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.