I Really Hate Waders

[flyrodder]

Last October I needed new waders in a pinch for an upcoming trip. I ended up purchasing a pair of Frogg Toggs waders. At $70 I didn't expect much from them, and I was not disappointed. I think it was my third or fourth time wearing them and I gently brushed up against a submerged rock and it shredded up the lower right leg. I managed to patch that up, but by steelhead time in December I had three more holes to patch. By March I was fighting a losing battle so I sprung for a pair of $99 Sports Authority Hodgmans. They developed their first leak a mere five weeks after purchase. I felt like sending them back to Hodgaman with a turd in the box to show them exactly how I feel about their waders, but I couldn't be without waders, so Aquaseal it was instead. I ended up with a nice fat tax refund this year so I broke down and purchased my first pair of "real" waders from Simms, figuring that the Hodgmans would be backups. Yesterday I noticed that they were already starting to wear on the inseam. This is nuts, I haven't even had them for a month and they are already starting to develop their first leak. So I guess the moral of the story is that all breathable waders are crap, from pairs costing $70 to pairs costing several hundred dollars. I just can't win. In fact, this year, for the first time ever, I have actually started to take proper care of my waders-washing them after use and hanging them out of the sun to dry, but it still makes no difference. They develop leaks just as quickly as when they are totally neglected. Maybe I just need to buy stock in the company that makes Aquaseal.

[Riffle]

I've had trouble with waders in the past too ...seems like the best ones i've ever had were neoprene waders...but they were really tough to wear when it warmed up. Right now, I've got a $99 pair of hodgemans, probably the same as yours...knock on wood, no issues yet, but I know the day's coming soon when I'm going to take those off and it will look like a peed myself. I think next time i buy some waders, I'm going to go the LLBean route...I think they always stand by their stuff if you're not satisfied. We'll see if that works with waders. And regarding aquaseal, if you've got to buy a few tubes of it, it's almost like you might as well buy new waders...that stuff isn't cheap.

[waterworker]

With a "what" in the box......beautiful,I like the way you think! ha! I've gone through a "bunch" of orvis silver labels(seemed every other year).Finally,last year I tried some Bean Rapid River bootfoots.So far so good.My next move ,if,I mean when I need some,was to be simms.Hopefully,your new pair is a fluke and they will make it right.

[Todd K]

After all the waders I have tried, Simms has lasted the longest. I know you are on the water more than most Bob and saltwater for that matter. Granted the Simms should still be working strong. Have you contacted them or brought them back to the place you purchased them? I now get maybe 2 years out of a pair. I'm always doing the alcohol test on the inside to take care of pin holes. I'm realizing that I can't just walk through prickers...duh.

[Freeloader]

I have only had one pair of breathable waders. They are cabelas dry plus waders. I didnt really know what I was buying at the time but after three seasons of use they do not leak. i guess I got lucky. I beat the snot out of them. i never stop for prickers and never dry them or baby them in anyway. I just huck them in my trunk with no problems at all. I got mine from the bargain cave but they have come down in price. I highly recommend them.

[DanBou]

I like the Cabelas Dry Plus. Mine might be six years old. No leaks yet. What's the alcohol test?

[Kierran]

I'm told LL Bean carries some Simms waders. As you know, Bean has a top-notch return policy. Buy your Simms through them and that should help the situation. Leaking waders is part of the game, especially for someone who fishes as much as you. It's a pain in the arse, but you have a backup pair to get you through the inbetween time during sending them back, etc.

[smooch11]

I have gone through 20 pairs of waders and finally broke down and purchased a pair Simms @ $300. So far after 6 outings all okay. my previous 20 pairs were all purchased from LL bean . All refunded no questions asked.

[sotlowski]

In case you need it, in my experiences, Simms repair shop in MT has been very responive and reasonable. Of course I'm not implying you should expect a leak after a months use. I have a couple of pair of Simms, they have repaired leaks, replaced neoprene feet and actually replaced the goretex membrane where a barbed wire fence tore thru. They're usually wet from March till November then I get into the 5M neoprene for the winter months. One thing you should be sure of is the fit, Simms makes a bunch of configurations to try to cover all our shapes and sizes. I found that eliminating any rubbing or folding when their worn seems to make them wear better......Stanley

[grayghost]

The alcohol test: You drink lots of alcohol, then you pee yourself :redface: and watch for leaks. Seriously, turn your waders inside out and spray your waders with rubbing alcohol and you will see dark spots appear. Those are your pin hole leaks. http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/repairs_main_new.html

[Rainbow]

Been through them all......sticking w LL Beans now.

[southpaw526]

I went through the crappy wader thing. My first pair of breathables were the Sports Auth Hodgmans. They were crap, but Hodgman took them back no questions asked. The 2nd pair they sent me lasted about a year and also leaked. So for the next pair, they upgraded me to their Guidelite series. I'm working on my 6th season w/ these waders, and they're still holding up strong. Hodgman also makes a wader called stretchlite, which is breathable and stretchable, so it's a little more forgiving. They're a little pricey, but my friend swears by them. It's hit or miss w/ waders no matter the brand. Try contacting Hodgman and pounding your fist a bit. You may find them willing to give you an upgrade for free.

[trouter203]

that sucks bob. maybe it is time for a wader alternative...
i once saw a dude at the salmon with a pair of workboots and duck tape up to the knees waders.

[dudley]

My Cabela's Dry Plus bootfoots are 4 years old, but I don't wear them all the time .
I have 4 sets of waders that I rotate. Cabela's neoprenes, the Cabela's Dry Plus, some Cabela's "fly weights", and canvas hip boots.

Today I wore the rubberized nylon fly weights. They're 12 years old and have never leaked.
It wasn't hot today, I didn't sweat. No need for breathables
When the weather warms, I'll switch to the hip boots and wear them rather than the breathables whenever possible

[MuddlerMinnow]

Gentlemen, I believe this may be just the ticket for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3St1GgoHQ

[FK]

The most economical waders are Simms with GoreTex construction.

Add up the hours of use and divide into the $ cost and you will be way ahead of the bargain options.

Regards,
FK

[grayghost]

That was very interesting! I need to work on the foot speed.

[Andrew]

Those guys got nothin' on this lizard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yabrnryXk&feature=related

[trouter203]

Those guys got nothin' on this lizard:
he's back.....

[Gary]

Simms are on sale at Cabelas. $199 for the Gortex Rivershed II. That's $100 off. I bought a pair last year and so far I love them. Hope it lasts.

[onafly]

A couple tips to get the most out of your waders;
Buy a pair that fit! Too much bunched material in the legs will cause chafing and leakage.
Roll 'em, don't fold 'em. Avoid as many sharp creases as possible
Dry 'em, when you get home from the river, hang stockingfoot breathable waders from the suspenders feet down to dry, boot foot, feet up. Then roll roll and store in ventilated gear bag
Don't roast 'em, don't leave them in the hot trunk of your car, the extreme heat can cause delamination and or cause a breakdown of coatings

[dlaffin1]

i second what kierran said, buy simms through ll bean. i did bust a pair on some stupid sharp rocks down south and i brought them to the store in orange and they mailed me a new pair that day. you have to do a return and then order a new pair. kind of shady but it's what they told me to do.

[waterworker]

My just under one year LL Bean Rapid Rivers left me with a completely soaked Butt yesterday.E mailed them for a remedy.I really liked them.Not so much anymore.I may ask them to replace,if that's the case,with the Simms and I'll pay the difference.If they were a few years old I'd try to aqua seal them but under a year,well taken care of,they must go back......Update.................................j ust got back from south windsor Bean....turned them in,,,didn't have my size so they will send a new pair.They stopped making the felt bottoms boots so getting the new model with rubber soles.They did charge me 85 bucks because the new style has a new price.That surprised me but,it's not unreasonable I guess.They didn't have any simms at the store so I just went with the rapid rivers again.One more time..................second update.....returned wed. afternoon.New ones arrived friday afternoon.They are good!Can't beat them on service and delivery.