Waders - The awesome, the bad, the leaky

[BigSplashTom]

last month I purchased a pair of Dryft pant waders $399 to replace a 3 year old pair of Paramount waders. Apparently 40+ trips each year was too much for Paramount waders because the seams just gave out all at once. Real BUMMER because I really liked the discount waders. Light weight, easy to get in and out of but most importantly super easy to unzip and recycle coffee or a can of beer.
The Dryft waders are easy to get in/out of but access to the plumbing is not as easy as the Paramount product.
I tried to purchase another pair of Paramount waders but was not successful in locating my specific size.
Paramount waders typically run $249 and I would have purchased them again even knowing I was only going to get 3 years use out of them. Meanwhile my 12 year old Simms chest waders only serve as back up. Grrr I just don't like using the over priced Simms Bio bubble

 

[Zak]

FYI: GoreTex fabric has PFAS. It can not be bought or even shipped to NY or CA. If that concerns someone, buy nylon or polyester.

Woah, those are new (but not unwelcome) laws!

The pfas is in the gortex membrane applied to/sandwiched between the nylon or polyester, of course. Patagonia has a pfas free alternative now.

 

[Paige]

Simms quality went to shiiiiiiiit and so went their warrenty, my last pair of g3 lasted less than 3 years before a full on complete failuer of the entire upper half.

 

[Evan B]

last month I purchased a pair of Dryft pant waders $399 to replace a 3 year old pair of Paramount waders. Apparently 40+ trips each year was too much for Paramount waders because the seams just gave out all at once. Real BUMMER because I really liked the discount waders. Light weight, easy to get in and out of but most importantly super easy to unzip and recycle coffee or a can of beer.
The Dryft waders are easy to get in/out of but access to the plumbing is not as easy as the Paramount product.
I tried to purchase another pair of Paramount waders but was not successful in locating my specific size.
Paramount waders typically run $249 and I would have purchased them again even knowing I was only going to get 3 years use out of them. Meanwhile my 12 year old Simms chest waders only serve as back up. Grrr I just don't like using the over priced Simms Bio bubble

40 trips a year for 3yrs on a pair of budget waders is actually really good.

 

[Scottybs]

Patagucci HAD the best warenty around, the cutt is not all that great unless your calves are smaller than my wrist. But the have held up very well!

Seems as if they aren’t repairing as much lately, and the credits they issue are getting smaller. Currently have 3 pairs of Guccis (1 in box) and a pair of Dan Bailey zippers in the box. After they sunset, I’ll migrate to Grundens.

 

[Scottybs]

My friend Leonard, the Publisher of Wading List, has a saying, "David, sometimes cheap is expensive."

I used to buy mid priced waders from Cabelas. The quality has nosedived and I gave up on them years ago. Couldn't get get a season's use out of them before they start leaking.

Bought a pair of Simms waders years ago and fish them hard and they work great and are trouble-free.

Sometimes cheap is expensive.

Cabela’s had great self branded gear, fly fishing boots especially right up until Bass Pro bought them… once was in a jam and bought some White River felt boots, soles delaminated within hours of first use and they weren’t cheap. I swore of Cabela’s entirely after Bass Pro entered the picture.

 

[RRSmith]

I've had a pair of the Dryft Primo zipper waders for about 9 years now without issue, I don't use them as much as I used to but when I do, it involves a fair amount of blackberry bushwacking along with a handful of days climbing in and out of a duck blind. I love the fit and durability. That said, I see the price has almost doubled since I purchased them back in 2017,

My buddy purchased a pair of Grundens two years ago that he absolutely loves.

 

[_WW_]

In spite of the recent post about garage sale Frogg Toggs I will sing the praises of these:

Frogg Toggs® Hellbender Stockingfoot Guide Pant

Elevate your fishing game with the Hellbender Stockingfoot Guide Pant, designed for the dedicated angler. Constructed in durable 4-ply nylon upper material, these pants are engineered to withstand the toughest conditions. Enjoy a customized fit and secure comfort with the adjustable wading belt...

www.froggtoggs.com

Waist high you say? Yes! these will actually pull up over my belly button to almost the rib cage. I ain't going in deeper than that on the waters I fish locally. They are all I need for the pontoon and with a jug in the saddle bag I can pee while on the lake! They make great boat pants and awesome rain pants.

I am currently on year five of a pair that I inherited. That includes four month-long trips to Montana, two weeks in the boat at Baker Lake yearly, two months in the boat coho fishing yearly, and yearly spring sojourns up to BC. I wear them when launching the sled and fishing out of it.

After a couple of years I decided to buy a backup pair because the price was $125. I see they are more expensive now, of course.

 

[up2nogood]

I also currently in need to replace my leaking waders. Can't remember exactly when I got them but its be a long while.
They are vison waders which is a Finnish company that I had an acquaintance that was repping. I've looked and many of the brands mentioned. One issue I have is I want a zipper. Makes getting in and out easier plus the obvious benefit. I don't necessarily want the heavier weight fabric. Many brands only offer the zipper in the heavy wt version. Nor am I likely to spend nearly a grand on a pair.
I am leaning towards Patagonia's Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip waders. I would consider Dryft if their lighter version had a zipper.

I have a pair of the Swiftcurrent waist high, had them for a few years now , no leaks so far . Only drawback is they do not have a zipper, that would be nice to have , but they are not bad to deal with . Overall Patagonia seems to make pretty good waders .

 

[Buzzy]

Following - my waist high Redington must be one of those on the far right end of the bell curve, they're still going strong and have been abused. No leaks (jinx saying this?).

It must be nice to have a uniform, standard physique (WTFTI) where off the shelf waders fit the way they should.

 

[Wadin' Boot]

10 years on Orvis Silver Sonics, they are at the end of their life, the elastic is loose, the crotch gets a little moist, the zipper is gummed and the once translucent cell phone holder pocket looks like a monument to yellowed polyurethane. They did great and were way more durable than I was expecting. The feet are still really good. I barely ever rinse these things and now and then a sprinkle of anti-fungal foot powder and a solid dry between trips keeps the odors kind. They are still my go-to but note to self, shoe goo is not as good as aquaseal for wader fix. Aiming for some new waders this year so this is timely, I'm a little tired of pulling the waders off and looking like I am incontinent. Which I am not.

Incompetent on wader fix (see shoe goo)- yes; incontinent re the dribbles, no.