Orvis Wading Gear Price Increases

[FlyGuy9]

I decided to browse the Orvis website as we approach the end of wet wading season and I may be in the market for waders depending on how wet my first day back wearing them goes.

The past 3 years I’ve gotten a pair of the Orvis Ultralight Waders which have all lasted me 1 season (50ish days) with the occasional Aquaseal patch. I’ve been satisfied with that.

I noticed the ultralights are now pushing $500 when I had previously paid about $280. The Pros have also gone up to $700 from $600. In addition, their entry level wader in the clearwaters are priced at $300.

Unfortunately I might be looking into some other brands (Grundens, Skwala, dryft) for this upcoming pair.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Clicker battenkills are $180 now. I just paid $120 for one 4 months ago.

 

[ROVERT]

I noticed the ultralights are now pushing $500 when I had previously paid about $280. The Pros have also gone up to $700 from $600. In addition, their entry level wader in the clearwaters are priced at $300.

Unfortunately I might be looking into some other brands (Grundens, Skwala, dryft) for this upcoming pair.

I don't think you'll save much with those brands. Dryft's comparable product is $479. The Orvis UL's are $449. Has wader pricing gone mad? Absolutely. I'm not sure that Orvis is outpacing anyone else, though.

FWIW, I've had three pairs of Orvis UL's over the last 10-12 years. I only buy them heavily discounted. Between the second and third pairs I bought Paramount waders that I wore for a few years and retired for the third pair of Orvis UL's. My son is still wearing the Paramounts. They've held up really well. I'd buy them again. They are a lot heavier than the UL's, though.

 

[dudemanspecial]

I don't think you'll save much with those brands. Dryft's comparable product is $479. The Orvis UL's are $449. Has wader pricing gone mad? Absolutely. I'm not sure that Orvis is outpacing anyone else, though.

FWIW, I've had three pairs of Orvis UL's over the last 10-12 years. I only buy them heavily discounted. Between the second and third pairs I bought Paramount waders that I wore for a few years and retired for the third pair of Orvis UL's. My son is still wearing the Paramounts. They've held up really well. I'd buy them again. They are a lot heavier than the UL's, though.

Ive had 2 pair of ultralights over the last 12 years. Still have the first pair, they were the ones with the welded seams. They are patched up like crazy but still make good backups.

 

[hooker-of-men]

What's the deal with Paramount? More reliable than, say, Frogg Toggs? (I've witnessed some Frogg Togg disasters in person.)

I'm in the same boat as Flyguy. When I finally put my cheapo Simms back on in October or November, I'll almost certainly look incontinent. The inside is already mostly Aquaseal. Zero chance I ever spend more than $200 on stupid waders, though.

 

[dudemanspecial]

What's the deal with Paramount? More reliable than, say, Frogg Toggs? (I've witnessed some Frogg Togg disasters in person.)

I'm in the same boat as Flyguy. When I finally put my cheapo Simms back on in October or November, I'll almost certainly look incontinent. The inside is already mostly Aquaseal. Zero chance I ever spend more than $200 on stupid waders, though.

300 is my cutoff, and can't see myself going over that next time I need a pair just because prices went up. I fished with someone here that had a pair of Paramounts and liked them, it was either @tomgamber or @dryflyguy.

 

[Swattie87]

Clearwaters are good waders. But geez $300 for them! Yeah, that’s crazy. My current pair I think I questioned paying $220 for them at the time. They were the replacements for three consecutive pairs of Bean Kennebecs (that I paid for each) that I was really happy with, but when they hit that kinda price eventually had me back in the market.

If you find a pair of waders you like. Buy like 5 pairs now. They’re consumable.

 

[ROVERT]

What's the deal with Paramount? More reliable than, say, Frogg Toggs? (I've witnessed some Frogg Togg disasters in person.)

I'm in the same boat as Flyguy. When I finally put my cheapo Simms back on in October or November, I'll almost certainly look incontinent. The inside is already mostly Aquaseal. Zero chance I ever spend more than $200 on stupid waders, though.

I have zero experience with Frog Togg waders. I wear out one of their packable rain jackets every couple of years, though.

I used Paramount waders for all of '21, '22, and '23. They started leaking in one foot late summer '23 and I was heading to Canada so I bought a pair of Orvis UL's on closeout to take with me (I barely put them on while there) and sealed the foot of the Paramounts when I got back. I used them a bit more in early season '24 and they've now been passed on to my son. I'd say I fish in waders 30-40 days a year. They've honestly held up better than at least one pair of my Orvis waders.

 

[Jay_H]

Rods are up on average about $100 as well.

 

[CinnamonJoe]

I just bought (August) a set of those Simms 2nd wind waders replacing a 25 year old set of Orvis breathable waders that finally started leaking last year LOL

So far so good on those Simms. Ask me again in 25 yrs. LOL

I think they were ~ $300 direct from Simms; they had a free shipping promo.

They were stocking foots.

Got new Chota wading boots this past March from Spruce Creek for like $145 IIIRC? They are already deteriorating! Expect a ranty post before next season! LOL

 

[tjsingle]

I picked up some good deals on past seasons styles of wading gear on Sierra. I got a pair of goretex Simms waders for $200. I'm giving Skwala a go for boots this round, and have high hopes.

I just looked at their reel prices, I am glad I bought my new Battenkill disc last year....

 

[CinnamonJoe]

E-bay might be your friend for rods and reels; just saying.

 

[FollowTheBlueLines]

What's the deal with Paramount? More reliable than, say, Frogg Toggs? (I've witnessed some Frogg Togg disasters in person.)

I'm in the same boat as Flyguy. When I finally put my cheapo Simms back on in October or November, I'll almost certainly look incontinent. The inside is already mostly Aquaseal. Zero chance I ever spend more than $200 on stupid waders, though.

I currently have a pair of the Paramount waist-high waders, and while I don't have anything to compare them to (my first ever pair of waders), they are holding up really well.

I probably have about 50 days on them, 75% those days involving some kind of bushwacking through pricker bushes and climbing over downed trees and everything else involved with that kind of fishing. Zero leaks yet. I even took a nasty spill down a steep bank while I was wearing them and I thought for sure they would be ripped up, but they still don't let a drop of water in.

I'd definitely recommend them if you're looking for a cheaper option outside of the big names.

 

[Millsertime]

They were the replacements for three consecutive pairs of Bean Kennebecs (that I paid for each)

Prove it! I think it's time for another forum discussion on people abusing warranties 😂

 

[Swattie87]

Prove it! I think it's time for another forum discussion on people abusing warranties 😂

Yeah. We’re due for one of those.

I’m sure it’s a factor in the current pricing. I’m probably the only guy who actually paid for them. Given how those discussions usually went.

 

[laurelrun]

I've always seen a lot of flack about FroggToggs but I've had good success with them. Same with Cabela's waders. Had one pair that leaked out of the gate and they replaced them.

 

[wildtrout2]

I decided to browse the Orvis website as we approach the end of wet wading season and I may be in the market for waders depending on how wet my first day back wearing them goes.

The past 3 years I’ve gotten a pair of the Orvis Ultralight Waders which have all lasted me 1 season (50ish days) with the occasional Aquaseal patch. I’ve been satisfied with that.

I noticed the ultralights are now pushing $500 when I had previously paid about $280. The Pros have also gone up to $700 from $600. In addition, their entry level wader in the clearwaters are priced at $300.

Unfortunately I might be looking into some other brands (Grundens, Skwala, dryft) for this upcoming pair.

I mentioned the $100 increase in cost of the Orvis Ultralights quite a while back. I suggested that tariffs might be the culprit? They're made in Vietnam. Just a thought.

 

[TerrellBFly]

Clicker battenkills are $180 now. I just paid $120 for one 4 months ago.

Cannot find a spare spool for the new model battenkill III disk at all. WILD.

 

[Clams]

Not going to get into pricing but I will say that Orvis' pro line stuff is great. I've had the waders, boots and wading jacket each for several years now and they are all still in great condition. The waders in particular seem really well made - kinda stiff due to the cordura fabric, but leak free and pretty much bulletproof. Boots and jacket still in great shape too.

 

[CRB]

I saw that coming.