Best Waders

[mbgrulz]

I own 2 pair of Orvis waders. One pair is a 3.5 year old clearwater model ($130), and the other pair is a 1 year old silver label model ($190). Both pair have leaks in them.

I am sending them back to Orvis for repair, but i am also considering a new pair of waders.

I am pretty good about taking care of my waders, but I want a pair that won't leak after only 1 or 2 fishing seasons.

I am considering the Simms Rivershed model ($300) and the Orvis Tailwater XT model ($300).

Does anybody have any suggestions on a better pair that I have not mentioned?

[Snow Fly]

mb:

For 5 years now I have been wearing LL Bean's "Wicked Tough" Gore-Tex waders with no problems and plenty of time in the water and walking a lot of river banks with plenty of puncture obstacles to get around. The regular sizes go for $300. Check out their web site at llbean.com

[Brian Wise]

You can't go wrong with Simms. Having said that I haven't messed with the Riversheds a whole lot. They are more along the lines of lightweight waders. I have the G3's and they are like $99 more dollars than the Riversheds and they are made out of a new kind of Gore-Tex, depending on the $ you are wanting to spend I would check those out too and while you are at it check out the L2's which I believe are made out of the same fabric as last years G3's. And now I have gone cross-eyed.

Brian

[Flysmallie]

I have some of the Orvis Clearwaters and every time I thought I had the leak fixed another would show up somewhere else. It was quite cold fishing in them New Years Day!!

Spend the extra money for the Simms G3's. I've only had mine wet twice, but they are very very nice.

[timsfly]

I have the G-3 Simms guide waders, they are pretty good, I did have to send them back after only a year, had a leak around the right bootie, they fixed the problem, repaired some small leaks(caused by ME) and sent them back and they have been good ever since.

I have wore the cheap orvis waders a lot, always found them good for the money, and if I had a leak, orvis was very good about replacing or repairing the waders, I sent several back over the years and they replaced every pair.

Can't beat Orvis for customer relations.

[Danoinark]

Like Tim I have had one repaired and one replaced when they couldn't repair them. Pretty good customer service at Orvis. Their wader policy is posted on their website.

Dano

[retroaction man]

i just bought a pair of orvis pro guide 2s. Are yall saying i should expect these to start leaking at some point next year? i only fish once a week. Ive never heard people talk about orvis waders leaking so soon untill now . also when yall DO send them in how long does it typicaly take to get them back from orvis ?

[Gavin]

I've been using Simms..my old guide models were great. They held up for 5 years before they gave out..Replaced them with some G3's but they only lasted for 3 years. The new G3's have better features than my old pair..but I was disapointed with my old pair so I recently switched to Patagonias. Like them a lot. Cheers.

[Danoinark]

i just bought a pair of orvis pro guide 2s. Are yall saying i should expect these to start leaking at some point next year? i only fish once a week. Ive never heard people talk about orvis waders leaking so soon untill now . also when yall DO send them in how long does it typicaly take to get them back from orvis ?

Yours may never leak. I had mine for 8 years before there was one. I sent them in for repair and got a brand new set.

Any brand could leak right out of the box. The question; is their customer service good enough to back it up. Orvis' is.

Dano

[Greg]

I don't think you can go wrong with Simms. I'm into my 3rd year in Simms Lightweights with zero leaks or problems. That's the longest I've ever had a pair of waders last. I've always been curious about LL bean's waders though. Their gore tex waders seem like a great deal. Similiar to Simms top of the line but for less money.

Greg