waders

I got a pair of LL Beans last spring. They worked great for a few months, but some time in late summer/early fall, they developed a leak behind the left knee. I emailed their customer service and they said they'd be happy to repair/replace at no cost to me other than shipping to them. I thought it seemed a little too simple, so I asked her if they'd have someone there evaluate them and whether it was manufacturing defect or abuse, and she said no, that their warranty covers any aspect of the product that affects customer satisfaction in any way. Though I have yet to send them in, that was pretty reassuring.

Bowman, if your considering Simms Freestones, Madison River Fishing Co. has them on sale for $129.99. My first pair of Simms Lightweights (discontinued) lasted 11 seasons. I've been very happy Simms products. I know many people have had both good & bad luck with whatever wader they buy, so I guess this is just my two cents worth. I'd just suggest that you measure yourself as a tailor would to get the best fit. I feel a lot of wader failures is due more to improper fit or improper care when not in use. I always hang mine to dry and turn them inside out. Mold is a real killer to any wader. If you can afford it, I'd get a Gore-Tex wader, its easy to care for.
I'm not familiar with Simms Quadra-Lam material, but I think it's a coating on the fabric, not anything like true Gore-Tex. Hope whatever you decide on serve you well and lasts a long time for you. Good luck, Matt.

ORIGINAL: Mountian Man

Cold, what brand were those you had in erie? I was looking at the Frog Toggs for $99 but not sure of the after sales on them.

Waist-high? Those were the beans.

Also, bowman, my post comes from a fisherman who regularly beats the tar out of his waders. I hike through brush, kneel in them, get them dirty, and put em away wet. If they cant hold up to that punishment, I don't want them in the first place.

I am looking to get a pair of the waist high frogg toggs from fishusa the next time I am in the market. I have frogg toggs now, one pair began to leak, sent in the new pair and these ones are doing great except for the 4" gash I tore in the butt... some stitches and some shoo goo and they are back to being dry as a bone! I am planning on the waist highs because I don't go above that and when I get to berry depth, I look for a different place to fish/cross.

Simms.

I had a leaky pair of frogg toggs that were brand new.