New Waders
 

Hello,

Sometime before next April, I intend to buy a new pair of lightweight waders
as a backup spare for my "guide weight" gamer. Of the ones currently on the
market, my choice would be the Simms Freestone. I have looked at the
Freestone in a shop; they are not as lightweight and packable as say, the
Orvis Clearwater but the Clearwater fit is just terrible.

My question is this; does anyone know at this time if any new products are
coming for 2004 from Simms (or any other top quality manufacturer), which
will be a competitive alternative to the Simms Freestone? I would prefer an
even lighter wader if one were to become available.

Thanks for any information.

Yuji Sakuma

New Waders
 

Yuji Sakuma wrote:

Sometime before next April, I intend to buy a new pair of lightweight waders
as a backup spare for my "guide weight" gamer. Of the ones currently on the
market, my choice would be the Simms Freestone. I have looked at the
Freestone in a shop; they are not as lightweight and packable as say, the
Orvis Clearwater but the Clearwater fit is just terrible.

My question is this; does anyone know at this time if any new products are
coming for 2004 from Simms (or any other top quality manufacturer), which
will be a competitive alternative to the Simms Freestone? I would prefer an
even lighter wader if one were to become available.

Yuji, you might want to look at the Simms Lightweights rather than the
Freestone.

http://www.kman.com/W_Simms.htm

A bit more expensive, but worth it, I think. I have a pair that I wore
hard for two years and much less frequently for the last year and a
half. They have worn very well. Not as packable as the Clearwaters,
but the fit is much much better.

JR

New Waders
 

JR,

I did look at the Simms Lightweight at the same time I checked out the
Freestone. I do not consider the extra cost to be justified. for spare
waders. The Orvis Clearwaters that I am currently using for backup are good
in every way except fit.

Thanks

Yuji.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"JR" wrote in message
...

Yuji, you might want to look at the Simms Lightweights rather than the
Freestone.

http://www.kman.com/W_Simms.htm

A bit more expensive, but worth it, I think. I have a pair that I wore
hard for two years and much less frequently for the last year and a
half. They have worn very well. Not as packable as the Clearwaters,
but the fit is much much better.

JR

New Waders
 

Hi Yuji,

They changed the Orvis low end so it looks a little better, is heavier too,
but is still an imported wader @ $129.

The Simms Freestone is not Gore-Tex (Sympatex) but is made in America and is
pressure tested in Bozeman, MT @ $149.

Simms has taken over the wader market in the US with fit, quality and dollar
value. If you think about it, who else only makes waders, boots and
raincoats? I believe every other companies waders are imported. I think it's
only competitor would be Patagonia, but they are still playing catch up with
the fit or tailoring and are not using Gore-Tex.
--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA
www.kiene.com

"Yuji Sakuma" wrote in message
...

Hello,

Sometime before next April, I intend to buy a new pair of lightweight
waders
as a backup spare for my "guide weight" gamer. Of the ones currently on
the
market, my choice would be the Simms Freestone. I have looked at the
Freestone in a shop; they are not as lightweight and packable as say, the
Orvis Clearwater but the Clearwater fit is just terrible.

My question is this; does anyone know at this time if any new products are
coming for 2004 from Simms (or any other top quality manufacturer), which
will be a competitive alternative to the Simms Freestone? I would prefer
an
even lighter wader if one were to become available.

Thanks for any information.

Yuji Sakuma

New Waders
 

Hi Bill,

It is fine that you are patriotic and choose to promote American products
but I am Canadian and I am looking for price/performance - country of origin
is not a criterion for me. For example, I notice that the best outdoor
gear, with a couple of exceptions, is designed by American companies, such
as Patagonia, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, etc., and fabricated offshore. My
experience with Goretex in outerwear is that it is technically good, maybe
the best, but that the difference in performance with other
waterproof-breathable membranes for most applications is marginal. I was
happy with the Orvis Clearwater waders except for the awful fit and the
ridiculous double knees (which trapped water). Just because something is
made in America does not make it the best; ask me if I would rather own a
German car or a Japanese camera. That said, I think Simms does make the
best waders.

Yuji

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
"Bill Kiene" wrote in message
...
Hi Yuji,

They changed the Orvis low end so it looks a little better, is heavier
too,
but is still an imported wader @ $129.

The Simms Freestone is not Gore-Tex (Sympatex) but is made in America and
is
pressure tested in Bozeman, MT @ $149.

Simms has taken over the wader market in the US with fit, quality and
dollar
value. If you think about it, who else only makes waders, boots and
raincoats? I believe every other companies waders are imported. I think
it's
only competitor would be Patagonia, but they are still playing catch up
with
the fit or tailoring and are not using Gore-Tex.
--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA
www.kiene.com

New Waders
 

Only a refugee from Canuckistan would make such a comment. Americans have
the strongest work ethic in the world, bar none. Products made in America
have superior wearability because Americans are truly "ugly Americans" and
demand more performance. Americans expect a level of performance not
demanded by other countries. Suck swamp gas Canuck and dwaddle along with
your "almost as good" goods.
--
Wayne
To Fish is Human...To Release Divine!

"Yuji Sakuma" sympatico.ca (where a LOT of BULL**** SPAM comes from) wrote
in message .. .
Hi Bill,

New Waders
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 14:19:20 -0500, "Yuji Sakuma"
wrote:

Hi Bill,

It is fine that you are patriotic and choose to promote American products
but I am Canadian and I am looking for price/performance - country of origin
is not a criterion for me. For example, I notice that the best outdoor
gear, with a couple of exceptions, is designed by American companies, such
as Patagonia, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, etc., and fabricated offshore. My
experience with Goretex in outerwear is that it is technically good, maybe
the best, but that the difference in performance with other
waterproof-breathable membranes for most applications is marginal. I was
happy with the Orvis Clearwater waders except for the awful fit and the
ridiculous double knees (which trapped water). Just because something is
made in America does not make it the best; ask me if I would rather own a
German car or a Japanese camera. That said, I think Simms does make the
best waders.

Yuji

After comparing Canadian Wardells to Simms Freestones (same dollars),
I wouldn't touch the Simms with a barge pole (durability). However,
if you're after maximum portability the Wardells, being heavier, won't
pack down like the Freestones. I'd go back and have another look at
Clearwaters as I think Orvis has gone back to the original formula. I
put six hard seasons on my Clearwaters and their still my backups and
(Frank's G).

I've now put one and half seasons on my Wardells and I remain very
happy with them.

Peter

turn mailhot into hotmail to reply

Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharl...ers/index.html

New Waders
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:56:24 GMT, "Wayne"
wrote:

Only a refugee from Canuckistan would make such a comment. Americans have
the strongest work ethic in the world, bar none. Products made in America
have superior wearability because Americans are truly "ugly Americans" and
demand more performance. Americans expect a level of performance not
demanded by other countries. Suck swamp gas Canuck and dwaddle along with
your "almost as good" goods.


Been shopping at Wal-Mart lately?



Peter

turn mailhot into hotmail to reply

Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharl...ers/index.html

New Waders
 

"Peter Charles" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:56:24 GMT, "Wayne"
wrote:

Only a refugee from Canuckistan would make such a comment. Americans
have
the strongest work ethic in the world, bar none. Products made in
America
have superior wearability because Americans are truly "ugly Americans"
and
demand more performance. Americans expect a level of performance not
demanded by other countries. Suck swamp gas Canuck and dwaddle along
with
your "almost as good" goods.


Been shopping at Wal-Mart lately?

Peter

What are you tryin' to say? Are all those foreign made products that we buy
from Wally-World inferior?

Personally, I gave-up on the work ethic thingy many years ago. Work ethics
are for folks that buy corporate Amerika's work harder for less money, while
we ship your job off to Asia or give to some low life Canadian electrician
BSEG.

Op --who's havin' a hard time findin' made in Amerika anymore!--

New Waders
 

"Peter Charles" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:56:24 GMT, "Wayne"
wrote:

Only a refugee from Canuckistan would make such a comment. Americans
have
the strongest work ethic in the world, bar none. Products made in
America
have superior wearability because Americans are truly "ugly Americans"
and
demand more performance. Americans expect a level of performance not
demanded by other countries. Suck swamp gas Canuck and dwaddle along
with
your "almost as good" goods.


Been shopping at Wal-Mart lately?



Peter

Apparently not for his medications.

Tim Lysyk
timlysyk at telus dot net