New Waders for an Old Guy

[salmo]

I'm not being morbid, but I'm in the market for a new pair of waders and probably my last. I'm 76 years old and in moderately good health. I fish maybe 10-12 days per year and you will often find me up in the hills chasing blue lines. On a typical day I can hike in and fish for some 3-5 miles. My requirements in no particular order:
1) I have a bladder the size of a walnut, so a zipper is must;
2) I would prefer new vs. used as the material loses some of it properties over the years;
3) While i can afford it I don't want to spend more than $500-$600 all in:
4) I wear Simms boots with a BOA;
5) I'm currently wearing a pair of the upper end LL Bean waders that have served me well, though I believe that the breathable fabric is inhaling too much leading to dampness. I had a site member install a very handy zipper which only leaked when I forgot to close it all the way; and
6) I need a pair that won't tear on Pennsylvania's darned sticker bushes or broken pieces of mountain laurel.

I'm wondering if I should a pair of Orvis or similar on sale and have a zipper installed or up my game and get a pair with the zipper already installed? Call me too old to rock n' roll : too young to stop chasing brookies!

 

[Forestfishin]

Can’t help with zippered waders but good on you for still getting out and doing that type of fishing at 76. It can certainly be physically challenging.

 

[ROVERT]

I also have no zippered wader experience. Do you fish deeper water? If not, wading pants (waist high waders) may be an option that avoids the expense of a zipper.

Also, for most blue lining, I find wet wading to be far more comfortable.

 

[salmo]

I do wade deep and do fish larger streams. I frequently wade wet by usually beginning in June, but I still prefer waders in the spring and fall.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

if ur just concerned about urinating, Bill Anderson installs zippers into any wader. But at advanced age a zippered version makes getting in and out a bit easier

FWIW, your bladder is not the size of a walnut, but your walnut-sized prostate is now the size of a plum- and hopefully not an orange.

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear salmo,

If you can find them to try on Paramount makes several versions of zippered waders. I know Precision Fly and Tackle here in PA sell them because my brother tried on a pair in early May when he was visiting. He's 6'1" and 250 or so and they fit well with the exception that the calves were a little tight. He was impressed with the fit and finish of the waders and the store said they sell a lot of them even though they also carry the full line of Skwala waders. The top-of-the-line waders are about $ 375.00 but they have lower priced versions with zippers too vs. the Skwala's at $ 800.00 plus.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[wildtrout2]

The Orvis convertible UL waders might work for you. They provide the option of wearing them as chest highs, or waist high waders by using the belt.

 

[Shawn_H]

My experience with a few different higher end options is that the Orvis Pro Zip are the best I've tried. I like the way the booties fit and they are very durable. They are a bit heavy for blue lining - but I've tried a few others and the next time I need waders I'm going back to the Orvis. I'm debating whether the zipper is really necessary and may give the Pro LT a try. Price tag on all options with a zipper is brutal - from every company it seems.

 

[Kms]

5) I'm currently wearing a pair of the upper end LL Bean waders that have served me well, though I believe that the breathable fabric is inhaling too much leading to dampness. I had a site member install a very handy zipper which only leaked when I forgot to close it all the way.

I’m not so familiar with retreating waders (nikwax?), but if they don’t actually leak and you haven’t already done so, maybe that might be worth a try?

Though I diss troutbitten for being uninformative, this post is actually pretty good:

Critical Wader Care -- Advice From the Companies Themselves -- How to Wash and Dry Your Waders

I asked my friends from every prominent wader building company. How should we care for them? Here are their replies.

troutbitten.com

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I’m not so familiar with retreating waders (nikwax?), but if they don’t actually leak and you haven’t already done so, maybe that might be worth a try?

Though I diss troutbitten for being uninformative, this post is actually pretty good:

Critical Wader Care -- Advice From the Companies Themselves -- How to Wash and Dry Your Waders

I asked my friends from every prominent wader building company. How should we care for them? Here are their replies.

troutbitten.com

Prior to treating, handwash with mild detergent and rinse inside and out. (This is recommended by most manufacturers.) Embedded dirt, fish slime, and salt from sweating will allow moisture to wick into the fabric if it isn't periodically removed.
DO NOT fill the waders with water to wash or leak check since that much pressure will blow out the seams.

 

[salmo]

NikWax makes a wash and waterproof set. I have used it for several years on all of my waterproof gear from waders to rain coats and wind breakers. I feel that it does w credible job and its easy to use.

 

[salmo]

So after thoughtful consideration of the advice received here and in light of the fact that my wife was away to that I could sneak them into the house I decided on the Simms Freestone Z waders with the built in zipper. It cost me $550. I figured that even if I spent about $475 on waders I would wind up paying another $95-125 to have the zipper installed. They look sturdy. I will find out. BTW as a trial attorney I figured that I could wear them to court when arguing motions. If the Judge asks me why I'm wearing chest high waders I can respond "The BS my adversary is arguing is getting deep in here and I didn't want to wreck my suit."