Patagonia Waders

[Barbless]

I just have to say a few words about Patagonia waders... they are SWEET!

Actually, I have had four pairs over the past seven years, and all of them leaked, eventually.  The part that rocks about them is their exchange policy.  I admit that I am hard on my breathables, tromping through blackberry patches and kneeling on sharp rocks has put many holes in my waders, which I am more than happy to patch myself.  When they get so bad that I can't fix them, back to NV they go!  Everytime I have returned, I have been upgraded, and they just sent me the new Watermasters that retail for $425.  The original investment in the first pair was less than $200... I think I made out like a bandit. 

Anyway, I know that a lot of people love their Simms, but from what I have heard from a couple of friends, they are getting pretty tight with their exchange policy, and thought maybe I could convert anyone in the market for a new pair of breathables.

[younggun]

They are a fairly expensive wader though. But much better than any neoprenes i've ever worn. I have Dan Bailey's and they're sick!

[rvrfshr]

Cost aside I've kind of been wondering why more folks don't go Patagucci.

I finally made the switch from many years of wearing DB's to Watermasters last month. I have exchanged (over the counter with no hassle), two sets of their Riverwalker boots in the past year, and figured with that type of warranty/exchange policy I couldn't go wrong with the rest of the gear. All I need now is $400 for the Guidemaster jacket... Sorry Simms !

[Chum Man]

man, i just had a flashback to when having a $175 pair of "high tech" neoprenes meant you were something!  funny thing was, that wasn't even all that long ago!  i never would have imagined owning the set of cabela's guidewear breathables and a $170 pair of simms guide boots.

of course, 10 years ago i was saving lawn mowing money for the end-all of steelhead/salmon combos...a lamiglas medium-heavy 1000 series and one of those newfangled ABU C4s

[queets guy]

Ive heard great things about the Patagonia waders but they are a bit spendy for my budget.  I went with the Dan Baily Lightweights and they have been the best pair of waders Ive owned yet.

[Rossiman]

I was going to get a pair of "Patagucci's" But instead i went with the Redington CPS Waders, and really like them.
Less $$$$ 

[wild rivers]

i have dan baileys they are by far the best waders ive ever owned i go through at least 1to 2 pair of boots and waders a year and my dan baileys have pulled me 4 years and my cabelas boots have lasted 3 yrs so im verry sold on what i have found but if they ever fail me at least ill have something new to look at

[Barbless]

Joe, that Guidemaster jacket looks pretty sweet too!  I think I am gonna have to save some cash up. I just catch enough crap for the Patagucci waders, I can't wait till I match, then the crap will really fly my way.

Dan, I have not had the success that you have had with Cabela's boots; I am not into year number one and my boots are already white.  The "leather", which you can tell my the quotes that I don't believe is really leather, has totally disintegrated to the point where chunks of the outer material are chipping off.  I have to say though, they were only fifty or sixty bucks, and I had a giftcard to spend there.  God knows I couldn't find any real tackle to purchase there.

Rossiman, I had a set of old Redington barrierflex waders, and they were super tough.  I like them a lot, but I returned them to REI and upgraded to Patagonia... and that's how I started my patagucci addiction.

No matter what you buy, don't buy hodgeman breathables, unless you need a disposable pair.  I picked a pair up a couple of years ago as a backup pair, and even using them just a few times, they were trashed beyond repair.  I know $425 bucks sounds way too steep, but when you amortize that over your lifetime... well, you do the math.

[Chum Man]

funny you say that, i bought a pair 2 years ago and they're still functional.  however the fit is kind of funny...the upper(chest) section is huge, but they have really skinny legs that i've never cared for.

i gotta admit, the main reason i shelved them was because they got so funky with fish slime and egg goo

[Barbless]

.... All I need now is $400 for the Guidemaster jacket... Sorry Simms !

Good news Joe, your jacket just went on sale... half off!

Patagonia Jacket Link

[fishpimp]

Dan, I have not had the success that you have had with Cabela's boots; I am not into year number one and my boots are already white.  The "leather", which you can tell my the quotes that I don't believe is really leather, has totally disintegrated to the point where chunks of the outer material are chipping off.  I have to say though, they were only fifty or sixty bucks, and I had a giftcard to spend there. 

i have also had terrible luck with those cabelas boots. i had a pair fall apart on me and they took them back.  i traded them in for a pair of simms freestone{i think that is there name}. i love them. i have had trouble over the years finding a wading boot i liked and would hold up.

[Chum Man]

my experience with cabelas' wading boots has been the same.  mine weren't very comfortable either, they didn't flex, so it was like wading with chunks of plywood strapped to my feet.

i got a pile of cabelas' gift certificates from christmas time, and i happened to see a pair of simms "guide" boots in my size.  decided to spoil myself and picked them up...now i know what i've been missing!

[Rossiman]

I got a pair of Korkers wading boots that i got last Christmas that are still in excellent shape.
As long as you wash the boots of when you get home with hot water, and i like to use scrubbing bubbles on my felt soles. Spray it on, let it soak for 5 mins or so and then rinse it off.
I am heavy on my gear, and they still look really good.....

[big o]

.... All I need now is $400 for the Guidemaster jacket... Sorry Simms !

Good news Joe, your jacket just went on sale... half off!

Patagonia Jacket Link

Thats a great deal on that jacket! To bad i just bought a jacket not even a year ago

[Juan de Fuca]

I got a pair of Korkers wading boots that i got last Christmas that are still in excellent shape.
As long as you wash the boots of when you get home with hot water, and i like to use scrubbing bubbles on my felt soles. Spray it on, let it soak for 5 mins or so and then rinse it off.
I am heavy on my gear, and they still look really good.....

It's all about making sure your felt is looking good

BTW- I just spent 200.00 on a medium Guidewater Jacket. Looks like I won't be needing a new jacket for about 40 years. At this point it looks like M's are the largest sizes available.