Hey kids!

I'm looking at buying a pair of waders and I notice they are all over the place in price.......from $60 at Gander Mountain to $300+ for a nice pair of Simms. I have about $120 to spend. Any recommendations? I want the kind with stocking feet.

DMAN66
I agree, go with the $200 simms. I have 3 of 4 pair of "CHEAP WADERS" They don't fit right, there HOT!!!!! ect. I am going to go with the Simms this year!! Best Fishes <'(((((((((>< Mike

Ok....two more questions.......

1 - I found a pair of Simms Freestone's for $149 are they good?

2 - What size wading shoe do I get with the stocking feet waders? Do I go up a shoe size?

If the Freestones are anything like the Simms classic guides you may have to go up two shoe sizes to get a good fit. My average shoe size is 9 1/2 and I had to go to a size 11 to accomodate my foot with the Simms classic guide waders. Simms does recommend going up one shoe size larger with thier waders.

Go with Simms. I got tired of buying cheap waders and invested in a pair of Simms because of the customer satisfaction that I have seen here and other boards.

Ron

The Freestones are nice, the Lightwieght are better. But ether way they are simms and fantastic waders.

The Freestones are made of a cheeper breathable fabric than the GoreTex Lightwieght waders. This fabric is more vonerable to pucture and ripping.

The Lightwieght are reenforced in the knees, the Freestones are not.

Both have good suspenders, securely attached neoprene feet and a lifetime warenty on all seems.

Both have Simms service and support which includes one free repair on a seam when sent to there Headquarters in Montana.

The Freestone's were voted the best wader for the value by Fly Fish America in 2002.

Hope this helps. Both are great waders. I would recommend ether one. I personally prefer the Lightwieght, what a great pair of waders. I think you will be satisfied ether way...

-Chad

Thanks all!! I'll probably go for the $200 pair (lightweight). I have been on enough spring trout fishing trips where the weather ranges from 30 degrees to 70 degrees on any given day. Sweating while hiking is not fun.

Just out of idle curiosity, how do the Simms models compare in terms of "relative" insulation?

Ive got a bit of a quandry because I'm a wet wader in the summer but am looking for something when the water temps can be "brisk" wading the Gallatin and Madison...

D.

Check: Sierra trading Post
Patagonia is closing out last years guide waders, and they have them there. Both Simms and Patagonia make excellent guide weight breathables. However, the gaurantee is better with Patagonia. If you have a problem with the waders, Patagonia doesn't charge you $40.00 to repair them. As a matter of fact they often just send you a new pair if you send them back. Even if you don't get the warantee with the close outs, you are still getting a brand new pair of guide weight breathables for $210.00!

Patagonia is probably the way to go dude for the money you are wanting to spend. Remember, the majority of waders that fail are usually in the crotch seam area, the seams and threads stretch upon bending,squatting,etc.

Fisherman think that if they can just squat in the store while wearing pants, they think the waders will fit fine. Wrong!

Get the size waders that you can run,jump,break-dance and round-house-kick in, while still wearing 2 or even 3 layers of under fleece!

What I'm trying to say is, the looser the better, just not to the point where you are dragging or you butt is below the back of your knee! You get the picture.

Good luck!

good pt. on the Patagonia's at STP... I've had my eyes on these but haven't pulled the trigger on them yet.

I'd have to agree with the Simms recommendation. But I'd also have to second the Patagonia Waders especially at that price. Take-care!