My old waders have finally sprung there final leak. I'm stepping up to either simms L2 or the Orvis tailwater XT. Anyone currently using either of these waders ? If so lets hear the likes and dislikes or if anyone has an opinion on either company's products. Do these company's offer free wader repairs ? I think simms does ?
hey capty i got me apair of LLBEANS wicket tuff ...still have 5 layer goretex...garentee is like this IF FOR ANY RESUNE YOUR NNOT HAPPY THEY WILL EXCHANGE OR GIVE U MONEY BACK...AT ANY TIME NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU HAVE THEM...ONLY PROBLEM THERE BACK EAST SO U HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE MAIL...have had mine for 4-5 years with no problem... paid a little over 300.00...
I have Simms L2 waders. They're pretty comfortable, but they're not as thick as I expected them to be. I used to wear and highly recommend the Cabela's Gold Medal Dry Plus waders. I put those things through a serious beating in the three years that I wore them. They'll most likely be my next pair of waders.
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I totally agree with JT on the Cabela's Gold Medal waders. Very tough and breathable. I've put mine through more than I probably should have. Cabela's customer service was also very prompt (within a week) on returned waders--product defect in the boot seam. They told me to hold on to my old pair and fish with them until new ones (upgraded) arrived. Then, send them in. Not bad service at all!
A buddy of mine has the L2 waders and also noted the difference between thickness of material. He claims Simms has a better breathable membrane...Maybe someone knows more about that?!
-- Edited by Flying Dutchman at 22:50, 2008-03-03
__________________
There's no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm...
L2 waders are a lightweight Gore-Tex material. The G3's and G4 models have the hardcore thickness you were thinking about. If you are really tough on your waders, you might want to think about ones that have the 5 layer bottoms like the G3 Guide or G4 Pro....but they are so freakin expensive.....L2's are a 3 layer material.
Patagonia has redesigned their Watermaster II's and their Riverwalker boots. I am ordering some soon. Can't beat their ironclad guarantee! The suspender system is sweet, however, they are baggier than the Simms.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Cabela's and Orvis Tailwaters, but have not tried either model. Look for 5 layers on the lower part for durability.
Well the finances wouldn't allow for a set of simms or orvis at this time so I had to go get a pair of hodgman waders cuz I was in a pinch and needed something for the next day. Overall not a bad product, there the guidelite series, has 5 layer construction on the knees and seat and the breathablity is good. They are a bit on the loose fitting side but overall I have nothin bad to say about em. I'll get a few years out of em. They'll be better once they're all dirty and broken in, and that wont take long . I did check out some simms today at the fly shop (dont recall which ones) and honestly i think the hodgman guidelites are a more durable product, the simms seemed thin.
I have some hodgmens breathable waders... I have a few holes in them from falling and sliding down a hill, and rubbing against thorn bushes. Good waders for the price.
. I did check out some simms today at the fly shop (dont recall which ones) and honestly i think the hodgman guidelites are a more durable product, the simms seemed thin.