Although I have only used my G3’s about 10 times, I have put them through vary rigorous conditions such as steelhead trips on the Klickitat and Methow rivers, Wenatchee river whitefishing, and Yakima river trout.  Often these fishing trips experienced weather where the mercury didn’t make it out of the teens.  Ice, mud and snow didn’t slow them down.

I expect to get 150 trips or more out of these waders.  If you divide the $425 price by the number of trips, you pay less than $3 per trip.  When you consider all the other expenses associated with going fishing, I feel that is a small price to pay for all-day comfort.  It allows you to concentrate on fishing rather than inclement weather, which in turn allows you to fish longer, catch more fish, and generally have a better outdoor experience . 

Extra Features, Intangibles, and Price

There are some bonus features associated with G3 waders that aren’t necessarily needed, but become pretty convenient when fishing.  Ever forget your gravel guards at home?  If you have (like me) no worries since there is a pair built right in.  Need a handy place to keep tippet, indicators, or keys?  Try the flip-out pocket for carrying small items while fishing.  Still not enough pockets?  You can use the hand-warmer pocket with a Velcro enclosure for one more place you can store (and lose) stuff.

What about customer service and warranty?  Simms stands behind every product they make, for the life of that product.  Even if the repair is your fault, Simms will cover the costs within the first year of purchase.  Since the manufacturing facility is located in Southwest Montana, repairing your wader in a timely fashion is also a consideration, especially after the first year of product use has expired.  Having the availability to repair your wader instead of purchasing a new pair is also a very important factor when looking at initial cost and purchase.  Every time I have dealt with Simms, I felt they were genuinely concerned for my satisfaction.

One final thought on the issue of comfort vs. durability.  A company could make a wader that never leaks but trust me you wouldn't want to wear it.  That same company could make a wader that is very lightweight, but most likely it won't last too long without leaking.  The key is combining the right materials in the right proportions that leads to as little compromise in comfort and durability.  Simms has done just that and more with the G3 stocking foot breathable waders.

Feel free to contact me or any member of the Worley Bugger Fly Co. staff with any questions or comments regarding the Simms G3 wader.