Fishing Waders are a Ripoff
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
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In my 12+ years of fishing in the Pacific Northwest I've owned many pairs of waders. All eventually fail but many, even expensive models, failed far too quickly especially when compared to other similar technical garments.
Here is a list of the waders I've owned ranked from best to worst:
- Simms G3 Guide Waders (100+ trips): bassproshops.vzck.net/Yg6dGO
- USIA Waders (70 trips): Out of business
- Simm Freestone: (60 trips): amzn.to/3tRt55g
- Orvis Pro Waders (60 trips): bassproshops.vzck.net/jWk10n
- Frogg Toggs Hellbender: (less than 5 trips X 2): amzn.to/3TUr6aL
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The trick to making waders last is to get married and have kids! All kidding aside, you’ve got a great Chanel with great content. Thank you for making these videos.
Haha 😂
@@spiltmilt I’ve had simms primarily also Patagonia (least favorite) Dan Bailey waders lasted a surprisingly long time (I was impressed) current simms I’m fishing have worked well and I would recommend sending waders to Simms for professional patch work repair. When I’ve done this simms knew exactly what I was wearing under the waders just through wear.
So true haha
Bwahaha 😂
I loved that joke
I’ve gotten 5-6 seasons out of a cheap BiMart Allen wader and then had to patch seams on more expensive waders. Honestly, at this point I’m going to stick with comfortable waders that cost $100 and keeping a $12 can of Flex Seal on hand.
Yeah, I had some micro leaks I had trouble finding and sealing, and I just sprayed the area with Flex Seal and they held up fine all summer. I don't really expect that to be a long term fix, but easy and at least works for a while!
Have you guys tried patching with Freesole? Just curious.
@@outdoorloser4340 I have not
Cool tip thanks
Flex seal and Gorilla duct tape will make a $99 set of waders last an extra season or 2 for sure
Same experience as a lot of other commenters here. I am a biologist and have spent hundreds of days in the field in waders. Work that’s hard on gear like wilderness redd surveys and building and maintaining fish fences. 20 years ago all the waders were crap then simms started making these amazing models like the guides, then g3/4s. Those lasted forever and were way more comfortable. I bought a new pair last year and they are much flimsier than older models despite being much more expensive. Cost has gone up far beyond consumer price index so it doesn’t make sense. Maybe there’s a new better brand of top of the line stuff now, I don’t know?
I can't agree more. My old G4s finally gave up the ghost. I bought a pair of G3s (couldn't afford G4s) and I have been less than impressed.
Dryft blows any Simms waders out of the water
Typical corporate find a way to make it cheaper and charge more..
Grunden’s?
It's because of the material advancements. Modern gortex pro is significantly more light weight and supple than what they were using 20 years ago. And its breathable so you're not wearing a water balloon on your lower half. It does the job without having to be 20lbs and half an inch thick. Nobody wants that. However, they COULD make them more durable, but then they wouldn't be able to sell you new $700 waders every 2 years.
I’ve been fishing since I could walk, so 40 ish years lol! And I have never had a pair of waders last more than two seasons. I’ve spent anywhere from $60 to $400 on a pair, and the only difference I noticed was comfort. Price seems to have zero effect on longevity 🤣
Google backcountry skinz
it depends how many days in a year you on the water. For me one waders served approximately 3-4 years without leaking and patches, and nearly 6 years totally after being repaired. It doesn't matter cheap or expensive, they all start to leak when getting older. Professional guides wear one set of waders in a year.
My Dad bought a second hand diving drysuit that had a damaged zipper about 20 years ago. He got it quite cheap, I forget what he paid for it, anyway he cut the top off below the zipper (It was across the shoulders) and sewed the inbuilt braces at the top where he cut it down (to stop it flopping down). He's still using them!
Awesome 👏
I totally agree with you. I had a pair of high end neoprene waders. After 2 seasons of moderate fishing, the developed the rub leak. And, you don’t know the rub is till you are in the coldest water of the fishing season.
Love your reviews and topics that matter.
Personally I buy cheap waders and replace when needed. A $600, two season wader is not in my wheelhouse and agree they are built to fail.
Great post. I feel the same. I also use the same philosophy when buying rain jackets. I get 5yrs out of $30 Frogg Togg jackets while guys I know who have $200 jackets have to replace them over the same period.
@@rustyknott-W.Drain jackets have never failed me in the way he described waders failing. Ive ONLY seen High end rain jackets get ruined if people walk through a raspberry patch or gorse or sitting too close to a sparky fire.
I have a $50 pair of garbage waders, with a little wax melted onto the seams. 8 years later, my garbage waders still work great.
Same here! I fish steelhead in the Midwest so I don’t care if they breathe (rubber waders are warmer). No way in hell am I paying 100s of $$ for something that lasts only a couple of years.
A friend told me the story of Caterpillar Inc. builders of heavy equipment. Their equipment was too well built and lasted too long so they switched to inferior materials -- reducing the equipment's life span and increasing sales for parts, services, new orders etc... It's the same for many industries too. For example, how long do today's kitchen appliances last vs 20 years ago...and so on... Thanks for the video...I'm thinking about buying cheap waders and wearing a wet suit underneath....
So it is with chainsaws 😢
I've had same problem with waders lasting. My best luck was actually with cheaper frogg togs.
I bought my first set of waders back in about 1974 or 75. Just out of grad school, and not a whole lot of income, I got a pair which were booted, thick-walled - and cheap. They are still holding up, in spite of stream fishing for steelhead and surf fishing for red tail perch. Heavy as all get out, cumbersome and not as "nice" as the expensive stuff I saw older (then) fishermen wearing, while they plied the waters with their expensive rods and reels or fly gear. Not sure if that makes any difference to the conversation; I have looked at the far lighter waders, but have never been able to justify the expense when what I have still works. And if that newer lighter stuff wears leaks quickly, it is even less of an incentive to change up. Oh, and the only time mine breathe is when I step out of them.
I've had the Dryft S14 for 3 years now. They probably get ~25 days of use mostly in the winter with some spring and summer on the Oregon coast. The wader material itself seems pretty stout. It has taken some thick brush, including blackberry, and more than a handful of falls with no leaks or holes. I did have to send my first pair back in due to leaking neoprene booties but Dryft was great and sent me a new pair. I was planning on trying Simms whenever these Dryfts give up the ghost but this video has me thinking twice.
stick with dryft 100% and support a small business my next pair will be dryfts only heard good things
Thanks for making this video. I’ve been looking into waders. As a guy on a budget I won’t feel like I’m wasting money on the less expensive brands/models when I pull the trigger to buy.
On a side note, you’re comment about Patagonia made me think of something. I’d love to see you do a video about the whole “hatchery vs wild” argument. I hear tons of opinions out there, but almost none of them educated. I’d love to hear someone like yourself come at it with science and statistics.
I'm ignorant on this. What's the argument about "hatchery vs wild"? Please educate me
@@kirkhuffstater5565Is fishing for stocked fish really fishing? Is it sporting to follow the hatchery truck? Are you a real man if you hoist out a dazed and confused old hatchery breeder, and put it on your stringer?
@@kirkhuffstater5565it’s like hunting on a ranch that breeds deer to be killed. You are going where there is 100% going to be game, the guides know where the game is at all times, the game is not shy, and your chances of success are excessively high. Basically, you’re “shooting fish in a barrel”. You don’t have to hunt at all. It’s handed to you. Same with fishing in a hatchery. There are excessive amounts of fish, and you know what type and where they’re going to be.
It’s like how you would set up a game for a child. You make it easier for them so they enjoy it. It’s the same here. Take the challenge out of it so these city guys can come give you money to say they did something over the weekend with low effort and high yield.
Google backcountry skinz
Could Not agree more, god it’s insane. The price of these things are crazy now. I refuse to spend more then 300 dollars on a pair now. I’ve been fishing for 20+ years and haven’t had a pair last more then 2 years. Was running G3’s and Redington’s the last few years both are beyond shot at 2 years old. Covered in aqua seal at this point and I’m still soaked.
I have had the same problems, they al leak after awhile. Bill Wetzel the surf casting guide from L.I.had a similar video. Like yourself I am forced to use waders with an inseam longer than my legs and that has impacted both the wear and comfort. You put out good and well thought out content.
110% accurate. Been thinking this for years and years after countless pairs of waders.
Hopefully, the company's see this video and read the comments. That way they can get educated on their products. Personally they should last at least five years and not cost an arm and a leg.
I have the same issue as you with the short 30" inseam. I recently bought a Pair from Cabelas and it was the Stout line of waders that have a shorter inseam. I am surprised how many companies have that one size fits all body style.
Failure point for me has been in the stocking foot, the neoprene just wears out from friction within my boots.
...I have had multiple brand name waders and have been fortunate with Orvis Products... I walk long distances through some heavy brush , wear them wade and drift fishing from a one man pontoon.... A few things I do practice... Hang them to dry as much as possible when fishing a few days back to back...and afterwards make sure to dry them thorougly... I also wear either Fleece or Soft Cotton lounging pants to avoid inside wear from rubbing.... I also found purchasing a size that allows easy bending or knelling to help..
As for Company Warranty's ?? When purchasing a pair of Waders it pays to know when they were manufactured..?? How long have they been In-Stock..It does come into play for warranty it seems.... Thank You.... Tight Lines // Dry Waders..
Google backcountry skinz
Wow thats crazy. I have only owned one pair of waders and so far no leaks in them. I have a pair to Patagonia, bought 2019 and fished four seasons in them already. Your pairs look nice and clean almost like new. Mine are much harder worn it seems and still hanging in there. Wonder how long mine will go. Maybe you need to start a company and build waders out of the dry suit tech.
Lightweight waders are great because they are lightweight but they are not durable. The old rubber waders are hot and heavy, but they can take a beating and last for years. The biggest problem with the rubber is if you don't use it much they can dry rot. Neoprene is another option but not good if it is hot. Drysuits may be an option, but I've never tried them.
Well, it's comforting to know that at least I'm not the only one...I don't feel that I do anything excessive to wear these products out but waders and wading boots seem to be my nemeses.....I feel that I care for my gear reasonably well, yet I feel lucky to get a season out of either waders or boots- to the point that I've stopped buying boots at all and just use Chucks, or the same sandals I wear for wet wading in summer ( Tevas, Chacos)...
I used to duck hunt and wear Hodgeman canvas faced rubber waders. I hated them for warm water times of year fishing because they did not breathe at all, yet they were extremely durable as I would walk to ponds in woods through areas of briars/thorns and just tree branches beating them. They lasted 10 years until an exposed nail in a duck blind d poked a whole in them, but all I did was patch them. They wore in-between the thighs and crotch area just like you mentioned, but still lasted. They were just cumbersome and you needed to wear heavy soft fleece to make them comfortable.
Interesting you mentioned using your waders in a Kayak and pedaling. The breathable waders I used I would sometimes ride my mountain bike with them. The motion of my legs pedaling is not the same scissor type motion of walking. I have not tested this theory out, but just think if you walked in your dry suit as much as your waders (or vice versa), would the wear and tare be the same or at least similar. As I said, I don't know for sure, but I'm just putting that out there for consideration. Oddly enough my Hodgeman waders were less than a hundred bucks and literally took a beating. I just delt with their design but made it work. Unfortunately I would not recommend them for fishing which is primarily done in warmer times of the year.
I don't fish with waders but I sail a lot in the cold months and my current drysuit lasted 4 years before I sold it to my friend which he is still using. It ran me $600 but has held up fine. I'd recommend Gill if anyone is looking for a drysuit since they use neoprene gaskets which are in my opinion a lot more comfortable and durable than the latex ones. Sandiline also makes a really good drysuit.
Hi bye inexpensive Cabela's waiters, and before I ever put them in the water, I seam seal, all of the seams and all of the wear spots that I have experienced over 40 years on the water. This seems to be the most economical way to deal with the waiter problem that you describe I get about 150 to 200 days on the water out of a pair of Cabelas waiters at half the price of the major brands. I haven't tried seem sealing the major brands before I wear them because I don't buy them.
4 years of heavy use in my Dryft Primos with no problems. Haven't had to use their warranty but I've heard it is above the best.
I ended up with a pair Dryft. One year in no leaks.
I guess I'm old school. I've never wasted money on that stuff. I'm 73 years old and I've worn either shorts or jeans right into the water since I was a kid.
well unfortunately you can’t do that when the water gets into the 30s and 40s hypothermia is no joke
@@frostytrees609 if you're a man like tedd8055 you can
My original Simms Guide waders were fished 200+ days with no leaks until we ran into submerged barbwire on Taylor River in Colorado. The next pair of Simms Guides and Orvis waders both leaked within a season. Now I have Frogg Toggs and Paramount. I take both pair on every trip, and have yet to have an issue. (Knock on wood.)
Its all about the "price point", "profit margins" and "planned obsolescence".
Every user has a "price point". That is what they are willing to pay. That applies all the way through the market. As the cost of materials and labour go up the manufacturers try to maintain the price point thinking that if the cost goes up the buyer will go "no thanks" and look elsewhere. They maintain the price point and their profit margin by lowering material and production costs. So overtime the production quality of waders at every price point will get worse whenever the cost of labour and materials go up.
I will point out that companies do not make more profit by selling you waders every ten years. They make more profit by selling your new waders every three years.
There is a constant battle between reputation, quality and profit. So this is "planned obsolescence". Your waders are made to fail at a certain point. It's all dependent on how a manufacturer decides to place itself in the market. From premium to cheap and nasty.
The world wide economy is suffering at the moment so I am expecting a drop in production quality across many, many goods in order to maintain profit margins. Waders are not immune to these issues.
I've recently purchased a pair of Dryft waders. Been out once so far. I've heard good things about these folks. Priced less than Simms. I feel like any wader you buy they will eventually leak. Especially around the neoprene boot seams. That gets me every time! I think Dryft adds an extra seam to their products.
When I started fishing 40 years ago I was a kayaker. And I would just use my neoprene Farmer John's because I couldn't afford waiters too. They worked great for years and years. They had some holes in there but I was always warm. And if I got too hot I could just roll the top down. When I got my first pair of neoprene waders they seemed so much more clunky.
I came across those farmer johns in the garage the other day. I don't think they could stretch far enough to fit now. Haha
I personally haven't had seams etc burst on me. My main issue is the sole. Gets worn down to the point it leaks.
I've worked in a specialty fly shop for close to 10 years and have been flyfishing for 40. Aside from kneeling and brush, one of the deciding factors in your waders leaking is how you sized them when you tried them on. Most people want them to look like a pair of pants. If you can't high step in them with no binding, anywhere, you will stress the seams and seam tape and they will leak. The other major factor would be wearing jeans under your waders. Jean seams will wear out the tricot liner in most waders if you walk any appreciable distance. Size them baggier and wear running pants - they will last longer.
I worked in a fly shop for 10 years and special ordered mine to correct sizing. They still cut them for fat asses I guess
I have Caddis, in about 2 years they started leaking in a couple of spots...I fish way less then Tyler here...since then been just dealing with that...fixed leaks once, lasted a trip or two and back to leaking...
Went through two pairs of stocking foot waders while steelheading all week on a trip. Of course my feet started to go numb when the water starting leaking in slowly. At this point I feel like fishing out of boats more with muck boots on and regular pants with all weather bibs. I will only wade in the summer months when its more fun anyways. I loved my Steelheader titaniums before they died.
Depending on the times of the year you fish, have you considered wearing a surfing wet suit? You will remain warm, but wet at the end of the day. I've watched the Japanese Tenkara fishermen and women use what I think are wet suit pants when they hike to their fishing destination and make many stream crossings. I've asked them what they are wearing in the best way I could. They replied and I figured that they are wearing wet suit pants for their hikes and creek crossings. There is now a company called Wader Skins that make them. Check them out.
I fish in the winter a lot
If drysuits have held up much better why not use drysuit bibs instead? Kokatat NRS and others make drysuit bibs that have the same coverage as waders and are more versatile as you could add a dry top so you wouldn't need to buy a drysuit and waders.
I could at the same time the drysuit bibs lack a lot of the key features I really want in my waders.
Regarding warranty, I will say that Dryft is great. They shipped me new waders within a few hours of emailing them, no questions asked. Just had to send my damaged ones back and they even paid the return shipping.
That is good to hear.
Agreed. Great customer service. My primo zip fronts needed repair at the zipper and inside one of the pockets after 3yrs. And they sent me the brand new model!
Like many others here, I get failures mostly in the booties. I have begun wearing waterproof stockings (pants too) whenever I am in waders. That way, if there are small leaks, the water never touches my skin. I can always extend my wader use that way. Have never bought an expensive pair as it has always been the opinion that those don't last any longer. I can get up to three seasons with mine but I don't fish as much as you guys. I am in waders maybe 30 times a year.
I'm on my 3rd season with a set of simms headwaters mid price. Hopefully they last a while longer . No leaks yet knock on wood 😂. I don't have the rubbing issue between my legs though and I'm sure that helps. Great video man!!
Great vid, Thank you. All great points and could not agree more the industry does seem to make the products for "job security" not product longevity. I live on the east coast , fish lake Ontario and tribs through the fall and a lot of the time it's bush wracking to get to other spots, last pair of waders I threw away was patched with silicone over 14 times. Not everyone can afford 200 to $ 500 every other season for waders. My nxt pair will prob be a dry suit.
I bought a pair of dryft this year and they se well made. I bought them because my nephew is tough on his gear and they hold up. Caddis waders for the price lasted for 3 years and bought a new pair of hodgeman. They are tough but out of business now I think. Simms does make nice warm items but as said 700.00 is ALOT for 3 years use. Have also found inexpensive waders honor warranties well into the purchase. I do like the dryft and also purchased last years rain jacket for 150.00 new it's 350.00 plus dryft plants a tree for every purchase. They have the BEST customer service as well . Thanks for the vids! Time to get ready for early Steelie trip! Cheers gentlemen.👍🎣🎣🎣💯
40 years ago my Dad bought my brother and me each a pair of Cabelas 330 Cordura waders. Those were incredibly rugged. Wore them when rabbit hunting through all kinds of thorns. Lost them so tried to find the same. They use much heavier Cordura now. I liked the light weight and certainly didn't need heavier to resist tears. I would still recommend looking for a Cordura pair. Mine lasted 20 years of heavy use before I lost them probably when moving.
That was because they were then mad in the USA !
I gave up on expensive waders. I was going to buy a new pair and patch the same area from new so it would wear the patch first but I just purchased a cheap pair to test so far they have lasted longer. They are not as nice fitting and a lot heavier but still dry. My cheap $50 pair is still going strong 3 years later and I fish all year around. They must be about 2cents a fish and still going strong.
Sounds sort of like golf clubs, in a way. You can spend $2,000 on top of the line clubs, like the youngster I played with earlier this week, or you can look for deals, like the $12 driver and the $5 woods and the $3 irons I bought over the last couple years at Goodwill. The wader manufacturers know that wader buyers tend to have more money than most people; if you don't, they aren't going to lose a lot of money not selling to you because you can't/won't spend a lot of money for their overpriced products. There are enough wealthy folks they can fleece. Sort of like the skiing industry, where the big players like Vail buy up the good local mountains like Stevens Pass, then double the daily ticket price because there are plenty of people who will pay that much.
I buy the mid priced Simms and I usually get 5 seasons before a leak. I’ve taken to just simply going over the seams with aqua seal to begin with, if anything, for the added peace of mind.
I've got the same problem with the inseam size. I've got a long torso and shorter legs so the Large Short size fit my legs almost perfectly but then the torso is too short and it's confining if I need to bend or crouch. On the other end the regular size fit perfectly in the body but bunch up in the legs and then they rub and wear out. For this reason I don't spend more than 250$ on waders because I know I'll be replacing them once every year or two. That said I get my moneys worth because I fish a lot. I grew up surfing so for the surf fishing I do now I often just wear a wetsuit and neoprene booties which last for years compared to waders. I spent $180 on a rip curl wetsuit 4 years ago and it's still going strong. It is a lot safer to wade in the ocean in a wetsuit too. that said I understand that wearing a wetsuit isn't ideal for all fishing situations. Regarding which waders I've found to be the best after trying Orvis, Reddington, and Patagonia in the past... Simms Freestone seem to be the best balance of durability and cost effectiveness in my experience.
I have been on the fence for quite some time about buying waders, and believe me I have looked at them all. I finally considered some called DRYFT from a company north of Seattle. But now after watching this video I will probably pass on those too. Thanks for saving me $500.
Totaly agree ive had lots of waders bought a pair of top end waders and they leaked first hour of use as you said they all leak.
Sadly Tyler, many, many, many things today are engineered to fail as opposed to being engineered to last. My wife and I have been buying shell jackets for over 25 years made by Arcteryx and they've never failed. We wear them snowshoeing and hiking (buskwhacking through berry bushes, beech saplings; we rarely use an actual trail), mountain biking, kayaking, etc. and in more than 30 years we've never torn one or had a hole develop despite routinely hearing the sound of twigs and bramble scraping across them as well as the occasional scrape with granite. The jackets are made of multi-layer GoreTex with welded seams; similar to what high end waders are made with. We have to reapply DWR 2-3 times per year after we wash them but they still bead water like a freshly waxed car. The jackets are not cheap (average around $6-$700) but I've got one that I've had for 15 years that has no holes, no fraying at the cuffs, no tears, etc. and we're in the woods all the time either hiking, snowshoeing or mountain biking. I've only owned one pair of waders about 10 years ago and they lasted 2 seasons and then leaked...I got so annoyed at the prospect of having to buy them again that I never did. I absolutely agree with your assessment of the situation.
You nailed. I have a ton technical garments that get far more beat-up that last for far longer with minimal maintenance. Big fan of Arcteryx as well.
I started with some cheap neoprene waders (
Very happy with my Vision Koski waders. I bought them in late 2020 and they are still going strong. I do try to take good care of them though. I use them in salt water exclusively and always rinse and dry them after use. At €200/$235 back then they were very reasonably priced but I'm sure the price has gone up since 2020.
I think it’s a hit or miss thing I’ve hade several pairs of Simms G-3 waders and have gotten hundreds of day of us out of them without an issue. I had a pair where I wore the neoprene boot out and they replaced it for a charge , one thing I have noticed is warranties say they will do a lot but when it comes down to it they don’t or in cases like Simms it takes three to 4 weeks to get them repaired which is not acceptable when you in the middle of the best spring or fall fishing when you really need them .
Simms G3 and G4’s I’ve had for year. Normal maintenance as recommended per the manufacturer, has helped mine last. I do not work for simms or get any benefits from them.
I use a “short” in both as I’m a 29.5” inseam and no holes.
I spend 50-60 days per year on water in waders.
Thanks
I had a perfectly good pair of Reddingtons that had the entire welded seam from front to back fail after a couple seasons, with minimal use and walking in them. What shocked me more than the premature failure was the fact they wouldn't replace them under warranty and wouldn't even repair them for a fee if i shipped them back.
Very disappointing.
Luckily mine are paid for by my employer.
Yeah I think most wader companies see 2 years of use as a normal lifespan of a technical garment. Which is absolutely absurd for the amount they charge
You are right, they all will leak sooner then you expected. Buy cheap one and if it won't leak the first year - that is typical the warranty period, then stick with the brand. I am happy with any brand that last 2-3 years with a patching kit.
Cabelas/bass pro $120.00 waders go on sale for $69.99 CAD. Been out 10 times no signs of wear. Better to buy 10 pairs of cheap ones than one pair of expensive ones that will leak just as quick.
Vote with your dollars. Stop buying expensive waders if they’re junk. If people keep paying nothing will change.
I had a pair of Simms G3’s for 20 years and the next pair I bought lasted 3 years. I’m honestly thinking the heat of my garage in the summer is what ruined my last pair.
One thing I’ve noticed about the G3s is that the early models were tanks. So much so as I’d recommend them to everyone. My fishing partner has 8 years on his without a leak 1. However, in the last 4 years I’ve seen a common trend with people buying the G3s and they ALL have leaked within the first 3 trips out. One was so bad on the first trip out I thought my friend was just mistaking sweat for a leak but when he dumped out his leg it was full of river water.
I had similar experiences with the Simms headwaters. I bought a pair in 2012 and just retired them in 2021. I wish they still made them the same
@@Gaffneydaniel92 Agree the older models where tough, still use my G3 from 2008 and not a single leak so far.
I fish a lot since retirement. I bought expensive waders thinking they would last. They lasted no longer than the cheap ones. I can only get two years or less from waders. I will never buy expensive waders again. Better to buy dirt-cheap waders every year.
Those problematic seams in the inner thigh area are unnecessary, and the wader makers know that they’re weak points. I’ve been fortunate to have my USA made G3s hold up very well with lots of hiking and bushwhacking. One solution I’ve found to help prevent the friction damage is to use a little wax on the fabric. It helped the laces of my work boots as a groundskeeper big time. You’d lose the breathability of the fabric in that area.
I took fly fishing lessons this year. They said that there are only two types of waders: Those that leak and those that are going to leak.
I had my pair of reddington waders for 5 years and they finally sprung a leak last weekend. I used aquaseal on all of the foot seams and it seems to be holding up well so far. Don't buy new ones if you can repair your old ones folks
I only get maybe 2-3 trips before my waders get holes in them. I’ve owned 5 pairs in the last 2 years. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong
In your specific case it's mostly due to material surface wear caused by friction. Unless you find waders with higher outer surface resistance you will have the same problem over and over. What is really astonishing is how little days you spent on the water before they started failing! I am on the 180-220 days on the water per year and kept my Orvis midrange waders for two full years and they are still not leaking.
Waders like many other products are expensive because customers are paying for it and willing to throw that amount of cash at it, you've worked in the outdoors industry so I am sure you know what the trend and markup are. I quite frankly don't expect SIMMS to become any better since they have been acquired by a large outdoor company.
I'd be happy to see what Mustang Survival or maybe Norrona would produce if they had to come out with waders. Until then we are stuck with products that won't last. For folks with odd shape I always recommend to walk into a store and spend hours to test all options before buying waders because proper fit will beat extra pocket and fancy colors in the long run.
Honestly I've had my frog togs Waiters, this year will be my 6th year using them. I use them for surf fishing and also when I go to the snow. I've had great luck with them and they work today just as good as they did the first time. When I purchase them they were $85
I think it's time to speak with a drysuit manufacturer and see if they would be willing to build a wader prototype.
What would be the cost though? Even if they guaranteed to never leak or free replacement, I don’t see myself paying $1200 up front for waders. I paid that for my dry suit, but that will save my life. Just my first thought. I do think they have the technology to do it
The biggest problem is you cant get them custom so you dont have the correct fit. My inseam is 30 and the extra fabric is the curse. I have called customer service at Simms to ask if I could pay to have them tailored and they will not. My buddys fit perfect and he gets twice the wear
Ultimately this is why I went with Dryft because of the sizing. Fingers crossed I get more than a season or two out of them
I am constantly pulling thorns out of my arms I can only assume if I bought waders they would leak my first couple outings. Is my logic wrong? I’m thinking high rain/dairy boots might be the best option.
I wade inshore saltwater. No freshwater stuff. My question and complaint is about wading jackets. Why and how does an uninsulated, glorified rain jacket cost 150-600 dollars?
All waders are made in China ...Simms , Patagonia , Orvis , Redington etc. I do not spend more than 200$ for my waders .
Don-Talked to a specialist from B.F.Goodrich, He told me, they have been trying different formulas in the rubber industry. Reduce coal dust and too much static electricity from friction rubber to Hwy. Fires at pumps ! I have my father's rain gear from Law Enforcement made in 1920's, just as pliable as the day he bought it. See the difference ? Now there adding more and more silicone to the mix, more traction but tires don't last as long. My tires actually rot off the rims by the Sun w/UV rays. Been testing the idea of adding a surface prep to avoid UV rays penetrating the rubber. Bring back the big add on sidewalls in the 1950's ??? Patching those leaks in your waders. "Shoe Goo" is a stiff silicone that you cane actually replace damages to shoes soles, new treat on snow packs when the rubber wear off by walking to much on concrete. Personally, I attached an entire leg on my chest waders on the way to Duluth, MN, smelt fishing ! Tore leg off in a Jon Boat in recovery of 9 steers broke through ice and drowned. DNR got involved and was going to start fining this woman who had just lost her husband, and young kids trying to help with chores and apparently forgot to lock the gate. We volunteered breaking ice to cattle and pulling them onto shore. I recommend cleaning rubber first with laquere thinner (nail polish remover, NON-OILY; or denatured alcohol) hardware paint section. Keep "Shoe Goo" handy for all types of repairs. Patch hole in canoe or paddle boat ,life jackets, tri-hull speed boats (not big hole mind you-fiberglass those. 100% silicone in tube can work at temperature below -50 degrees. Read Back !
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TL;DR I agree with you lol
I have never understood the rationale behind expensive waders. I honestly don't expect a pair of waders to last longer than one season (I know they SHOULD but I just don't think it's gonna happen). Waders are hit or miss from any brand, and buying expensive ones is really a gamble that they are going to last. I guess it depends on your needs. But I'm totally content buying a $100 pair of boot-foot waders and repairing them with Aqua Seal as needed until they get too many pinholes for that to be practical. If I need to replace them each year for 5 year, then so be it. And that has yet to happen btw. And I only really use waders in the cold months anyways, during the summer I am that guy on the river with swim trunks and a pair of water shoes lol, as long as I'm not going somewhere super rocky where I'd be worried about cutting myself and getting a staph infection. I also fish saltwater for stripers a lot on the East coast and cheap boot-foot waders seem to outperform because you don't have to worry about sand getting into your wading shoes, and the neoprene is warmer in the early spring cold waters.
YES!
I buy my waders at Walmart for 29.99 when they go on clearance each winter. They'll last generally 2 seasons lol haven't spent 100 bucks total on them yet
I have seen many buy expensive with their buy once cry once to get leaks in their waders in less time than what my cheap chest waders do, which they have sent waders back and they either had them sealed up or replaced. The ones who were able to get waders replaced had leaks happen in a short time again. I have always questioned how can more expensive be so much better when I have personally heard of them leaking in a short time. I have had some cheap chest waders last 3 or 4 seasons of hard use during a season, which I also do take care of my waders with cleaning them, then using something that helps revitalize the water repelling and many do not even do that to have their waders looking waterlogged because they do not take care of their waders. Anyways, the seeming like things made to last only so long to force people to spend more money is common these days in fishing, which a big fly rod company seems to be discontinuing rods to tell people that their fly rod that came with info that said lifetime warranty has to dish some money out for a fly rod in the new lineup, which is a fly rod that seems to only have a few cosmetic changes. That type of baloney seems to be spreading throughout gear for fishing and complete BS if you ask me. Some companies are great on treating their customers right, then like you said, some end up with new owners to screw things up for people who bought gear before the company was sold. The worst thing other than some waders not lasting is wading boots for the ones like me here in Alaska that have spent money on vibram soled wading boots to have the soles wear down so fast that the wading boots are trashed, which I have bought hiking boots with vibram soles that outlasted the hiking boots and wonder why these companies cannot produce a wading boot that can have vibram soles that outlast the life of other materials on the boots for the price that they charge for wading boots.
I've had Simms freestone(?) Since 2008. I use them for work and pleasure, have put them through heck with work. They have pinhole leaks but I can't complain given their age and wear and tear I've put them through
Yes and for every story like this there are people whose Freestones fail on them within a short time. That’s part of the frustration. My wife’s didn’t last 30 trips across 4 years
The only way to have your waders never leaking , is never use them , we as fisherman are duped by good advertising , my advice never pay more than £150 for a pair , if you get 2 seasons out of them , youve done ok , you could £800 plus , and they last the same time ,it is not a case of the more you pay the better they are , absolute nonsense
Where and how you store them is key to longevity…. Hang them up in a place that has a constant temperature like a basement after drying them out …. I’ve got an old pair of Simms that I’ve had over 20 years…. They’ve seen some rough treatment, I even put a hole in them with a big lure (which I repaired) and that’s never leaked either. Could be the old Simms were made better than todays models … I’m not sure they build in obsolescence deliberately but it could be the materials have changed to keep costs down and that could certainly be contributing to increased failures.. hopefully video like this could maybe help the larger manufacturers review their products with a more critical eye … thankyou for your content you make some great videos … 👍👍
That is because 20 years ago they were made in the US.
You are 100% correct. They make them cheaper to get you to buy them cause every one doesn't have a spare 1000 bucks. But 200 bucks probably. So we buy the bottom end wadders. Also if you get 2 years out of them then you have to buy another pair. Therefore they make money. Then if you buy a high end pair. They last longer. Therefore they make less of a profit. So they produce stuff to last a little . But you have to renew every 2 years. They make a profit. I my self all ways buy what I can afford and lookafter it. I don't go on other people's prices or what's best. Cause 9 times out of ten I can't afford it.
I quit buying waders for these exact reasons. I started buying LaCrosse Trapline hip boots and I get around 6 years of use out of a pair before I get any leaks.
Considering this is the only big investment I need to make besides licenses (have enough flies reels and rods) I will continue to get a new pair of nice ones every 3 to 4 years. I just try like hell not to hit my shin on a rock or walk through buck thorn and raspberry bushes. As much as I fish, I figure 3 years minimum for $500-$700 waders is not terrible. This year I went pant style versus chest waders, time will tell if this was a good or bad decision (I do have back ups if I don't like them but so far I haven't missed the additional 2 or 3 inches of water protection).
been fly fishing 2 years. I've had 2 pairs of waders leak. Both of them Redington XRs, or whatever the 500 dollar wader is called. I fish about 30 times a year, very disappointed in them. THAT SAID, they all are made in china in the same factory. There is nothing special about a Orvis, vrs Redington, vrs Simms. They all are made in the same Chinese factories by the same 12 year old kids, and are designed to fail. Damn right they are! they are designed to fail so you have to buy more crap, Its forced obsolescence, it effects ALL INDUSTRY! Consumerism, the lightbulb conspiracy for sure.
I just buy the best fitting and quality waders that I can find, for around £250 ( vision are good for example) and a big tube of Aryldite. Get 3 seasons out of em, always rinse em and dry them inside and outside, outside first, it does seem to help somehow, maybe river water ain’t so clean so it degrades who knows.
Invest in the waders you CANNOT afford. Then take care of them and treat them like waders and not hiking and bushwhacking pants. Hand or machine wash premium waders once a year. Dry them thoroughly each day or evening after usage. Buy waders with a good warranty. The extra money up front will pay for itself if problems begin to appear. IMO Simms makes the very best waders in the business. G3s or G4s are extremely durable due their thickness and layers in areas where the waders take the most abuse. I have used the same pair of the G3s for the last 13 years and I fly fish, on average, 30 days a year. I have never had a leak or seam issue with the Simms. I have used several other waders from other companies years ago when I could not afford Simms and every one of those waders failed in 2-4 years. I wasted a lot of money buying $200.00 waders. FYI there are plenty of TH-cam videos with information about how to care for, maintain and repair your waders. Best to all, Jerry Hubka
I've been very happy with my neoprene bare supra waders for more than 10 years and hundreds of days in the water. Unfortunately no more built. I have also Patagonias, but I don't really need them. Neoprene has a better insulation in water vs insulation on land ratio than a thin breathable layer plus fleece/merino layer because it does not compress under water pressure. That means I get less hot on land/walking at the same insulation-level for wading. At least for fishing situations where you're wading permanently it's superior and cheaper in my opinion. I'm also a sea kayaker and surf-ski paddler and had gore tex drysuits. Same here. A modern flexible surf-wetsuit does the job perfectly and is much
cheaper. Gore tex stuff is great when it's fresh, but I can not afford to replace that stuff all the time. I used to work in a flyfishing store, my Impression is that many people need their 4digit- europrice G3 waders for the same reasons as their mercedes suv to get to the water...
Hmmm - seems like apples and oranges with the dry suit. You’re not hiking in an approach on the dry suit or going through blackberry patches. For me, if it’s a couple hundred yards, fine, I’ll put the waders on back at the truck and then walk the approach in them. Otherwise, I strap them to my pack and put them on closer to the water. It helps with the durability and fabric wear issue you point out. I don’t think that’s about planned obsolescence- I think it’s just more about right use of the product. With your dry suit, in the kayak, you’re using it for its purpose.
Do the mid price waders. I just wore out my Cabelas waders (2008-$100?) and bought a pair from Simms on sale off their web site. ($150) Let's see how long they last. Betcha they don't last as long as my Cabela's!
We live in an over-consumption society nowadays. Everything is designed to wear, fail, get thrown away and re-purchased. How else would companies record profits each and every year if they actually manufactured a quality, long-lasting product? Further, how many of these companies are manufacturing domestically? We ship so much of our production overseas and depend on low-wage labor to provide top quality products.
Here's a great example of a company that creates a quality product with an actual 'life-time warranty.' Osprey Packs. You spend a bit up-front, on average ~$300 per pack. But if anything goes wrong with it, you send it in and they either fix or replace it, with the only cost being shipping. No one does this anymore.
That’s true. I love my Osprey packs.
I need a new pair...my dryft waders gave out after about 2 years. I'm nervous spending the money on some new simms now that they got bought out. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do.
That's a bummer to hear. For everyone who claims their Dryft waders are bulletproof I run across someone like you had a leak develop within 2 years.
Contact dryft. they have great customer service! They took care of mine that were 3yrs old
I would contact them as well. They should try to make it right.
I'm at the point where I buy the cheapest waders and replace them when they leak. I had one pair that was 60 bucks that lasted the longest ironically
The cheapest pair of neoprene waders I ever owned went the longest without leaking. My more expensive neoprene waders actually leaked at the seams quicker than the cheap ones did. That said, neoprene waders are heavy, and sweaty. They were better than nothing though, and in winter, spring and late fall you kind of have to have waders here in Montana. Years ago I bought my first pair of Simms Goretex waders. They were fantastic! They were breathable enough that I never sweated out in them. I only retired them after years of cold season use when my feet got to big for the booties. Yeah, it happens. Ears, nose and feet just keep getting bigger as we get older. I replaced those with another pair of Simms Goretex waders, but with size large neoprene booties this time. I've been just as pleased. They're super comfortable, very breathable and have never leaked. Both pair were bottom of the range Goretex. So there you go, I do try to avoid the rose thorns, but pinholes are a very simple repair, seems like I might have had one once. I loaned out my first pair of Simms Goretex waders to a neighbor's college student kid once and he brought them back with about a 3" slice in the seat (judging from how dirty the seat was I guessed he'd fallen and slide down a steep, rocky bank )which I easily repaired with the included patch. I sometimes hike for miles in them but I'm not doing that regularly. I love wet wading and only wear waders when the water or weather is cold enough to require it. Bottom line, I've been more than pleased with my Simms Goretex waders and see no point in taking a chance on another brand. My local fly shop is pretty proud of the new softer more supple Goretex in the latest waders. Probably the same fabric some here have described as "flimsy". I'm not too worried about it. When the time comes for a new pair of waders I'm sticking with Simms as long as they keep providing the kind of performance I've gotten used to. Really, couldn't be happier, though they are getting pretty damned pricey these days. Like everything it seems.
Been eyeing the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expeditions as they do seem to stand behind their product and are willing to repair. Not interested in buying another pair of Simms given the inconsistency of their products and poor warranty including turnaround time. That and the Patagonia waders are lower priced than the G4s now.
I’m so over it man … you should see the stockings on my waders n got them in the spring
Hodgeman neoprene waiters are still going strong after 20 years. Breathability doesn't really matter that much to me
right there with ya, they just last and last
My biggest Issue is I am short and stocky very hard to find waiters that will fit around my midsection as well as my insane similar to your challenge you're dealing with.
Myself that's the only reason I went to higher end waders.
Oh boy, I buy waders for duck hunting and pretty much agree with you. Don't even want to think how much money I've spent on waders. With that said, I might spend the grand it cost to buy Sitka. I heard they are fully serviceable or something and that if there's any problems you send them in and the company fixes the problem no questions asked.
They look nice. Hoping the best for you.
Yeah I gave up a long time ago trying to spend more money and getting the same results... I have learned to just go buy those Stearns waiters down at Bi-Mart for like $80 and it'll get you buy a few years.. 80 bucks every few years I guess. Which ain't too bad
POST FISHING STORAGE: The key is to store them straight hanging up with the boot / foot touching the ground filled with cruppled newspaper so there are not folds that cause creases thus cracks
Bought a pair of waders for $70 10 years ago, still fine. Only wear them 4-5 times a year when I don't feel like taking my more costly pair.
Received my Returns call yesterday, after being advised by Sportfish UK Returns to send then for repair. That Patagonia wont repair my Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip front Waders as they don't have a UK Repair Centre !