The Best Breathable Waders???

[SteelieSlammer]

Last season I purchased a pair of breathable waders and I will never go back to neoprene. Unfortunately I bought a cheap brand called Joes outdoor. They pretty much got holes after one or two outtings. I am going to purchase a new pair but want to get some imput. I was thinking of getting a pair of Dan Baileys. Does anybody have a good recommendation???

[Jennie@ifish]

I got some Reddingtons, and although they are a bit bulky on me, I have had no problems with them, and I love them!

They look like clown pants though. I wish I could find some that are long and lean fitting. I have to get big, in order to get long enough legs. Where the heck are fishing clothes for WOMEN?

Jen

[greenbuttskunk]

personally, I love my Cabela's dry plus.. No problems with mine, they are designed and built well, and very affordable. I'm sure others will have they're favorites too.

[onstep]

Simms guide model. You won't find a better or tougher breathable wader. Of course you won't find a more expensive set either.....$$$$$

[rob allen]

Since you asked which one is "best" there is only one answer. Simms! However I think the balieys would be a good alternative. They are a well built product witha good reputation..

[Riverkeeper]

I'd start with a search of the archives, there have been some good threads about this topic.

Get used to the baggy look. I burned out two pairs of Hodgeman/Joe's outdoors waders because I bought sizes that were two small. Having used neoprenes for so long, I bought breathables that fit pretty snug, but they don'have the stretch of neoprene, so I guess I ripped out the seams while hiking, climbing over fences and rocks, and pulling them on and off. To avoid this, go baggy.

Hodgeman wadelites are available in 3 or 4 sizes. The lower end simms that I have now were available in something like 15 sizes.

[cully]

This is a touchy topic and has been covered numerous times. I'd be happy to give you my 2cents. I've just been told of a simms horror story. A new pair with holes the second time out and retailer would not take them back. Owner sent them to simms personally and they have had them 3 month's for what they've called under review. Not a good sign
I have a pair of breathables hogmans. 5 years now. They did not leak for the first year or so. When finding a leek now I just use silcone with a duct tape backing on the inside of the waders.
I've always heard good things about Cabelas and Dan Baileys.
Simms wading boots are great
Simms waders will never see my 300 plus bucks!

[willierower]

Buy from a Sponsor. Though they are not breathable they are darn near Bullet proof. Get yourself some waders from USIA. They custome make them to your specifications. And you can choose what color you want also.. They are a local company. If you need your waders repaired ythey can do it for you.

I had my waders made with latex booties. Those are the way to go. Much more comfy then the neoprene booties. I bet they are more durable too. If they ever wear out I just send the waders in and they can replace them.

[PTS]

My response is based upon many years experience with different models. I first went with the inexpensive stuff, different Hodgeman models. My first pair was great, the following three were junk. Moved to Simms guide weights. They are the sturdiest, fit well, and are not too difficult to repair. After wearing a hole in the neoprene booties after two years, I sent them back for repair which cost $85. I have worn them all year with no leaks at all, about 75 trips. I also have Dan Baileys. My fist pair had a hole worn in bootie after four uses. I hike long distances and a rock might be to blame. Great customer service from phone call and new waders sent immediately. They might not be as sturdy as Simms, but you can buy two pair for the price of one Simms. Plus, If you don't think the performance is what it should be, You will get a new pair immediately.

[Ty]

There are three very good pairs on the market simms, Simms, and SIMMS! There are the new 007 guide wader, the ol' stand by guide wader and the lightweight is the best on the market and only $150.00.

I went to school in Bozeman where they are made adn I assure you that there customer service is great whether you are in Oregon or Alaska.

I challenge anyone to find a more durable pair of waders.

[5-Cents]

Before I got my boat I was an avid bug tosser. I have had the same pair of Simms Guide Model breathables for about 7 years. The neoprene footies started to leak and Simms will replace the feet for $50! I have never had a leak anywhere else on the waders and I have abused them big time. If you are going to spend the money for breathables you might as well go for the best because in the long run you will end up spending more!

[DT]

I'm a frequent bank fisherman and have had a few pairs of Hodgemans, but never cared for them. I always seemed to develop leaks in the crotch and ankles. So.....I finally dropped $200 on a pair of Dan Bailey's.

Very happy I did. The 2003 models and later are all 4-ply (previous years were 3-ply). I haven't had any leaks in 10 months of use. They have built in gravel guards, and convert to waist highs better than the Hodgemens. They are warm when they should be and cool when it's hot outside.

The only thing I would caution you about is to try them on first. I mail ordered mine from his store. I used his sizing chart (I'm 5'9" and got the medium), and they are just a little short for me. I think Fisherman's in O.C. carries them.

Hope this helps.

[FishSniffer]

I've been using the same pair of Cabela's Dry Plus for several years now and they look like new. Course I take really good care of them too. My only complaint about these "breathable" waders is I end up wearing so many layers underneath them to stay warm as I usually only use them in the Winter in run-off. Last year I fished the Bitterroot and the Clarks Fork in Feb/Mar with ice on the water. Think I had 4 or 5 layers.

I just bought a pair of Hodgman 4mm neoprenes and we'll see if I stay any warmer. Course you gotta remember I'm fishing either out of a kayak or a kickboat.

[V. Green]

You won't go wrong with Simms, Patagonia, or LLBean. They are all very expensive but worth it. I would check the warranty that each carries.. LLBean replaced my 4yr old waders when they began to leak, according to them they should never leak and if they do I should return them.

My brother has the Redington breathable waders and said that he would not buy them again. He stated that he likes my LLBeans and our friends Patagonia waders.

Also each brand has there own special features. Look at each and see what features you need.

[Sirprize Sirprize]

Another vote for the Simms Guide Model....excellent service on repairs also. I paid 375.00 or so a couple of years ago.

[The Reverend]

After going through 3 pairs of Joe's Outdoors in 1 year, i can tell you they really suck. I just purchased a pair of hodgman wadelites 2 weeks ago. second trip out the left inside seam near the knee ripped in two different places. dont know if i got a bad pair or not, but i saved the receipt and they're going back to fishermans! I have yet to find a good pair of breathables, but have heard only good things of simms.

[CHOSENBOY]

Dan Bailey's all the way. After having two pair of simms guide models and having them leak after two weeks I would not be able to recomend them. I got a pair of Patagonia's after the simms and they did last a month and a half. The Dan Bailey's have seen a lot of use maybe more than the other pairs and have yet to leak or show any significant wear. I work in AK and put waders to the test and brushcut here in Oregon as well, this said go with the Bailey's.

[DanS]

My buddy picked up some of the Hodgman's last month. I'd read some not-so-flattering comments about them on various BB's, so I clowned him a little about bringing extra socks for his wet feet.

We fished two days, and he was sporting wet clothes before then end of the second day. I haven't heard yet what his return/exchange experience was, but c'mon......two days?

Luckily, my wife loves me (no, no.....it's true) and bought me a pair of Simms guide-weights for my birthday. They are fantastic. If you need to actually move when you fish, they blow neos away.....any breathable does. But, you have to dress warm underneath.....you don't get much insulation from the waders. You can wear them in the spring/fall with shorts underneath and not cook. And you can WALK in them.

If I was looking at breathables, I'd look seriously at the Simms and the Bailey's waders. The Simms waders are consistently rated at or near the top in test categories, but the Bailey's waders look like they might deliver the most bang for the buck. If you get good waders, get good boots to go with them. You don't put retreads on a Porsche.

I was never able to get one season out of any neoprene wader without a leak. This will be the third year on the Simms waders and still no leakey. I'm sure I'm a little more careful than I might be otherwise when I'm wearing almost 400 bones, but I don't treat my TH rod quite like I do my Cabela's rod either. I'm still not easy on waders, and there's been a couple times I was sure I was gonna have a leaker when I got in the water, but they're still dry.

The nicer breathables are kinda expensive but I'll tell you what.......I've never felt like I got more for my money (or should I say 'my wife's money'?) on any fishing equipment than I did with these waders. Seriously.

[ 11-17-2003, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: DanS ]

[Catch 22]

For $200 you get a pair of Dan Bailey's with built in gravel guards and bent knees. They are thick and sturdy, yet they're comfortable. You can spend twice as much for Simms and they're very nice. However, dollar for dollar the Bailey's are the shiznit.

[spinner53]

got a link to bailey's ??

[Mojo]

I've had 3 pairs of Cabelas breathables in the last 5 years. They typically leak after about the 20th trip or so. I bought Simms Guide Weights. They now make the G3 which is about $100 more, but much cooler looking and a few more whistles and bells. I expect these to last about 5 years or so (at 30 - 50 trips a year).

I will but USIA next time I buy waders. Their dry suits and waders are awesome, and their service is better from what I hear. All I know is Kim is an honest guy, and he stands behind his gear.

[OregonBankie]

I got the Joes, and they leaked at the foot seams after a few outings.
I got the cheaper Simms and they got a pinhole leak after a few outings.

I got the Dan Baileys, and they've been to Alaska twice, and fished in Oregon since spring.. still going great.

[Mr. BrownTrout]

I tried a pair of hodgmans once, leaked the first time out, went and bought a pair of orvis breathables. I love them

[letsfish]

People are pretty opinionated about this I know I am.. My opinion Don't try Hodgemans or Joe's(made by Hodgeman) These lower priced breathables are attractive(for the price) but performance stinks. Hodgeman's have a real problem built in -the sandwiching of layers of fabric to create a product that is both breathable and dry. Must be treated with the utmost care or thousands of pinpoint holes occur. It only takes a forgetful move of leaving them in the car for a day after use and they are useless.
If you are going to go breatheables, it sounds like the higher price ones are worth it . If you can't spend that much go to neoprenes, they are warm, safer(can't fill up with water, and if they do they float).
Saving money For breateableables Someday,
Aka letsfish

[BanannaMan]

I have a pair of simms guide models that are 4 years old now. The feet have been replaced twice and all the leaks are fixed by tuning them inside out and spaying the surface with rubbing alcohol. A small black dot appears and you just apply a thin dab of aquaseal and let it dry overnight. With all the blackberrys it is darn near impossible to not get these pinhole leaks but they are easily fixed with this technique. Tears can be fixed with a patch kit that ususally comes in the box. They may have cost a little more but I have more then got my moneys worth and I fish a lot.

[salmoncatcher]

patagonia makes some nice breathable wader. rei sells them

[Bubzilla]

I made the switch to breathable waders back in '95; which was pretty early in their evolution. I had a couple different pairs the first few years, and then finally bit the bullet and bought a pair of Simms in 1998. Been using the same pair ever since--50+ days a year.

The Simms waders are comfortable, and very durable--much more so than the waders of many of their competitors. And as far as customer service goes, let me relate my experiences.

When I first got the waders they appeared to have been damaged slightly in the box. I sent them to Simms and they replaced them immediately. About a year later I had a disagreement with a black berry bush. I sent the ripped waders back to Simms and they repaired them--no charge. The tear was low on the left leg and was nearly three inches in length. The repair job has NEVER leaked in the almost four years since it happened.

Only problem with Simms is their price. And, with the Guide Models at least, the gravel guards are extra.

Should have added that one of the pairs that my Simms replaced were Cabelas--their original "Dry Plus" models. Not much comparison in terms of quality. Of course, not much comparison in terms of price either, though.

[ 11-17-2003, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: Bubzilla ]

[El-Kabong]

I second the Cabela's dry plus.

[salmurai]

What's with all this "baggy" talk? At 5'2" and 320#, I don't find them "baggy" at all....... : :grin: laf:

[SteelieSlammer]

I have tried on Dan baileys at fishermans, where would i find Simms in portland? Also the LL Bean is an option but I haven't heard much about them before. Either way I need to pick up a pair before the end of this month. Steelhead are starting to show and all i have are my 12 year old neoprene's. They have a few leaks and are a bit snug.

[hawgcatcher]

steelie, you might try Kaufman's Fly Shop in Tigard. They seem to carry a number of kinds and they are good with their products.

[SteelieSlammer]

Thanks,
I will check out Kaufmans on my way home. I did look at there website and they carry simms, Patagonia, and Dan Baileys. These pretty much are the majority of the recommendations.

[DanS]

Hopefully this will take you to the right place.

http://www.simmsfishing.com/cgi-bin/locate.cgi

[FishSniffer]

Think I found Dan Bailey

[SteelieSlammer]

Thanks for all your responces. I ended up going with a pair of Simms G3 guide waders. A bit spendy but hey it a christmas present to me.

[Rakkasan]

Holly you know what. Simms are Spendy. Oh well. I guess I will stick with the poor mans light weights.

If I was going to pay that much I would go with a custom pair. Sounds like it is cheaper to exchange them. I have never had a problem doing that if they leak.

So for so good.

[choppers]

So if I get this right, the simms you would have to mail them back east. With the Baileys you can go to Great American Tackle or fishermans and exchange them. I'd stay local rather than using postal service. Gotta fish when you can right.

Has anyone had problems exchanging the Baileys here in Portland? :smile:

[Rustyoar]

Actually Simms are made in Bozeman MT.

[float2ber]

Simms, LLBean, Cabela's in that order.