I have owned many different waders over the years but my current waders, the Simms G3 Stockingfoot chest waders, are by far the best. I’ve had the same pair since 2018 with no issues. They have been used all over Alaska, Montana, Idaho, and Michigan. They have taken a beating and continued to perform like new. These waders are not for every situation, as I’ll discuss below, but they have worked perfectly for my needs.

Description of the Simms G3 Wader

The Simms G3 wader is a high-quality, chest wader designed for fly fishing and outdoor enthusiasts. Simms is a well-respected brand known for producing quality fishing gear, and the G3 wader is one of their most well known products. As a bonus, the waders are made in the USA. (Not sure if this is relevant but… I used to live just down the road from the Simms factory, outside Bozeman, Montana. It looks like a nice place to work.)

Construction

The Simms G3 wader is made from three-layer GORE-TEX  fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable. There are reinforced areas in the knees and shins providing a little extra protection for busting through brush or kneeling on gravel. This GORE-TEX fabric  keeps you dry while allowing moisture to escape, providing comfort during warmer weather conditions. There seems to be a trade off between breathability and durability. I’ve used other waders that were more comfortable in warm weather but they didn’t last. They either ripped or began to leak right through the fabric. I prefer having something that is more durable. You can always sit in the water if you get too hot.

Features

Pockets

They have a zip chest pocket with lots of storage space for a fly box, snacks, or a phone. There is a kangaroo pocket with a microfleece lining that is great for warming your hands on a cold day. There is also a zip off flap that sits inside the wader with a pocket for small items like tippet.

Gravel Guards

Built-in gravel guards with lace hooks help keep rocks and other debris out of your boots. They do the job most of the time. 

Boots

I have the stockingfoot model but Simms makes a bootfoot model too. The anatomically designed neoprene booties on the stockingfoot model are comfortable all day long when paired with a good wading boot.

Suspenders

The wader has adjustable suspenders which are quite comfortable. You hardly notice they are there. The waders also come with a wading belt so your waders don’t fill up immediately if you fall in. The belt works well to hang bear spray on too.

Overall Pros and Cons

Here are the takeaways from above.

Pros

-Very durable and long lasting

-Comfortable

-Made in the USA

Cons

-Very expensive (a new pair is around $700!)

-Can be quite hot in warm weather

Conclusion

I recommend these waders to anyone who wants a quality product that they can rely on for years to come. They are especially good for those who do a lot of bushwhacking and climbing on rocks while wearing waders as they are very durable.  However, they might not be the right choice if you spend a lot of time fishing in hot weather (check out other Simms offerings here). I would definitely buy these waders again but since they are so long lasting I won’t need to anytime soon.

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