Sadly, my squash is too big for mass production hoods so I'm SOL either way :hihi: ...

Kadir - when you gonna do a drysuit :hihi:

I like my Grundens.
I like my hood, most of the time it keeps my glasses somewhat dry.
I'm too cheap to buy Simms or Aquaskinz, besides I try hard not to go swimming.
If I was not so cheap I would want one of those with a hood.
Pete

I have considered both before I made my purchase and I chose the simms top, just more comfortable in my opinion and was much easier to put on and take off than the skinz.

Saying the simms has a cuff problem becasue a few in a shop were torn is a leap, Could it have been that they were tried on many, many times by any different number of people? all with different size arms, waist etc?? I know this, simms has an impecable reputation, do an internet search and look at the awards they have won, for best waders, best new product, most durable waders chosen by hundreds of professional guides etc.....I dont think those guys would just say that unless it were true, they fish and hunt some rugged terrain out west and rely on there gear to make a living.

As for customer service, I just sent my waders to them for a cleaning and check up, its free of charge exept for the S&H....They also told me if they find any problems the first repairs are on them. I can live with that. They also will take them back yearly for cleaning at no charge.

I dont have anything against skinz, its just my opinion that simms products are more durable and they have been doing this for a long, long time. I own a skinz surf bag and think its the best made bag out there !

I aggree with dennis as to a hood, both companys should offer a lightweight pullover with a hood, detachible or whatever, I mean what do you do when it rains??

I like the other skinz tops but, they are just to hot for me and dont breath, my simms top is "breathable" and lets sweat evaporate out, just like there waders.

Now, as to the gloves, to be honest I baught a pair last week of the skinz black thunder,, the very first time I put them on, the wrist straps came off??? like they were not even stiched on?? There sitting in my truck and I will try and return them where baught. I was not rough with them either just putting them on? I am back to the glacier gloves.My next pair will be the simms fishing gloves.

I think skinz has some good stuff and these are just my personall observations.

I also LOVE all my grundens products, that stuff is absolutly bullet proof!!!!

Ssshhhh.. :beat:

Bill,
I can say with 100% certainty that you got one of the original pairs of gloves with the stiching problem. On an small amount the stitches are too close together and when tightened the straps tear off as if perforated. A mistake at the factory. It is caused by some glitch in a stitching machine as very very few have come back from a run of hundreds A small number of gloves have come back that way and to avoid this happening again, Kadir changed the strap. Call 1800drytops and Kadir will replace asap. If you look at my earlier post on this thread I mention this issue.

i bought a skinz evo 11 in mid sept and within a week the neck seal failed.i sent my top back to aquaskinz and they sent me a new top no charge they even paid the shiping.i used the top the month of oct and part of nov most weeks i fished 5 nites a week with no problems i was out in that nasty hurricane and stayed dry and comfy.

I did a lot of research as well and compared what was out there & what I wanted in a Drytop before plunking down $200 - and it led me to buy the Simms.

I've been very pleased with the Simms.

One of the reasons I chose Simms, which may sound not all that important to alot of guys, was I wanted a large functional pocket in front. Simms had that.

The main reason I chose Simms is because they are a longtime proven top notch fishing gear company with top quality gear and they stand behind their products. I also have their G3 waders & its the first year I've ever had without a wader problem.

The Aquaskinz jacket may be great, I don't know because I never used one, but the Simms gets my vote.

I also know a couple of local guys who were invited by Simms to go out there to give input from the East Coast surf-fishing perspective when Simms was developing the jacket - and they told me the Simms people were very receptive to their input.

Now, DZ is right, these things just need hood.

Kadir stands by his product and guess what, he calls you back. That's good enough for me.

Joe, Those are the same waders I have, the best thing I ever baught !! they are amazing.

I really dont think this is any kind of "bashing" thread but there are other companies out there that make a good product. IMO, Simms is the best of those companies, I have never seen waders made the way theirs are, with the attention to detail and the overall toughness of the product, nothing comes close, and most importantly there stuff lasts !!

I really don't know which one I want now, Simms Or Aquaskinz.
I have to agree with Bill on the Simms at the bait shop with who
knows who trying them on.

simms pocket drain
 

dz the simms top does have a drain hole at the center of the large pocket. i just happened to notice it today as i was drying mine after washing it off in the shower. it's not finished with metal like a gromet, just an area that they didn't stitch closed so that it would drain.

by the way i use 3 skinz surf bags including the large and medium and think they are the best on the market, but there is no way i would buy their top

You get a wet and cold head. :mad:
Love my Simms so far but a hood would be good. :conf:

The simms is nice, good choice

a wet and cold head leads to this :yak4: :yak4: :yak4: :yak4:

and I dont like that :bounce:

Yup, had wet/cold head today and I don't like... :yak4:

My simms top is better than yours dave, way better and you know it :nopain:

Lets not argue this point, lets just leave it at that, Mine is wayyyyyyyyy better :rotf2:

I had mine bfore you had yours , its broken in and has more fish slime on it, its simply better,better, better




"DON'T MESS WITH ME OR I'LL ARGUE WITH YOU ON THE INTERNET!!!! "


Thems fighting words dave.MINE IS BETTER, MINE IS BETTER, MINE IS BETTER

Yeah right..Prove it ya Bum.

my 0.02; I have the original black Skinz that I got from a friend about midway through the season. I fish pretty hard and had ZERO problem on it, and I'm not all that anal about care of my gear. I use dry suits alot at work, I guess I'm used to putting on the neck seal and crist cuffs etc.., but I have no splitting or damage; granted I dont have ogre wrists like Nebe, but I'm not a small guy either...
just my 0.02; however the simms do come in better colors which is very important to some of you to match your waders

Like my sig..HUH? :rotf3:

True though..Isn't it? :rotf2:

Bob, go try both on. It's the only way you're going to tell.

The EVOII feels constrictive but may keep you more dry if you are dunked...

The Simms has some nice features like a waterproof pocket and a chest pocket. I've never had any water in mine, but I try not to swim in it either.

Either one will bake you when it's humid.

I wouldn't worry about the companies, they are both top notch.

-spence

Like this?http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...573&deptid=947

What i use......can't say enough good things about it.

I use the brigg model......got a hood and neoprene cuffs

Only downsides is they get hot in the summer........and a bit stiff in cold weather.

How about one of those Grunden Sou'wester rain hats, the ones that look like an old style fireman's helmet?

In warmer weather, I wear an old Surfcaster waterproof ball hat, or the Lamiglas oilskin cap that's getting mildewed in the back of the Jeep :D

Mike, next you will be telling me to smoke a pipe :rotf2:

I like hoods....

Anyway guys in all fairness, Kadir called me at home tonight and told me there was a bad batch of the gloves and he is trying to make the best of it.He also stated that it was a stiching error not of his fault which I understand.

He is also sending me a new pair no questions asked with the fixed stiching. If the company is that dedicated to its customers then I respect and admire them and wish them the best!!

He did not have to call me at home but did anyway! I appreciate that and the fact that every customer is important weather they buy a pair of gloves or a top of the line surf top! :claps:

I wish him continued success !!

Just to let you know, I went up to my neck today (purposely) with my Simms on, stayed dry and it kept me very bouyant, kinda like a balloon full of air. I was impressed. The pocket stayed dry too, although I wasn't submerged for more than a few seconds.

Actually Brian I wanted a stealthy black top like the one you have - not the sky blue/turquoise whatever color my Simms Top is - but Simms doesn't make one. I would have it dyed if I was not afraid it would get ruined.

Joe, try layering a pima cotton sweatervest over the Simms top. It will achieve the sleek styling you're after, but won't impeed breathability or freedom of movement.

If the neckline is cut low enough, you'll even be able to reach your waterproof pocket :hee:

-spence

Better for you than those cancer sticks :D :rotf3:

In good weather, you can top off the outfit with a tweed snap brim cap. Goes well with a pipe. Or maybe one of those Sherlock Holmes hats :rotf2:

Of course, once you go that way, can the Land Rover be far behind? : :uhoh:

Scotchguard your head - water just beads up and rolls off - no worries.

well, I cant argue the cancer stick point you have me there !! I really wish I could quit!!

Land Rover??? NEVER............. :yak4: :yak4: :yak4: