waders

[Al Agnew]

I've had good luck in the past with Cabelas breathable waders.  But all waders will develop holes after a while.  The difference in the expensive ones like Simms, and the cheap ones is partly in how long it takes to develop holes, and how much abuse you can give them before you get holes.  In the end, it's kinda all a wash.  Buy a pair of hundred dollar waders and get about a year's use out of them before you have to do some repairs, or buy a pair of $400 waders and get four years' use before you have to fill in the holes.  Personally, I prefer to spend the money up front, so I rely on Simms...plus they fit better.

[Haris122]

Yeah I think I'll just save up a little until I can get some decent Simms. Until then I hope my cheap Cabelas ones that I still have, hold out.

[dave potts]

I've  experienced fewer back aches since going with stocking foot waders and separate boots versus built in boots. You also get better footing I think.

I like waist high waders especially when fishing shallower waters and on hot days.  I've had good luck with Bass Pros waist highs.  I recently tried on a pair of Cabelas waist highs and they seemed to be a better fit and better quality but also a little heavier.  Wrench said they now have a lifetime guarantee so that would seal the deal for me for my next purchase.

It looks like there is a good chance the buyout of Cabelas by Bass Pro may fall through if Capital One backs out of buying Cabela's credit card business.  In my opinion Bass Pro was paying too much anyway as the bulk of Cabela's profit has historically been from the credit card business. 

[moturkey]

On 3/4/2017 at 0:58 AM, Haris122 said:

Also, any experiences with Orvis, Hodgman, or Caddis Fly waders? The Simms, unfortunately just seem out of my price range, and the white river stuff, I'm apprehensive about getting the same problems as with the ones I'm returning.

I was in the same boat. Wanted good quality with a reputable brand in a mid price point. I went with the Orvis Silver Sonic convertible waders and they're great. I think they were around the $250-$275 range (way below the Simms lines). They're comfortable, very breathable and the convertible top is handy when nature calls. The zip-fly model would be even better for that reality of a long day in the water, but I didn't want to pay the premium for that added luxury. I paired them with a mid-range boot from bass pro and it's a great setup. 

[Pat Magee]

Checking out Redington might be a good idea as well.  Redington is owned by a holding company that also owns Sage and Rio (two great fly fishing companies).  I haven't personally tried them but their price point seems pretty similar to what you are looking for and the darn things look and feel almost identical to all the others.

[joeD]

What happened to shawncuz?  It was his question.

[BilletHead]

    Joe he is either still trying to digest all this information, has a case of sticker shock or froze out wet wading,

BilletHead

[shawncuz]

13 hours ago, joeD said:

What happened to shawncuz?  It was his question.

I'm still here.  Bass Pro has a pair on sale this week for $49.95 and I can get a pair of shoes at Academy for $40.  Right now that's all i need until i get the hang of casting a fly rod.  I'm really still trying to decide if I want a pair or not.  Both my boys play baseball and its getting to be baseball season.  Time for everything can be a problem.

[trythisonemv]

5 hours ago, shawncuz said:

I'm still here.  Bass Pro has a pair on sale this week for $49.95 and I can get a pair of shoes at Academy for $40.  Right now that's all i need until i get the hang of casting a fly rod.  I'm really still trying to decide if I want a pair or not.  Both my boys play baseball and its getting to be baseball season.  Time for everything can be a problem.

Make the investment.  Its worth it. Timeless skill and hobby. I don't really even fish with anything else anymore.  

[joeD]

No.  Don't buy Simms out of the gate. One doesn't buy a new Mercedes right after getting a job. Stay within your budget, buy value, which is Bass Pro or Cabelas. Also, like a lot of products, sometimes the hype doesn't justify the exorbitant jump in price. It's not an "investment." It's an expense that only you get value.