Simms or Guy Cotten Surf Top

[WadingWill]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

Simms makes some of the best waders on the market but the Simms top is now discontinued. In my opinion they cashed in on the surf top craze and are getting out because the market is small and they got their cash. Not to mention the hard core surf crowd on average does not follow instructions or care for our products and returns a high percentage of products after treating the product with neglect.

Guy Cotten has made high end sailing clothing for years and also makes some commercial fishing clothing as well. Prior to this year they make nothing for the Surf Crowd and now they want to cash in, excuse me, diversify. I know of another company that makes fishing rods coming out with a top as well.

I am an Aquaskinz guy and have a relationship with the company. That being said, why not stick with the company that has been making gear for this market since day one.

I understand the "costs too much" arguement when it comes to Aquaskinz but then again, we have to pay to play with gear that will last. Aquaskinz stands behind the products. They lowered some of their prices a year ago and now they have come up with a less expensive Surf Top.

Here are some other REASONS to consider Aquaskinz.

My thoughts
What company uses the best materials? Aquaskinz
What company continues to get their products copied? Aquaskinz
What company supports this site? Aquaskinz
What company donates to local fishing clubs? Aquaskinz
What company donated to muliple benefits on this site and others? Aquaskinz
What company's owner is directly available to talk to at the shows? Aquaskinz
What company listens to the hard core surf crowd's requests for products? Aquaskinz
What company released two new Surf Tops this show season? Aquaskinz

Check the products out at the RISAA show.

I agree I'm an Aquaskinz guy too.

[angler229]

A couple years ago I was wearing Kokatat top while doing aquaculture work in the winter and I thought it was fantastic. It had latex neck and wrist gaskets but once you have them trimmed right I don't think that is a problem with movement also as long as you take care of it they'll hold up pretty well. If I had 400 bucks for their high end top I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

[Rmarsh]

I was looking for a new drytop. I saw the the Guy Cotten top and was close to buying it and tried one on. It seems to be very well made.
Then I tried on the Phantom by Aquaskinz,(about the same price as the Guy Cotten) that made my decision easy. I bought the Aquaskinz based on the fact it fit so well and I felt comfortable in it. I liked the fact that it is a little longer in the waist (past my hips slightly). Bottom line is try them on before buying.

Hope this was helpful!

[Bass Babe]

I haven't had any experience actually using any of the tops, but I'll tell you what I do know -- Guy Cotten has quality stuff. Yeah, maybe they're cashing in on the dry top craze, but wouldn't you if you could? At their factory in New Bedford, you can have your items fixed and/or replaced. Every commercial fisherman I've talked to that wears Guy Cotten loves it and wouldn't get anything else.

RRC had a Simms top whose stretchy rubber parts cracked.

Otherwise, I've heard nothing personally about the other companies mentioned.

And I don't know what this is, but I love it: