Looking for New Waders (Simms or Grundens)

[Marley]

Hi Guys

Gonna pick up some new waders. They will be multi purpose from winter fishing on the salt, to sturgeon, to drift boat, to duck hunting.

I was considering Simms G3 but I now see Grundens has started making waders with a zipper for the same prices as the G3. I feel like the zipper would be a real increase in comfort.

Has anyone bought a pair of the Grundens waders and have a review?

 

[RiverBoy]

I don’t know about the grundens but i can tell you the simms G3 waders are returned for warranty more than the next step down ( which i own; name escapes me. ) this is from my good buddy who works at the local retailer that sells them.
edit: Freestone. i have had mine for years with no problems. but the zipper thing sounds good.

 

[Macdeep]

Ya I had the simms freestone- got 3 years before the feet/shins started to leak. Simms replaced them no questions in 2018, got another 3 years of no leaks and then limped them by till this year with progressively wetter feet. Jumped up to the G3s but after reading reviews about the product and changes to Simms customer service, kinda wished I’d gone with Patagonia… but will see. So far no leaks after the fall season.

When I was doing bio/fish work we went with cabelas basic waders and just bought new every year. Either way, the price for dry feet is ~150-200$ a year whether you go high end or low end.

Zipper fronts aren’t worth it in my mind. Had a pair in 2015, and it was the first area to leak.

 

[Hyde-N-Seek]

Pantagonia has been solid for me so far. Zipper ones are bonus. Used to used Simms but I think Patagonias are better quality and warranty.

 

[wildthing]

got these for my flyfishing buddie says he's well pleased with them ....https://www.temu.com/goods.html?_bg..._1763856867403_txfouhjdvi&refer_page_sn=10045

 

[eroyd]

Pantagonia literally tell you to abuse them. I've had the zipper front for 5+ years. Use them in the rivers and ocean. No probs.

 

[Marley]

Pantagonia literally tell you to abuse them. I've had the zipper front for 5+ years. Use them in the rivers and ocean. No probs.

I have been looking into it more online. Seems like Simms have a lot of issues with leaks and warranty/ customer service is not what it used to be.

Patagonia has good reviews and the customer service/ warranty seems to be excellent. I am going to check out the Patagonia waders this week.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

I’ve run Simms for ever, just picked up the Grunden’s boundary. Simms quality has gone down, going over both side by side Grundens feel way better. I talked to the guys at PNT and Sea Run, both said Grundens or Panagonia.

 

[RageWelding]

Sims are great. Never heard of grundens making waders but that would be sweet it they did! I dont river fish as much as I used to so last year when it came time to retire my sims after 13 years I got some cheap ones on Amazon and honestly they've been great. The ones Im using are bassdash camo stocking foot but I have nice sims wading boots still with cleats... the thing with cheap waders is never ever put them in the dryer. The seam tape will peel back.

 

[Aquaholic]

Pacific Angler has a big sale in the store on customer appreciation night, sometime this week I think.

 

[Drink]

Have had Simms and Patagonia waders over the years and I will say the Patagonia Iron Clad warranty is without question best in class. Bought the Patagonia waders in 2007 and they began to leak after about 10 years of abuse. Shelved them, bought the Simms. Pulled them out of the closet this year and considered chucking them but decided last minute to have the free delivery Patagonia Quebec factory see if they were repairable. After about 2 weeks the local Patagonia store informed It was a no go as apparently breathable waders have a shelf life and were delaminated. To my surprise the factory sent me a voucher for $506 as apparently because of the serial # they had my original purchase price and date. Happy camper no doubt. That’s 18years.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

I forgot to mention that the Grundens and Panagonia are substantially cheaper than the Simms. If you do know someone at the store they can give you an even better deal. Like I said, I ended up with the Grundens, and I was 1000 bucks taxes in, not bad.

 

[CastleRocker]

High-n-Dry waders are the most durable I've ever used. I know a guy who works on an oyster farm, and he recommended them or I wouldn't ever have heard of them. I've tried Simms, they didn't last. Didn't know Grunden's made waders! High-n-Dry suspenders and belt are awesome. They even have a zipper fly that doesn't leak!!!

 

[bryce]

I have a few pairs of simms my only ones that don’t leak I got when I was 16 20 years ago
Have heard good things about grundens, I am rocking Dryft pant waders and regular and they have been fantastic I use them for jet boat hunting and tons of fishing and sxsing!

 

[Bueller]

Look at DRYFT they have a Black Friday sale on from today. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Had the adrenaline waders for years and they still as good as the day I got them.

 

[Marley]

Went to Michael and Young today. Tried on the Patagonia expedition waders and I was sold. Talked to the guys in the store and they all used to wear Simms but they are now all in Patagonia. Going to have to test them out soon and see how they do. The zipper is a really nice feature we will see how it holds up.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

Went to Michael and Young today. Tried on the Patagonia expedition waders and I was sold. Talked to the guys in the store and they all used to wear Simms but they are now all in Patagonia. Going to have to test them out soon and see how they do. The zipper is a really nice feature we will see how it holds up.

Thanks for all the advice.

Cool thing about them is you can adjust the straps and pull down the tops and make them pants. Good luck with the purchase!

 

[Marley]

Cool thing about them is you can adjust the straps and pull down the tops and make them pants. Good luck with the purchase!

That was one of the features I liked as well. Looking forward to lots of fishing.

 

[M1SF1T]

3 year old G3s here and no issues.

 

[adamcu280]

Big fan of Dryft S14. I’ve had my first set since 2020 and hundreds of days of use later (99% saltwater) they’re still kicking. I did just get another set on sale because backups are good and the price/quality can’t be beat. Patagonia are 2.5x the price.