|
|
Post by jlibs on May 10, 2006 14:45:34 GMT -5
What are the best waders on the market for the money that are durable, quality and obviously waterproof?
I have had to send my waders back for replacement almost each year since I have been fly fishing despite taking excellent care of them. This can be a hassle, and I end up paying the shipping costs which add up.
I have used Orvis Silver Label breathable and Orvis Pro Guide breathable (both boot foot).
What do you reccomend?
JLIBS
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark Patenaude on May 10, 2006 15:38:27 GMT -5
Josh, I swear by Dan Bailey's "DB Lighweight" breathable waders. A FF friend of mine owns these as well and turned me onto them and I haven't looked back. I have owned a pair of their guide pants and full bib waders for about 5 years now and have not had a single leak or wear problem with them. The guide pants are awsome and far more practical during the summer and when fishing water where you don't have to get too deep. Please keep in mind that I take very good care of all of my equipment. I wash off my waders after every trip and hang them to dry on my workshop. I put on a pair of polar fleece underwear and sock and wear them steelhead fishing in February. They are surprisingly warm! I paired these waders with my Chota STL Plus cleated wading boots. No leaks in the waders and no falling on I disagree with felt soles only. The cleats are a little bit of overkill for the Spring Creeks I fish in the Midwest but have kept me from taking many headers in "freestone" streams/rivers. I especially like the speed lace system and the fact that they only shrink minimally after they dry and the toes don't curl up making them tight and uncomfortable. I finally tossed the pair I wore for at least 5 years due to wear and a few tears in the outside nylon mesh (and they were starting to smell bad) and bought a new pair. I won't go with anything else. Check out their site at: www.dan-bailey.com/ Just my $.02. I'm not a paid endorser or field tester with DB. I'm just a very satisfied customer... |
|
|
|
Post by strbender on May 10, 2006 16:19:25 GMT -5
I also have the Orvis Pro Guides and have had no problems. Now you have made me nervous  |
|
|
|
Post by fingerlaker on May 10, 2006 19:41:09 GMT -5
out of respect to others i'll keep my comments about orvis waders to myself..... but i will agree with marc.... i have a pair of dan bailey bare bones waders and quite simply they rock....
|
|
|
|
Post by DanaC on May 11, 2006 6:37:26 GMT -5
Had a pair of Orvis neoprenes, no problems. Bought their 'Clearwater' breathables and the d**n things leaked. Sealed 'em and sealed 'em and sealed 'em and they still leaked. Tossed 'em and boought Simms Guide. Expensive but worth every penny.
Dana
|
|
|
|
Post by FishinCane on May 11, 2006 7:32:16 GMT -5
No matter what waders you buy you should know how to patch them. There's not a brand of waders made today that are bullet proof!! I usually go with the mid to lower priced ones and just plan on getting a new pair every other year.
|
|
|
|
Post by bscanman on May 11, 2006 8:34:02 GMT -5
All waders leak eventually. They will leak faster if you use them more often. I'm on my fourth pair in five years, and have used them roughly 75 times a year. Two pairs of Orvis "No Sweats", one LL Bean Bomber and now I'm wearing the Orvis Pro-guides-all stocking foot. I buy for the guarantee. When my waders leak within a year, I send them back and either get a replacement pair or a credit and try something new.
It's my belief that the manufacturers play the averages that a large percentage of what they sell will be used a couple times a year then hung in a closet. Go with the best guarantee and return them if they fail.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by Joshua Field on May 17, 2006 21:04:28 GMT -5
I bought a cheap pair of hodgeman bantam hippers a few years back and they have been really great for brush beating to small creeks where I don't need waders. They were super cheap and are really very thick, so as to be relatively resistant to branches, rocks, etc.
downside is that they aren't breathable - but I don't mind since I only use them when the water is too cold for wet-wading.
|
|
|
|
Post by Uplander on May 19, 2006 15:37:45 GMT -5
I swear I read somewhere that changes in OSHA regulations in the past few years forced manufacturers to have to change the glue they use on the seams of waders. This glue, while safer for workers, is not as good as the old glue, so modern waders actually leak more than old ones. A safe replacement glue hasn’t been discovered yet, so most manufacturers are forced to sell waders they know will likely leak in a short time, but just grit their teeth and keep replacing them under warranty.
Not sure if it’s true or not, just something I seem to recall reading a couple of years ago….
|
|
|
|
Post by gonefishing on May 26, 2006 1:45:06 GMT -5
Josh,
Don't know if your Orvis silver labels were the old style or new. I've got a few friends that had a terrible experience with their original silver label breathables. The seams would fail or they would get small pinholes in the fabric.
A friend and I each picked up the silver label 2 waders and they've held up great. This is our third season with them and have had zero issues. This includes a few trips each year to the Adirondacks where we do some considerable hiking from spot to spot in them.
|
|
|
|
Post by flyfishinchef on Jan 5, 2010 19:57:50 GMT -5
I am in my simms g3's 250 days a year and i've had them for two years. I've sent them back once to patch pinholes in the seams and they only charged me postage. simms stands behind their product better than any wader company out there......m
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark Patenaude on Jan 11, 2010 10:32:01 GMT -5
Chief:
Thats good to hear. I just got a pair of G3s as a Xmas present.
Along with a TFO, Deer Creek 13'6" spey rod! Woo Hoo!!!
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by flyfishinchef on Jan 13, 2010 10:02:21 GMT -5
You'll love them!! I just got a scott ses 8 ft 3wt for x mas. Older but sweet rod.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark Patenaude on Jan 13, 2010 10:09:15 GMT -5
All my rods are Sage except for a Loomis Streamdance Metolius 3wt which is a supreme rod for tossing dry flies, a Diamondback VSR 7'6' 4wt. which is my all around small stream rod and a Loomis GL2 - 8wt as my backup rod for the big boys. The spey is the first TFO I've purchased and after having exhaustively researched rod costs/actions/lengths/weights/and consumer opinions, I decided that this was the best one for the money. I'm going to match it up with a Lamson 8/9 (haven't decided on model yet). I've spey fished alot before with a borrowed rod and can easily toss 90+' of line so I'm looking forward to using this one over and over to maximize my skills.
|
|
|
|
Post by flyfishinchef on Jan 13, 2010 12:01:58 GMT -5
All of my rods are scotts, I'm a colorado guy, except for a tfo 1 wt. It's a great rod. Had a chance to guide a client who's son in law works for tfo. I got the 1 wt in the mail 3 weeks later as a tip.
|
|
