Waders Thread #602

[gadusmorhua]

Having had various breathables fail on me, all within two seasons,I sent my last pair (greys grxi) to Diver Dave for the full service.For £45 they came back repaired, and all the seams retaped, with what looks like a superior system to the manufacturer's. He even guarantees them for year.I was so impressed I bought a second pair of used Snowbees from him, once again all tested, re-seamed, and guaranteed.It is all very well being able to return your Orvis waders for the tenth time, but that doesn't help you when you are in the wilds and getting soggy !

[dave h]

I've just bought a pair of Orvis - worn them once and they didn't leak so they have already out performed the Greys pair I had before them!

I did consider the warranty when buying Orvis, but only because the Greys were my first pair and I had such a bad experience with them - I am hoping that the orvis don't leak, if they don't last I'm tempted to replace them with a pair of shorts and keep a towel in the car!

[Acid House]

I am now on my 4th season with a pair of Bison. I only use them for wading no heavy scrambling around undergrowth and as of Wednesday they are as dry as a bone.
At the price I would have another pair tomorrow but I doubt I'll need them.

[BRUCE1]

Snowbee never had a problem had mine 4/5 years still no leaks thigh and chest both bootfoot

[seddo]

I highly recommend Diver Dave for wader repairs, he repaired my neoprenes and they are class, shelling out £40 was much better than buying a new pair.

seddo

[Viking]

Originally Posted by BRUCE1

Snowbee never had a problem had mine 4/5 years still no leaks thigh and chest both bootfoot

Having used both Boot & Sock vesions of chesties I'm now a lover of Bootfoots, more reliable in the lower section, often lighter, much easier to get on and take off, warmer, and probably most important much more comfy.

My current BF's are Vision extremes which have done about 3 hard-ish seasons, I have just given them the diver Dave treatment (ex hobby I did for 25 years) , using 38mm neoprene tape, also new felt soles, so I expect an other couple of years out of them.
Of note, one of the biggest improvements to the membrane (diving) dry suit was the introduction of the bootfoot, the silly neoprene socks were just full time trouble, use to ware like hell due to the fins rubbing against them, damn cold, and had an extra load of seams where a lot of bother seems to start.

Although I "think" I don't know Diver Dave at £40-45 his value for money is tops!!, I did the lower half of my waders and spent about half of Daves cost and it was about 3 hours hard graft, so unless you have gear and "in date" glue laid around save yourself a load of hassle, the 2 pack I use stinks the house out and it sticks "totally" on contact, so you need to know all the tricks.


Regs, V..

[ACW]

Originally Posted by gadusmorhua

Having had various breathables fail on me, all within two seasons,I sent my last pair (greys grxi) to Diver Dave for the full service.For £45 they came back repaired, and all the seams retaped, with what looks like a superior system to the manufacturer's. He even guarantees them for year.I was so impressed I bought a second pair of used Snowbees from him, once again all tested, re-seamed, and guaranteed.It is all very well being able to return your Orvis waders for the tenth time, but that doesn't help you when you are in the wilds and getting soggy !

Just my way of dealing with this problem ,always have a back up pair in the car ,I do think the newer Orvis ones are as reliable as many other brands ,and having newish waders every few years for an initial outlay of just over a hundred pounds is value for money in my veiw .
How long before Orvis knocks this rather silly situation on the head I dontb know ,but whilst it still goes on why should I go and buy another set ,without the Orvis replace it on the day or within a few days if nothing fits in the store closest to me.

All breathables will let in water sooner or later ,same with neoprenes as well .come to think of it ,those horrid sweaty clammy rubber ones perished around the ankles and became leaky too.

[icantspeycast]

Think the overriding theme in the advice seems to be Simms and get them Diver Dave'd

Certainly seems decent advice chaps! Thank you.

I've looked most of the weekend and Con Norris seems to be selling a pair of Simms Freestone with the matching boots for a reasonable price, I'll buy them and get them sealed properly for the same price as I'd likely spend on a pair anyway!

Oh for just 18 months -two years of dry legs!!!

Here's hoping I'm not on here in 6months with the pet-lip out again

Since 'naming & shaming' my previous pair were Greys. Never again though.

[andrew w]

Another big vote for Diver Dave.
He's just refurbed my Snowbee Granites and they've come back better than new.
Together wiht some useful advice and outstanding customer service, I would highyl recommend this as a top use of £45.

[Damo]

Hi,

I wear Simms breathables for most of the season and Vision neoprenes in winter ( you need neoprenes here). Simms into their 3rd season and look like new, the Vision into their 5th season and still no problems. Previously wore Vision breathables and got 4 seasons out of them.

If you do an ebay search or use Google.com you can normally find decent prices for last year´s model Simms waders in the States. A quick email and they´re often very accomodating with regards to postage etc.

I got a pair of Simms Freestone zippered waders on sale from here for about 130 Pounds delivered:

Angler's Pro Shop

Cheers,

Damian F