I've fished in Simms waders for years and swear by them. I just purchased my first pair of G4's because Red Truck had them on closeout and I couldn't pass up the pricing. I'd had my eyes on them for my winter early spring fishing for a few years but just had not pulled the trigger in the past due to the high price tag.
Initial impressions are that they're going to be just as bulletproof as my G3's if not more so because of the extra layers in the seat/crotch area. I like the big pocket more than the G3's because it has more room. I don't like the handwarmer pocket as much, although it zippers on the G4's, on the G3's it is lined better. I've clipped zingers on my G3's through the fabric on the pocket that I don't have to do on the G4's because it has two places built in to attach them - a big plus IMO. I also like the tippet tender flip out pouch, which is the same as the G3's. The fly patch is also a nice touch, because I use one exclusively while on the water and now I don't have to attach it to the velcro on the tippet tender pouch but right on the front of the wader. I think the G3's are more comfortable, but that is most certainly due to the fact that the 5 layers of Gortex don't extend through the seat, which is what I wanted on the G4's.
I've my original pair of G3's that I bought 4 1/2 years ago that have been fished HARD. That pair had a problem with one of the booties that Simms fixed by replacing both of the booties (tape was separating on the seam). I purchased another pair to wear while those were being repaired and they're excellent. No issues with the tape on those booties after a year of use. Now I alternate them when on long trips to keep down mildew and prolong the life of them. The original pair is showing it's age, but still keeps me as dry as the work day is long.
You didn't ask for a comparison vs. the G3's but since most of my experience has been with the G3 and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the wader, I figured I'd just compare the G4 to the G3 and simply say that it's better in many ways but not a necessary upgrade from the best bang for the buck wader on the market - the G3. Having worn both, I don't think I would pay an extra $150 for the G4, but I'm very happy I have them and paid G3 pricing for them. I hear the pricing on the new G4 is going to approach $700 because the material is going to be more comfortable. I can see where that would be nice because of my comment above regarding the 5 layers vs. 3 layers in the seat - but $700 - yowza - that's awfully rich man.
