best value / performance for waders

[Tap]

My 9 year old Simms are leaking I'm getting tired of a wet right foot. Tried to Aquaseal it but it's got to be that the seams that are leaking.

Not that I'm against buying expensive waders if they do the job, but what are you guys liking as far as value/performance/warranty?

[Denny1969]

My first pick is Simms Headwaters waders. It is a Gore Tex membraned wader at the $299 price point that is made in Bozeman. If it needs to be repaired, just send it to Bozeman.

I am doing a product test on some Redington Sonic Pro Zip waders. After 20 days on the water with them, no leaks. I'm really liking the waterproof zip front. My only gripe with them, so far, is that the membrane isn't as breathable as I would like them to be. I notice some "sweating" on my inner layers. I have been in Pataguccis for the past ten years, so I am use to higher quality membranes. The zip front wader runs $349. The non zip front wader runs $249. As for warranty issues, I don't have experience there. But usually Redington replaces any waders (except Crosswaters) sent back to them from what I have told.

If you can swing it, I'd stick with a Simms Guide Series wader. If you fish more than the average weekend warrior, a Guide Series wader will last you several seasons. Long term durability makes for great value. My girlfriend has well over 100 fishing days in the past two season in her G3 Pros. No leaks in her waders.

Denny

[::: :::]

i just got my first leak this year in a pair of cabela's dry plus stockingfoot waders that i've owned since 2003 (caveat: i'm only fishing 10-20 days a year, but it's all walking so they have taken a beating IMO)

[snapt]

All waders suck. No matter what you get you are sacrificing something.

Simms are by far the most breathable (gore tex models) and have the best cut. Also probably the most fragile and expensive when it comes to repairs. Simms quality doesn't seem like it was 10 years ago.

I've been in Patagonia's forever. I hate the fit, and they don't breath for shit. Every time they leak though they send me a new pair.

Currently 'product testing' (ie they gave me a pair) Redington Sonic Pro's. They got the cut done pretty well. Breathability is on par with the rest of the imported waders. Quality is good so far. FYI the new Orvis waders are supposedly carbon copies.

Go Simms if you can afford it and the repair bills. If not I'm pretty impressed with the Redington's over the rest of the imports on the market.

[adipose]

Simms - the only waders that I've had last a complete year without some sort of leak - starting my third year w/o a leak.
Tried; Patagonia, Orvis, Cabelas, Hodgeman and a couple of other clearances POS's

[Chowda]

I think the best value is a "high end" non-goretex wader. ie Simms Freestone. Going cheap gore means less layers and reinforcements, less comfortable fit, unshaped neoprene, basically a piece of shit wader made from a slightly better fabric.

[snapt]

The $100 difference between Freestones and Headwaters is a huge difference and $100 well spent. Headwaters = old guide wader = traditionally the best in simms line up.

[Chowda]

The $100 difference between Freestones and Headwaters is a huge difference and $100 well spent. Headwaters = old guide wader = traditionally the best in simms line up.

Only about 10% of my fishing days do I wish I had a more breathable wader, and maybe one day a year I wonder if I have a leaky seam or if its just sweat. But, I fish mostly in a semi arid climate, don't overdress, and carry my waders for longer mid-day access hikes. FWIW, my next waders will likely be headwaters, so I agree except for the best value part.

[Greasedcoast]

Go with dan Baileys... good warranty, basically simms for a cheaper price.