True, I bought the new Freestones and am sad to see they got thinner compared to the older design. I fear this is representative of the new ownership striking cost. Next wader I’ll try will be the Dryft ones at $280. My Orvis Pros are amazing though I’m all about trying to find an economical option.
ya ive had every pair of g4z's since they were invented and they have gotten thinner and thinner and lasted less and less time over the years... i wont be supporting simms or skwalla from here on out .
I was thinking the same thing. I bought a pair of Frogg Toggs about 10 years ago and the only reason I replaced them was because I slipped and fell on a sharp branch and tore a hole in them, but they served me well. I replaced them with another pair of Frogg Toggs with the front pocket and hand warmer pockets.
It’s sad that the companies that I used to love are suckers to corporate greed. There is no say for the little man from the huge name companies. Definitely not paying $1000 for waders and still repairing them every other season or so. I know fly fishing is an expensive hobby, but holy cow this is nuts.
@@PaulKing-h9m perhaps he knows Simms sold out to Vista for 195 million. I think if we were to measure his coolness level vs yours there's a clear winner.
@@PaulKing-h9m their EBITDA was strong enough to be bought by a PE firm that I know well. I'm starting to think you work for simms or the PE. You sure seem to struggle with opposing opinions on a brand you do not own....
They’re probably good for the guy who fishes 10-20 a year. It would be nice if wader companies made waders for people who actually fish, not Joe from Texas who goes on a guided trip twice a year
Shame the quality isn’t as good as the design. Had 3 pairs leak in weeks of having them and rubbish customer service from Simms. My friend has gone through 4 pairs all gone on the seam in the same places. Again with in weeks of having. Soles fell of my G4 boots in 3 times of using. Will never buy another Simms product as long as I have a hole in my arse. Save your money and get another brand. My Orvis pros have never let me down.
I have a pair of Orvis Pros with hundreds of outings on them. They did start leaking in the seams but I patched them. The thickness of the Orvis is hands down the most durable waders I’ve felt and used.
@@uramag7 with the big knuckles that wear a hole in gravel guards too. That they actually accepted to me was an issue but didn’t nothing to resolve the issue.
I don't and won't buy into any of this over priced marketing hype and I'm sure that you don't either. All of these over priced waders go on 'sale' at the end of the season. I wouldn't pay more than 600 for the 'top' of the line wader.......and that's pushing it. In the past I've bought g4 for 500 and g3 for 350.
I don't and won't buy into any of this over priced marketing hype and I'm sure that you don't either. All of these over priced waders go on 'sale' at the end of the season. I wouldn't pay more than 600 for the 'top' of the line wader.......and that's pushing it. In the past I've bought g4 for 500 and g3 for 350.
Old simms G3's 20 years ago were fantastic.... since then quite honestly... they are garbage... Freestones from China? Garbage. Too expensive for what you get...a great product years ago, but now they live on their name. There are better quality waders out there..... wish I'd bought 10 pairs of G3's back in the day. Great product wasted. Buy something else....
good waders but are not worth it .. they add 100 every new model... the call out should be STOP CHARGING 1000 dollars for waders that last 1 guide season.. skwalla is a new company in the wader industry .. their roll should be to make a good tough wader under 600 but instead they fell right into line with the rest of the 1000 dollar waders ripoffs along with grundens .. waders above 600 and rods above 1000 should be boycotted by the fishing industry and not pushed by you fly shops.
Just because you don’t think products are worth it means nothing. You obviously aren’t their customer. Keep telling me your Redington rod and Sportsman’s Warehouse waders are just as good. I’ll keep fishing 150 days a year in my 1k dollar waders that don’t leak and casting my 1k dollar rods that I can afford and enjoy.
@@PaulKing-h9m awesome dude.. i bet you have a nice flat brimmed patatonia hat and a shiny new NRS raft to mach all the other bros while you're at it.. gl out there
You should quit being butt-hurt that your Moonshine Rod is sold by 28 different companies under other names and stop trying to convince people that it’s “just as good” as my 1k dollar Rod. You needn’t look for my “flat-brimmed Patagonia hat” (clearly you didn’t see anything I said about that trash company) or my “shiny NRS raft” (people actually buy those?), I’m just the dude in 1k dollar waders and my 1k dollar rods who will out-fish you 100 days out of 100. Enough said.
All kinds of stuff get stuck on that neoprene gravel guard, especially mud and silt. I hate my Freestone Simms waders! I have switched to Skwala waders!
the straps are a deal breaker for me. I don't want excess straps dangling around in my hand warmer pockets. I would much rather go back to the old, tried and true belt buckle configuration.
We really don't recommend wrapping garbage or trash sacks around your legs. That doesn't seem very durable. Let us know how your gator experience is though. Somehow lots and lots and lots and lots of people stay dry with Simms.
@@PaulKing-h9m , please use complete sentences. Your opinion is invalid if no one knows what you are saying. A remedial English class should be in your future.
Please call my editors and let them know that they should be double-checking all my work. A lonely life of being a douche with sh*tty waders is in your future. “I bot deez cuz dey say oww-vissss”- sound about right, buddy? I’ll send you some stickers to fit right in with your, “ I’m with her” bumper sticker. “Keep em wet”, bruh, but you don’t catch fish, so don’t worry about it
I have no problem paying 1/5 of what my rods cost for decent pair of waders, I just wish they brought a little class… even if it was a separate option. I’m getting awful tired of the wader companies wanting to make me look like a bloody snowboarder or some other extreme sports dhead a little bit more each season. Give me something beige, brown or olive with little to no branding or pockets on the outside (we already carry a bag or wear a vest) and I’ll pay $1500 even as long as it’s made in a civilised country by people who can take a break and go on a holiday and such like.
Will this newly bought out big company Simms brand G4Z last 10 years of heavy responsible use? Maybe? If not, they are simply not worth the coin. If I could responsibly afford 1K fly reels and 1K fly rods, I would definitely go that route over 1K waders.
@FlyFishFood watched the vid, great review.....hopefully they'll last. G4Z should be good for 10......hopefully the fairly recent buyout doesn't mean a dip in quality that Simms is known for in their waders.
@@FlyFishFood and they should be concerned. If you dropped 195 million on Simms, id imagine youd want to turn a profit on that 195 million and selling $1000 waders is only going to cover so much margin creation. Cost of materials and labor with new ownership may force some cost cutting measures unfavorable to the consumer. Vista doesnt give a shit about the brand, they invest to turn a profit. (I watched the vid twice for the record)
Great review, extremely thorough and much appreciated because they sure aren’t cheap and they’ve gotta do me 10 years as my last pair did. Cheers guys and tight lines 👍🙏
the Patagonias have that adjustable clip feature on the straps. I feel that right now is my favorite feature ever on a wader. It s et hot here so it's nice to be able to drop em down lower when the water is still too cold to wet wade. Also I agree on the gravel guard hooks, more a nuisance than useful.
That strap system is awful. I have a pair of those and the material is so stiff it’s such a pain to adjust. I do like patagonias wader construction more so than simms however.
Patagonia makes junk and the company is awful. If they gave me a free pair of waders every day for a year, I would donate them to someone I didn’t like.
I’ve been using these for a year and a half now. I absolutely love them. They seem to be tuff and they are comfortable in my opinion. Pricy yes but good gear cost, it’s just how it is. Thanks!!
However they are the same price as Simms but made overseas. I f a company wants to save money by manufacturing overseas then charge me overseas pricing
Yeah, nah. They are okay waders, but they are charging USA prices for Asian crap. They are already offering free stuff to influencers and reviewers and cutting prices because they missed the mark- by a lot. I’ll keep supporting a Domestic company that makes their high end products here.
I love how 95% of the people in the comments came here to whine and let everyone know that they’ll continue to buy garbage because they don’t like the price. YOU ARE NOT THEIR CUSTOMER, KEEP SCROLLING. Those that are here to listen to the review can/will be the potential market.
Sounds like you are taking a fat load right from the top of the simms tip if you ask me. I have a ton of their products and the waders suck. If you fish hard they suck. If you follow every care instruction they suck. Ive spent over 2k on sucky waders from them. I suspect you are some vista outdoors shill that is getting emotional about people voicing their opinions...
I guess I’m your 5%. Was a loyal Simms customer for a long time. Would pay $1k if it was worth it. These aren’t. The brand is declining, some lessons get learned the hard way. If someone’s experience was the opposite, good for them. The best part about online reviews is everyone has a voice.
I must have missed the hyperbole in my own words, please continue. You, meaning you, the guy that most likely fishes once a month and bitches about $300 waders is NOT their customer when it comes to $1099 waders. I bet the designers, the reviewers(me), the marketing team, etc. aren’t looking at a pair of waders that an American Worker, in Bozeman took 3 days to make, and are trying to figure out how to get them into a range where you’re the target customer. They have that covered. Well, no they don’t, because they don’t make garbage. You should screenshot this conversation and send it to Simms to boycott me from ever reviewing their great products again. While you’re at it, save some money and go pick up a sweet set of Patagonia trash bags with straps. I don’t get paid to simp for a brand, chief- I get paid to beat the crap out of stuff and give my HONEST opinion. I can’t say I’ve used a bad Simms product, minus their nippers, which are overpriced crap. Be sure to tell them that too, and if they want them back, I’ll stop using them as wire cutters.
I'd rather buy five $200 waders. Simms have lost their minds on these.
Yeah These are a little bit overboard.
True, I bought the new Freestones and am sad to see they got thinner compared to the older design. I fear this is representative of the new ownership striking cost. Next wader I’ll try will be the Dryft ones at $280. My Orvis Pros are amazing though I’m all about trying to find an economical option.
ya ive had every pair of g4z's since they were invented and they have gotten thinner and thinner and lasted less and less time over the years... i wont be supporting simms or skwalla from here on out .
I was thinking the same thing. I bought a pair of Frogg Toggs about 10 years ago and the only reason I replaced them was because I slipped and fell on a sharp branch and tore a hole in them, but they served me well. I replaced them with another pair of Frogg Toggs with the front pocket and hand warmer pockets.
Half the people can afford unlimited pairs of thousand dollar waders. The other half can’t afford waders at all. That’s the problem.
It’s sad that the companies that I used to love are suckers to corporate greed. There is no say for the little man from the huge name companies. Definitely not paying $1000 for waders and still repairing them every other season or so. I know fly fishing is an expensive hobby, but holy cow this is nuts.
So, you know their margins? Or, maybe you’re just talking out of school and thought, “corporate greed” made you sound cool. It doesn’t.
@@PaulKing-h9m perhaps he knows Simms sold out to Vista for 195 million. I think if we were to measure his coolness level vs yours there's a clear winner.
@@PaulKing-h9m their EBITDA was strong enough to be bought by a PE firm that I know well. I'm starting to think you work for simms or the PE. You sure seem to struggle with opposing opinions on a brand you do not own....
Thats insanity, sorry no
Answer: no they are not. But if you own a shop that’s backed by Simms products you will obviously say they are.
When fly shop owners post this kind of things I take them with a grain of salt.
They’re probably good for the guy who fishes 10-20 a year. It would be nice if wader companies made waders for people who actually fish, not Joe from Texas who goes on a guided trip twice a year
I'm Bill from Boston. I love this sport!
I live in these.. I’m a guide
Shame the quality isn’t as good as the design. Had 3 pairs leak in weeks of having them and rubbish customer service from Simms. My friend has gone through 4 pairs all gone on the seam in the same places. Again with in weeks of having. Soles fell of my G4 boots in 3 times of using. Will never buy another Simms product as long as I have a hole in my arse. Save your money and get another brand. My Orvis pros have never let me down.
Great review I've heard the same thing from other friends of mine. Those orvis pros are all one needs
I have a pair of Orvis Pros with hundreds of outings on them. They did start leaking in the seams but I patched them. The thickness of the Orvis is hands down the most durable waders I’ve felt and used.
ya the simms boots with the cloth lace holes that fail after 2 months are another one of their tricks
@@uramag7 with the big knuckles that wear a hole in gravel guards too. That they actually accepted to me was an issue but didn’t nothing to resolve the issue.
That's not good 😂
I don't care how good they are. I'm not paying $1000 for waders.
I don't and won't buy into any of this over priced marketing hype and I'm sure that you don't either. All of these over priced waders go on 'sale' at the end of the season. I wouldn't pay more than 600 for the 'top' of the line wader.......and that's pushing it. In the past I've bought g4 for 500 and g3 for 350.
I don't and won't buy into any of this over priced marketing hype and I'm sure that you don't either. All of these over priced waders go on 'sale' at the end of the season. I wouldn't pay more than 600 for the 'top' of the line wader.......and that's pushing it. In the past I've bought g4 for 500 and g3 for 350.
Old simms G3's 20 years ago were fantastic.... since then quite honestly... they are garbage...
Freestones from China? Garbage. Too expensive for what you get...a great product years ago, but now they live on their name.
There are better quality waders out there..... wish I'd bought 10 pairs of G3's back in the day.
Great product wasted. Buy something else....
good waders but are not worth it .. they add 100 every new model... the call out should be STOP CHARGING 1000 dollars for waders that last 1 guide season.. skwalla is a new company in the wader industry .. their roll should be to make a good tough wader under 600 but instead they fell right into line with the rest of the 1000 dollar waders ripoffs along with grundens .. waders above 600 and rods above 1000 should be boycotted by the fishing industry and not pushed by you fly shops.
Just because you don’t think products are worth it means nothing. You obviously aren’t their customer. Keep telling me your Redington rod and Sportsman’s Warehouse waders are just as good. I’ll keep fishing 150 days a year in my 1k dollar waders that don’t leak and casting my 1k dollar rods that I can afford and enjoy.
@@PaulKing-h9m awesome dude.. i bet you have a nice flat brimmed patatonia hat and a shiny new NRS raft to mach all the other bros while you're at it.. gl out there
You should quit being butt-hurt that your Moonshine Rod is sold by 28 different companies under other names and stop trying to convince people that it’s “just as good” as my 1k dollar Rod. You needn’t look for my “flat-brimmed Patagonia hat” (clearly you didn’t see anything I said about that trash company) or my “shiny NRS raft” (people actually buy those?), I’m just the dude in 1k dollar waders and my 1k dollar rods who will out-fish you 100 days out of 100. Enough said.
@@PaulKing-h9m you sound like a 12 year old
@@PaulKing-h9m really?? post a picture of your three best fish this year .. i dare you.
I've got the old g3 too. I'm hoping they last another 20 years!
At least when you call Simms after these let you down, they won’t try to upsell you. Arrogant company.
If one can get through. Their customer service people always seem to be “conducting training” according to the recorded message.
All kinds of stuff get stuck on that neoprene gravel guard, especially mud and silt. I hate my Freestone Simms waders! I have switched to Skwala waders!
Is he good ? I buy this at 1200€, shoes i've got a news Andrew Creek . I'm a fisher man for trouts only 6 month by year, but 6 month intensiv
Excellent post my first generation Guides were the bomb!!! 10+ years of wading 90days for at least 1/2 that time
the straps are a deal breaker for me. I don't want excess straps dangling around in my hand warmer pockets. I would much rather go back to the old, tried and true belt buckle configuration.
Good thing you can push the straps to the inside and totally out of the pocket.
I’m going to Gator Waders!!!
You can keep your junk pockets on the outside that ARE NOT waterproof!!!
Garbage!!!
Absolute trash!!!
We really don't recommend wrapping garbage or trash sacks around your legs. That doesn't seem very durable. Let us know how your gator experience is though. Somehow lots and lots and lots and lots of people stay dry with Simms.
I went to Orvis and never looked back. 10 years ago I would call you nuts if you told me I would abandon Simms.
Pro’s are about on par with Simms Freestone’s in materials, Ultralights are on par with a trash bag with gaping holes. Sorry. Not sorry.
@@PaulKing-h9m , please use complete sentences. Your opinion is invalid if no one knows what you are saying. A remedial English class should be in your future.
Please call my editors and let them know that they should be double-checking all my work. A lonely life of being a douche with sh*tty waders is in your future. “I bot deez cuz dey say oww-vissss”- sound about right, buddy? I’ll send you some stickers to fit right in with your, “ I’m with her” bumper sticker. “Keep em wet”, bruh, but you don’t catch fish, so don’t worry about it
PS- you suck at tying. Congrats on the 240 combined views, sausage fingers.
Aww, someone’s getting mad and taking down my comments. Keep reporting me, sausage fingers.
I have no problem paying 1/5 of what my rods cost for decent pair of waders, I just wish they brought a little class… even if it was a separate option. I’m getting awful tired of the wader companies wanting to make me look like a bloody snowboarder or some other extreme sports dhead a little bit more each season. Give me something beige, brown or olive with little to no branding or pockets on the outside (we already carry a bag or wear a vest) and I’ll pay $1500 even as long as it’s made in a civilised country by people who can take a break and go on a holiday and such like.
For a decent pair of waders. Bloody autocorrect going for bad grammar this morning.
You’ve got something special with this comment thread!
Will this newly bought out big company Simms brand G4Z last 10 years of heavy responsible use? Maybe? If not, they are simply not worth the coin. If I could responsibly afford 1K fly reels and 1K fly rods, I would definitely go that route over 1K waders.
Newly bought out. 😬😬😬 people are concerned I guess. Did you watch the vid?
@FlyFishFood watched the vid, great review.....hopefully they'll last. G4Z should be good for 10......hopefully the fairly recent buyout doesn't mean a dip in quality that Simms is known for in their waders.
@@FlyFishFood and they should be concerned. If you dropped 195 million on Simms, id imagine youd want to turn a profit on that 195 million and selling $1000 waders is only going to cover so much margin creation. Cost of materials and labor with new ownership may force some cost cutting measures unfavorable to the consumer. Vista doesnt give a shit about the brand, they invest to turn a profit. (I watched the vid twice for the record)
@@Jon626 People have jumped to conclusions pretty quickly. It’s interesting to see comments from outside experts.
I live these year round. The pros know what to wear what work day in day out in the back country of Alaska. Simms, Patagonia, Dryft
Great review, extremely thorough and much appreciated because they sure aren’t cheap and they’ve gotta do me 10 years as my last pair did. Cheers guys and tight lines 👍🙏
Another great video Curtis! I was keen to see these new G4's, thank you.
No wader should cost you 500 bucks let alone a g. I’m happy with my 125 dolla orvis that I use religiously for the last 5 years
So you’ve seen how they are made?
All waders will end up leaking. The question is what the company will do for you when they fail
my Gallegos began to leak and Patagonia gave me brand new expeditions. It was a nice surprise
first, gimme one of these 😁🙏🏽
Do you sell this waders?
Stupid prices
Love the G4’s.
the Patagonias have that adjustable clip feature on the straps. I feel that right now is my favorite feature ever on a wader. It s et hot here so it's nice to be able to drop em down lower when the water is still too cold to wet wade. Also I agree on the gravel guard hooks, more a nuisance than useful.
That strap system is awful. I have a pair of those and the material is so stiff it’s such a pain to adjust. I do like patagonias wader construction more so than simms however.
Patagonia makes junk and the company is awful. If they gave me a free pair of waders every day for a year, I would donate them to someone I didn’t like.
we just talking about waders bud@@PaulKing-h9m
I’ve been using these for a year and a half now. I absolutely love them. They seem to be tuff and they are comfortable in my opinion. Pricy yes but good gear cost, it’s just how it is. Thanks!!
NO! Skwala are better and cheaper.
However they are the same price as Simms but made overseas. I f a company wants to save money by manufacturing overseas then charge me overseas pricing
Yeah, nah. They are okay waders, but they are charging USA prices for Asian crap. They are already offering free stuff to influencers and reviewers and cutting prices because they missed the mark- by a lot. I’ll keep supporting a Domestic company that makes their high end products here.
I love how 95% of the people in the comments came here to whine and let everyone know that they’ll continue to buy garbage because they don’t like the price. YOU ARE NOT THEIR CUSTOMER, KEEP SCROLLING. Those that are here to listen to the review can/will be the potential market.
Sounds like you are taking a fat load right from the top of the simms tip if you ask me. I have a ton of their products and the waders suck. If you fish hard they suck. If you follow every care instruction they suck. Ive spent over 2k on sucky waders from them. I suspect you are some vista outdoors shill that is getting emotional about people voicing their opinions...
I guess I’m your 5%. Was a loyal Simms customer for a long time. Would pay $1k if it was worth it. These aren’t. The brand is declining, some lessons get learned the hard way. If someone’s experience was the opposite, good for them. The best part about online reviews is everyone has a voice.
@@PaulKing-h9m I love your hyperbolic comments and willingness to make yourself, Simms, and Vista look unprofessional.
You sure do. I’d love to hear how their manufacturing process has declined, since it has remained exactly the same.
I must have missed the hyperbole in my own words, please continue. You, meaning you, the guy that most likely fishes once a month and bitches about $300 waders is NOT their customer when it comes to $1099 waders. I bet the designers, the reviewers(me), the marketing team, etc. aren’t looking at a pair of waders that an American Worker, in Bozeman took 3 days to make, and are trying to figure out how to get them into a range where you’re the target customer. They have that covered. Well, no they don’t, because they don’t make garbage. You should screenshot this conversation and send it to Simms to boycott me from ever reviewing their great products again. While you’re at it, save some money and go pick up a sweet set of Patagonia trash bags with straps. I don’t get paid to simp for a brand, chief- I get paid to beat the crap out of stuff and give my HONEST opinion. I can’t say I’ve used a bad Simms product, minus their nippers, which are overpriced crap. Be sure to tell them that too, and if they want them back, I’ll stop using them as wire cutters.