CloudVeil Waders

NCL · 03-15-2010, 07:59 AM

I need a new breathable waders and I was looking at the CloudVeil. Anyone like to share any experience they have had with CloudVeil?

srogers · 03-15-2010, 08:15 AM

I've had a pair of Cloudveils for a few years now, and they're great...fish about 75 days a year in them and they've held up well. I had been looking at the Patagonia's or Simms, but the Cloudveils Large Longs fit me better (6'4", 200lbs). I've had to patch a couple of spots on the legs, one from a branch, the other from barbwire, and then seal the seams around the booties several times, but overall pretty satisfied.

This would be a consideration for me tho, so you might want to chat with the shop you're going to purchase them from and chat about warranty:

http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/17387.html

NCL · 03-15-2010, 08:31 AM

Thanks, that is the information I was looking for. I was looking at Patagonia and had just about decided to buy when I saw the CloudVeil on clearance at a good price. I do not have any experience with CloudVeil and don't know anyone that has this product. I had a pair of Simms that leaked and the repair shop said they could not be repaired so it is new wader time.

rosstucker32 · 03-16-2010, 08:01 PM

I have had many problems with Cloudveil Waders. I have gone through 4 pair in 2 years. Each time they have sent me a new/different model that addressed the weaknesses of the other models. I just got my most recent pair last week after having to wait 2 months for the replacements. If you are going to buy Cloudveils, do not buy them on clearance. They are on clearance because Cloudveils released new models because the old ones were bad.

I love their other gear and own several different items from them, their waders are sub-par. I have had my new ones out twice and so far so good, but time will tell.

Their Customer Service is excellent.

Ross Liggett

NCL · 03-17-2010, 04:49 AM

Ross,

Your post is spot on, I found the CloudVeil waders on clearance, discounted 50% and in my size, they looked very attractive. I have no exerience with this brand. Now I am having second thoughts glad I waited.

Slow and Low · 03-17-2010, 05:35 AM

You kinda are forced to buy simms. They are not perfect but they are the best. I have found best service when dealing with them direct and not a flyshop.

Best advice I have gotten is set the calender for one year and send them in regardless for repairs. After the one year mark they will repair they just charge for it.

Patagonia has a good warranty but they are not as good atdesigned waders with the fisherman in mind.

BTW, I would contact them direct on the old waders and they will walk you through the process. Flyshops don't make any money getting your waders repairs so they are not going to be as demanding as you should be. If they are ruined they are ruined, but it's worth a try.

sorefoot · 03-17-2010, 07:38 PM

You might look at Dan Bailey's. They have been very fair to me with warranty issues and I've heard similar stories. I think the top end Simms are probably tougher but the DB warranty has been great.

NCL · 03-18-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow and Low

You kinda are forced to buy simms. They are not perfect but they are the best. I have found best service when dealing with them direct and not a flyshop.

Best advice I have gotten is set the calender for one year and send them in regardless for repairs. After the one year mark they will repair they just charge for it.

Patagonia has a good warranty but they are not as good atdesigned waders with the fisherman in mind.

BTW, I would contact them direct on the old waders and they will walk you through the process. Flyshops don't make any money getting your waders repairs so they are not going to be as demanding as you should be. If they are ruined they are ruined, but it's worth a try.

I did deal directly with the Simms repair shop. The waders were the Guide model and were about 4 or 5 years old and I had about 30 or so uses and they started to leak in the crotch area. The repair shop said there was some mildew present so they could not fix the waders and they should just be junked (they would have returned them but I did not see the use for a leaky wader and have to pay return postage). The person at Simms was very nice and my previous experience with warranty on a pair of wader boots was exactly the opposite results. I had heard from friends in the industry that Simms is starting to back off on their warranty's which I am sure is a result of the poor economy. I certainly don't mean to bad mouth Simms, I think they have great products and I have had good experience with their products but I was disappointed in these results. I certainly have to take some responsibility because of the mildew that was present and that is why I did not press the issue but 30 wears out of a $450 pair of waders is very expensive, especially when the leak was in the crotch area which I have been told is a problem with Simms waders and there was not any mildew present in that area.

Thank you for the advise on sending the waders in once a year, I think that is a very good idea.

clarkman23 · 03-27-2010, 08:03 AM

that's really unfortunate that they didn't help you out more, especially after only 30 times out.

SO far, the best I've ever had were the Dan Baileys lightweight. I got probably 200+ days on the water out of them before they started to leak & another 100 times out after I repaired the leaks myself. I never felt the need to send them back since I really used them pretty hard. I saw those Cloudveils on clearance and went with the Patagonias instead (already patched them once after about 25 times out)...now I'm wishing I would have ponied up and just gotten either another pair of DBs or Simms.

finnedwonder · 03-27-2010, 04:41 PM

Beware of cloudveil models prior to 2009. They have notorius leak points in the knees, and ankles. This was an engineering flaw in how the seams layed out. They will replace them of course free of charge for these leaks and the 2009-2010 models have had the seam lines and design changed. MY new pair that I am trying out to compare to my simms seems to be performing alright. However, I would still say Simms are the top of the top. My dad has had his leak free for 15 years and mine are about 3 years old with no leaks and I fish them very hard. I blew out a pair of CV pro waders 2008 models in about 2 months of guiding at you guessed it.. the knees and ankles! So Im giving them another shot.

NCL · 03-28-2010, 06:06 AM

I am usually easy on my clothes and equipment and it lasts forever sometimes to the point I wish it would wear out. I have a cheap pair of back up waders in my wader bag that I have had for several years and it does not leak, at least not yet. Up to the point of the leak I was totally satisfied with the Simms, I guess that is an obvious statement, but once I got one leak the waders just deteriorated to two or three leaks. I think based on the comments I am going to hold off on the CloudVeil because I have no idea when they were made, I assume 2009, and get the Patagonia's. I want to thank everyone for their input it has helped. As my daughter says" you guys rock".

rosstucker32 · 03-28-2010, 07:31 AM

finned - did they send you the Snake Rivers? I have blown out so many and at first inspection these seem to be the best I have got from them so far. Only two days out so no real report yet. But I like all the pockets!

Ol' KL · 03-29-2010, 11:03 PM

I have some Cloudveil Gore-tex waders. My only complaint is that the foot sizing seems to be off. I have a faily large foot (12), but the bootie seems to be too large. They tend to bunch up in the heal and pinch the toe. I have to really work to get my boots on and have it all feel right.

Other than that they've been fine. I'm not ultra picky but I like to be dry. They breath well and don't leak. The rest of the fit is good.

finnedwonder · 03-30-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosstucker32

finned - did they send you the Snake Rivers? I have blown out so many and at first inspection these seem to be the best I have got from them so far. Only two days out so no real report yet. But I like all the pockets!

Yes they did and yea the pockets are nice. I dont even steelhead with a vest or pack anymore. Only 2 boxes I need fit in the pockets, hemos on the zippers and tippet in the small pockets lol! They do seem to be miles ahead in quality over previous CV models.