Simms Waders - I am Done

[Letort]

I have owned probably 6-8 pairs of chest and waist high Simms waders over the past dozen years or so.

Bought the high end waist high waders last year with the zipper. They had light use last year, probably wore a dozen times or so, as I used either hip waders on the spring creeks or my Skwala chest highs on bigger water. I always turn them inside out after wearing to dry and never step on stones, etc., when putting them on.

So wore them first time today for the year and both neoprene booties are leaking at the seams. Now I don't expect 5 years out of a pair, but I do expect 2-3 and certainly more than one. This comes after questionable wear in some other recent Simms waders.

No more Simms for me, again. Skwala, Orvis, Patagonia or Grundens for me here on out. In waist highs, it will have to be Patagonia or Orvis, as only they offer them.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Ive owned 3 pair of waders and boots over the last 13 years. 2 of which were Orvis. The 3rd is a pair of Cabalas neoprene boot foot for when its very cold out.

I do take good care of my waders though. Always hang them to dry, they never sit around in a wet ball. I put them on over a floor mat, I don’t kneel down on the knees etc...

 

[joebamboo]

Can't beat the Skwala Chest waders.

 

[wildtrout2]

Ive owned 3 pair of waders and boots over the last 13 years. 2 of which were Orvis. The 3rd is a pair of Cabalas neoprene boot foot for when its very cold out.

I do take good care of my waders though. Always hang them to dry, they never sit around in a wet ball. I put them on over a floor mat, I don’t kneel down on the knees etc...

Those measures of care make a big difference. I do the same with mine, but I admit, I don't clean/scrub mine. Them being dirty doesn't bother me, and I don't think it hurts them, does it?
I ALWAYS put a towel down to stand on when putting them on. My booties never touch the bare ground, ever.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Those measures of care make a big difference. I do the same with mine, but I admit, I don't clean/scrub mine. Them being dirty doesn't bother me, and I don't think it hurts them, does it?
I ALWAYS put a towel down to stand on when putting them on. My booties never touch the bare ground, ever.

I also do not clean mine.

 

[Letort]

Simms and others do recommend washing from time to time to extend life. The dirt can impact the waterproofing. There is a specific way to wash them, however

 

[Letort]

Can't beat the Skwala Chest waders.

Agreed. Wish they made waist highs

 

[wildtrout2]

Simms and others do recommend washing from time to time to extend life. The dirt can impact the waterproofing. There is a specific way to wash them, however

That's interesting, I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

 

[CRB]

I have owned probably 6-8 pairs of chest and waist high Simms waders over the past dozen years or so.

Bought the high end waist high waders last year with the zipper. They had light use last year, probably wore a dozen times or so, as I used either hip waders on the spring creeks or my Skwala chest highs on bigger water. I always turn them inside out after wearing to dry and never step on stones, etc., when putting them on.

So wore them first time today for the year and both neoprene booties are leaking at the seams. Now I don't expect 5 years out of a pair, but I do expect 2-3 and certainly more than one. This comes after questionable wear in some other recent Simms waders.

No more Simms for me, again. Skwala, Orvis, Patagonia or Grundens for me here on out. In waist highs, it will have to be Patagonia or Orvis, as only they offer them.

I recall, where you store them could be an issue. co2/ gas emissions from hot water tank, furnace, or fireplace leak in a tight environment would degrade the neoprene . It could even be coming out of a floor drain if there is a gas leak underground.
If that's the case it would not matter whom made your waders.
I've sent waders back to simms for new booties in the past. If both sides and only 3 years old with light wear they could be under warrantee. Mine were 6 years old and costed about $50 to replace got 5 more years out of them.

 

[Letort]

That's interesting, I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

From Simms Website

WASHING WADERS
Use a washing machine without an agitator or hand wash. Use cold water and normal detergent that does not contain bleach. Once you have washed the waders make sure you dry them properly. Start by turning the waders inside out and hang dry. Once dry, flip them right side out to complete the process. Never put your waders in the dryer, the heat will adversely affect the seam tape on your waders and will void your warranty.

Wader Washing Recommendation: Take the wading belt off and zip the suspenders into front pocket prior to washing waders. Make sure to zip all pockets.

 

[Bamboozle]

I'm so glad singing soprano has never been a source of embarrassment...

I wet wade from April until November and in the winter I wear hippers.

For that reason, I haven't bought or worn a pair of chest or waist high waders in many, many years...

 

[wildtrout2]

I'm so glad singing soprano has never been a source of embarrassment...

I wet wade from April until November and in the winter I wear hippers.

I don't know how you do that, I couldn't. I just wouldn't enjoy myself being wet all day long. With mountain freestone stream temps, now being in the upper 40'sF to lower 50'sF, I'd need the jaws of life to get my eggs out of my stomach.

 

[foxfire]

Ive owned 3 pair of waders and boots over the last 13 years. 2 of which were Orvis. The 3rd is a pair of Cabalas neoprene boot foot for when its very cold out.

I do take good care of my waders though. Always hang them to dry, they never sit around in a wet ball. I put them on over a floor mat, I don’t kneel down on the knees etc...

I’ve had a pair of the cabelas neoprene now for 15 years without issue. They hang properly in an outside shed that freezes in the winter and boils in the simmer.

 

[TimMurphy]

I have owned probably 6-8 pairs of chest and waist high Simms waders over the past dozen years or so.

Bought the high end waist high waders last year with the zipper. They had light use last year, probably wore a dozen times or so, as I used either hip waders on the spring creeks or my Skwala chest highs on bigger water. I always turn them inside out after wearing to dry and never step on stones, etc., when putting them on.

So wore them first time today for the year and both neoprene booties are leaking at the seams. Now I don't expect 5 years out of a pair, but I do expect 2-3 and certainly more than one. This comes after questionable wear in some other recent Simms waders.

No more Simms for me, again. Skwala, Orvis, Patagonia or Grundens for me here on out. In waist highs, it will have to be Patagonia or Orvis, as only they offer them.

Dear Letort,

In many cases, you pay for what you get. Clearly that seems to be common with Simms. Wearing out waders every year and half isn't anything remarkable unless you paid for them.

Waders are disposable, always have been and always will be. Buy low, and buy again.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Broodstock]

Patagonia has the best repair and warranty in the business. I’ve been very happy with the ones I’ve owned.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Any stockingfoot waders I've tried are only as good as the seams on the neoprene booties. The breathable fabric is generally repairable. The neoprene seams are not - even if reinforced with patches.

 

[DomR]

Waders are disposable, always have been and always will be. Buy low, and buy again.

The are what we refer to in a manufacturing plant as a "wear part". You can take care of them all you want but they still will break down from wear.

I'm the worst on waders, they spend most of their lives in the back of my hatch folded up after each use. I don't think I've ever washed them either. I only fish around 85 days a year but my current pair of Simms is going strong on year 3. The pair I had before it sucked and leak from pretty much every seam on both legs and that's AFTER Simms sent me a replacement pair. I'm going to aqua seal the devil out of them and see if they can be salvaged as my "bush whacking" pair.

 

[TCWNY]

I bought the Tributary chest waders last May, this weekend my right leg filled up with water. I got them from ****s, Im going to see what they will do for me but Im guessing its nothing. As your title says, never again

 

[Andrwhite610]

I’ve used $80 Amazon stocking foot waders, $220 simms stocking foot waders and $120 frogtogg stocking foot waders in the last 3 years. Simms leaked the fastest. And alot. The frog togs are pushing to last the longest of the bunch

 

[Nocktavius]

High end waders might be the biggest scam in the entire industry. A perfect example of only needing to keep the customer happy until the check clears.

That being said, knowing how to use a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol and AquaSeal will keep them running a lot longer. If you fish hard, your waders will wear out- so find your appropriate balance of function, cost and bling. 500$ waders/100 trips year = 5$ a trip. If you get out 50 trips/year its 10$. I'll bet you spend a lot more on gas, beer, and tippet.

No different than buying a pair of pants and wearing them 100x a year. Your *** is gonna bust out of em sooner or later