Breathable Wader Review

[Pete_G]

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&-

Are those bootfoots or stockingfoot? Last I checked the G3 was only offered in stockingfoot. Hopefully I'm wrong, in which case I may have to harass Simms for a pair to "test"...

I may order up a pair to try even if they are stockingfoot; I've been a bootfoot guy for years but I may try stockingfoot again, at least for the rocks.

[eelman]

Pete, My waders are Stocking foot, I was always a bootfoot guy myself but again, these are fantastic! I have the simms L2 Wading shoe with felt bottom, very nice shoe. Since I dont fish beaches much I dont worry to much about gravel. As far as I know they dont make it in a bootfoot model. The gravel guards that come with the G3 Are very nice and protect well. I love these waders, They do breath well and are always dry when I take them off and I walk alot!

[Thom]

Pete G next time you see the Simms rep ask to please use gravel guards on the next step down from the G3 I bought a set of them while I like the waders I was pretty surprised that they didn't come with them built in. For the price they should have them on every model. THomT

[spence]

I've never had sand problems with my LLBean stockingfoot waders. The built in gravel guards seem to do the trick...

-spence

[Skip N]

I've only owned LL bean west branch waders and they seem pretty damn good! I've had some leaks on the first pair i owned and Bean replaced them no questions asked. I don't mind paying good money for waders from LL Bean because i know i will never have to buy another pair with thier warrenty. Certainly better than buying 2 pairs of cheepo waders a year. Invest in a good pair from LL bean and your set for life! Never tried Simms but i hear they are top notch also. Both Quality and service.

[Redsoxticket]

I also have the llbean west branch waders which were chosen for the warranty.
If I fish like #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& which I would like to I would get the G3 Gore-tex if they honored the warranty in replace with no hassle.

[Pete_G]

I wonder if LL Bean will change their warranty policy on waders eventually.

No manufacturer I know of has EVER made money doing a no questions asked policy on waders. Most have lost money, Orvis, for example. Then again, with LL being the last one maybe they're pulling it off and can take the hit of all those returned waders due to higher sales.

What really killed the "no questions asked" polices was all the waders going back that didn't leak. I know for sure that's what made Orvis stop offering it. Well over 3/4 of the waders they were getting back didn't actually leak.

I think Simms is ahead of the curve offering a reasonable repair fee for user inflicted damage.