Anybody have any experience with Simms (top of the line) Model G3 Guide waders (made with Gore-Tex and cost about $ 425.00) in the surf? For the past 5 years I've been wearing a pair of Cabela's (top of the line) Guidewear waders (also made with Gore Tex) that sell for $ 279.00 (currently on sale for $ 239.00). My Cabela's waders have developed a leak in one of the neoprene stockingfeet and I want to buy a new pair of waders (and repair/keep the 5 year old Cabela's waders for back-up).

Are the Simms waders that much better than the Cabela's waders for surf use (occasional jetty fishing, too)? The Simms waders feel thicker (I'm sure they are) but both waders are made using Gore Tex and appear similar in construction.

Any input/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, guys.

Bill

I''m happy with the $275? simms as they fit well, and have had no problem with them over the years. Orvis is a different story. Anything over $250 is going to give you good wear on the sand, so then it becomes the fit and warranty. Leaks happen, but simms are made in the US of A have a larger choice in sizes for bigger guys,and stand by their products.:)

The G3's may be overkill for beach use, unless you spend a lot of time on your knees praying for fish........or get into rocks from time to time.

I bought LL beans for under 200 and they are great. Boots will cost you another 80-90 but they are guarenteed for ever

I've just recently gone from bullet proof Gralite (15yrs.in rocks) to Simms G3...Feels like I'm fishing in my PJ's.. first pair of waders like this .. they feel whimpy ,, like made for stream fishing .. Time will tell.. I'm loaded so I don't care . :eek: $$$$$$$$

I bought a pair of Simms River Tek waders this year and couldn't be happier with them. Like Justplugit said, their size chart is great. I bought the XL king (size) and they fit like sweat pants. (nice and comfortable) My favorite part about them is the feet. (I have stockingfoot waders) Simms doesn't use a generic foot. They make them right and left.

These were 275. They also can be used as waist high waders by folding the top into the waistband. (designed that way)


MADE IN USA sold me too. "Spend it where you make it"

LL bean cause they stand by their product.

I use the LL Bean gortex wading pants. much easier than waders the boots are also gortex so you don't sweat as much wearing them. With size 14 feet that means alot.

If u got 5 yrs out of ur cabela's why are we have this conversation.
Price imo does not equate to durability.IMO when it comes to breathables.Barnacles will rip cheep ones as fast as the expensive ones.Find something that fits u comfortably an go with it.warranty's are nice but what happens when u get a leak in ur 425 $ waders in sept.425$ for waders.I can't believe i said that.get 2 pair from cabella's when one leaks send em back u still have one to use.I have a pair of the orvis they leak an a pair of the simms they leak I think.i got the simms cause they fit.for some reason there are no 6'1" men that weigh 240 with size 11 shoe. Only stout guys.then the legs are too short.the U can't beat the comfort of breathables.My next pair will be cheaper.

If u got 5 yrs out of ur cabela's why are we have this conversation.
Price imo does not equate to durability.IMO when it comes to breathables.Barnacles will rip cheep ones as fast as the expensive ones.Find something that fits u comfortably an go with it.warranty's are nice but what happens when u get a leak in ur 425 $ waders in sept.425$ for waders.I can't believe i said that.get 2 pair from cabella's when one leaks send em back u still have one to use.I have a pair of the orvis they leak an a pair of the simms they leak I think.i got the simms cause they fit.for some reason there are no 6'1" men that weigh 240 with size 11 shoe. Only stout guys.then the legs are too short.the U can't beat the comfort of breathables.My next pair will be cheaper.
He's right !!!! again

Thanks for the advice. I fish from a boat all summer long (I know, I know, boat fish don't count) and fish the surf (outer Cape Cod beaches) in the fall. My "5 years" of wearing Cabela's Gore Tex waders probably amounts to only 25 trips.

My Cabela's Gore Tex waders look almost new but their neoprene boot feet look tired and worn out and the right foot leaks. (I walk 7 to 9 miles each night I'm surf casting. I've worn out the rubber cleats on the soles of my Hodgman Bantam Weight wading boots. (Boots cost only 55 bucks and otherwise are in excellent shape. I'd buy these boots again. They're great.)

Yes, I do spend quite a bit of time kneeling on sand, but I'm not praying for fish. (I probably should) I tag and release stripers and blues for the ALS and I need waders with tough knees.

I wore neoprene waders for the few years I fished the surf and I hated them. Way too hot for the type of fishing (extensive walking) I do. Breathable waders feel flimsy, but they're not. The fabric is pretty tough. I wear breathable thermal long johns underneath my waders and I'm comfortable right up until cold weather in November.

I'll take your collective advice (skip the $ 425.00 wader price tag) and buy a pair that fits and that I'm not afraid to fish hard.

Thanks guys.

Bill

Buy the simms....there is no equall...........

Water- Treater
If you only fish the sandy beaches of the Cape...why don't you try a pair of BOOT foot breathables from Cabela's?????
If you only did 25 trips in them over 5 years...the lug sole boot foots would probaly last you a life time
Stocking feet and wading shoes...don't work or last long in the sand

Slingah,

I do too much walking for boot foot waders. (Years ago I got blisters when using neoprene waders with boot feet.) Separate wading boots fit like a walking/running shoe. Built-in boot foot waders are too loose.
Also I can turn stockingfoot waders inside out and dry them completely in the sun in a few hours. I can also rinse with a hose the inside of the wading boots. Drying the boots isn't necessary but it's critical to get the sand out of the boots because the sand destroys the neoprene feet. Being able to completely dry the inside of the waders (and dry the boots, too) is a huge plus and the reason I switched to stockingfoot waders.

I realize that by design stockingfoot waders are more fragile than boot foot waders but stockingfoot waders are the only way to go if you do a lot of walking sandy beaches/climbing dunes like I do.

Your advice is well taken. If I fished close to the parking lots I'd do fine with with bootfoot waders. By the way, I've been very impressed with Cabela's top of the line waders, made in China. (ugh!). The yoke-style neoprene suspenders on Cabela's breathable waders are superior to the suspenders on Simms and other waders costing twice as much. Such is life.

Thanks again for your advice.

Bill

Never put neopreme or rubber in the sun to dry.I breaks it down in no time.

Bill
I as well walk many miles on the sand (not so much the past couple years)and have gone through the agony of blisters and torn up ankle/calf area from rubbing
I have tried every style....and found no great anwser for waders in the sand......Ideally an attached rust/rot proof lace-up rubber sole woud be it....
But I will say what I found to be the best solution for me is boot foots with heavy calf high neoprene socks by Hodgeman..."super socks" hard to find but they the snug up the space and protect feet and chafing......

.......for some reason there are no 6'1" men that weigh 240 with size 11 shoe. Only stout guys.then the legs are too short..

Try finding waders for guys like me @ 6'5" 250. I need a 36" inseam or better yet 38", and there are'nt too many options. I have a pair of orvis silver labels that fit good in the length, but are too baggy everywere else. Looking at these now as they appear to have the sizes I need:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=search_redir-cat350005&id=0036563830756a&navCount=19&podId=0036563&parentId=cat350005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat350005&hasJS=true

For $158 they seem like a good deal to me.

I know a couple of people who had problems with the Simms G3. They leaked. Seems as if the quality control at Simms isn't like it used to be. I think that they got some big contracts and could not keep up with the orders and so they cut corners.
I'm going to get a pair of Patagonia's , haven't heard any negative comments so far. I too can't justify the $425 for a pair of waders. That's a new rod blank for me. It's a difficult decision. I had Cabela's and they didn't last. Got a pair of Pro Line boot waders and they are ok but don't breath that well. Nothing worst than a pair of leaky waders. FishHawk