We – and your fellow readers – love the input you give on what you like best about fly fishing. Some of our ‘reader input’ comment threads have become pretty epic!
One thing we’ve never asked you about is that one critical piece of gear that you’re wearing any time you step into less-than-bathwater-temperature water – your waders. The streak ends today.
What’s Your Favorite Pair of Waders?
We all want to have the best possible pair of waders for our particular situation, so today we want to know about your favorite waders.
- What’s your favorite pair of waders? Make and model, please.
- Where do you go fishing in them, mostly?
- Why do you like them so much?
Thanks for letting us and the rest of the angling community know! Just leave your comment below.
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I have a pair of G4 Simms that I love in Alaska or during early season trout and steelhead season here in the east. I also heard good things about Orvis Silver Sonic’s and got a pair of them. I use them in warmer weather as they’re not quite as thick as the Simms. I also like the ability to convert these to wading pants and also the feet don’t fit as snugly as the Simms and are easier to get off.
Simms boot-foot waders. The utilitarian model works as well as the g4 or whatever the top end is now. Fishing the Midwest can be very cold at times and the boot-foots are both warm and easy to get in and out of. When fighting temperatures below freezing, wind, and snow the boot-foots can mean the difference between a great day on the water and a tough day on the water.
I have a pair of Cloudveil waders going on five plus years of use. Keep them clean and DWR each season with Revive. A shame that Cloudveil when they were acquired then resold and relocated out of Jackson Hole stopped making their fly fishing related garments/waders. Very happy with the waders as the built-in gravel guards are just now deteriorating. Hopefully a couple more seasons can be stretched. Certainly got my moneys worth. Next pair will probably have built-in waterproof zipper to facilitate bathroom breaks.
I look forward to all comments since I haven’t been happy with my waders for some time. Thanks to all!
Have tried several brands over the years, but have settled on the Simms G4. They fit great, are comfortable, and are extremely durable. I have worn them mostly in Alaska, but recently moved back to the “Lower 48”, so will be using them in the Midwest and the Rockies.
Simms guide waders. Whoop nasty stank in them after 6 yrs but they don’t leak!
My Simms G3 stockingfoot waders I bought two years ago. They have seen about six hundred hours on the water and have withstood the elements way beyond my expectations. I will give credit when due – G3s have exceeded my expectations.
I got my first first pair of waders when I was ten years old. For the twenty years that followed, I went through one cheap pair after another – Redballs, Neoprene, or anything that aligned with student budget.
After countless pairs of leaky disposable waders, a good job and irreparable nerve damage in my toes from winter steelheading – I had no excuse.
You can cast eighty feet with a cheap rod, land a monster with a cheap reel, treat cheap line to make it float, sharpen cheap hooks to make sure they set – YOU CAN’T GO OUT IN 34 DEGREE WATER FOR EIGHT OR MORE HOURS WITH WADERS THAT LEAK – and you won’t catch fish if you’re out.
My advise to to everyone who has ever asked is if you are going break the bank on anything – buy the best waders you can afford. You will regret it if you don’t – and will almost certainly end up spending the money anyway.
Simms G4. On their 4th season now. Good for cold rivers and hard use on boulders and sharp rocks. Bullet proof!
If anyone recommends a waded without a full front zipper, then they have never tried a full front Zipper model for a full day. My Simms G4 Zipper has never leaked.
Simms G3 wear like iron not to heavy wear for great lakes steelhead, trout oregon and pennsylvania.
Patagonia Skeena River waders
Just returned from a trip to Utah and Montana.
Fly Fishing the upper Provo River (Utah) and
The upper Gallatin River near Yellowstone (Montana).
I’m sure as time goes by I will be in need of another pair.
There are lots of good brands with options!
Simms G3’s. Love my waders! I’ve beaten through thick bush, stumbled down river banks, done just about all you can to try and poke a hole. After 5 years of hard use, they are by far the most durable and comfortable pair I have ever worn. It’s time to retire them now and replace them with some new ones, and you can bet they will be another pair of Simms. I’m not sure yet about the zippered options, but I’m sold on the quality not only of the gear, but the customer service rocks too.
I’m using Orvis Silver Sonics right now and like them a lot so far. The booties are nice and roomy and fit well in my Simms guide boots which have a wide toe which I require. These waders are lighter than my Bear Adams waders . The neoprene bootie on the Bears are too small for my feet and my feet always feel cramped even when wearing my Simms box toed wide guide boots. I’ll really be careful now about getting waders with the booties that are roomy enough.
For summer and fall rivers, Patagonia WaterMasters. Durable, comfortable, and reasonably priced. Even more so when Patagonia “upgrades” the model and puts their stock from the year before on sale. No zippers or other bells and whistles; they put the money into the materials that you really need to stay dry.
For water 44 degrees and below, there’s nothing like The World’s Ugliest Waders — Cabela’s Spring Run 5 mm boot foot neoprenes with 1 kg(!) of Thinsulate in each boot. Put a pair of Bama Boots over your wading socks to soak up condensation and your feet simply will not get cold.
I have used the Simms G3 for a while and like them ok, but my favorite are the Guideline Alta Sonic….great pocket design, the suspenders dont twist up like my other waders, feel great in the winter in michigan…like their layer stuff too…also seems like a better value….but hard to find here in the us. If I need another set in my lifetime, I am probably going for the Patagonia stuff the T Man uses,,,,looks and rates comfy..
My 10 year old Simms waders never had a leak. I upgraded to G3’s and then G4’s and have had nothing but problems. I must have bad luck with them cause they usually get great reviews. I’m onto Patagonia now and i’m loving them. They don’t have as much reinforcement as Simms, and also have less pockets, but the no leaking aspect more than makes up for it.
I am a former fishing guide and fish exclusively in Alaska year round.
Well, it’s not a wader but hippers.
Mine is made by Vision, but there are other companies who sell breathable whippers. For sheer wading comfort during hot weather conditions and lower stream levels no chest high (or even pants) waders for me.
For chest waders I have been using Patagonia. The slimmer fit fits me better than ‘American’ waders like the Orvis I’ve used in the past. These American fit waders are just too roomy in the high area for me.
Simms G3 stocking foot. Great fit, my last pair lasted 7 years and only retired them as they are a bit snug as I grow outwards rather than upwards
I fish in rivers in Norway and Sweden, 2-3 weeks a year. Mostly for sea trout and salmon but also for trout and greyling. I walk a lot in step and bushy enviroments…
I bought my Fishers Motion, 5 layer Gore Tex, waders 1995. The price was around 700$, but I was told that there where nothing better to get and I was promised at least 5 years without any problems, if I used a extra pair of 3 mm neoprene sock, to protcet the waders neprene from sand. There are mounted gravel guards, but sand is evil…
Through the years the most common question from my fishing friends has been, “-Do you still use the old ones?” In 2005 I found out that the only supplier of this brand i Sweden would stop selling them. I felt the panic, I had been expecting my dear waderes to fall to bits any season, as all my friends waders did. I ordered a pair i case, they did not look the same, much nicer, the water repelling was impressiv… But the old ones… OK the looked wet once in the water, but dry on the inside.
Since then I have bought, five pair of boots, changed some soles (with bad result), and four pair of thin neoprene socks for the extra sand protection! Last week end I went to my favourite river Driva, and my left foot got wet. I don’t know if I should find the hole and fix it or just put them on the hall of fame. Such a tremendus piece of waders, marked by time for sure. After 19 years with the same Fishers Motion waders, it seems like I have to start using my 9 year old spare waders!
Simms G-4 are the only ones
I have not found any manufacturers waders acceptable. Patagonias worn approx 30 times repaired 2x now leak again, Simms lasted 6 months , Orvis approx 4 months. Have tried cheaper products i.e. Reddington and Frog Toggs and IMO they last just as long if not longer.
You will not find agreement on which waders are most durable because they fit each person differently. Generally your waders will last longer if you buy them a little big so you have extra room to step up steep banks, get in/out of boats and climb over logs without stressing seams. Also, like most synthetics, store them dry and out of the heat and sun. Although expensive waders generally last longer, you might find that cheaper ones save money in the long run. For example: I am a fly fishing guide and lately have bought 2 pair of cheap $140 waders per year because one pair of top end $500 waders last about as long but cost less on a yearly basis. Plan on using some Aquaseal to extend the life of any wader. If there is an obvious defect such as taped seams coming off, leaks in the neoprene/breathable fabric joints etc., manufacturers will often send you a new pair.
I’m looking for a wader under 300 that has more than 3 layers can’t seem to find one orvis makes a pair but I usually try to stay away from or is because ur basically paying for the name and I believe the co to be overrated.but they seem to have nothing but good reviews not going to spring 500 on a pair of Simms or padigonais too much for me to feel comfortable.
Just sent off my 2nd pair of Simms G4Zs for replacement in less than 12 months. The 1st pair leaked on their first outing, 2nd pair leaked after 6 months. I’m hoping I’ve just been unlucky, as I truly wouldn’t want any other waders, they are just so comfortable. Customer service is second to none- no quibble replacement in 1st 12 mths-.
I’m sure my waders don’t get anywhere near the abuse you chaps over there put yours through. My fishing is mainly easy access small river fishing over here in the UK.
I’ve owned Simms G3 and G4 as well as cheaper waders and have put holes in all of them. I replaced one pair of Simms with another just because I had so many aqua seal patches in them , Two years later the new G4 looked the same, then I had to throw them away until the crotch leaked everywhere. From now on I will continue to patch until they are beyond repair. I think the other fellow has the right idea about buying more cheaper pairs but I wanted a zipper so I bought a new pair of Pantagonia. Too early to know about leaks but I LOVE the zipper. If you fish in the rain and cold this is a must