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| Name: Tony James |
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| E-mail: hjames7358@aol.com |
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Experience:
My grandfather introduced me to fly fishing early. I began teaching myself from there by dragging bright little wet flies through brush -clogged brooks in Maine. I learned to tie flies at 10 by checking out a book from the local library. I have moved from native brook trout in small Northeastern streams to all manner of fresh and salt water fly fishing in the US and abroad. I cast a fly at something about 75 days a year. In addition to fishing and fly tying, I am hooked on fishing gadgets.
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Product Being Tested:
Simm's G3 Guide Stocking Foot Waders and L2 Wading Boots:
The waders: Neoprene feet. Built-in elastic gravel guards. Extra breathable 3 layer Gore-Tex XCR upper material and tough, five layer Gore-Tex from the knees down for abrasion resistance. Built-in, effective "H-back" suspenders. Complimentary belt and repair kit. Hand warmer pocket and a large mesh pocket with velcro closure on outside chest front. Wonderful flip-over inside pocket that includes one zippered water-proof pocket, 2 small mesh pockets with velcro closures, and a built-in tool retractor. This flips out to hang on the outside of the waders facing forward or can be kept inside for safety and protection from the water.
The boots: Thick felt soles, sewn on, not just glued. Durable synthetic leather and mesh uppers. Laces that run through well designed self-locking eyelets at the bottom of the shoe. There are hooks at the top that make for quick and easy on/off. The boots come up high over the ankle for support and have a neoprene lining that is comfortable for long hours on your feet.
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Snapshot of your experience with products of this sort:
If you fish cold water or in cold weather you need waders. I wade aggressively - climbing fences, scrambling over rocks, crashing through bushes - and seem to be a one-man wader wrecking crew. I have used (and punctured, torn and repaired) waders in all materials (vinyl, rubber, Gore-Tex and neoprene) and from many manufacturers (Simms, Orvis, Hodgman, Red Ball, Cabela's, Chota).
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Date of Test:
June - August 2006 |
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Place of Test:
Nelson's Creek, Yellowstone, and Big Horn River in Montana
Silver Creek and Big Wood River in Idaho
Delaware, Beaverkill, and Croton River in NY
Ausable, Maple, and Jordan River in Michigan
Long Island Sound
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Test Condition:
Salt and fresh water wading. Cold days and hot. Small freestone streams; spring creeks; icy tail water rivers; the ocean.
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Relevant related equipment or products:
None
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Your experience with the product:
There is something satisfying about using really high quality products, and these qualify. Too often, I end up buying something cheap to save a few bucks. The shoes were snug and comfortable, both with orthopedic inserts and without. And the lacing system is great. The eyelets hold the boot tight as you lace up while the hooks at the top make it fast.
I stayed dry and comfortable in the waders through a wide range of temperatures, conditions, and levels of physical activity. In the Delware West Branch when the water and temperature were both in the 40's I was comfrotable with just a pair of thin pants on underneath - and grateful for the hand warmer pouch. On Silver Creek when the air temperature broke 100, I was warm but never drenched in sweat. And I am a big fan of to the extra pockets because I always seem have something extra I want to keep handy. Alternatively, I can fold a small rain jacket in the large pocket; put fly boxes in the zippered pocket; store floatant weight, tippet, etc. in the two small velcroed pockets, attach my forceps / nippers to the retractor and do away with a hot, bulky vest.
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Qualities you liked about the product:
1) Tough: they stood up to kneeling, encounters with barbed wire, russian olives and sharp rocks, and everything else I threw at them. The felt soles took weeks of wear and miles of walking, remaining thick and solid.
2) Comfort: breathable in the summer heat. Add a couple of layers underneath and you can stay comfortable in icy water for hours. The shoes were great standing in all day and for hiking long distances to remote locations. I have a bad ankle, and the shoes gave me a ton of support on slippery and unstable rocks.
3) The clever pocket arrangement: seductive if you are a gear addict like me!
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Qualities you didn't liked about the product:
Hard to find any significant negatives. A few minor items:
1) The protective layer below the knees gives the waders a two-tone look which isn't my favorite.
2) One of my laces broke and the replacement laces Simm's sells were not the same size or appearance.
3) These are substantive products which do not pack up small if you need to travel really light (e.g. back packing).
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Summary Comments
Top of the line products with no real negatives. They are expensive, but the durability, comfort and ease of use make them a good choice if you fish a lot. |
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