03-18-2006, 12:33 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I too have trouble swallowing the lump in my throat when I see the price tag on the Simms waders. But, I have never known of anyone who bought them who did not think they more than got their money's worth. They are the quality standard of the industry.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Virtually 100% of my wader time is in the tube. I do not stream fish any more. And, because of my size, I need to buy 2XL, which has narrowed my choices over the years. I have found a wide range of variation in the sizing and the "cut" on the 2XL from different manufacturers. I learned a long time ago that I need to "try before buy".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I could have easily afforded Simms long ago, but I keep trying new lines of waders as they come out, not just to save money but to field test them too. Some, like the Hodgman, I give up on returning for replacement. I just paint them on the inside with plastic paint (which destroys the breathable function) and wear them for a year or so before turning them into rain pants.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am just finishing a two year test on Stearns lightweights. I got them at Costco for $69 the summer I moved back up to Utah from Arizona. The 2XL was actually TOO BIG and I settled for an XL. That has been plenty large and comfortable, allowing me to layer as needed for colder water. I do use neoprenes (Hodgman) during the coldest months.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]More importantly, I have not had a single leak either in the seams or in the main fabric in that time. I can't recall ever going a full year without having to repair waders.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had told myself that I would probably go through the Stearns quickly and that I would finally bite the bullet and go for the Simms. But, based on the continuing good results with the Stearns cheapies, I might rethink that.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Virtually 100% of my wader time is in the tube. I do not stream fish any more. And, because of my size, I need to buy 2XL, which has narrowed my choices over the years. I have found a wide range of variation in the sizing and the "cut" on the 2XL from different manufacturers. I learned a long time ago that I need to "try before buy".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I could have easily afforded Simms long ago, but I keep trying new lines of waders as they come out, not just to save money but to field test them too. Some, like the Hodgman, I give up on returning for replacement. I just paint them on the inside with plastic paint (which destroys the breathable function) and wear them for a year or so before turning them into rain pants.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am just finishing a two year test on Stearns lightweights. I got them at Costco for $69 the summer I moved back up to Utah from Arizona. The 2XL was actually TOO BIG and I settled for an XL. That has been plenty large and comfortable, allowing me to layer as needed for colder water. I do use neoprenes (Hodgman) during the coldest months.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]More importantly, I have not had a single leak either in the seams or in the main fabric in that time. I can't recall ever going a full year without having to repair waders.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I had told myself that I would probably go through the Stearns quickly and that I would finally bite the bullet and go for the Simms. But, based on the continuing good results with the Stearns cheapies, I might rethink that.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
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