Simms Men’s G4Z Stockingfoot Waders
Even though I have now fished extensively in these waders for many months in all types of conditions, I waited to write this review. Reason one is that I simply didn’t feel right offering an opinion on a pair of waders (basically waterproof overalls) that cost a thousand dollars, at least not right out of a box. I wasn’t willing to go out on that limb until I really put them to work, and determined that they didn’t leak over time, and that they were indeed comfortable and functional.
While fly rods, reels, day packs and technical clothing are ultimately pretty subjective products to evaluate, waders are, first and foremost, judged on a simple pass-fail scale: do they keep you dry, or not? It’s only after that initial hurdle has been cleared that anyone should start considering things like comfort, flexibility, zipper features and so on.
By way of full disclosure, over the years, I have developed friendships with many people who work at Simms. I’ve been through the factory in Bozeman, Montana, many times, and have seen the meticulous “made-in-America” process first-hand, so I deeply respect the company and what it has meant to the fly-fishing world. But if I had ended up damp anywhere along the way, I would also say so, and Simms knows that.
Over the past several months, I haveI shimmied (carefully) over barbed wire with these G4Zs, marched through thorns and tumbleweed, left them to bake in the sun, tossed them in the back of my vehicle, crumpled and packed them to travel–all in an attempt to make them fail. And to date, these waders have kept me 100% dry.
Yes, they are also comfortable and offer great range of motion. And yes, I also respect the special accents and highly technical features, like smart pockets, an easy-operation zipper and seam placement that lends itself to improved mobility. Some of these subtle details are less prevalent in some other wader brands, while some others have equally compelling details of their own.
The G4Zs are, undoubtedly, “premium” and “pro-level” waders. Whether or not you appreciate the fancy accents like the pile fleece hand warmer chest pockets, fully waterproof interior pockets, ergonomic mesh suspender package, or patented leg seams, it really boils down to four-ply GORE-TEX on the lower sections, and three-ply GORE-TEX in the upper.
The zipper is a total plus for reasons I don’t have to elaborate on, especially for guys, but it works flawlessly and is completely waterproof.
I especially like the fit of the neoprene socks that slide inside boots neatly, provided you pay attention to sizing and choose wisely.
The gravel guards are 2mm neoprene, and that’s where I saw some initial wear, but that’s also where I first see wear on any new waders I fish in.
The suspenders, seemingly a “throw away” design feature in many cases, are well-designed, both for comfort and ease of strapping on. And the included wading belt provides legitimate lumbar support.
The elephant in the room is that these $1000 waders force the “made in America” discussion to the fore. A good chunk of that cost is attributable to operating the Simms factory in Bozeman, Montana, instead of somewhere overseas. How important is that to you? And can you tell the difference?
I can tell the difference between how my Martin guitar, made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, sounds, when compared to other, less expensive imports. Does that thinking transpose to fishing waders? For some aficionados, sure. For others, it’s less important.
Somebody has to set the bar for everyone else to follow, and Simms has been doing that for a long time. Now under new ownership, the challenge will be to let Simms keep being Simms, and maintain its loyal following like other iconic American brands: Martin, Harley-Davidson, Scott, Orvis, Sage, Winston and others.
The other way to look at it is to ask what a product costs for every day of fishing. At $10 a day, for example, you should get at least 100 fishing days out of these waders. I’m about half-way there. Based on what I’ve experienced thus far, barring any mishaps, I don’t anticipate any failures. As such, that $10 a day for 100 days equation seems pretty fair for me.
But you can and should set your own scale and decide what’s fair for you.
Pros
Proven reliability and durability, backed with a strong warranty and customer service.
Zipper feature is reliable and definitely a benefit.
Good boot fit (per size), but be honest on sizing, or better yet, buy from a fly shop after you’ve tried a few pairs on.
The seams are in the right places to prevent, or minimize, inevitable wear.
Comfortable suspenders and a wading belt with legitimate lumbar support.
Made in America.
Cons
A thousand dollars for a pair of waterproof overalls?
Not super-pliable at first, and you definitely need to break these in.
Extra pockets might seem like overkill.
You can fish in perfectly dry comfort with waders from Simms, or other brands, that cost less.
Do all the extras justify the investment?
I think my late grandfather, who fished an entire lifetime in $40 rubber waders with great effect, might shoot a lightning bolt into my cranium after hearing me advocate for $1000 waders.
But I’ll take the risk.
Made in America. Great company that’s done a lot for fly fishing. Top of the line everything, from 4-ply GORE-Tex lower sections, to 3-layer uppers. Innovative design with well-thought, functional pockets, good boot fit and proven durability. There’s a ton to love, admire and aspire toward in these waders. They are the standard against which all others will ultimately be judged.
That said, most anglers can wrap up and stay perfectly dry for half the dough, including other perfectly good waders from Simms, or other companies. It’s important to focus on the “cost-per-outing” measure to determine how you judge value.
- Price: $999.95
- Weight: 50.8 ounces (in medium)
- Construction/Materials: GORE-TEX® fabric package; 4-layer GORE-TEX® Pro lower, 3-layer GORE-TEX® PRO upper
- Zipper: Fully waterproof YKK AQUASEAL center-front zipper
- Gravel Guards: Snag-free, puncture resistant 2mm neoprene
- Warranty information: Simms wader warranty
From Simms: “Every detail considered, every forecast ignored. The latest pinnacle of angling evolution has arrived.”
“If your SIMMS product fails due to a defect in workmanship or materials, SIMMS will repair or replace your gear and get you back on the water as soon as possible. If your SIMMS product fails due to excessive wear, accidents involving barbed wire or campfires, or the natural breakdown of materials over extended time, SIMMS will make every effort to repair your gear for a reasonable fee.”
Wader Warranty Details
60-days : waders–replacement for leaks, no questions asked.
365-days : waders–repairs on us.
The price point is a pretty steep hill to climb, when you consider a grand will get you a killer fly rod, or a great rod and reel, combined.
But, as they say, you’re only as happy in the river as your feet are. So, that fancy rod won’t matter much if you have soaked feet, legs, or other parts of your body that feel soggy as you fish.
Buy these waders if you have the means, want the very best, don’t want to wonder if they’ll last the whole season and really value comfort and function. Maybe you’re a guide pulling five summer months in the Alaskan or B.C. rain? or like to swing flies all winter on bone-chilling steelhead runs–the Simms G4Zs might easily be worth the investment. In these environments, staying dry and comfortable, from your feet to your hands, matters.
Look elsewhere if all you want to do is keep the water off, and when the sun shines, you prefer wet-wading anyway. But also ask yourself if you’d rather buy two, or three, pairs of $400 waders, or just bite the bullet and be done.
And if you do pop for these waders, take care of them. Don’t wad them up and store them damp, or leave them in the sun, or some of the other things I did to push the limits. The more you spend, the more you tend to take care of things, at least that’s how it usually works for me.
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