Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: eastcoastguy on January 03, 2015, 04:21:38 PM

Title: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 03, 2015, 04:21:38 PM: So i have 250 bucks in cabelas gift cards. I'm finally buying a pair of waders. I don't need cheap or top of the line. Was wondering what a good reliable pair would be. I like a few simms. Would like to stay around 3 hundred. Thanks
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: KFhunter on January 03, 2015, 05:25:50 PM: I got the thick ones wish I'd have gotten the thin ones, they're so bulky and heavy I feel like the Michelin tire man.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: offdahook on January 03, 2015, 06:43:37 PM: simmz or redington sonic... redington warrenty best i saw no question return . simmz sometime charge for da repair
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Remnar on January 03, 2015, 07:39:31 PM: Assuming your talking "Breathable"/light weight . I have had good luck with the Cabelas guide tech. I have had several pairs . The lesser grade cabelas are ok but definately not as durable , ive worn those also . I have a pair of Simms G3 guide waders that ive been wearing . They are definately more reenforced , and feel pretty durable . But havent had them long enough to see how durable . They arent as comfortable if you are hiking alot , to me anyway .

If you are talking neoprene , go cheap or REALLY expensive .
Hope this is some help .
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 03, 2015, 08:02:28 PM: Yes light weight. Not looking for neoprene. I haven't heard bad thing things about the cabelas brand,just that people prefer other brands. My main thing is being comfortable and reliable. Thanks again.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: 87Ford on January 03, 2015, 08:46:56 PM: Redington Sonic Pro with the zip front.. :tup: Never going back to neoprene!
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Little Dave on January 03, 2015, 08:53:46 PM: Leak formed at the left knee in my Cabela's chest waders in the second year, and they are noisy. I'm rough on them though. Comfortable.

The Cabela's neoprene waders were more practical, haven't developed a leak in them yet, but I have warn out my wader boots. The neoprene waders are comfortable, and inexpensive. Easy to consider getting a backup pair with the lower price.

I figure some of the more expensive waders look swell or may be comfortable. On the other hand, the fish don't care.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 03, 2015, 09:21:24 PM: To be honest i don't care what theylook like as long as I'm comfortable and they do what i want. :tup:
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: metlhead on January 03, 2015, 09:33:13 PM: Check out the Reed waders. I'd never heard of them, dropped $98, and found they are really well built with good design features. Very comfortable in the foot also.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Brute on January 03, 2015, 09:55:49 PM: http://www.shopusia.com/waders/ (http://www.shopusia.com/waders/)
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Badhabit on January 03, 2015, 10:14:07 PM: I'm on year 3 of a fine pair of Cabelas waist high breathable waders with 800 grams of thinsulate in the feet. I've had the 3.5 mm neoprene waders in the past and the crotch wears out in a year. I wear them until it gets into the single digits out duck hunting. I also have the breathable chest waders, they hardly get used. For ease of getting waders on and off and freedom of movement the waist highs for me fit the bill. If you wait until the end of waterfowl season you'll probably find some great closeout sales.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: GoldenOscar on January 03, 2015, 10:23:01 PM: Just an FYI stay away from Drake.............I sent in a pair of waders for warrantee work in mid November and now I cant even get a response from them. I was told they would rush a brand new pair out...7 weeks later :dunno:

Simms breathables are pretty darn nice.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 03, 2015, 10:27:42 PM: Thats my other dilemma, Im trying to decide if i should get them now or wait til the new season starts and the sales start up agian.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: salmonchaser on January 03, 2015, 10:51:40 PM: I wear Simms, 130 to 150 days a year. In and out of boats and float planes, hiking the tundra and willow choked streams all day long. When the season starts we still have some ice around, same when we close up. I get 4/5 years out of them. Sure you can punch a hole in them working like that but no wader is bullet proof.
If you are going to buy a pair take a look at the sizing chart. If you are say middle of the medium range, and you're wearing them in the winter I'd go up one size so you can bundle up to stay warm.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 03, 2015, 11:12:56 PM: Thanks salmonchaser. What kind of simms do you have? Im looking at the freestone and the headwaters.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: KFhunter on January 03, 2015, 11:31:14 PM: 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.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: _TONY_ on January 04, 2015, 08:19:06 AM: 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
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: 7mmfan on January 04, 2015, 08:30:27 AM: 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 :chuckle:

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.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Bullkllr on January 04, 2015, 10:29:22 AM: Go to the Cabela's website and look up wader reviews. IIRC their cheaper ones were coming up with pretty horrible ratings.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 04, 2015, 10:42:03 AM: 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
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Little Dave on January 04, 2015, 11:08:24 AM: Some gift cards lose value over time. Make sure the value of your gift card is not dropping faster than anticipated sale prices.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: salmonchaser on January 04, 2015, 11:27:28 AM: 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.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 04, 2015, 11:32:07 AM: Oh ill have them before summer season starts, sale or no sale.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Damnimissed on January 04, 2015, 12:45:00 PM: 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.
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: Band on January 04, 2015, 02:32:54 PM: Quote from: eastcoastguy on January 04, 2015, 11:32:07 AM
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 (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)
Title: Re: buying waders, opinions needed.
Post by: eastcoastguy on January 04, 2015, 04:55:07 PM: That's awesome. I wonder if cabelas price matches.