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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
#10497813
12/27/14 05:54 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910
winchester44
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910 |
I've finally given up on my Orvis Endura waders. They are more aquaseal than wader and one of the booties has finally started to give out where it attaches. I'm looking pretty hard at the Simms Headwaters and Orvis Silver Sonics. Here are a few things I'm having trouble qualifying if anyone has any experience.
1. Stepping up to the Simms G3 or Orvis Guide Model- what are you paying the extra $100+ for? better seams or puncture resistance or both? I understand all waders get pinhole leaks which I'm pretty comfortable fixing, but when the seams start to go that's when I worry. My Orvis Endura's are about 5 years old and have not had that hard of a life. The adhesive tape in the seams seems to be what's failing and causing most of the leaks.
2. Gore tex- The only advantage I see to this is the alcohol trick to find pinhole leaks. Maybe I'm wrong here as I understand that Simms uses Gore tex exclusively. I have other waterproof garments that are not gore-tex that seem to breathe at least as well.
3. Convertible Top- How handy is this feature for set of waders that will see one trip to the Rockies a year, maybe one trip to the TX/LA coast (maybe not..... several friends have recently gotten popped by stingrays)and the rest of the year for winter Brazos trips and the sand bass run. I'm intrigued by it to keep comfortable when hiking in, but just curious how much it get's used.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10497895
12/27/14 06:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,728
mickfly
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,728 |
Simms waders are hard to beat. I bought a pair of G3s in 2006 and used them exclusively, with no leaks or issues, until I was given a pair of G4s earlier this year. The Gore Tex is great, as are the multiple layers and other features.
Just bought my wife a pair of the Orvis Silver Sonics but she hasn't had a chance try them yet.
Mickfly
Fish Friendly -- Life's too short to do it any other way
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10497997
12/27/14 08:20 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Chatterbait
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297 |
I'm hard on waders. I do not know why as I'm 6'3.5" and 190 lbs. I've used bass pro brand, Hodgeman, Orvis lower end brand and at least 3 other manufacturers over the past 12 years. About 3 years ago I started looking for deals on SIMMS brand waders on the Internet. Bingo. When you can get them at a great price, for me, that's the way to go. They stand behind their stuff and they are durable.
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10497998
12/27/14 08:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 877
split cane rod
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 877 |
Orvis had some issues with their seam taping about the timeframe you've indicated. The first thing I would do is to contact Orvis corporate with an email or by snail mail to ASK if there is anything they would do to make you happy. I had issues with mine, but it was not long after I bought them. Orvis has a policy that they want their customers happy.
I used to work for Orvis, and I won't go into all the times people (in my opinion) abused Orvis' happy customer policy. If you feel that your waders should have performed better... seams coming apart, bootie de-laminating, whatever you feel honestly should have performed better... Contact them! It doesn't hurt to ask!
That being said, Simms guide-weight waders are awesome. The guides I worked with at Tikchik Narrows Lodge in Alaska wore them daily. A couple of them wore Dan Bailey waders. I wore my Orvis waders daily. You don't have time for junky waders when you're in them every day.
Simms and Orvis are top-notch. Can't go wrong with either brand. Try them on in the store before you buy them. Make sure the booties fit with heavy socks. Make sure the waders are large enough to give you room to put one foot in a chair with the other on the floor.
Be sure you can cinch the top of the wader to keep the water out if you take a plunge. Always wear a wading belt so the water won't fill the legs of your waders if you fall in.
I use the 'convertible' top on my waders a lot. It is nice to not worry about poison ivy in the summertime.
JR
Split Cane Rod
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10498020
12/27/14 08:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Chatterbait
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297 |
JR just covered the topic about as well as anyone could.
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: split cane rod]
#10501273
12/29/14 04:47 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910
winchester44
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910 |
Orvis had some issues with their seam taping about the timeframe you've indicated. The first thing I would do is to contact Orvis corporate with an email or by snail mail to ASK if there is anything they would do to make you happy. I had issues with mine, but it was not long after I bought them. Orvis has a policy that they want their customers happy.
I used to work for Orvis, and I won't go into all the times people (in my opinion) abused Orvis' happy customer policy. If you feel that your waders should have performed better... seams coming apart, bootie de-laminating, whatever you feel honestly should have performed better... Contact them! It doesn't hurt to ask!
That being said, Simms guide-weight waders are awesome. The guides I worked with at Tikchik Narrows Lodge in Alaska wore them daily. A couple of them wore Dan Bailey waders. I wore my Orvis waders daily. You don't have time for junky waders when you're in them every day.
Simms and Orvis are top-notch. Can't go wrong with either brand. Try them on in the store before you buy them. Make sure the booties fit with heavy socks. Make sure the waders are large enough to give you room to put one foot in a chair with the other on the floor.
Be sure you can cinch the top of the wader to keep the water out if you take a plunge. Always wear a wading belt so the water won't fill the legs of your waders if you fall in.
I use the 'convertible' top on my waders a lot. It is nice to not worry about poison ivy in the summertime.
JR Excellent, just sent them an email. Will let you know what they say. I actually have two pairs of them and they are both in the same state, literally falling apart at the seams. Again, I'm happy to patch a hole or small seam failure, but it does seem that the adhesive running the entire length of the taped seam has just failed. I would doubt either pair has been worn more than two dozen times over their life and they've always been put away dry in a rubbermaid storage box stored inside. If memory serves they were probably over $200 each with tax. I just would expect something in that price range to last a little longer, but then again, maybe that's expecting too much. Thanks again for the excellent feedback!
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10501278
12/29/14 04:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910
winchester44
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910 |
Anyone have any stance on leaks being easier to find via the alcohol trick on the Simms Gore Tex waders vs. the others? I've tried this on my Orvis waders and waterproof/breathable patagonia and marmot jackets and it doesn't seem to work. It seems to be unique to the Goretex membrane.
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10501529
12/29/14 06:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208
Fly Fishing Fanatic!
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208 |
STOP!!!! Don't waste your money on Simms or Orvis $400+ waders! The extra money you spend is a TOTAL waste! I had a $300 pair of Orvis Waders and they lasted less than two years AND Orvis refused to fix them! I know your gonna laugh but here's my suggestion, buy the White River waders from BassPro shops! Their top of the line stocking foot light weight breathable waders are only $199 and they have a TON of features just like the Simms waders! NO I don't work for BPS but I have owned a pair of their waders for 10 years and they STILL don't leak! I fish hard probably 300 days a years and at least 200 of those days are in waders! Do your self a favor and save your money for a top notch fly rod or reel 
Russell E. Thompson III.
Owner/Executive Producer
Roaring River Productions LLC.
HD-DSLR Video Production
DFW Fly Fishing Fanatic
Environmentalist &
8 Time EMMY Award Winner
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10501599
12/29/14 07:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 26,660
Bass_Bustin_Texan
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 26,660 |
I agree, I have bought the expensive pairs of duck hunting waders and no wader stays waterproof forever. They all last the same amount of time. Sticks and thorns don't discriminate on brands.  (I even bought the rough kind that says its stick resistant...had a stick go through my boot instead.) BTW I got the Redington Palix River wader for $150 at the Beavers Bend Fly Shop. They have been great for the price and the size fits me great....large feet and small body. The Redington had a few more features I liked compared to White River for $50 less.
You can avoid having ulcers by adapting to the situation: If you fall in the mud puddle, check your pockets for fish. ~Unknown
Open your eyes & look within, are you satisfied with the life you�re living.
No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: Fly Fishing Fanatic!]
#10501820
12/29/14 08:42 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910
winchester44
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 910 |
STOP!!!! Don't waste your money on Simms or Orvis $400+ waders! The extra money you spend is a TOTAL waste! I had a $300 pair of Orvis Waders and they lasted less than two years AND Orvis refused to fix them! I know your gonna laugh but here's my suggestion, buy the White River waders from BassPro shops! Their top of the line stocking foot light weight breathable waders are only $199 and they have a TON of features just like the Simms waders! NO I don't work for BPS but I have owned a pair of their waders for 10 years and they STILL don't leak! I fish hard probably 300 days a years and at least 200 of those days are in waders! Do your self a favor and save your money for a top notch fly rod or reel That's a pretty ringing endorsement! BTW, Orvis emailed back, they want $40 per pair plus shipping just to look at them and they said likely they can't be repaired. I'll check out the BPS White Rive brand if they really last that long. Maybe I can find an ebay deal on some Simms. Again, like tires I understand punctures are virtually inevitable and I have zero issue fixing them, but these Orvis waders literally falling apart at the seams is an issue. I've tried on all the Reddington waders, but could not 't find a pair that fit my feet well.
Last edited by winchester44; 12/29/14 09:03 PM.
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10502001
12/29/14 10:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 113
Brad Bessett
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 113 |
There are literally hundreds of threads like this all over the forums across the US and they are all the same. A bunch of arguing about what you should buy. At the end of the day, the only real opinion that matters is yours. Go try them on and buy the ones YOU like best. I did the same and ultimately chose the Simms G3's because of the vast size options and the quality, and don't regret my decision one bit. But again, nobody on here has to wear (or pay for) the waders you choose; you do, so choose wisely
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10503663
12/30/14 03:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Chatterbait
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297 |
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10505805
12/31/14 03:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18
jblcfp
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18 |
I have a pair of G3s and love them. I also waited until they announced the newest version was coming out last year and got them 40% off
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10506379
12/31/14 06:11 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 877
split cane rod
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 877 |
Brad makes a very good point, indeed. You should definitely try on your waders and make sure they fit before you buy them. He also made a very good purchase. Some people believe you can buy cheap waders and get great service and warranty after the sale. I disagree.
Orvis wants $40 to look at your waders? I'll wager that if you're willing to pony up the $40, they'll replace them. Ever played the stock market or bought a lottery ticket?
There is another thread about a guy getting whipped with his fly rod & Orvis giving him a new one. Another thread talks about a Christmas gift for his son breaking on the first cast. That rod did not come with a written warranty. (Correct me, Benjamin, if I'm wrong).
My thinking is that you'll get a new pair of waders for $40 if you'll send them back...
JR
Split Cane Rod
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Re: Chest Wader recommendation?- Looking at Orvis and Simms
[Re: winchester44]
#10509373
01/01/15 11:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208
Fly Fishing Fanatic!
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208 |
Orvis WILL NOT replace your waders for $40 unless they are less than a year old! Read the fine print! It cost $40 to send them in, they will email you an estimate and let you know IF they can repair them, if not your SOL.....
Russell E. Thompson III.
Owner/Executive Producer
Roaring River Productions LLC.
HD-DSLR Video Production
DFW Fly Fishing Fanatic
Environmentalist &
8 Time EMMY Award Winner
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