Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: losos on October 26, 2014, 08:44:03 AM
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So after completing my fishing setup I'm ready to buy a new waders. Until know I had neoprene ones ,but they are no good when it comes to hiking while looking for a fish.
I'd like to get advice on what , where and how much for good quality breathables that will last several seasons and will be really breathing. Noticed there are some breathables made of 100% polyester claiming to provide breathing however Simms for the most part ,if not exclusively, uses Gore tex.
How much do I have to pay for Gore Tex pants ?
Hope you guys will oblige,thanks.
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They cost a lot but any of the Simms Guid waders will keep you dry and comfortable all day for many years. I also know a couple guys with the cabela guides and they seem to be working very well for them, I think they are about half the price or less of the Simms. The Simms are gortex and the cabela are not, but both are a breathable membrane fabric. In my opinion it is the multiple layers of these material that allow them the last several seasons of use. Although gortex is the standard for breathable material, I am not sure I would be able to tell the difference in breathability, that's just my opinion.
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May have been posted before but here goes:
http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2013-wader-shootout-best-waders-simms-g4-simms-g3-patagonia-rio-gallegos-orvis-silver-sonic-dan-bailey-guide-ultra-redington-aquaz-cabelas-bootfoots
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I was in the market for new waders over the summer and it came down to Simms and Redington. I eventually went with Simms after chatting with Todd from the abby Freds. The choice came clearly when we talked about longevity and production. Simms waders are mainly made in the USA and tested before they hit the market. Life span is about 400 trips! If you go twice a week it's 104 trips so roughly four years if you take care of them. In terms of comfort and how breathable they are I can say they are amazing. I purchased the G3 line and I am more than happy with them. I wore them half down during the summer and I during the fall I only layered with sweatpants and wool socks. Kept my legs nice and warm and the durability is amazing. Taken my fair share of tumbles so far and they dry in a snap. Sure they are expensive but in terms of what you wear when you fish whether it's winter for steelhead or light layering for fall you do not want to cheap out.just my 2 cents.
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I got frog toggs last year and for the price I paid they are great I think they were 200$ at freds. Ive gone through some pretty dense bush and they have held up great. I wore them this summer and last winter and they were comfortable in both situations. In the winter ill just put on sweatpants and maybe long johns and in the summer just some workout shorts and they're great. They were recommended to me on this forum and id recommend them to anybody who wants to get a good product at a good price.
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I have had a pair of Simms Headwaters for the past 2 or so years and they have been great and without issue. I think they were less than $300, they were a gift.
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Been wearing Caddis Northern Guide waders for the past 2 summer/winters. For the money they are an awesome option to think about.
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If you go with goretex, make sure the readers are properly fit otherwise the wrinkles cause the tears. First hole on simms is covered by Simms. That's quality.
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I'm passionate on this topic, why spend $400+ on waders of the best quality. That can be torn, poked, etc. when you can buy FRogg Toggs for the fraction of the cost. I'd rather buy 3 pairs of Frogg Toggs for the same price of the top name brand.
Yes you get warranty with the expensive brand, but shipping, time, etc.
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Thanks guys for all replys . I'll go with Simms G3 Guide since they seem to be reasonably priced (less than $300) ,have one of the best if not the best warranty and with my amount of fishing will last forever.
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I'm passionate on this topic, why spend $400+ on waders of the best quality. That can be torn, poked, etc. when you can buy FRogg Toggs for the fraction of the cost. I'd rather buy 3 pairs of Frogg Toggs for the same price of the top name brand.
Yes you get warranty with the expensive brand, but shipping, time, etc.
Why? Because it's nice to be comfortable. 3 and half seasons on my G3's and they are dirty as hell but keep me dry and are much more comfortable than cheap waders. But I forgot, you are the expert on everything.
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Where are you buying g3's for $300?!?!?!
They usually run 500 and simms is pickier on pricing then pilots through a takeoff checklist!
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Why? Because it's nice to be comfortable. 3 and half seasons on my G3's and they are dirty as hell but keep me dry and are much more comfortable than cheap waders. But I forgot, you are the expert on everything.
No need to be a dick. You can do what you want, obviously. I don't see how there's much comfort different between the Simms and the Frogg Toggs breathables. Not $300 difference anyways.
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Where are you buying g3's for $300?!?!?!
They usually run 500 and simms is pickier on pricing then pilots through a takeoff checklist!
LOL I would like to know too! If it'd the 2013 G3 I've seen em for 350...
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Love my Sims summer or winter.
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I got a smokin' online deal on G3s with caddisflyshop.com last year. They were clearing out, and b/c they are based in OR, there was no sales tax. I had them shipped to Blaine where I picked them up on the way back from a multi day trip, so no duty/taxes at the border.
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I know the g3s got modified for 2014 and the 2013's gor blown out.
But that was almost a year ago or more lol.
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I'm passionate on this topic, why spend $400+ on waders of the best quality. That can be torn, poked, etc. when you can buy FRogg Toggs for the fraction of the cost. I'd rather buy 3 pairs of Frogg Toggs for the same price of the top name brand.
I have heard similar advice from anglers who spend a lot more days in waders than me. Basically it goes buy 2 pairs of cheap breathables and a tube of aquaseal. So that's what I did. Now they weren't Frogg Toggs and I don't have any experience with them but my 2 cheap waders cost me well over $200 and didn't last a year even though I wore neoprene in the cold months. My Chotas had the leg seam separate while I was fishing - I spent the day soaked and my Columbia's developed leaks through the entire length of the crotch seam - both left and right. Neither could be fixed with a single tube of Aquaseal. I could have used that money for a good pair of Simms. I bought a pair of G3s which are expensive but I could have just jumped straight to the G3s which are the best waders I have ever owned as far as reliability goes. Talk to some of the shop owners - people use them for 10 years and more and maybe just replace the feet. I you fish 35 to 50 times a year you will likely replace your Frogg Toggs every year. Do the math. Buying some of the less expensive Simms are probably a better deal in the long term.
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Buying less expensive simms probably works well if you DONT use them in a float tube...Mine are two/three years old and leak in the seams due to float tube use...
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neos are for float tubes
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I have heard similar advice from anglers who spend a lot more days in waders than me. Basically it goes buy 2 pairs of cheap breathables and a tube of aquaseal. So that's what I did. Now they weren't Frogg Toggs and I don't have any experience with them but my 2 cheap waders cost me well over $200 and didn't last a year even though I wore neoprene in the cold months. My Chotas had the leg seam separate while I was fishing - I spent the day soaked and my Columbia's developed leaks through the entire length of the crotch seam - both left and right. Neither could be fixed with a single tube of Aquaseal. I could have used that money for a good pair of Simms. I bought a pair of G3s which are expensive but I could have just jumped straight to the G3s which are the best waders I have ever owned as far as reliability goes. Talk to some of the shop owners - people use them for 10 years and more and maybe just replace the feet. I you fish 35 to 50 times a year you will likely replace your Frogg Toggs every year. Do the math. Buying some of the less expensive Simms are probably a better deal in the long term.
If you can get 10+ years out of them then great, but I've never seen waders last that long with avid fishermen.
My experience with the Frogg Toggs brand was exceptional. I wore the guide pants for probably 60 days last summer (2012), and donated them to Ryan Ens of the Fishing Guys. Not sure if he's still rocking them or not. I've got two FRogg toggs jackets and they both still have held up and keep the water out. A second pair of waders I hooked and caused a leak myself and never got them fixed.
I know Simms makes amazing products, I'm not bashing the brand in anyway. I just don't think the cost equals the use for me.
Never use any water sealing products like aqua seal.
I've neever tried Columbia or Chotas brands, so I can't comment on their quality.
Frogg Toggs also has a one year replacement or repair warranty if defective.
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I wore the guide pants for probably 60 days last summer (2012), and donated them to Ryan Ens of the Fishing Guys. Not sure if he's still rocking them or not.
Yup, still working great and no leaks Flytech! The only wear I've noticed is I've lost some stitching on the inseam of the boot covers, but I'm sure the lace hooks of my Simms Freestone boots may have had something to do with that.
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Yup, still working great and no leaks Flytech! The only wear I've noticed is I've lost some stitching on the inseam of the boot covers, but I'm sure the lace hooks of my Simms Freestone boots may have had something to do with that.
Your spidey senses must have been tickling. Didn't know this was your account.
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Not that I doubt your integrity, Flytech, but I'm curious...did you ever receive promotional consideration (in terms of product or cash) when Fishing Reviews TV reviewed Froggs Toggs waders?
If so, I think that may have some bearing on your endorsement of the product.
Again, I am not calling your integrity into question. Just inquiring about a potential bias.
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Not that I doubt your integrity, Flytech, but I'm curious...did you ever receive promotional consideration (in terms of product or cash) when Fishing Reviews TV reviewed Froggs Toggs waders?
If so, I think that may have some bearing on your endorsement of the product.
Again, I am not calling your integrity into question. Just inquiring about a potential bias.
I did not receive any bonus other than the product itself. I have zero to do with the reviews company anymore, and they weren't the only waders I received. I just was lucky enough to try multiple brands and multiple products.
Redington is another brand we worked with a lot and yes I endorse their product. But the reason for that is the fact is a great quality for value product line. I used a lot of fly rods in that time, and they were the one I would recommend to most people.
The different brands I worked with were Okuma, Frogg Toggs, Redington, LOOP, Orvis, Amundson, Farlex, Temple Fork Outfitters, Cheeky, Allen, Abel Automatics, JP Ross, Leech, Fishlander, and more.
Again, I'm not saying Simms are bad waders, in fact they're pretty amazing. I just personally can't justify the cost. Same reason I'm not buying Sage brand rods, when I know I can get the job done with Redington.
Everything in life is relative, if you can afford to spend more on waders, then do it. But I can't.
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Having purchased Simms waders a couple of times, but not the G3's, I am not very impressed, they were leaking on the inseam within a year, get out the Aquaseal...again.
If you don't buy G3 or better, Im not convinced Simms are a superior product either. Seems to me if a guy is dropping a few hundred on waders, the bloody things better not be leaking within a year, to me that's crap.
If I bought a car or truck and had trouble after a year, Id be livid, but poor craftsmanship and waders just get you pointed to a tube of aquaseal ::)
Made in China Simms are not even close in quality to the waders manufactured in the USA, so since I have a family and a budget that wont allow me to drop $500+on a pair of G3's, I'm going to try a pair of Frogg Toggs next...I have one of their jackets and no complaints
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Much as I like simms boots, I believe their waders are overpriced.
My next pair I am saying with confidence will be orvis silver sonics, most likely the guide version.
Unless I can find simms on sale
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I did not receive any bonus other than the product itself. I have zero to do with the reviews company anymore, and they weren't the only waders I received. I just was lucky enough to try multiple brands and multiple products.
Redington is another brand we worked with a lot and yes I endorse their product. But the reason for that is the fact is a great quality for value product line. I used a lot of fly rods in that time, and they were the one I would recommend to most people.
The different brands I worked with were Okuma, Frogg Toggs, Redington, LOOP, Orvis, Amundson, Farlex, Temple Fork Outfitters, Cheeky, Allen, Abel Automatics, JP Ross, Leech, Fishlander, and more.
Again, I'm not saying Simms are bad waders, in fact they're pretty amazing. I just personally can't justify the cost. Same reason I'm not buying Sage brand rods, when I know I can get the job done with Redington.
Everything in life is relative, if you can afford to spend more on waders, then do it. But I can't.
Understood. Thanks for clarifying and not calling me a d!ck ;) I totally get the affordability/family budget. For years my purchases of fishing assets (rods, waders..) came out of my fishing fund. And my fishing fund only acquired revenue from Christmas and birthday. My family became very familiar with cash presents for clarki's fishing fund!
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I did not receive any bonus other than the product itself. I have zero to do with the reviews company anymore, and they weren't the only waders I received. I just was lucky enough to try multiple brands and multiple products.
which model of Frogg Togg waders where you supplied to test? I think there are at least 4 current models ranging from$110 to $225.
Other brands to consider would include Patagonia,which ship from their store in Toronto and have a Canadian website, and Dan Bailey's.
When it comes right down to it the Simms Guide waders are about the only wader I have heard unreserved good things about. I'd add Seatux Neoprenes for anyone in that market. $500 isn't that much money not much more than moderate $ rods and pretty comparable for other consumer items (ie a large screen LED TV)
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With frogg toggs make sure the model has handwarmers! A couple friends of mine have a set and I havent seen any handwarmers built into them.
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which model of Frogg Togg waders where you supplied to test? I think there are at least 4 current models ranging from$110 to $225.
Other brands to consider would include Patagonia,which ship from their store in Toronto and have a Canadian website, and Dan Bailey's.
When it comes right down to it the Simms Guide waders are about the only wader I have heard unreserved good things about. I'd add Seatux Neoprenes for anyone in that market. $500 isn't that much money not much more than moderate $ rods and pretty comparable for other consumer items (ie a large screen LED TV)
Used the Pilot S/F Breathable waders, and the Hellbenders S/F Guide pant. I enjoyed the guide pants the most as I rarely wade past my thighs, and to have the freedom of no chest portion was nice. Super comfortable, and made it very easy to relieve yourself in the bush. ;) I think they have a higher end guide pant now.
As for the Dan Bailey brand, I've heard nothing but bad things from others. I have not tried myself though. Have you owned a pair?
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With frogg toggs make sure the model has handwarmers! A couple friends of mine have a set and I havent seen any handwarmers built into them.
Their coats come with the hand warmer spots. The waders I tried didn't have them, but both coats did.
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Understood. Thanks for clarifying and not calling me a d!ck ;) I totally get the affordability/family budget. For years my purchases of fishing assets (rods, waders..) came out of my fishing fund. And my fishing fund only acquired revenue from Christmas and birthday. My family became very familiar with cash presents for clarki's fishing fund!
Exactly, not everyone is close to or retired without a mortgage, or big income without a family. I didn't call you a dick, cause you weren't being a dick. ;) I call it like I see it.
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As for the Dan Bailey brand, I've heard nothing but bad things from others. I have not tried myself though. Have you owned a pair?
No but I have heard the opposite, but that's typical eh? :)
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I have heard similar advice from anglers who spend a lot more days in waders than me. Basically it goes buy 2 pairs of cheap breathables and a tube of aquaseal. So that's what I did. Now they weren't Frogg Toggs and I don't have any experience with them but my 2 cheap waders cost me well over $200 and didn't last a year even though I wore neoprene in the cold months. My Chotas had the leg seam separate while I was fishing - I spent the day soaked and my Columbia's developed leaks through the entire length of the crotch seam - both left and right. Neither could be fixed with a single tube of Aquaseal. I could have used that money for a good pair of Simms. I bought a pair of G3s which are expensive but I could have just jumped straight to the G3s which are the best waders I have ever owned as far as reliability goes. Talk to some of the shop owners - people use them for 10 years and more and maybe just replace the feet. I you fish 35 to 50 times a year you will likely replace your Frogg Toggs every year. Do the math. Buying some of the less expensive Simms are probably a better deal in the long term.
I am one of those guys that would much rather spend less money on more, then drop a whole bunch of money on one product.
I easily fish 200 days a year, if it's a slow year, up to 300 on years where I am getting out lots. I had a pair of Frogg Toggs hellbender waders for 2.5 years (put nearly 700 trips on them), and to be honest, they were the best waders I ever had. They have an extremely nice fit, and don't degrade. I would highly endorse the brand. I got that experience for a grand total of 129.99 USD (back when the brand was starting out). I have gone through nearly every cheap brand on the market - Frogg Toggs are the only ones I would recommend.
I have since moved to Redington Sonic pro waders. Super nice fit, but had some problems. Already warrantied them once due to foot issues. I dropped over $300 on them, could have bought 2 pairs of Frogg Toggs to last me ~5 years, or $300 on these Redington's which lasted 8 months, and then I had to wait a month for waders (luckily it was the summer so I could wet wade). Once these Redington waders die on me, I'll be back on the Frogg Togg wagon with a tube of aquaseal if I need it (which I never really did).
I've had the same debates with people over jackets. Why would I drop $300+ on a Simms jacket. Sure that jacket may have lasted them 7 years for their fishing, but I guarantee it wouldn't last more than 3 years with what I do to my gear. Walk backwards through salmon berries that can hold you up when you jump at them - then come back and tell me how long that jacket lasted. I can grab a Frogg Toggs for 50 bucks that I have no problems replacing every year. Beat it to death, and replace. Each one has lasted a year, so 3 years = $150 bucks, heck even 6 years of jackets is still cheaper than the Simms one or another comparable brand, and I don't feel as bad when I trash the cheaper jacket.