Waders

[NADO]

Hi Guys,

Im purchasing some new waders soon and I am looking for some help on comparisons and brands I am unfamiliar with. The four options I am considering are:

1. Simms Freestone
2. Simms G3 (unlikely due to price)
3. Dan Bailey Ultra EZ-Zip Guide (tried these on in the store and they felt really nice
4. Reddington Sonic Pro

I originally was set on the freestone's due to the good price and lifetime warranty but after stopping in at the local fishing store to check out other options the Dan Bailey seem like a solid option. They are a little more money but seem like a higher quality product than the freestones, more along the lines of the G3 but for less $.

I would say no Simms punchlines but I know you will all do it anyways so please, go ahead lol.

 

[richardjai]

honestly, try them all on and go with whichever is the most comfortable.
my 80$ CT waders last my 1 year so far. but they are pretty comfy

 

[jlisk]

I think Sail had the freestones (or blackfoots) on for $125.


They aren't G3's but mine have held up for one year of solid bushwhacking, rock slipping, and canoeing. Add to it that Simms has some great customer service and you really can't go wrong IMO.

Or spend your money once and get the G3's never look back.

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

LOL you are going to hear a lot about Simms in this thread. After much deliberation, and research I went with the Simms Headwaters.

The G3's were just way too much money at this point. I find the headwaters to be a great pair of waders. I have been out in them a couple times so far.

I have tried all the low cost alternatives. Honestly, in the end I think I just wasted time (and gas money) not originally going with Simms.

 

[jlisk]

Also with Simms you get to feel cool and look boss on the water.

Its all about that confidence...

 

[efka]

get the simms. time proven...

 

[NADO]

ya I too have wasted money on cheap waders which is why im going for something higher quality. If the freestones are 125 at Sail im buying out their entire stock and selling them online! lol.

I was certain I was going to go with the freestones but after shopping around im not too sure. There is a huge difference between the way the freestones and the g3's feel and the Dave Baileys feel more like the G3's. I looked at reviews online and have only seen positive comments. The only issue is they only have a 1 year warranty, although on the other card it says you can return them at any point throughout their life for refund or replacement so im not sure what the warranty is about there. The store I saw them at will also sell them to me for $350 which is a pretty good deal from what i've seen online.

After trying them on there is no doubt that the Baileys are higher quality and more comfortable than the Freestones however the warranty on the Freestones makes up the gap. These decisions are never easy.

 

[AaronKrick]

Ive never owned a simms but with all these guys on their bandwagon and a liftetime warranty, it doesn't sound like you can go wrong with them.

 

[remyboy1]

bare adams...

 

[Brian]

G4Z®

 

[Madriverfisher]

Nado I have two pairs of g3's the guide pants and the full length model they are by far the best wader on the market

 

[Dozer]

Reddington Sonic Pro has been getting great reviews but they are fairly new, I'd say go with SIMMS. Only reason I went with them is because not only did my river swag levels go through the roof but most die hard fishermen swear by them, so I thought "Why not listen to the folks who have the experience?". My waders have been through everything, I rock 'em while hunting fiddleheads, do some serious trekking/bushwhacking and even used them yesterday stripping stain off a house. You will get used to them, mine were a bit tight at first but a few dank chilli bombs and I completely forgot about how tight my waders were.

 

[AKnook]

Simms. Join the dark side.....lol They are guide proven, and used by die hard anglers that are on the water all the time. You can't go wrong with them. Durable, breathable, comfortable, and warm in the winter. I beat the hell out of mine and they are still going strong.

 

[jlisk]

Mine just leaked in the left calf area... I cursed myself for praising them.

 

[eric]

i still have and use my pair from L.L. Bean, Emerger boot foot for almost 5 years already, no damage, no leaks, nada. used them for surf,back bay, beaches, and rocks in saltwater.

i bought them for $130 then, BUT of the recent, they replaced it with a new version but now cost double.

i think the new ones are just as good if not better then mine.

id recommend the company in general. they have very good return policies and shipping/returns to canada.
100% satisfaction guaranteed, you can even use something for 10 years and still return or replace it. i know a couple of people that did that.
i have not seen any other company with a policy even remotely matching that. the premium you pay, is mainly for this kind of support.

you dont even have to pay duty as they include everything into the price. no money for the mailman!

if you can find the old model online for a good price, id buy that too. then if something goes wrong, call and ask to return it simply as 'unsatisfied'

 

[NADO]

Mine just leaked in the left calf area... I cursed myself for praising them.

Any issues with warranty? I have yet to come across someone who had an issue getting their Simms replaced.


LOL Dozer remind me never to borrow your waders no matter what the circumstance.

Im probably going to have to go with the Freestones, still tough to pull the trigger though because the Dan Baileys felt so much better, had all welded seams and nice pockets. Wish I could go up to the G3's or find em on sale for 350 or something.

 

[driftman]

Any issues with warranty? I have yet to come across someone who had an issue getting their Simms replaced.


LOL Dozer remind me never to borrow your waders no matter what the circumstance.

Im probably going to have to go with the Freestones, still tough to pull the trigger though because the Dan Baileys felt so much better, had all welded seams and nice pockets. Wish I could go up to the G3's or find em on sale for 350 or something.

the headwaters are in your price range and they're goretex freestones are not

 

[NADO]

is the goretex just for breathability in the summer for the most part? If so i've used my Hodgeman $100 waders in the summer and was fine, a little sweaty but not bad at all. I am more concerned with standing waist deep in water in December.

 

[christotheashto]

honestly the freestones are great waders. like you i couldn't justify the $$ for the G series of wader and the goretex headwaters didn't really seem like anything special to me for the extra $150~ ish.

i know a guy who bought some $500 patagonia waders and was convinced he had purchased the best waders known to man (and to be fair, they looked incredible and seemed of excellent quality) and 2 weeks later he had a big seam leak. had to send them for repairs and missed basically a whole spring season waiting for them to ship back.

 

[NADO]

Trini proposed a pretty good option. Buy the headwaters and when they leak pay the difference to upgrade to G3's. I will have to look into the Freestones to see if that upgrade is possible as well.

If anyone is looking for some G4z's I found a killer deal on ebay, not sure if they are the same as the 2013 model but the price is much better than 799 +tax.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-2012-SIMMS-G4Z-STOCKINGFOOT-WADERS-/130939097730?pt=US_Mens_Athleticwear&hash=item1e7c941282#ht_1289wt_1238