Author Topic: Waders - Anything beat Simms? (Read 2661 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** March 21, 2011, 12:50:30 PM »

It's that time again. Gotta bite the bullet and get some new waders.

My question. Is there anything that can beat the Simms G3? I'm a big fan, but at 5bills retail they're not cheap. Looking for any possible alternatives at roughly half that price... since if it's the same or just slightly cheaper I'll go with Simms.

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2011, 01:16:36 PM »

I got the new Redington Sonics...didnt get the zippered model and they are pretty impressive. 6 outings no leaks. They feel very substantial and look to be really well constructed and a ton of extra features. I know two guides out here in Colorado who did some of the testing on them and they love them...both pair still going with more than 60 days of hard wade fishing. If you can see a pair I think you might like them. I paid 270 including tax.

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2011, 01:23:00 PM »

here is some chatter from spey pages...pretty positive..
http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?p=339211

Anita Coulton · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2011, 04:21:51 PM »

I'm in the wader market myself. My lightweight stockingfoots are 10+ years old. They've been refurbished, and are just now starting to leak....again. They owe me nothing at this point...Pretty sure I will be going with the Simms Headwaters since the G3's are outta my league....Probably go with the guys model and pay the extra to get the right size feet.....The women's headwaters have less features for the same price, and a bit too much frilly crap....that ain't happening....

Bob Lux · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2011, 05:18:42 PM »

I don't know if you can beat Simms. I fought with another company's high priced waders and after 7 returns I moved to Simms. I've been so happy that it would be hard for me to change. I would probably try out the Cabelas waders based on a friend's recommendation. He is a fisheries biologist and that is what he uses all day. He has ditched his Simms and now fishes out of the Cabelas waders. He is pretty abusive on them crawling around in streams staring at snails, mussels and whatever else is endangered in a river. I can tell you at least avoid a certain company that is very big, but now has their stuff made overseas.

Chris Galvin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2011, 06:44:53 PM »

Although this will not be popular with Simms, "The Choice of Professional Guides...", I am most likely going to replace my waders with a zippered pair from Redington, and a "pant wader" from Cabelas.

At some point, price becomes an issue. If Simms really wants me to wear their brand, I'd be looking for a much better guide deal..

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2011, 08:22:59 PM »

i could use a new pair also but the thing that scares me about reddingtons are the fact they are not gore tex. maybe it doesn't matter but that is a major hang up for me. i'll probably go with simms again , probably headwater but the G3 convertables look good ! Rolling down the chesties is hard on them i think.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2011, 08:52:11 PM »

Galvin, I agree completely. I'd love to keep pimping the Simms quality, but the company could really invest a little more in their representatives.

Janos Boda · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2011, 09:22:55 PM »

Does anyone have experience with the Patagonia waders and vests? I know they are not cheap but are they any good? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2011, 09:32:46 PM »

The two guides I speak of are died in the wool Simms junkies, very skeptical. They are wading guides too-not drift guys so the beat up the waders pretty good. But they have had these Redingtons for almost a year...no problems(as of 3 weeks ago).they love them. The Gore Tex Patent expired 6 years ago. The main issue with Goretex and non Goretex waders isnt the fabric, its how its put together. The Sonic welding (new patent) is going to make quality control much better, there is much less reliance on hand taping seams which is the key to stitched waders. Think about where our wader problems really come from...sure you get some pinholes in GoreTex too but is the seams...is it going to hold up. Gore Tex(Gore company) has a huge amount of control over any company that uses GoreTex because of this, the company(Simms) has to be approved by the company in how the garment is constructed because of the seam issue. I am not at all against Simms or Goretex...they have awesome stuff that has stood up but its not that easy to shell out $400 minimum when there is a beautiful pair of waders right next to them for $250 and a couple of trusted guides gave them the thumbs up and their store didnt even stock them yet..I got them at another local shop, go to a shop and size them up...I have a feeling they will be selling a ton of these this year.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2011, 10:40:58 PM »

I'm sold.

Frank Muscente · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:22:30 AM »

Me too!! 500.00 bucks for waders is a tough sell for me in this economy. How is their coustomer service if a problem does arise I wonder?

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:43:45 AM »

check out the link in the message above to speypages. from what they say great. i have one redington rod that never broke so i dont know personally.

Dylan Jones · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2011, 10:10:06 AM »

From what I can gather through fishing friends and family, Simms does seem to be the only way to go. Other companies have awesome customer service and will keep sending you new or fixed waders a la LL Bean, but who wants to keep sending them back. I hammered my L2s for about 7 years and they are still fine. Minor pin hole seepage. I had a gift certificate and went with the Headwaters this winter after looking around. Gore-tex and $299. The Sonics do look cool though, so if you guys are still talking them up in 5 or so years when I turn on the Headwaters maybe I'll look into them. Getting old, the zipper feature may help.

Bill Strickland · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2011, 01:48:18 PM »

I have been loyal to Patagonia for about 5 years now and love their waders......boots not so much anymore. I have been happy with their performance as I guide around 200 days a year and fish as much as i can outside of those days. They have stood the test and i am xtremely hard on them. Keep this in mind.....all waders will leak if they are used regularly simms or not. My Patagonia waders finally were shot as both booties were leaking and the inseam on one leg. Instead of rebuilding them as some companies will do, they just sent me a brand new pair FREE!

I also like the Patagonia waders bc they can be worn as pants or raised up and clipped on for full chest waders. Living in the south its a big plus for me. As spring rolls through the water can still be too high for wet wading and wearing Gore Tex is a bit too hot to be tromping around in. Just my opinion of course!

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2011, 03:25:13 PM »

The suspender system on Patagonia is pretty slick. I too have heard excellent things about their waders. I would get them too but I like to be an "early adopter" when it comes to fishing stuff, LOL...marketing 101. I tried on a pair on discount from last year(under $200) and they didnt fit quite as well as the Redingtons, just too long in the leg(or too fat in the tummy) ...but so far so good on the Redingtons.

Janos Boda · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2011, 11:53:22 PM »

Thanks Bill.

Could you tell me which model do you use please? I know Patagonia has at least 2-3 models with different price tags and I would like to know what to look for when I am in a Patagonia store.

Mike Wisniewski · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:49:49 AM »

Bought of pair of Patagonia waders in December of 2007 and no leaks. Bought top of line model. Only concern is that the material is very heavy; therefore, I do not like to wear in warm weather. To be fair, I bought them too big then lost 100 pounds so the waders are really big. Problem is that thye do not wear out.

Would buy another paid. Think waders with the knee pad is a neat idea.

Mike

Ben Vandevender · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:14:59 AM »

I can tell you that the Sonic Pros are pretty impressive! They are absolutely ridiculous for pricepoint and features. You would be crazy not to jump on them, even if you kept them as a back up pair. I personally love the material feel that they have, and the new patent pending welded seams is out of the league.

Bill Strickland · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2011, 07:43:20 PM »

Water Masters

Janos Boda · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:50:21 AM »

Thanks Bill.

Fred Dewees · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2011, 04:46:02 AM »

I was also told by my local Orvis dealer last week that Orvis was sharing this technology with reddington now reading this thread .I did some research and found this you be the judge http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=9X8R&dir_id=758&group_id=777&cat_id=18940&subcat_id=18941

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2011, 12:08:41 PM »

I've had the Redington Sonic Pro's on for about 12 days onstream...so far they are great. No leaks and the material seems pretty tough..the breathability seems good, only on really hot day thus far and I was comfortable. The hardware(suspenders & belt) is quite nice...heavier duty than the last pair of Simms I had..so far I am very impressed!

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2011, 08:50:00 PM »

Long Term Update on Redington Sonic Pros. Ive had them in the water for about 45 fishing days thus far. No Leaks. The one thing I have noticed is they dont breath quite as well as GoreTex. Thats not to say they dont breathe but I would say they are about 75% as breathable as my old Simms Lightweight gore tex waders. I say that after wearing them fore several days in 90-95 degree temps out here in colorado. I cant complain at all...they are pretty darn nice regardless of cost.

Ryan Hales · « **Reply #24 on:** August 18, 2011, 03:19:04 PM »

Quote from: Rob Twombly on August 07, 2011, 08:50:00 PM

Long Term Update on Redington Sonic Pros. Ive had them in the water for about 45 fishing days thus far. No Leaks. The one thing I have noticed is they dont breath quite as well as GoreTex. Thats not to say they dont breathe but I would say they are about 75% as breathable as my old Simms Lightweight gore tex waders. I say that after wearing them fore several days in 90-95 degree temps out here in colorado. I cant complain at all...they are pretty darn nice regardless of cost.

If you are fishing in temps that high, why not just wet wade? But glad to hear about the waders, I might look more into those when my simms are done.