Brush busting Simms Waders

[92xj]

I wanted to post this in a number of sections (Moose, Caribou, Waterfowl, etc) but didn't know which one it fit better in.
I am curious about your personal experience with the durability of Simms Waders, G3 specifically. I know they are stupid expensive and people will question why someone would pay so much for a pair of waders, but that's the beauty of making your own money, you get to buy whatever you want.
Plus, I also fell into a pretty nice price on a pair of waders, but just not sure if a fishing brand wader will do me any good as I have zero experience with Simms. I don't plan to fish in these, mainly waterfowl but also do some brush busting and will have to do log crosses. I am curious if any waterfowler or swampy moose hunter up north has a pair and what they think of them. If they are durable and good waders, I will have some follow up questions about fit.
Thanks.

 

[MustardBased]

USIA would be who I would go to for waders that will be used as you are suggesting. You can send them your measurements and even pick the colors. They are tougher than most breathable waders (because they aren't true breathable waders). I don't question what people pay for their waders (or mine) because you cant put a price on staying dry when its cold outside. Simms are pretty tough waders, and fly fisherman abuse them regularly. you'd probably do fine in the Simms, but give USIA a look.

 

[Salmonchaser]

The G3 are pretty tough. I guide (fish) in Alaska, worn Simms for 16 or 18 years, absolutely happy.
I don’t bust a lot of brush, no briars, but plenty of willows and alders. Don’t think they would be good in briars.

 

[92xj]

Luckily I don't have a lot of briars to deal with around here. How are your knees holding up? I imagine fisherman kneel a lot, just like duck hunters, though I guess if they suck at catching they wouldn't kneel too much.

 

[cuttiebrownbow]

Don't have to kneel if you have a net

For breathable waders Simms would be extremely hard to beat. G4s are the toughest and you should be able to find them on a decent price because they are being updated.

 

[couesbitten]

I second what MustardBased said, USIA is the way to go. They're made in Oregon and features can be customized to your desires. I have a pair and have been very happy with them. Hunt waterfowl in them here, took them to Alaska last year for my moose hunt.

 

[92xj]

I've looked at the USIAs a few times and just don't really dig them. I dislike the fabric and the weight of the wader is more than I would like. For sure they are durable and will hold up to abuse for years though.
I've been hunting some Bean waders for the past few years and love how light they are and have had really good luck with them. I have zero experience with anything simms but from reviews online and in person, everyone that uses them loves them. I am not sure what i am going to do at the moment, but the more and more I look at the simms, the stronger the urge to buy them.

 

[JPD350]

I love my Simms but after a couple years busting NM rivers an Alaskan fishing trip and an Alaskan moose float hunt I had to do some repairs which was fairly easy, probably 10 pin holes on the front side of the legs and a couple of almost scrape throughs on the tail side of which leaked enough to get my butt wet. Even with that I still really like them and would buy them again, I'll probably send them in to get professionally fixed up before my next moose hunt. I know you didn't mention the boots but the guide boot are very comfortable for busting over land obstacles.

 

[92xj]

I've heard good things about their warranty and repair work. Are they against at home fixes of small leaks to get through a season before sending back for repair?
And that's good to hear about the boots. I would get the bootfoot waders. I'm assuming they have a little tread on them for traction. They show no pictures of the bottom of the boot.

 

[Idaho Sandman]

Just an idea but I used my light weight bird hunting chaps over my waders on my AK moose hunt and it worked out perfectly.

 

[BradArnett]

Simms upgraded their g3 last year. I bought a pair of the camo g3s last fall and have used them salmon fishing and duck hunting last fall, steelheading last winter and spring, and salmon again this fall with waterfowl starting here in a few days. Took them through lots of brush chasing ducks, lots of small water jump shooting, and they are wearing well. Pinhole leaks are easy to repair when needed.

I'd give simms a call and ask them what they think.

 

[ranch]

I own some G4’s. I bought them because I put a lot of days on the river. Owned a pair of Orvis silver sonic guides before the Simms that were riddled with holes within the first year. I’ve had my G4’s for about 2 years now, and have yet to have a hole in them.

I’m also a Simms fan boy because of their customer service. Have had two claims with them. Both for laces on their old BOA system boots. First claim I sent one boot in to get a lace replaced. They sent back a brand new pair of boots.

Second claim was for the same thing. This time they accidentally sent me someone’s waders. After about a day they emailed me saying they couldn’t find my boot, and were going to send me a new pair. They ended up sending me a pair of the updated BOA boots Which in turn has a thicker diameter wire lace that rectified the problem with the previous version of the boots.

 

[92xj]

Simms upgraded their g3 last year. I bought a pair of the camo g3s last fall and have used them salmon fishing and duck hunting last fall, steelheading last winter and spring, and salmon again this fall with waterfowl starting here in a few days. Took them through lots of brush chasing ducks, lots of small water jump shooting, and they are wearing well. Pinhole leaks are easy to repair when needed.

I'd give simms a call and ask them what they think.

How was the fit on those waders?
Boot size good? Sized up a size from your tennis shoes for socks and a little vapor barrier for warmth?
How is the inseam? Most breathable are super duper long inseams because of no stretch like neoprenes. I understand the need for the longer inseam but it seems for an average height guy, the inseams are excessive. simms listing their inseams as being 1"-2" longer than my normal pant inseam is very appealing, instead of 6" longer in other breathable waders.

 

[BradArnett]

Im 5'9" 30-31" inseam, 36" waist. I went with large shorts in stockingfoot. The fit is great, plenty of room to layer without swimming in them.

 

[MustardBased]

92xj,
Simms products are very well made and highly thought of. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a pair of their camo waders and hunt them hard. The good thing about a breathable over a neoprene wader is that you can actually locate a leak, rather than guessing and patching a general area. When my banded redzone elites wear out, my next waders will be the Simms camouflage or the Sitka delta zip.

 

[92xj]

10-4.
Thank you all for the info

 

[Oregonboy]

I used to be a diehard fisherman who loved exploring the banks and brush busting in order to find new water that I identified on Google Earth or onX. This was all done west of the Cascades, where the vegetation is incredibly thick. I never had an issue with tears or leaks my Simms freestones. When I was fishing 50 times per year, my waders would last 4 years, a darn tough product.

Simms all the way.

 

[JPD350]

I've heard good things about their warranty and repair work. Are they against at home fixes of small leaks to get through a season before sending back for repair?
And that's good to hear about the boots. I would get the bootfoot waders. I'm assuming they have a little tread on them for traction. They show no pictures of the bottom of the boot.

Yep the boots have some tread!

 

[92xj]

Thank you!

 

[Salmonchaser]

Luckily I don't have a lot of briars to deal with around here. How are your knees holding up? I imagine fisherman kneel a lot, just like duck hunters, though I guess if they suck at catching they wouldn't kneel too much.