCrosses for fifteen years and the Red Balls
almost as long--before these I wore American-made Rangers, which were also great products. I've never had to patch either; I'm careful with them on
stream and off, keeping them uncreased and away from heat/light when not in use. The first thing I do when returning from an excursion is to hang them
vertically, feet-up. These boots are very well made and tough. I don't know what I'm gonna do when they're used up, as there's nothing
comparable on the market now.
Last Edited By: Laramie Spinner
05/14/09 14:08:49.
Edited 1 times.
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majicwrench |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1130 (05/14/09 16:32:09) |
I have never understood breathable waders, if it is warm enough to worry about sweating why not wade wet?? On the other end of the weather spectrum,
breathables are way too cold to fish in the winter, neopreme waders are a godsend even if you are out of the water on a cold day. And for the most part,
although I may need to wade across a crick or something, I almost never get wet past my knees, and I get a chuckle when I see folks standing out in the river
up to their bellies, they don't seem to realize the fish are behind them in the shallows!!
Years ago a buddy got me a pair of Orvis breathable, they leaked, I fixed, they leaked, I fixed. Went back to my old Cabela's neopreme, almost indistructabel. Here in the Kootenai valley, you can tell the tourists in the summer, they are the ones wearing waders, standing in a drift boat, sweating their asses off. For my money, buy a pair of neopreme, wade wet when nice, stay out of the water when possible. And have fun!!! Keith |
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