Entry level Simms waders?

[Yoons02]

I am wondering if anyone has the entry level Simms waders (blackfoot or freestone stockingfoot) and how they hold up. I am pretty hard on waders and use them throughout the year. Waders seem to have only been lasting me a year. My last ones were from Cabelas. Any info will be appreciated!

[leadeyedbugger]

Its kinda a crap shoot.....I have only owned one pair of waders that have lasted more then a year. I have the simms G3 waders that are just about done with year 2.

I have used the cheap simms, dan baileys, cabelas, albright, redington...none made it longer then a year before they were more repair goo then wader.

[358norma]

I destroyed the g-4's in less than 6 months. The best pair I have had were the hodgman guide model? They were called something like that. Cost around a hundred if I remember right. I've found that they all fail within a year if they cost 80 dollars or four hundred. Save the big monet for rods and such.

[Eben]

Wow, you guys must be really tough on your waders. I've had my Simms for 5.5 years now with 1 repair (sent back to Simms) and they're still o.k. I hike many,many miles each time I fish, and these waders have held up (I think the original guide model).

Another thought: as far as boots go, I thought I was gonna get killed a couple times on the Met with the new environmentally friendly boots (non-felt). I'm hoping its because I haven't got the studs, but good grief. Those struck me as downright dangerous.

[cphatts]

I owned a pair of the Freestone Stockingfoots and they lasted about 5 years. Overall I would consider them a great entry level Simms wader. After I retired the Freestones I bought a much more expensive set of G3s and they are about toast after only 2 years. I've heard from others that the older models of G3s (2007 and older) have cronic problems with leaky seams and mine are no exception. On the flipside, I've heard the newer G3s are much improved in that category.

[surfnfish]

Originally Posted by Yoons02

I am wondering if anyone has the entry level Simms waders (blackfoot or freestone stockingfoot) and how they hold up. I am pretty hard on waders and use them throughout the year. Waders seem to have only been lasting me a year. My last ones were from Cabelas. Any info will be appreciated!

I ran a similar query on another blog site, one specific to the double hand crew, asking best reasonably priced wader - I've gone thru two pair of Simmers in 4 years, am alway patching pinholes, and enough is enough..

The far and away consensus for best inexpensive wader on the market was the Dan Bailey Lightweight, which is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually built very tough. $220 all in with great chest pockets even a hand warmer...

[Art Vandeley]

Originally Posted by surfnfish

I ran a similar query on another blog site, one specific to the double hand crew, asking best reasonably priced wader - I've gone thru two pair of Simmers in 4 years, am alway patching pinholes, and enough is enough..

The far and away consensus for best inexpensive wader on the market was the Dan Bailey Lightweight, which is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually built very tough. $220 all in with great chest pockets even a hand warmer...

The Dan Baileys are the way to go! Great wader for the price. I have beat the heck out of mine for a year now with no complaints.

Mitch

[DirectDrive]

Originally Posted by Eben

Wow, you guys must be really tough on your waders. I've had my Simms for 5.5 years now with 1 repair (sent back to Simms) and they're still o.k. I hike many,many miles each time I fish, and these waders have held up (I think the original guide model).

Same here. Bought mine in 2000 and they've worn out a pair of Danners and survived about three re-soles on my Patagonias.
I use a pair of hiker's wick-dri (REI-Wigwam, the navy blue ones) type socks over the neoprene booties....seems to save wear and ease entry.
I also wet my wading boots before putting them on....a lesson from my Danner era
These waders have been back to Simms once for a fluff and buff.

They are always dried and hung (never left folded) away from sunlight whenever possible.

Originally Posted by Mitch Callas

The Dan Baileys are the way to go! Great wader for the price. I have beat the heck out of mine for a year now with no complaints.
Mitch

I have heard that these are great.

[Slow and Low]

I go through a pair every year. I've been in g4's the last year and can say they are absolutely the best waders I have ever had...but, they are expensive. I have not found a boot that will last more than a year. I might fish too much;-)

[Steelie Mike]

I average about a pair of waders a year and what keeps me going back to Simms is their customer service. I had the old G3's that had all the problems and they replaced them outright twice. They have also done repairs including replacing the feet twice without charge. I have had to pay shipping and to get a few dings that I caused repaired, but these were minor fees. They are worth the price of admission regardless of the model you choose. .

[cooky]

Patagonia has a better return policy IMHO.