SIMMS....in case u were wondering....

[BruceC2C]

Once again, Kelly Galloup
WellSpring of authentic truths in FF Industry
sheds light on retail trends.

See Podcast Episode 27...
WHY WE STOPPED SELLING SIMMS GEAR.

Slide Inn Podcast

Pod. Listen. Enjoy.

youtube.com

 

[dudemanspecial]

I listened on my way home today. Nothing earth shattering, he said nothing about quality. They got corporate and he didn't agree with how they wanted him to sell their products at his new store he opened.

 

[Begbie]

Haven't had a chance to listen yet, but I'll hazard a guess to say it's because their quality has tanked since being acquired by a PE firm.

 

[CRB]

The new marketplaces have changed everything.
Still better quality than Orvis waders imho.
I Usually purchase my Simm's products directly from Simms. I've never have had a problem.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Still better quality than Orvis waders.

I would be willing to hedge a bet that the quality level is exactly the same.

I have owned 2 pair of waders over the last 13 years. Both Orvis. Still have the old set. Very patched but still functional. Take care of your waders and they will last

Regardless, nothing about quality in the podcast. Business practices was the topic.

 

[BruceC2C]

Thinking as this thread continues,
there will b PLENTY of thoughts about declining SIMMS quality.

For that matter....
ORVIS, and PATAGONIA ,as well.

for me
...VERY specific , small details like buttons and zippers that have MOST DEFINITELY gotten SIGNIFICANTLY LESS in quality.

I accept all the facts....
Just leads we away from their brands and introduces me to other brands
like HOWLER BROS
that sorta scream " better quality"!!!!
( at least for now)😵‍💫😎

 

[hooker-of-men]

Thinking as this thread continues,
there will b PLENTY of thoughts about declining SIMMS quality.

For that matter....
ORVIS, and PATAGONIA ,as well.

for me
...VERY specific , small details like buttons and zippers that have MOST DEFINITELY gotten SIGNIFICANTLY LESS in quality.

I accept all the facts....
Just leads we away from their brands and introduces me to other brands
like HOWLER BROS
that sorta scream " better quality"!!!!
( at least for now)😵‍💫😎

Have you given up on waders and now you're just wrapping a couple pearl snap shirts around your waist??

Wouldn't be a terrible idea if a handful of the shirts weren't as expensive as a pair of waders...

 

[Billems]

I get so tired of wearing all these brand names. Simms - and I use their stuff - makes me feel like I'm wearing a uniform.

 

[BruceC2C]

Have you given up on waders and now you're just wrapping a couple pearl snap shirts around your waist??

Wouldn't be a terrible idea if a handful of the shirts weren't as expensive as a pair of waders...

Actually, several years ago
because it was a " luxury item" for me...

I finally treated myself to my first, and only, SIMMS Pearl Snap Shirt

Sure enuf in less than a year with VERY minimal wear, I noticed a 2 inch hole in one of the pocket seams.

My inventory of Simms products includes Waders, Boots, Packs, Clothes and Accessories
It just got to the point where I stopped drinking the
SIMMS KoolAde.

 

[Broodstock]

It must have been controversial since it has been taken down.

 

[dudemanspecial]

It must have been controversial since it has been taken down.

Its still on Spotify and youtube. I read elsewhere that there was an issue with the apple upload

 

[dryflyguy]

I'm still getting great use out of their gore tex waders.
I did have a problem with their freestone waders that I bought 2 years ago
Started leaking after 3 months - both leg seams
Sent them back, and they replaced them

 

[Letort]

I was talking to an owner of a successful fly shop and he said he was very concerned about carrying Simms, due to their service issues. Simms had a message on their website that indicated they were having service problems.

He went on to say that WL Gore (Gore Tex) had resisted getting into the fishing business, but has now decided to do so. Thought that will put a real hurt on the the Simms brand, given their recent history of being bought and sold.

 

[TerrellBFly]

Seems like the venture capitalists jumped on the train for SIMMS at the height of COVID, when fly fishing purchases went through the roof - I think it was some unbelievable percentage. When that all leveled out, they sold SIMMS (again), to another firm. This in my opinion, is what is not good for SIMMS in the long run regarding customer service and quality. They need to go back to private ownership, but that will never happen at this point.

I may be wrong on the amount of times SIMMS has recently been bought and sold in the past 5 years, but ownership has been changing more than it should.

 

[jifigz]

I've never really owned anything Simms before. I was thinking about buying a pair of their G3s recently, though, but I will probably just buy a cheap pair like I always do.

 

[DomR]

Seems like the venture capitalists jumped on the train for SIMMS at the height of COVID, when fly fishing purchases went through the roof - I think it was some unbelievable percentage. When that all leveled out, they sold SIMMS (again), to another firm. This in my opinion, is what is not good for SIMMS in the long run regarding customer service and quality. They need to go back to private ownership, but that will never happen at this point.

I may be wrong on the amount of times SIMMS has recently been bought and sold in the past 5 years, but ownership has been changing more than it should.

SIMMS has jumped the shark so to speak. They'll become a shadow of themselves living on name brand recognition. They'll get replaced by another private brand that will build a great rep through quality and service, then those owners will age out and cash out to a willing corporation or PE and the same cycle will start with them. Its the new American business model, the tech companies have been doing it for decades.

That said my damned SIMMS waders got a pin hole leak in the knee last night. 🙁

 

[dryflyguy]

I was talking to an owner of a successful fly shop and he said he was very concerned about carrying Simms, due to their service issues. Simms had a message on their website that indicated they were having service problems.

He went on to say that WL Gore (Gore Tex) had resisted getting into the fishing business, but has now decided to do so. Thought that will put a real hurt on the the Simms brand, given their recent history of being bought and sold.

So we'll soon be seeing gore - tex brand waders?

 

[DaveKile]

It must have been controversial since it has been taken down.

I think there was a technical issues, found an update and added it back to the OP.

 

[TerrellBFly]

So we'll soon be seeing gore - tex brand waders?

I think Grundens is marketing gore-tex waders now with their new line. Maybe they saw the writing on the wall with SIMMS.

 

[dryflyguy]

I think Grudens is marketing gore-tex waders now with their new line. Maybe they saw the writing on the wall with SIMMS.

Yeah, I've heard about the Gruden waders
But took your post as indicating that The Gore Tex brand itself will actually start making waders.
Or is Grudens off shoot of Gore Tex?