Waders

[snocohunter]

So my girlfriend just told me she's going to buy me some new breathable waders for my birthday which is today. She said my budget is $250. I was lookin at the SIMMS Freestones. Curious about everyone's opinions. I heard the Cabelas ones for around the same price were supposed to be good too. I'll be lookin at boots too. Any input is much appreciated.

[jackelope]

I think the best deals and the best warranty is from Orvis, trouble is you gotta go to Bellevue to try them on. The service and warranty can't be beat though.
There will be for fishing only?

[snocohunter]

Yes. Fishing only. I have some neoprene's in max 4 that I wear for hunting. I know the simms are lifetime warranty. Which is nice. I could never justify spending upwards of 3 or 400 on their fancy models.

[quadrafire]

I have the freestones. Light wt and comfy. No problems with them in the last 3 yrs.

[snocohunter]

What about boots? Are you using the freestone boots? I've never been a big fan of felt bottoms. For $129 the freestone boots look pretty good.

[quadrafire]

No, I have some chota (sp?) boots

[gwpsage]

You can't beat Simms.  I've had a pair of G3's for 5 or 6 years.  They have been put through alot of abuse, and they are still in good shape.  I'm sure the freestones would be just fine.  I've had buddies that owned the cabelas brand gore tex waders.  They last a season or two or even longer if you don't use them that often.  They will leak eventually.  There is nothing like winter steelheading with a hole in your waders.
 
As far as the boots I recommend you go with a rubber sole.  Alaska and Vermont have banned felt soles.  More states are sure to follow in the foreseeable future.  The freestones are good boots.  I personally don't like them cuz they aren't protected with a toe cap.  Plus they don't dry as fast and will crack over time.  On a budget they will do just fine though. 

[snocohunter]

You can't beat Simms.  I've had a pair of G3's for 5 or 6 years.  They have been put through alot of abuse, and they are still in good shape.  I'm sure the freestones would be just fine.  I've had buddies that owned the cabelas brand gore tex waders.  They last a season or two or even longer if you don't use them that often.  They will leak eventually.  There is nothing like winter steelheading with a hole in your waders.
 
As far as the boots I recommend you go with a rubber sole.  Alaska and Vermont have banned felt soles.  More states are sure to follow in the foreseeable future.  The freestones are good boots.  I personally don't like them cuz they aren't protected with a toe cap.  Plus they don't dry as fast and will crack over time.  On a budget they will do just fine though. 

I'm definitely on a budget, but what boots would you recommend? I'd love to get some G3's but since she's buyin i'm gonna stay within the budget. Just went back to work and have bills piled up  Thanks for the info btw.

[gwpsage]

Yeah no problem.  How much time do you spend on the river?  I have a pair of Korkers that I wear when I know I'm going to be walkin alot.  They are really light and you can change out the soles for your liking.  I've never had any problems with the soles coming off.  Some people have though.  My go to boots are Simms.  They are the old riversheds.  They are great.  If the freestones are in your budget I'd get those.  They will do you just fine. 
I wish I would have bought Simms from the get go.  I would have saved lots of money in the long run.   

[snocohunter]

Yeah no problem.  How much time do you spend on the river?  I have a pair of Korkers that I wear when I know I'm going to be walkin alot.  They are really light and you can change out the soles for your liking.  I've never had any problems with the soles coming off.  Some people have though.  My go to boots are Simms.  They are the old riversheds.  They are great.  If the freestones are in your budget I'd get those.  They will do you just fine. 
I wish I would have bought Simms from the get go.  I would have saved lots of money in the long run.   

Yeah my buddy just broke down and bought a pair of Freestone's. After going through a cheap pair every year or two. I don't spend every weekend on the water, but enough to where I want to be comfortable. I think i may get those Freestones with the boots to go with. I'll try some different ones on and see what I like.

[bowtech721]

You can't beat Simms.  I've had a pair of G3's for 5 or 6 years.  They have been put through alot of abuse, and they are still in good shape.  I'm sure the freestones would be just fine.  I've had buddies that owned the cabelas brand gore tex waders.  They last a season or two or even longer if you don't use them that often.  They will leak eventually.  There is nothing like winter steelheading with a hole in your waders.
 
As far as the boots I recommend you go with a rubber sole.  Alaska and Vermont have banned felt soles.  More states are sure to follow in the foreseeable future.  The freestones are good boots.  I personally don't like them cuz they aren't protected with a toe cap.  Plus they don't dry as fast and will crack over time.  On a budget they will do just fine though. 

why would they ban them? I dont really know much about soles of wading boots but that just seems odd... do you what they do that is bad as compared to a regular sole?

[snocohunter]

You can't beat Simms.  I've had a pair of G3's for 5 or 6 years.  They have been put through alot of abuse, and they are still in good shape.  I'm sure the freestones would be just fine.  I've had buddies that owned the cabelas brand gore tex waders.  They last a season or two or even longer if you don't use them that often.  They will leak eventually.  There is nothing like winter steelheading with a hole in your waders.
 
As far as the boots I recommend you go with a rubber sole.  Alaska and Vermont have banned felt soles.  More states are sure to follow in the foreseeable future.  The freestones are good boots.  I personally don't like them cuz they aren't protected with a toe cap.  Plus they don't dry as fast and will crack over time.  On a budget they will do just fine though. 

why would they ban them? I dont really know much about soles of wading boots but that just seems odd... do you what they do that is bad as compared to a regular sole?

From what I've gathered, it's the fact that felt soles can carry organic materials from one place to another. Things that may not be good to spread from one river to another.

[wabow]

Ive got the simms and orvis lower lines along with the lowcut hodgemans. Hate to say it but the elcheapo hodgemans have out lasted both the simms and orvis. I'd spend more and get guide quality or just go real cheap. If you can find them Danner makes some real comfortable wading boots. Ive put alot of miles on mine and they are still going strong ten years later.

Don

[thinkingman]

I would consider certain Cabelas waders, for sure.
Simms Freestones look nice.
I have a lot of experience with Dan Bailey Lightweights and they're excellent and very good warranty.
Ditto on the felt soles, they're on their way out everywhere.

[snocohunter]

So i just figured out that an extra $100 to move up to the Headwaters means you get gore-tex. I would assume that's a big jump in quality too. I realize they all have a lifetime warranty, but i may hold off and save up the difference.