Simms Waders - I am Done

[6xAdams(Jones)]

The OP identified leaks at the bootie seams which can almost never be repaired. Unless the seams are located at the bottom, grit doesn't usually open them up. The cyclic stretching/relaxing while walking to/from the creek will open up the seams quicker than anything in the water. Excessive walking will also compress the fabric at the heel to the point where the air cells are no longer stacked up to keep water off your socks.

 

[ryansheehan]

My experience with waders

$500 Simms last about a week
$500 Orvis last about two weeks
$100 Frog tog last about three weeks
I just go frog tog.

I’ve never gotten more than about three weeks out of a pair of waders. Some really unlucky weeks I’ve gone through 3-4 pairs. But I fish hard. @TimMurphy said it best. It’s a disposable item with a short lifespan. If I got even a month of regular use out of a pair of waders I’d be counting my lucky stars.

~5footfenwick

I had completely given up on Orvis waders many years ago. A trustworthy buddy told me the "new" pros are bulletproof. Two and a half years later and they are going strong. Did you blow through the pros in two weeks? I haven't heard anyone having issues with them.

 

[5footfenwick]

I had completely given up on Orvis waders many years ago. A trustworthy buddy told me the "new" pros are bulletproof. Two and a half years later and they are going strong. Did you blow through the pros in two weeks? I haven't heard anyone having issues with them.

I got them new as a gift a few years back and didn’t have them long enough to tell you if they were a pro. I try to forget they ever existed. They were junk.

Right foot leak on day two.

Left foot leak on day three and a second leak in right foot in a different place that same day.

Then a terrible crotch leak on day 5.

This was actually fishing a full day each day. But 4 leaks in 5 calendar days for a $500 pair of waders was enough for me. Haven’t gone back. I like the idea of bulletproof though.

 

[Letort]

I purchased a pair of Orvis waist high pros today and will send my Simms back for (hopefully) repair. Talking with the owner of the shop, who also carries Simms, was interesting. He thinks Simms is in trouble and he has concerns about offering the product to his customers. He said their customer service is abysmal, turnover at the field rep level and product failures. Simms was purchased by Vista, sold by Vista and now owned by someone else. There is a note on the Simms website about their slow customer service.

He heard that Sitka is going to release a fishing line of goods and waders. He thinks that will kill Simms. For those that don’t know Sitka, owned by WL Gore and very successful company. Skwala is also taking a bite out of Simms, though still a small company.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

FWIW I sent my G3s in for repairs because the feet were leaking. They repaired pin holes, replaced the belt loops (because there was minor fraying) and replaced the stocking foot all for 60.00 (and my shipping cost to them of about 12.00). The guy read me the report over the phone and was quite nice. It took 4 weeks fro receipt to on my door step, as they advertised. 72.00 to get another few years out of them is a bargain

 

[tjsingle]

FWIW I sent my G3s in for repairs because the feet were leaking. They repaired pin holes, replaced the belt loops (because there was minor fraying) and replaced the stocking foot all for 60.00 (and my shipping cost to them of about 12.00). The guy read me the report over the phone and was quite nice. It took 4 weeks fro receipt to on my door step, as they advertised. 72.00 to get another few years out of them is a bargain

Nice. I was wondering what the turnaround time was, I place on sending mine in for a foot replacement this week.

 

[Oregon_OwlII]

Dear Letort,

In many cases, you pay for what you get. Clearly that seems to be common with Simms. Wearing out waders every year and half isn't anything remarkable unless you paid for them.

Waders are disposable, always have been and always will be. Buy low, and buy again.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

Here's my experience with price and durability.
$99 waders typically lasted one year.
$250 waders last 5 years.

I opt for the $250 waders these days.

I don't think I can justify $1000 waders even if they were autographed by Taylor Swift.

 

[tomgamber]

We discussed the $100 per year rule on Sunday morning.

 

[AndyP]

I have had a pair of Simms "Guidepants" waders for probably 7-8 years and no issues at all and I really don't do much to them but toss them in the garage after a days fishing. Quite honestly I can't remember ever pay up $$ for quality equipment and then being disappointed. I guess just lucky.

 

[odie5962]

I have had a pair of Simms waders going on 20 years. I am fishing about 75 times a year. I wash down my waders every time I come home from the creek to get the dirt off and , never have washed them. I have never had a leak. I store them in the basement away from the hot water heater and the furnace. I can not say enough good things about them. I have fished in Alaska, Colorado, Texas, and Pennsylvania with them. I truly believe there is a difference in fit and comfort with the more expensive waders. I also never wear jeans or shorts underneath them. I always use the lightweight base layer when fishing them 90% of the time. I only use the heavy ones during steelhead or winter season.

 

[wildtrout2]

I also never wear jeans or shorts underneath them.

Neither do I. I only wear polyester swim trunks under my waders, since I only fish the warmer months. It really helps with not compromising any of the seams.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

High end waders might be the biggest scam in the entire industry. A perfect example of only needing to keep the customer happy until the check clears.

That being said, knowing how to use a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol and AquaSeal will keep them running a lot longer. If you fish hard, your waders will wear out- so find your appropriate balance of function, cost and bling. 500$ waders/100 trips year = 5$ a trip. If you get out 50 trips/year its 10$. I'll bet you spend a lot more on gas, beer, and tippet.

No different than buying a pair of pants and wearing them 100x a year. Your *** is gonna bust out of em sooner or later

Testify!

 

[Nymph-wristed]

FWIW I sent my G3s in for repairs because the feet were leaking. They repaired pin holes, replaced the belt loops (because there was minor fraying) and replaced the stocking foot all for 60.00 (and my shipping cost to them of about 12.00). The guy read me the report over the phone and was quite nice. It took 4 weeks fro receipt to on my door step, as they advertised. 72.00 to get another few years out of them is a bargain

That is the other reason I still buy high end waders (for now). A lot of shite talking about TCO on here, but they have actually shipped mine back for free a few times. I am sure other shops do the same, especially if you drop 12 bucks in tippet while you're in the shop....