Simms G3 Guide Waders

"Son, never buy a cheap tool," my grandfather said while navigating the labyrinth of a cavernous hardware store one Saturday morning in the fall of 1977. He was looking to replace a broken yard rake with the most expensive one available. Every time I neglect his advice I confirm the underlying wisdom of those words. Cheap tools cost more because they never last.

All this ran through my mind one day last fall. I stood belly-deep in the San Juan River's tailwaters with numbness spreading through my leg courtesy of a failed seam along the inner-thigh of my waders. The amount of time I spent online selecting these knockoff neoprene waders for their rockbottom price and the amount of time they gave me on the water were the same: four days. The waders, although plenty warm (or stinkin' hot depending on conditions), were sweaty, constrictive, and heavy. Neoprene is a favored material for duck hunters, but for the vagaries of temperature encountered wading cold streams in all seasons, rugged breathable materials are the key to comfort.

Enter the updated Simms G3 Guide Waders, a classic wader now available with optional custom bootfoot by the Muck Boot Company for an additional $100. Simms makes the waders from a three-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric. They have five-layer construction from the thigh down, where durability counts the most. Besides the standard-issue wading belt, the Simms G3's are tricked out with a flip-out zippered chest pocket with a built-in retractor, perfect for stowing a few spools of tippet. Plus they have a fleece-lined hand-warmer pocket complete with external zippered pouch big enough for a couple fly boxes.

Out of water, the non-constrictive fit, articulated knees and breathable fabric made for comfortable hiking. Pouring on various streamside punishments revealed the build quality. After repeated butt slides over sharp rock and ferocious clashes with thorny raspberry bushes they looked similar to when I took them out of the box.

In the water, they did what every great piece of gear does—they disappeared; I forgot I was wearing them. High stepping over nasty logjams and repeated crouching to release my catch never felt constrained due to the roomy fit and comfortable elastic shoulder straps. The sturdy fabric both insulated and breathed—providing a not-too-hot, not-too-cold barrier to the icy water. (As a bonus when the water gets smaller and the mercury spikes the waders also convert quickly to pants waders.)

I was skeptical the Muck Boot bootfoot could offer as much ankle support as a lace-up. The boots are offered only in whole sizes and being a half size, I figured they'd be loose and clunky. But after adding a pair of beefy insoles I found the fit practically athletic, and not a cause for foot fatigue. On long hauls over rocky terrain my footing was secure and comfortable. I stumbled through deep, thick mud like an epileptic albatross, but my boots held like glue. My friend, wearing cheap bootfoot waders, slogged around like some Halloween mishap, his boots having been sucked free. Although slightly heavier and clunkier than a standard pair of lace-ups, the Muck Boot excels in warmth. It's rated for temperatures as low as -20F.

The bootfoot may not be the best solution for scenarios that require a lot of hiking, but for fishermen frequently getting in and out of boats or trucks, or with close access to streams it's an excellent way to minimize the fuss of suiting up. One morning on the Pozo Creek I caught two nice browns 100 feet from the truck while my buddy was still lacing up.

At just under $400 for the stockingfoot model there are lots of options cheaper than the Simms G3 Guide Waders, but wouldn't you rather heed the words of a wise old man. $399.95; simmsfishing.com

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