John Garrett sporting some zippered waders and flashing chrome
Zippered waders, such as the SIMMS G4Z (above) or the Grunden's Boundry Z, make getting in and out easy. Equally as important when you really gotta go, you can get the job done quick!
Disclaimer: This in no way, is an in depth outline or review of waders available on the market today. This is just a short write up of a few of the things I really like about the waders included. If you have any questions feel free to call us at Gorge Fly Shop at 541-386-6977 and we can help you get answers.
Waders? When was the last time you bought yourself a brand spankin new pair of waders? I mean, the way the water beads up on the Gore-Tex and glistens in the sunlight as it runs down your leg, oh my goodness. There certainly are no shortages of wader blog posts or articles (whatever you want to call them) there's probably at least two from every fly shop across the country if not more, and that's okay.
That being said, somebody, somewhere, is in the market or is in the process of researching options and will be in the market. A major factor in today's world are reviews. Nearly every customer I talk to that is getting into their first set of waders, a rod, a reel etc...speak of all the reviews they've read about that specific item. And with good reason, to a point. What do I mean by this? Well, a portion of those folks have done the research and read all the reviews and because of it are finding it even harder to make a decision. Too much information. I totally understand reading reviews, I do it myself and because equipment isn't cheap, we all want to make a solid choice for the amount of money we will be spending.
When considering all aspects of purchasing fishing equipment, you might think waders wouldn't be at the top of the list as an exciting purchase. However ask anyone old enough to have fished in neoprene or the earlier more rigid waders and you would find out quickly, that Gore-Tex waders were a BIG DEAL. I'm not saying Gore-Tex waders were an immediate hit, because they weren't, it took a few years and some consumer education before they started dominating the wader market.
I can confirm that waders have come a long way. I still remember romping around the river banks in my old, tight, stanky, non-breathable, Hodgman neoprene waders. By the way, the very first pair of manufactured waders were made in the 1838 by a company called Hodgman. Neoprene was great for winter fishing but not so much during the summer. We didn't know any better, at least I didn't, and because of that, I thought they were great at the time. Honestly in the summer months as a kid and early adulthood, I mostly wet waded in the refreshingly cold water to cool off.
But when I got my hands on my very first pair of Gore-Tex waders, it was game changing for me. Compared to neoprene, the Gore-Tex waders were more comfortable overall and I could layer appropriately underneath to suit the current weather forecast.
Today, we're blessed with a number of different materials that make waders breathable, lighter, durable and simply put, much more comfortable. Materials, such as Gore-Tex, Toray and Ultra-Dense Poly-Nylon to name a few have made this possible, all while providing different price points for the consumer.
For the sake of keeping this short, I won't be covering in full detail the science behind the materials offered today that wader manufactuer's use. If you're really interested in that you can do a quick Google search and find plenty of intel.
Wader Sizing Demonstration (2012 but still valid)
From Prroduct Specialist Greg Darling
GORE-TEX WADERS:
The very first pair of waders made with Gore-Tex came after K.C. Walsh acquired Simms Fishing Products back in 1993. This one move became one of the most significant advancements in the world of fishing. Neoprene has become a relic for the most part. I can't remember the last time I saw a pair of neoprene waders out on the river unless it was during the winter months.
Read more on the history of SIMMS and the Gore-Tex Waders?
The most technically advanced pair of waders offered by Simms is made with a 4 layer Gore-Tex Pro lower section and a 3 layer Gore-Tex Pro upper section. The extra layer in the lower portion of the waders provides a bit more durability in the high use areas. The G4Z also comes with a fully waterproof YKK Aquaseal Center Front Zipper.
In addition to being the most advanced wader that Simms has made to date, the G4Z zippered wader is much easier to get in and out of, and (capt. Obvious here) when you need to relieve yourself, the zipper is amazing. Especially if you've waited till the last minute because you wanted to finish swinging that sweet run you were in. The newest model of the G4Z waders have a butter smooth feel to them, the fabric is softer than the first generation of G4Z which I have. So nice and less rigid, making them amazingly comfortable.
The new Spacer Mesh Suspender system is also very breathable and comfortable and I love the adjustment strap, it's way easier to adjust if needed in the latest model and because I carry my phone everywhere I go, I highly appreciate the two waterproof inside pockets as well! No more carrying my phone in a zip lock bag.
Waterproof inside pockets of the SIMMS G4Z wader are icing on the cake.
SIMMS G3 Guide Wader:
There are other waders made with Gore-Tex that don't have the zippered feature for instance the Simms G3 Guide waders. Which I wore for a long time, until upgrading to my first pair of first generation G4Z waders. I would be willing to bet that G3 Guide waders are Simms best selling wader of all times. Very durable, comfortable and at a decent price for a Gore-Tex wader. What I liked about the G3 Guide wader was the extra layering in the rear end section of the waders. At the time I wore the G3's I did a ton of rowing and I believe it gave me an extra layer of durability.
Grunden's Boundary Zip (Zippered) - and Boundary Wader:
When you think of the name Grundens you typically go straight to offshore or coastal fishing. They have made a strong name for themselves in the commercial fishing industry. Well, they recently have created a full line of wading products and I must say, having the Grunden's Boundary Zip waders for just over a year now, I am very pleased with them.
Grunden's Boundry Zip and Boundry Waders made with Gore-Tex
Made of Gore-Tex, they are giving Simms a little bit of competition. The first thing I noticed when putting on my Grundens Boundary Zip waders is that in the crotch area I had more room than I do with my older first generation Simms G4Z waders. I am tall at 6'5" and I have long legs and a short torso. In comparison to my Simms G4Z waders, I have to give the Grundens a slight edge on the comfort of the crotch area because they do have a bit more room. I mean the Simms fit me, but when I sit or kneel down, the crotch part reminds me that it's there, whereas the Grundens, I have a tad more room, hence the slight edge for comfort in my case. Time will tell, but Grunden's has done a pretty good job with their Gore-Tex wader so far. They are committed to producing a quality product for the consumer.
Simms FreestoneZ (Zippered) - and the Freestone Waders:
The Simms Freestone series wader made with Toray is probably the best bang for your buck. The Freestone wader, made with durable and breathable Toray Quadralam 4-layer upper and lower is an excellent wader for the money. Comes in two color options, Smoke and Midnight, as shown below.
Simms FreestoneZ and Freestone Wader - Midnight
Toray is a material that was developed in Japan in the 1920's and today is used in a wide range of outdoor gear. It's a synthetic/acrylic based material, in which Nylon is the most well known. It is manufactured much like Gore-Tex in that it uses multiple layers and sealed seams. When it comes to durability Gore-Tex has the edge but Toray has proven to be a great material at a friendlier price.
Grundens Vector wader made with Ultra-Dense Poly-Nylon Outer Fabric and 4-layer Bi-Component Puncture Resistant Laminate providing 30K Waterproof Submerged rating, gives you a durable wader for a great price. At first glance they look like a zippered wader, however the front chest zipper is for access to the chest pocket, not a full on open zippered wader.
Charlie in his Grundens Vector Waders
I can honestly say that I haven't seen a single negative review on the Grunden's Vector waders, or any of Grundens waders, since they hit the river banks. This is a great thing, that combined with the price point, what's not to love about the Vectors?
Grunden's Bedrock waders boast a 30K+ submerged waterproof rating. If that sounds like a foreign language to you, don't worry, it means that it is extremely waterproof. This is mainly accomplished with its Ultra-Dense 100% Nylon Outer shell and a durable 4-layer puncture resistant lamination finish.
Bedrock Front Zippered Pocket for easy access!
Additionally the features I like about the Bedrock waders is the easy access zippered pockets in the chest as well as the water resistent zippered hand warming pockets. When fishing in the winter, having pockets lined to help keep your hands warm is like "peanut butter...on jelly...on gold!" (credit: Snoop Dog). Being able to keep your hands dry and warm is essential to making it through a cold winters day. I often put hand warmers inside those pockets to help in colder conditions. I will also carry a few rags, to help keep my hands dry if I have to release a fish. Keeping your hands dry is critical to staying warm for longer periods of time.
A SIDE NOTE - HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR WADERS:
SIMMS GORE-TEX or TORAY Wader Care:
Simms waders are all built from a durable breathable fabric. Whether that is Gore-Tex or Toray, the care that should be taken is the same.
Waders should be dried after each use, both inside and out. Simms understands that certain situations do not allow for the time to fully dry between uses. It is the expectation that this circumstance will contribute to a potential shorter lifespan.
Breathable fabrics are porous in nature and can collect dirt, and oils from the skin and other environmental substances. Regular cleaning of your waders is a key contributor to their lifespan.
Depending on the amount of days used, annual, bi-annual or tri-annual washing is recommended.
Exposure to sal water or salt air requires special care: The waders must be rinsed thoroughly with fresh water and dried after each use.
Grunden's Gore-Tex Wader Care:
Hand wash cold water.
Do not use bleach.
Do not use fabric softeners.
Do not use stain removers.
Do not dry clean.
Do not iron.
Air Dry only.
Store in a cool, dry place.
Remove all items from pockets before washing.
Grunden's Non Gore-Tex Wader Care:
Machine wash at 40 degrees Celcius with mild detergent.
Wash with like colors.
Tumble Dry Low.
Do not iron.
Do not dry clean.
Do not use Powder Detergent, Fabric Softeners or Bleach.
Final thoughts:
For those ready to make a purchase, we provide a curated selection of high-quality waders to meet your specific needs.We're available to assist with any questions, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your fishing adventures. Your next step towards comfort and performance on the water are yours, but if you're still confused because of all the choices and trying to decide which is best for your needs, we are here to help you make an educated decision.
Feel free to call us at Gorge Fly Shop 541-386-6977 or browse our website.
Thanks for taking the time and reading this, hope it helps in some way.
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