Need advice about Breathable Stockingfoot Waders - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Tagger · 09-02-2006, 03:22 PM

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 .

$$$$$$$$

MAC · 09-02-2006, 04:18 PM

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"

lurch · 09-02-2006, 06:31 PM

LL bean cause they stand by their product.

striperman36 · 09-02-2006, 10:21 PM

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.

NIB · 09-03-2006, 05:23 AM

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.

Tagger · 09-03-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

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

Water Treater · 09-03-2006, 09:51 AM

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

DaveS · 09-03-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

.......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/te...005&hasJS=true

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

FishHawk · 09-04-2006, 08:12 AM

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