Simms waders

**gatorbait** · #1 01-13-2006, 07:32 AM

Where is the best place to get em in the Houston area? Cut rate? Looking for a pair in the next month and dont want to order online. TIA

Z

**backlasher** · #2 01-13-2006, 07:39 AM

I'm pretty sure that Fishing Tackle Unlimited has them. Everett Johnson swears by them. He said that when you're on the water every day, you need equipment that works.

**Capt Ahab** · #3 01-13-2006, 08:51 AM

Cut Rate or Bass Pro Shop carries them. Cut Rate offers more models. MUCH cheaper to buy on ebay, esp. the G3 or the Classic Guide. But if you can't wait and have already budgeted the $$$$, get them now.

The best thing about them: all the different sizing. Don't buy a snug size. You want them to fit over layers and allow you to climb over stuff (e.g., rocks) and into and out of the boat easily. So, you want room in the crotch and length in the legs so your knees can bend. Good luck and enjoy.

**gatorbait** · #4 01-13-2006, 09:12 AM

I really dont mind buying online but I need to try em on somewhere first. Ive always worn Hodgeman so Im not sure on the Simms fit. I may go by FTU and try a pair on and then see what thier price is. Then I can order online if its cheaper. I really just wanted to go locally so I could try different sizes.

Zac

**Capt Ahab** · #5 01-13-2006, 09:25 AM

Roger that, Zac. That's what I did when I got mine years ago. You'll be surprised at the sizing and what a difference it makes. Like you, I had been wearing Hodgman's and then the cheapy Simms in sizes that really did not fit me well. Then I made sure about sizing on the G3's and the Classic Guides (my backup) b/c I was spending so much money on waders. They fit great.

The sizing varies, if I recall, between the G3 and the Classic Guide. I can wear a smaller size in the Classic Guide than I can in the G3 for some reason. The sizing really jumps dramatically w/in the G3 as you step up the scale. Be sure to get the right fit after trying on a bunch and sweating your *** off in the store!

**captbennie** · #6 01-13-2006, 10:05 AM

Zach, go to cut-rate on IH 45 and talk to Rueben or Tony. They have several grades of simms. You may want to try out the simms wading shoes also, best fitting wading shoes I have ever worn. As said above get them big enough to layer underneath.

Capt. Bennie

**FlatoutFishin** · #7 01-13-2006, 12:09 PM

Zac,
I got my Simms at FTU. They have several different grades and a ton of sizes. I went with the lower end ,but that was still in the $200+ range. Also have a pair of Orvis that I bought in Colorado. They are good also but I like the feel of the Simms better. Just my preference.

FoF

**spotsndots** · #8 01-13-2006, 05:12 PM

I bought my Simms at FTU. I don't remember who I talked to there but the jist of the conversation was that Simms waders all actual Goretex material rather than a "coating" that deteriorates with the uv and saltwater etc. The difference in the simms from the $200 pair to the $400 was the breathability and the durability. If I remember correctly the guy used to guide and he had the $300 pair for about 7 years with no problems. I know had three pairs of breathable hodgemans that all leaked some more than 1 year and some in less than 1 year. I have worn my G3's several times since the end of November and absolutely love them. I did not seem to "sweat" as much. When the waders came off at the end of the day my pant legs were dry.

**Fishspanker** · #9 01-15-2006, 08:18 AM

Thought of this after reading the Corky thread. First I agree about what allot of what was said there. Made me think that I should make the time to visit the Corky guy. I think he offers a good product at a fair price.

If you go to FTU to try the waders on then buy them on the Net that's pretty close to buying the knock-off Corky for price or convenience. The question is: What additional price should you pay FTU for the customer service of trying them on and getting their comments about them and is FTU offering their products at that price? Someone has to pay for the building and all. I am thinking about getting a pair myself. For me they have right to charge 10 to 15% more than the net guys. Thats 10 to 15 dollars on every hundred dollars. So for a $400 dollar pair of waders they could charge $400. It would probably take quite a bit more difference than that before I would go try them on then buy off the net. But I would buy them for less on the net if I did not go to FTU and try them on. FTU does have a limit on what extra they can charge. Its really a personal thing on what price differential they can charge. I may have more disposable income than some (and less than others) so $40 might be quite a bit more important to someone else than it is to me. If we do not support the guys like FTU they won't be there to offer the services they do. I buy stuff from them all the time that Academy has cheaper.

**Bruce J** · #10 01-15-2006, 06:51 PM

I'm with you on that Fishspanker. I buy plenty of things on line, but when I go to a local retailer because I need their advice or need to see or try the goods first hand, then I think it is only fair to buy from them too.

By the way, I've used Simms breathable waders since about the time they came out. I have the model below the Guide's. They cost about $400 but have provided me years of good service including a lot of time bashing through willows along some Colorado creeks.