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RETURN to Putah Creek Trout -> Putah Creek Fly Fishing Forum -> Equipment and Product Reviews -> Waders and Boots
Post Info TOPIC: Waders and Boots
brian clemens


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Waders and Boots
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well looks like ill be needing to buy some waders and boots, and more than likely it will be within a week or so. anyways my questions are this.

best bang for the buck. ill have about 300 to spend tops. ill need to get breathables and boots.

i have been looking at cabelas brand breathables, as well as redingtons. same thing for boots too. i can get both for under 300 bucks if i get them from those companies.

how do i do sizes. as far as boots size and wader size.

and what do you all think about cabelas and redington waders and boots. i know jt talked about them before and was very happy with them.
what is the difference between the cabelas dry plus and the dry plus gII, and also the difference between the regular and stout in both.

any info would be great.

thanks
brian

-- Edited by brian clemens at 16:21, 2008-08-01

-- Edited by brian clemens at 16:23, 2008-08-01

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AbelBoy


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Brian,
Check local first. You never know what kind of discontinued inventory that a local shop might be sitting on. You could possibly get a good deal. Also its hard to put a price on expertise that you find locally.  I know that you do biz with Al at American Fly (you've mentioned that in a post before). Why not give him a chance to help you out? Plus there are two other quality shops in the region.

how do i do sizes. as far as boots size and wader size.

A rule of thumb is to choose the full size up from your measured size.  You need to take into account your sock and the stocking foot over your foot.  For waders, most companies provide a very accurate size chart.  A good shop employee can usually estimate your size.  When trying on waders, plan on having room for layering.  If you are into cold weather Steelhead fishing, you will want to have enough room for heavy weight polar fleece pants.

and what do you all think about cabelas and redington waders and boots.

Sorry.  I don't have an opinion on Cabelas or Redington waders and boots.  If I were looking for new waders and boots, I'd be looking at Patagonia or Simms first.  Their quality control and fits just seem better than the other brands.  In regards to durability, they will last.  I know a guy who finally decided to replace his 15 year old pair of Simms Guide waders.  I have a pair of Patagonia waders that I have owned since 2002.

difference between the regular and stout

Regular sizes are meant as "average" fits.  Stout sizes (also known as "king") are fits with extra girth for the big boys.

I know that you are budgeting $300 for waders and boots.  Consider spending more since you fish a lot more than the average Joe.  You will get waders and boots that will last a lot longer than the price point models.  In the long run, the waders and boots will pay for themselves.  What's the worst case scenario?  An extra month or two to pay off a credit card?

AbelBoy

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Bugger


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I can't comment too much about waders and boots since I am still using my first pairs, which I bought last fall. But I can comment about my experience buying them. I didn't know what I wanted/needed and felt that I had to try them on before buying. I went to my local fly shop (Fish First! in Albany) and got great advice and service, as always. I ended up buying a Simms freestone waders that was 30% off (about $140) and a pair of discontinued Simms boots (can't remember the name) that was also 30% off (about $100). I feel like I got great gear at a good price and I was (and still am) convinced that I bought what I needed. I would definetly recommend a visit to your favorite fly shop(s) for waders and boots.

-- Edited by Bugger at 18:59, 2008-08-01

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brian clemens


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so you pd a total of 240 for boots and waders. thats a great deal. ya ill probably check out my local stores first. they always have some deals.

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JT


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I have Simms L2 waders and Simms Freestone wading boots.  I have used Cabelas Gold Medal Dry Plus waders as well.  The Simms waders fit better, but the Cabelas waders were way more durable.

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lightfoot


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I had a pair of the Cabelas dry plus waders a few years ago and ended up throwing them away. 

They would sprout a new leak or more on each trip.  I was doing a lot of fishing at the time and trying to patch them before the next outing was a major pita.   Maybe I didn't have to dry them to patch them, which would have saved a ton of time.  I fianlly ran out of patch material and gave up on them.  They worked ok as modified snow pants in a pinch while on a Jeep run though.

The other issue was fitment and comfort.  Maybe it's an attribute of breathable waders I don't know as this was my first and only pair.  Perhaps some Simms g3's would be different.  While fishing they just felt wet (even new and before they sprung leaks).  They also lacked stretch which made wading in rocky areas such as the Pit river very difficult.  Trying to lift a leg up and over boulders just didn't work well.

I have gone back to plain ole neoprene (fan of Cabelas brand).  The odd thing is I don't find the neoprene any less comfortable on a hot day than the breathables.  All day summer trips on the Pit are good testing grounds.

:)

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brian clemens


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thanks for all the info guys. i think i am gonna get the cabelas gold medal dry plus waders that are 5ply, that are 170 and a pair of simms studded freestone boots for 110. i will check out the local shops to see if they have anything on sale. but if not ill be buying from cabelas.

thanks again for all the info.

-- Edited by brian clemens at 12:02, 2008-08-02

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
AbelBoy


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Brian,
Check your PMs.

AbelBoy

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Matt R


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brian I think simms just updated the freestone boot which ususally means you can get the old version on sale. look around. i use the old version and they can take a decent beating.

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dtp916


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Patagonia is the best!!!


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brian clemens


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i actually went and bought some simms freestones 2008s for 80 bucks felt bottoms but i did buy the removable studds as well. gave them a go on the yuba, tough walking but they worked very well.

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
AbelBoy


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dtp916 wrote:

Patagonia is the best!!!


Patagonia puts people on the top of Everest. Its waders and boots have the same quality as the mountaineering gear.

AbelBoy



-- Edited by AbelBoy at 16:55, 2008-08-09

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shon42073


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I think the freestones are to big and heavey for long hikes. I've been using the simms keines this summer and they are a great wading/hiking boot, there very lightweight and comfortable.Remember to tuck away an extra pair of boot laces in the tackle bag.

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brian clemens


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so looking at gettin waders here in the next day or 2, looking at 2 types,

simms Rivertek Stockingfoots for 299
complete 3 layer construction

simms G3 Guide Convertible for 379
5layer lower 3layer upper

those are the 2 that i am looking at, any advise would be great,



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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
dtp916


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My advice is look at something else.

Get Patagonia Watermaster II's.....Support a company that gives back to the environment.

beer.gif

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brian clemens


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where can i get some pats for the same price

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AbelBoy


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I bought mine from Fly Fishing Specialties last year. The Watermaster II runs $350. Rick Fox should be there tomorrow. He can get you fitted up right.

I have a pair of 2002ish Watermasters. I finally retired them last year. I didn't have to, but I just wanted to have a new pair.

AbelBoy



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Rtitus


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I was just looking at Simms the other day and was trying to figure out the differences between the $169.00 pair and the over $600.00 pair! Help!

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AbelBoy


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Rtitus wrote:

I was just looking at Simms the other day and was trying to figure out the differences between the $169.00 pair and the over $600.00 pair! Help!


$600 Simms - 5 layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell waterproof breathable membrane in the legs 3 layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell waterproof breathable membrane in the chest.  Gore-Tex Pro Shell membrane is the most waterproof and breathable membrane in the Gore-Tex collection.  Built on insulated chest pocket.  This is a guide weight wader that is meant to take a beating.  I'm sure there are a bunch more techno features that jack up the cost.


$169 Simms - 3 layer proprietary waterproof breathable membrane top and bottom.  It's made for the occassional weekend warrior. 

AbelBoy



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brian clemens


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ya are as cheap as 169 all the way up to 600+.

the riverteks are 300

the introductor G3 are 380 which are 5 layer lower 3 layer upper

patagonia you can get the top of the line for 350.

cabelas makes a great wader called the cabelas gold medal dry plus. right now onsale for 149.99 thats what i bought last night. yes they are cheap but a wise man told me (JT) that as much fishing as i do these would be perfect, and ontop of that he had a pair and loved them, and his next pair will be cabelas gold medal dry plus.

anyways as far as customer service SIMMS SUCKS, patagonias are great, and cabelas is great to. pat and cabelas both stand by their product, if for any reason you rip it, puncture, or it leaks for any reason, even if its your fault, they wont fix the wader they will completely replace it, for the life of the wader. simms will not do that.

so there is some info for ya.

as far as environment stuff, yes patagonia gives back to the environment, i believe its 1% of every sale. but i may be wrong.

do your research when buying a wader. especially a the cabelas. luckly jt had some mediums that i could try on and they was just a little snugg, so i bought the large. patagonias you can try on at kienes or fly fishing specialties, simms you can try on at american fly (ask for mike or al) as well as the other 2 i mentioned.

if you are just an occasional weekend warrior i would go with the cabelas, i mind you am not an occasional weekend warrior, i fish a lot, but i still bought the cabelas gold medal dry plus waders. they have great reviews. check them out.

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
dtp916


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JT is a wiseman.

He was really wise about wading on Wednesday biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

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brian clemens


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ya he told me about that. very funny. fell in like a dozen times before it was noon. man i wish i would have seen that. hahahaha.

hey dtp you gonna be at the truckee rally at oneweights cabin.

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
JT


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Yeah, I was feeling pretty wise, especially when I lost my hat.  How do you lose your hat when fishing?

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brian clemens


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hey jt, thanks for lettin me try out those waders, bought a size bigger last night, spent the extra money to get over night delivery so hopefully ill get it on tuesday, for my trinity trip, if not ill give yours a go. again thanks for that one. i owe ya. by the way, the hat thing, maybe your loosing your hair or your head is gettin smaller in your old age. hahaha

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
Flying Dutchman


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Hey Brian--I've done a lot of bushwhacking with my Gold Medal waders. Solid and still very breathable. Hope you get good use out of yours, too!


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brian clemens


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thanks for that info flying dutchman. makes me that much more confident in my wader buying decision. i know ill get some great use out of mine. how long have you had yours for.

as far as the up coming trip, i kinda got a few skunks that are coming with me for my trinity trip on weds and thursday, ill have a new reel with no fish on it, a new spool for the new reel with no fish on it, 3 brand new fly lines with no fish on it, and a new pair of waders that have not touched the water yet and with no fish in it either. the odds are stacked against me for this trinity trip, but ill just have to bring my a game, so watch out fish he i come.

-- Edited by brian clemens at 18:21, 2008-08-24

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
Flying Dutchman


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Brian, break 'em in all at one time! biggrin Not sure if you read an older post about waders--Cabela's customer service has been very good to me...No questions asked!

Have a great trip!!!

-- Edited by Flying Dutchman at 19:25, 2008-08-24

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dtp916


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My shop is selling Patagonia waders at 30% off right now. Watermaster II for $245...what a steal....Watermaster Lights as well.

How DO you loose your hat??? You guys should've seen his forehead.

I'm not going to be able to make it that weekend for the Truckee, I already have plans. But try tossing crays and if all else fails tie on a standard #16 bird's nest. biggrin

-- Edited by dtp916 at 21:53, 2008-08-24

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brian clemens


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i just bought a crap load of crawfish, size 4 to 8s i think, also got some sculpins, and i think ill go at making a few goblins as well. and wouldnt you know it i went and bought a dozen of #16 hares ear, those are about the same right. but ya looks like i am set for the truckee run. oh ya will the 5wt be ok up there, or should i bring the 6 just incase.

you bet i will be breaking them all in, just hope i dont break the rod this time instead of the reel on a big fish. hahaha.

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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
shon42073


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I'll be going armed with my trusty 4 weight. I'm hoping to fish dry's. Stimulators have worked well for me just about everywhere this summer. Hey Brian you riding up there with packrat and me right ? I'm pretty stoked about this one. It'll pretty much be the wrap up for an amazing summer of sierra fishing. Then its putah, lower yuba, and steelie time ! I'm actually starting to miss ol putah creek biggrin.gif

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