buying waders, opinions needed.

[KFhunter]

I got the lacrosse swamp tuff, I wouldn't get them unless you plan to spend a *lot* of time in the water wading around in a swamp shooting ducks in iced over water.

I went a little overboard and overbought these waders when something much simpler/cheaper would have sufficed.

[_TONY_]

I've been wearing Simms g4's for the last 4 years .... Well worth the $$

Here are the only three brands I'd consider buying:

Simms
Redington
Dan baileys

Tony

[7mmfan]

I guided for 10 years and in that time I wore 2 pairs of Simms G4's. They are in my opinion by far the most durable goretex waders on the market. They are expensive though. I wore mine close to 200 days a year or more for 4 years each.

If you are going to get a cheaper pair of lightweight waders, do yourself a favor and at least get Goretex. The "waterproof" material waders will not hold up and stay waterproof near as long. The Simms Freestones are not Goretex, spend the extra $100 and get the Headwaters.

Simms warranty service is good, I've never had a problem. I flat out abused my waders and the one pair I sent in, they repaired for me. They did send a friendly letter telling me I should try washing them every once in a while 

That being said, I have 2 friends who have bought the Cabelas Guide Tech waders and both seem to be happy with them. Both probably spend less than 30 days a year in them and they seem to be holding up just fine.

[Bullkllr]

Go to the Cabela's website and look up wader reviews. IIRC their cheaper ones were coming up with pretty horrible ratings.

[eastcoastguy]

I didn't even notice the freestone wasnt gor tex.I'm thinking the headwaters are the way to go.since the season is just about over and I've gone this long without them, i think I'll wait a month or so to see if they go on sale.


thanks for everyones help

[Little Dave]

Some gift cards lose value over time.  Make sure the value of your gift card is not dropping faster than anticipated sale prices.

[salmonchaser]

ECG
Been wearing Simms for about 20 years, currently on my second pair of G4s. My first pair of the G4 are still being used by an occasional guest, just not every day and occasionally I need to fix a patch or two.
We have a huge collection of both the headwaters and freestone for guests to wear. Both work but I would say the headwaters are better. I don't fish very much when I'm home but I have a pair of the freestones for my occasional trips for winter steelhead.
I would however spend the extra 100.00 for the head waters if I were you.
Tight lines.
I'm not sure I would wait for a sale, summer fishing is just around the corner.

[eastcoastguy]

Oh ill have them before summer season starts, sale or no sale.

[Damnimissed]

I love my Headwaters. I've had them for 2 years with no issues, and I'm hard on my waders. I hike a LOT up and down river banks and through brush. They seem like they have plenty of life left in them. Also, Simms fit me WAAAY better than other brands. I'm 6'1" 190lb. Seems like other brands size their waders to fit short-fat guys...I used to get the Cabelas Pro Welded waders and just return them every other year. They were also pretty good.

[Band]

Oh ill have them before summer season starts, sale or no sale.

Looks like one Headwaters sell for $350 but I see them for $230 here - http://www.sierratradingpost.com/simms-headwaters-gore-tex-waders-stockingfoot-for-men-and-women~p~7891n/?utm_source=GooglePLAs&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=Simms_Headwaters_Gore-Tex_Waders_-_Stockingfoot_For_Men_and_Women&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEP4&currency=USD&codes-processed=true

[eastcoastguy]

That's awesome. I wonder if cabelas price matches.