Wader Abuse…

[mike b.]

Reading some of the posts about equipment got me thinking about some of the unintentional abuse I have inflicted on some of my flyfishing equipment over the years, and how some of it has held up very well.

[Zach Matthews]

There’s a photo of me sliding down a bank in my Simms Guides in this issue of American Angler.

[Mike Anderson]

I use Hodgeman guidelite waders and have had them for four years now with 0 repairs. I don’t abuse them as I use a boat to get to most of the places I wade fish.
You don’t hear much about Hodgeman but IMO they are great waders for $200.

[Cameron Mortenson]

Well…my wader story still causes a strike of pain through the back of my leg with the just the thought of this ordeal…

PoudreRiver a.k.a. Mike, a friend from Ohio, and I were spending a couple of days in RMNP looking for other alternatives to the river waters since runoff decided to start right at the beginning of our trip.

[taylor geraldson]

i don’t have much to compare them to other than old hodgemen neoprene and leaky orvis bootfoots, but my simms “classic guide” waders have been through more gorge-type river rock sliding (both intentional and not), rododhendron whacking, casual wear & tear than a pair of waders should ever be subjected to in a short amount of time.

[scot]

Just got a pair of Simms classic guide waders for Christmas I love them. I have fished almost fifty times so far and was wondering If Zach would be so kind to give a tutorial on repairing gore-tex waders. Please?

[taylor geraldson]

If you call Simms, they are more than happy to explain the process to you.

~ Taylor

[Zach Matthews]

For a puncture, repair waders by turning them inside out and spraying them over with rubbing alcohol in a mister bottle.

[brian dunigan]

I’ve kind of been doing a cost-benefit analysis on whether it’s worth it to upgrade to the Simms waders.

[zoo_cougar]

Waders leak. That’s one of life’s constants.

[theboxkid]

In my opinion it is definitely worth it to upgrade to Simms.

[scott s.]

Or you can find you a deal like a discontinued Patagonia SST+ and pay little for an expensive wader.

I suggest trying on a high end wader, it’s night and day comfort compared to the low end stuff. I had a pair of Orvis Clearwaters that I thought were comfy until I started wearing my current Patagucci’s. Built in gravel guards are key. Would HIGHLY suggest buying a wader that offers built in guards.

[brian dunigan]

The BPS waders actually have the built-in gravel guards.  

Does anyone know anything comparison-wise about the actual materials or breathable membranes used?

bd

[scott s.]

bd,
Seriously, my waders feel like I wearing a pair of khaki’s. Comfortable…..

I’m finding wading boots to be the problem. I have some Simms Freestones that are too small and too heavy. Any suggestions? Anybody? I scratched the Korkers off the list.

[theboxkid]

creeklover-

The Simms L2’s are definitely worth looking at.

[greg mitchell]

BD – my take on the Bass Pro waders is that they are very comfortable but they are not long lasting. I’ve had 2 pair. Both lasted about 18 months. And I’m not really hard on them and generally take care of my stuff. Maybe that’s all you can expect from cheaper waders.
My wife bought me some Simms lightweights for X-mas. They are not any more comfortable than the BPS ones but I’m hoping they last longer. They cost about twice what the BPS waders did. Only time will tell I guess. I don’t like that the Simms don’t have built in gravel guards but I’ve gotten used to the separate ones.

Good luck!

Greg

[mike b.]

My Simms lightweights have been going strong for over 5 years.

[anonymous]

I just sent my G3’s back for the third time in a little over a year.

[theboxkid]

To me, they are a heck of a value, and when I do have to replace them, I’ll probably just get another pair of the same, rather then spend the extra money for G3’s.

I 100% agree.

[mike b.]

Zach,

I just read your article in American Angler about wader technology.

[Author]

Posts