breathable wader opinions

[gg]

How long should a $169 pair of Cabela's Gold Medal breathable waders last when used a couple or three times a week before they start to leak from material fatigue (not abuse).
I have a pair half way thru their second season and there is a crack developing parallel to the inner leg seam along the edge of the seam backing. Where the crack is complete water pours in.
It seems that they should last longer but I dont Know as they are my first pair of breathables even though I have fly fished for over 45 years.
Thanks for your opinions.

[caddisfly4]

I have a pair of Simms and I think this is my 6th or 7th season with them. I just keep hoping that they last another due to the outrageous price of this stuff. I don't know how Cabela's is with returns but if they honor the returns as LLBean does just send them back. Two seasons is nuts.

[SIslandBrowns]

One problem with the Cabelas non-gortex breathables is that they breakdown if exposed to deet...

I learned that when I was reaching waders... I ended up buying Simms guide waders from LL Bean a few years ago and they've been great.

[fessiewig]

Call Cabala's and ask them.

[gg]

I was going to try to patch them but I think the idea to call Cabela's first sounds smart.

I wonder what they will say

[gg]

Well I have gotten Cabelsa's opinion.
But first I have to say that their catalog discription says that these waders are "THE TOUGHEST LIGHTWEIGHT BREATHABLE WADERS ON THE MARKET". That is the main reason I bought them.
They told me that 2 years was the average life expectancy of a lightweight wader and I did well getting 1 and a half years at my heavy usage rate.
I guess I got burned. Take heed and avoid Cabelas.

Now for recomendations for my next pair? I am a medium buget type guy but I am willing to pay for quality.

[fessiewig]

To tell you the truth, I don't think you'll get "better" guarantees with any of the other outlets. I've been told by other outfitters that 2 years is the life expectancy of lightweight waders. From my experience, you probably should have just applied for a return under warranty without the explanation of "heavy" use. They probably would have repaired them or sent you new ones if they had been purchased within two years. After all, the warranty does not qualify the amount of use in the two year period, just that they be less than two years old.

[jdbrookie]

I've had great success with L.L. Bean breathables. I had a water 'weeping' problem with my 1st pair after 5 seasons. Took 'em back and they gave me a new pair - no questions asked. I have been using the new pair now for 3 years alternalely with another new pair from Beans, these are wading pants which I highly recommend, and have had no problems with either pair to date. I do a lot of off the beaten path bush whacking to get into some very remote spots in upper NH and Maine, some hikes last all day and can cover as much as 10 miles on foot, and 20 miles on bicycle/foot. All of this while wearing the waders. So, I would check out L.L.Bean, the lifetime unconditional guarantee can't be beat.

[SIslandBrowns]

Agreed re: LLBean... That's exactly why I bought my Simms waders (Classic Guide style - before the recent style changes and price increase.) from them. I had a similar problem with Orvis "lightweights" breatheables, they also started weeping after a couple of years...
I'm pretty tough on my gear and had no problems with the Simms, I think this is my 4th season in them. The other thing that I like about them is that they have a variety of sizes - far beyond s, m, l... - which really makes a difference if you're riverfishing and walking a distance.

[Steve H.]

My girlfriend got me a pair of LL Bean "West Branch" waders for my birthday last month. Much more rugged than my Hodgman "Wadelite" waders I had prior to these. Hopefully they'll last longer.

Anyone have any comments on the Bean's West Branch waders?

[natefish]

After going through a few cheep pairs of waders I finally begged for a "good" pair for christmass this year. Got a pair of Simms and I have to agree with all the rest of you, they Rock. Waders are one item I truely believe are worth what you pay for them, (much more than I would say for rods). I am extremely rough on my gear and I have been amazed at the abuse these waders have put up with thus far, falls on rough rocks, pokes from branches. I am psyched to hear that others have had similar success, it gives me hope that they will continue to satisfy me for years to come.

[Boneylegs]

I have to agree with buying the Simms....I had three sets of LLB Wicked Tuff Goretex in a year and a half (two leaked right out of the box!!!) and finally broke down and bought the Guide's for another $50. Not only is there a difference in sizing options, but just look at the difference in the seaming and the fit of the booties. I just bought my gf a pair of LLB WB waders.....size 9-11 bootie, baggy fit and had to return them after one outing due to the booty seam tape coming off. The second pair is doing the same thing. I'm a big advocate of more $ means better when it comes to waders. Went to Simms boots too. Best of both worlds? Buy Simms guides from LLB! Just make sure you get a salesman who knows how to size you correctly.

[TazNH]

I have had a pair of Orvis breathables for four years no problem. I also have a pair of Chota which has lasted over two years and had abuse. Both have great warranties and are not horribly expensive

[Rick]

I have a new pair of the West Branch waders from Bean as well..they seem good so far...but are very warm. Heavy material.

I also have a pair of the waist high breathables from LL Bean that I am very unimpressed with. They have a patch over the knee that fills with water after standing in water over the knee for a bit. Kind of obnoxious to have to pull the pant leg up to drain them. Good thing here is that I can still get a credt for them and get some new boots instead. :)

[Steamtrain]

my patagonia waders are 7 years old and will finally need a replacement in the near future(i'm cheap so'll it'll be a couple more years)

great waders
when i was purchasing them the simms rep made fun of the built in gravel guards
now the simms have built in gravel guards :lol: :lol: :lol:

would have got the simms but the deal on the patagonias was better at the time

they leaked for the first time last year in october, but have recovered and now don't leak

what ever is growing in there, must have filled the hole :shock:

[scotty]

My vote is for Simms also. I've had mine for 5 years and just starting to think I should wash them! They are the worth the money. Waders are a very important part of enjoying this sport. Leaky waders can sour your mood quickly when trying to have fun.
As far as Cabela's, I have purchased some of their brand products and most are fine, but I always remember you get what you pay for. Sad to hear about their answer on how long a pair should last. Being in the Customer Service business, not going the extra distance to satisfy a good customer is wrong. I'm sure this sours your thoughts of future purchases. Or at least makes you shop around.

[Mountain Angler]

If you can afford the extra bucks go with the Simms. This is high praise coming from a guy who sells waders, but is not a Simms dealer. I have had mine for 5 years and they are just now starting to give some problems. The tape is starting to peal up on the inside. Janet did a pretty good patch job, but the heels still leak a little. Maybe I will send them back for repair at the end of the year.
However, if your budget doesn’t call for that kind of expense look into the Chotas. They sell for around $150 and are about a rugged as they get.
Most companies do offer a repair service. Orvis will repair any of their waders for $30. We had a customer put a pretty good sized rip in a pair. He returned them for repair and was not happy with the results; he voiced his complaint and received a brand new pair. Hard to beat this kind of service, especially when you consider the tear was entirely his fault.

[Flyfish99]

You guys that are buying Simm's.....what models are you buying? One thing I've learned about waders over the years is that they all leak eventually. $500+ seems like a lot to pay for a disposable item. I have had good luck with Orvis waders over the years, but would change if there were a longer lasting brand available. I have seven years on a pair of the original Clearwater lightwieght breathables, with only a little patching around the seams. I use them now for backup to my 4 year old Silver Labels, which don't leak, so five years before a problem on $500 waders really doesn't impress me all that much. I have been fishing about 60/70 days a year, but recently retired, thus the question about Simm's durability.

[Kype+]

I have been using a pair of Bean breathable waders for three seasons now in both fresh and salt water. This season I am beginning to have a fine leak in one foot, nothing big but in the fall it will be a problem no doubt. I can't seem to find the leak! I wonder if Bean would help. I will have to ask them I suppose. To date they have been my best wader ever. The gravel guards are great and the heavy leg protection is a big help. My waders did not have belt loops though I saw that the wader I have now come with loops.
Not to change the subject I need new boots. I have a large wide foot. I want to use them in cold weather as well as the regular season. I was told Chotas has a wide generous boot that is very durable. What say you on boots?

[SIslandBrowns]

I got a great deal on 2 pairs of Simms Freestone boots w/felt soles when Stoddard's Fly Shop in Boston was closing about 3 years ago. I think I only paid $39 a pair versus the normal $79 to $99.

I got a size 11 for wet wading and a size 13 for use with my waders. I have wide feet, too and have found these VERY comfy. I went with the extra size and found my feet are much warmer when it's cold due to the better circulation.

My friend swears by the Patagonia "Riverwalker" boots with the "sticky" soles.

A guide friend loves Chota, although they always seem to be falling apart on him... They have too much stitching for my taste.

For me, the stitching seems to always be the first thing to go on boots so I look for boots with as little as possible - The Simms Freestone hardly have any stitching at all - another reason I chose them.