Thought I had already sent this by phone but must have screwed up.
A good friend’s husband bought her a weeklong fly fishing camp and she is looking to buy some chest waders. Have not bought waders since approx 1980 so looking for some advice on what she should buy. I don’t think price is really an issue just good, well-made waders. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks
Can’t go wrong with a pair from Orvis!
I think Simms are generally regarded is the best fly fishing waders. Higher end Simms are Made in USA. You also need boots then as well, I prefer Korkers so you can switch out soles to abide by different state regulations.
I can vouch for Simms. I bought my first pair in mid 2000s. Have patched pin-hole leaks and a barbed wire tear but otherwise they are still functional. A nominal 15 yrs out of a pair of breathables is pretty outstanding. None of the other brands I’ve used have come close to that kind of longevity.
I think Simms are generally regarded is the best fly fishing waders. Higher end Simms are Made in USA. You also need boots then as well, I prefer Korkers so you can switch out soles to abide by different state regulations.
Are there ones that have “socks” instead of the booted feet? ones apparently you wear if you are in a tube floating and have fins on your feet?!
Are there ones that have “socks” instead of the booted feet? ones apparently you wear if you are in a tube floating and have fins on your feet?!
Fly fishing waders are almost exclusively stocking foot, which means they have a connected neoprene booty, and then you buy a separate wading boot of your preference.
If they are there for a week they will definitely want to go with the neoprene stocking foot waders plus separate boots. Simms are excellent and what I use today. I had redingtons for a few years that worked just fine and were cheaper but not as good (and didn’t last as long). If I bought waders today I’d buy Patagonia because they are the only brand I know of with a lifetime guarantee (all waders will leak eventually).
If they are there for a week they will definitely want to go with the neoprene stocking foot waders plus separate boots. Simms are excellent and what I use today. I had redingtons for a few years that worked just fine and were cheaper but not as good (and didn’t last as long). If I bought waders today I’d buy Patagonia because they are the only brand I know of with a lifetime guarantee (all waders will leak eventually).
Yeah Patagonia’s return policy is great but that doesn’t help you when your 3 days into a week long trip in the middle of nowhere, or when you have to send your stuff in again midseason and your without your gear during prime time. I bought Patagonia’s highest end pair of waders a few years ago, within 10 days of medium use they were leaking in crotch and booties. Same can be said for one of their high end ski shells I purchased. They have gone so far to the extreme with being “green” that their quality has suffered greatly IMO. I continue to use the stuff I have, but refuse to buy their stuff anymore after multiple failures of top end “Pataguchi” gear.
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