Aside from Simms, what’s a good breathable wader?
- This topic has 28 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated Mar 25, 2008 at 6:29 am by
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Hello all! I am finally retiring my old Simms neoprene waders this season and would like to get a good pair of affordable breathable waders. I just can’t bring myself to drop $400+ on a set of waders, so what does everyone recommend if Simms G3’s or G4’s are not in the budget?
Thanks!
MikeI’m pretty easy on my gear. I’ll probably only fish with them a few times a year. With four kids now, I find I have less and less time to go fishing (go figure 😉 ) However, that said, I’m not immune to walking through briars and brush to cover new water, also I tend to fish on my knees a lot, so basically I’m looking for the best set of waders that around $200 can buy… :-/
There’s a true line of demarcation when it comes to waders and it has all to do with durability v. cost.
Thanks Zach, I’ll give that article a read this afternoon.
I’ve been looking at the Cabela’s Guidewear Dry-plus waders.
I have been using a pair of Cabelas Dry Plus Premium waders for about 4 years now, however, I must add, I only use them in the winter and usually in the kayak, so they don’t get a lot of abuse.
I saw some Cloudveil Gore-tex waders at Sierra Trading Post on sale 25% off. Includind a pair of the wading pants.
I like Patagonia’s waders. I finally replace my pair after 4 years of use and I mean heavy use. They had a very small pin hole leak and they took them back and gave me a new pair at no cost. Can’t beat that.
If Zach doesn’t mind, would you guys post up some retail links to those waders that you’ve had good luck with?
Bean’s Wicked Tough These are 3 layer Gore-Tex uppers with 5 ply on the lower legs. I own these and really like them. They do have a straight 3-ply model called the GQS at $249 but for my money the extra $50 for the 5 ply lowers is worth it.
Bean’s Emerger Breathable These waders aren’t Gore-Tex but everyone I know that wears them like them and the price is right at $99.
Flywight II These aren’t classified as breathable, but they do breathe and for the money ($59) are a pretty good wader. I bought some for my stepson and he really likes them. My wife has a pair too because they have sizes specifically for women.
Bean has the same unconditional guarantee for the life of the product that many of the other guys have.
search cloudveil waders at http://www.sierratradingpost.com
Just an FYI on Cabelas waders. When I was looking for waders a couple years ago, I looked at Cabelas in Owatona, MN. I was ready to pull the trigger on some Cabelas branded ones. There was another guy in there waffling between Cabelas and Simms waders. The guy was really torn. The saleswoman asked him what he was going to do in them and he told her he was going to be going to Alaska and needed new waders. She told him to buy the Simms, no question. When he asked why she told him that about a third of the Cabelas waders she sold developed a leak within the first few hours of use. She said Cabelas was great about replacing them, but it wouldn’t help you if you were a couple days out into the Alaskan bush. Her opinion was that Simms is better out of the box.
I ended up with a set of Simms L2’s and couldn’t be happier. Love ’em.
Now that was overheard by a salesperson. Maybe Cabelas makes a higher margin on Simms, I dunno. But it was enough to keep me from buying the Cabelas (and enough where I bought locally rather than from Cabelas).
To keep costs down, many products are percentage tested…
They make 100, and test 20 of the batch, thus a 20percent test ratio, if 2 of the 20 tested are faulty, then they have a 20percent fail rate… some companies accept a 20 percent fail rate… and ensure that they have great back up to replace the failed product quickly and effectively… they then replace the failed product with a “tested” one, ensuring the customer does not have 2 bad units, in a row…
This kind of testing is common in many areas, from IT to toys…
Simms and other premium Fly Fishing product manufactures, test each and every one of there premium products, thus they tend to work first time, every time… you pay for the testing as it is labour intensive, but then you get what you pay for…
Personally, I seldom have to wear waders and own an old pair of rubber waders, they might see action once or twice a year, tops… I did not use them last year…
Mike
Mike Trump, I would go with Simms or Patagonia. I have both and sell both in the little shop I run. Simms waders are just simply well built and they are the last and ONLY wader made in the good old USA! That alone is enough reason for me to buy them. Plus their customer service is extremely good!
Patagonia is the same way. They are a great wader that is well built and they breathe very well. And their warrenty just simply can’t be beat!
I would also look at your purchase as a long term investment. Because I feel like you really get what you pay for when it comes to waders. Just my 2 bits.
Joel
Unfortunately guys, Simms, Cloudveil and Patagonia are out of my budget this time around. I’m just going to have to take my chances with Cabelas, Hodgman or Columbia. :-[
I have a pair of Cabelas Guide waders. I had $150 in gift cards and needed new waders and the Guides were one of the few pairs that came in a long enough size for me to actually wear. I have very few complaints about the waders after 2 years and about 30 days worth of wading. There is one thing I feel obligated to warn you about. The legs on these waders are narrow. If it was a business suit, i would describe it as an athletic cut. I have rather thick calves and when I have wool socks and a pair of flanel wading liners it can get a bit tight. It isnt really uncomfortable, but I definitely notice it when trying to put the waders on or take them off.
-Jerod
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