Breathable Wader Review

[Nebe]

LLBean makes millions and millions of $$ on clothing alone..the waders are such a small % of their income, i believe they could care less if they lost $ on them.. Plus, they have many customers like spence, who fish so little that they never wear out their gear

[wader-dad]

Anyone ever use Patagonia waders? I got a gift certificate that I can use on them. They just came out with new ones.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by wader-dad

Anyone ever use Patagonia waders? I got a gift certificate that I can use on them. They just came out with new ones.

The old ones were pretty nice and held up well through the years. The new ones are new, so it's tough to say if they're going to be as good as they look. If they are, they'll be some of the more durable waders on the market. They're over built almost; the material is REAL heavy. Considering the performance of the old ones, and the build quality of the new ones, I'd definitely have to give them a .

[cheferson]

ANyone in s.rhody carry the simms G3 waders?, think im gonna bite the bullet and get em. Im on my 3rd pair of ll bean west branch breathables and all 3 have leaked in the crotch and feet after only a short time, these made it about 6 weeks.

[Vogt]

Hodgeman lakestream lites. I fish real hard and they are real tough. and not to bad on the budget. 80 bucks

[pops]

ive had simms bootfoots for 3 years now no leaks except the hook I put in the thigh , Ive walked through woods ,jetty, beach....the best...after a long walk on the beach you dont even notice them. For cold weather i add silks and sweats
wicking sox keep the feet feeling dry [mountain climbing stores sell the sox]
the silks do the same wicking job.

[zacs]

so, as cheff asks, anyone know who carries Simms in RI. I need to try on.

Thanks

_Z_

[spence]

Originally Posted by Eben

Plus, they have many customers like spence, who fish so little that they never wear out their gear

Perhaps you should start wearing LL Bean shorts there a$$ rip boy

-spence

[Nebe]

nyuck nyuck nyuck

[Redsoxticket]

I would assume that llbean would increase the quality control or only offer the top of the line waders then change their policy.
Also the cost to manufacture and the mark-up will probably equal several returns before they lose.

[MAC]

L.L.Bean warrantee and I quote " Our products are guaranteed to give 100% satisfaction in every way. Return anything purchased from us at any time if it proves otherwise. We do not want you to have anything from L.L.Bean that is not completely satisfactory."

I agree with Eben. Waders are only a very small percentage of their sales. They won't drop them or change anything that might upset their tradition.

[MAC]

Oh I forgot to add that Bean's carries the Simms waders so that alleviates the warantee issue.

[NIB]

I pee in my waders no time to stop fishing I would bet they love it when they get mines back an examine them closely for leaks.

[MAC]

Originally Posted by NIB

I pee in my waders no time to stop fishing I would bet they love it when they get mines back an examine them closely for leaks.

I did marine construction in Florida back in 89. During the winter we wore wetsuits and when it got cold that was how ya warmed up.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by MAC

L.L.Bean warrantee and I quote " Our products are guaranteed to give 100% satisfaction in every way. Return anything purchased from us at any time if it proves otherwise. We do not want you to have anything from L.L.Bean that is not completely satisfactory."

I agree with Eben. Waders are only a very small percentage of their sales. They won't drop them or change anything that might upset their tradition.

If I could find an old Orvis catalog it would say the same thing. It still does, for everything but their waders.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Eben

LLBean makes millions and millions of $$ on clothing alone..the waders are such a small % of their income, i believe they could care less if they lost $ on them.. Plus, they have many customers like spence, who fish so little that they never wear out their gear

Orvis is a clothing company. 85% or more of it, anyways. They sell a "life style", these days. Fishing, and waders in particular, is an extremely small part of the company.

Orvis was in an uproar about waders a few years ago before their policy change. Letters in the mail warning of the policy change, reps specifically mentioning surf anglers, and returns of waders just so people could start a new season with a free new pair really got them worked up. I just have a lot of trouble believing that the LL Bean warranty policy for their waders is, at least financially, good for them. In terms of developing customer loyalty, maybe it balances it out.