Seems a lot of folks support the Simms brand waders/wader boots. Are there any other brands you guys recommend?
That's like asking someone what fly they like to fish with I think there are so many good products out there right now it's almost easier to ask "what are the ones I should avoid?" question! I have been really happy with my Dan Bailey waders and new korkers 'redside' boots. Just recently had my old patagonia jacket give out, so I replaced it with a simms goretex jacket. But I think just about any goretex jacket will serve you well, just depends on how much stuff you carry in it and how much time you spend "in the stink".
yea Im looking to buy a new pair of waders and boots. I like the Korkers boots and recently checked out Orvis waders. Both seem like great alternatives to simms. The shop I frequent I believe exclusively stocks Simms gear so I may show a little customer loyality as they have always treated me well.
I'm 110% a Simms fan. They're one of the best companies I've ever dealt with all around; from product quality, customer service, etc. I just plain think they make the best boots and waders out there. Patagonia comes in a close second. They're another outstanding company. Never will I ever get another pair of Korkers.
Lots of other companies with better warranties out there and just as functional products. It is a matter of if you want to go designer or not. BR
I do like Simms I think they make a quality product but I think their merchandise is too highly priced. You can find a good pair of waders and boots at a fraction of what you will pay for Simms. I bought Cabelas brand setup and im completely satisfied. Cabelas also has outstanding customer sevice and will stand behind their product. I paid 160$ for my setup and so far its lasted me 3 seasons of pretty rugged salmon and steelhead fishing.
Simms also makes all of their GoreTex waders by hand in Bozeman, MT. The only company to do theirs in the USA. The quality difference is pretty astounding.
I own simms and ll bean, there is no difference really. I think you would need a microscope to tell the difference. No doubt quality product, but does not perform any better than other brands. The big difference is you can wear llbeans for 5 years, 60-80 days a year and if they start to leak they give you back the $ you paid for them. Not a bad deal. BR
If they do that, I don't really understand why they would. Waders are a wear and tear item like shoes. It'd be just as ridiculous if a shoe company gave you your money back after you ran the tread off them. Good on LL Bean for doing that, but I don't think every company should be held to that standard or they wouldn't make any money. I have yet to see a pair of waders that come close to my G4s.
I agree with Evan. I have a pair of Simms Guide boots purchased in 2009 with major milage on them, felt is worn down,they need to be resoled due to usage, but boots are still good. i used to have patagonia boots which are nice and light, but they would fall apart every 6 months, that is why they keep changing their sole designs. patagonia was nice to keep replacing my boots, but after 5 new pairs, i gave up and went Simms.
I'm a Simms guy myself, and they've always treated me well and have gone above and beyond the call when they didn't need to and based on that fact alone I am loyal to them. When other companies would probably have scoffed at me and my endeavors, Simms stepped up and said they would help. I find even their entry level products are outstanding value for price, and their boots- super comfortable. I actually have a pair of their boots that I use for everyday work boots that have never seen the water- that's how comfy they are.
Same experience here. I have gone through three pairs of Patagonia RIverwalkers in just over a year, with minimal mileage on them. After the third pair, and my expressing my dissatisfaction with their boot falling apart after not much more than a trip or two, they were kind enough to get me a pair of their Rock Grip aluminum bar boots. Now, those things are an impressive beast to say the least! My three boots that I have, and am extremely happy with: Simms Rivershed Vibram, Simms Guide Felt, Patagonia Rock Grip w/aluminum bar.
They can afford to do that because the products come from (most likely) China. I will definitely support Simms, and I find it insulting that some companies charge a Made in USA price for an imported product (Patagonia). In fact, the Made in China, Patagonia Rio Gallegos are the same price as a pair of G3's...they cost less to make, but cost us the same?
I'm with Evan. Simms all the way. I had a cabelas setup, but once I anted up and got the Simms I'll never go back. I practically live in my waders. Second rate just doesn't cut it. Besides my cousin works there. I prefer supporting American jobs over that Chinese garbage cabelas passes off
Bet ya Cabelas still provides more US jobs than Simms. I love the simms gear I have.... Just sayyyyyin.
I'm by no means against importing goods... I'd be a hypocrite given my own job and all that. I was just defending Simms price tags when compared to the others. That said, Cabela's does provide a whole lot of jobs. But so does Wal Mart... And that's not always the best scenario. Cabela's is one of the big offenders of paying as little as possible to the bulk of their employees.
I've had the exact opposite experience. I've gone through several pairs of Bean waders over the years, as well as several other brands. I finally got a decent pair of Simms and the difference in terms of wear and comfort simply astounded me.
I like Simms, they make a very good wader. Some of the things they do are very much "The Best". As for best wader, I don't really think so. I've owned and worn out the old G3s, the new G3s and have yet to wear out the old guide model (but alas that isn't offered by simms anymore, I wonder why). I put about 150 very hard days on the new G3s and they are just now wearing in crotch, and butt. My old pair of G3s must have been a Lemon as they leaked from the first time I put them on. I repaired them 4 times myself and twice at the factory. I was told by the repair shop gal (in Bozeman) that it was not Simms that put out a faulty product and that it was me (big no-no). She gave me every excuse in the book as to why I was wet each time I stepped out of them. From humidity in the air, to differences in temperature inside the waders and in water outside. The final straw was when she told me I voided the warrenty by aquasealing a seam after she refused to take them back. It was at that point that I spoke with someone higher up in the company and they sent me a new pair of G3s. Those waders I wore out in like I said about 150 days (not bad). But when it came time to buy a new pair of waders I went with Patagonia and boy will I never go back. The Patagonia Rio Gallegos waders were the same price point as the G3s and in my opinion a much better fitting and feeling wader. I love the drop down suspender and the water proof pocket is perfect for when I take a swim (which is about every 5th trip, I told you I am rough on them). I do not believe that a warrenty should be lifetime, especially on a product that is going to wear out in time. However, Patagonia does a much better job with taking care of the customer. A no questions policy is the best policy as far as customer satisfaction, even if you do get some people who abuse it. But it is an absolute deal breaker to question a customers intentions and judgement (i.e. Simms) Now as far as boots go Simms has it in spades. No question in my mind. I have several pairs of Simms boots and the only time I have had to replace them was due to wear after several seasons.
I had a similar experience with Patagonia. Returned my third pair of the Riverwalker boots, and got told by their warranty department that this was normal wear and tear, and that the boots weren't in satisfactory condition for warranty. This was after one real trip in them, mind you... And a seam on each boot had completely blown out, as they had on my previous two pairs. I did get the issue more than resolved by moving up the chain of command, but it sucks to have someone tell you point blank that your "mistreatment" of something is the reason for failure. I wasn't aware that their intended use was mistreatment.
