acurrie Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Just looking for some feedback on the William Joseph drynamic waders. I was looking at ordering a pair from the states, and everything I've heard about them so far seems to be positive. I need a pair of Waders that will last more then 8 months, and I've gone through Spingbrook, Hodgman , 2 x proline and Redingtons over the past 4 years. Thanks! Drew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbowtrout Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Might be time to buy some Simms I don't know your budget but this might be worth a go. http://flyfishcalgary.com/board/index.php?showtopic=13489 My last two pairs have been Simms and I'll never go back!!! The pair I'm using now need a patch (Thanks Uber+barbed wire) but I'm sure they will last one more season. (3 on them now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishfreak Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Yeah, get some Simms. If you can find them on sale, even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaffer Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Yeah, get some Simms. If you can find them on sale, even better. +1 for Simms. I have the G3 guide pants and they are awesome. Very well built. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Chris, Weren't the 17" & 21" Rainbows from a small stream worth it?! (Thanks Uber+barbed wire) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeremie Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I've got the william & joseph drynamic waders. I love em, they look nice too. They do seem to be a little small in the thigh area which is a problem but i find they are very well built! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acurrie Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Thanks for the replies guys. I don't wanna drop +$400 for the Simms though. I can get the WJ's for under $200 bucks and they sell in Calgary for $350, so I figured it would be a good deal. I have seen the G3 and G4's and they are badass but a little to spendy for me at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giovanne Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Pony up for the Simms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 One thing you should check on is where do you get them fixed,because its not if they will leak its when. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acurrie Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Yeah, I'm not droppimg $450 for the Simms, as good as they may be. Plus I need new waders before I head North to do some serious Steelheading in 2 weeks. In terms of getting the waders fixed, I have no idea. I'll probably do what I usually do when the leaks are super bad....buy another pair...lol. I think i'll try the WJ's, they seem pretty robust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjjones11 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Sounds counter intuitive to go through 5 pairs of waders in 4 years and not want to upgrade to something that will last longer, and in turn save you money in the long run. If you want to stay dry, then buck up. You can save 50 bucks on Simms waders right now anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 So instead of $450 its $400? I have a feeling that's still out of his budget. However, I did pick up a nice pair of the Simms Freestone waders over at The Fishin Hole for only $229 plus tax. If you tell them that you are member of Ducks Unlimited, or even Trout Unlimited (I think), you get an additional 10% off. Just sayin..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesr1 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Thanks for the replies guys. I don't wanna drop +$400 for the Simms though. I can get the WJ's for under $200 bucks and they sell in Calgary for $350, so I figured it would be a good deal. I have seen the G3 and G4's and they are badass but a little to spendy for me at the moment. Sounds like a great deal. FYI, I have some Filsons that I absolutely love. They are new to the game, but sure make quality gear. The great fallacy in the whole wader game is that "if you buy cheap you will have to buy waders every year." I claim that if you buy inexpensive and smart, that statement is incorrect. I have a pair of $80.00 breathables I bought for my son 4 or 5 yrs ago. My other son is using them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murray Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I have a pair of William Joseph waders that I won in a magazine renewal draw a couple of years ago. I didn't need them at the time so they just lived in the box they came in for 2 years. I took them out to use on the river this year and after a couple of times on the river, I'm finding that they leak from almost every seam. They have not been abused and on the surface they look pretty much brand new. I sent a note to William Joseph asking how to go about getting them repaired. That was about 6 week ago and I have not heard back from them. In my opinion, I would choose another brand. Murray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giovanne Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Sounds like a great deal. FYI, I have some Filsons that I absolutely love. They are new to the game, but sure make quality gear. The great fallacy in the whole wader game is that "if you buy cheap you will have to buy waders every year." I claim that if you buy inexpensive and smart, that statement is incorrect. I have a pair of $80.00 breathables I bought for my son 4 or 5 yrs ago. My other son is using them now. Generally this is not the case with waders. ^^^ I pissed around for years with different brands thinking that Simms are way overpriced. I would hazard a guess that anyone who has shelled out for Simms has no buyers regret... The only other waders I would own would be wardell as they are repaired right here in Calgary, a big bonus. Oh ya- I have owned Dan Bailey, Cloudveil, Bare, Springbrook, and now finally Simms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 The only other waders I would own would be wardell as they are repaired right here in Calgary, a big bonus. Agreed, before i got my Simms thats what i had and great guys to deal with also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDone Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 My last pair of waders before the ones I currently have were a pair of Wardels purchased from Hanson's when they still had a shop in Vancouver got 5 seasons out of them, still have them hanging around in case of emergency. I'm now on my 4th season with my Snowbee XS-pro's and no signs of leaks, I usually have over 150 days a year on the water and I don't 'baby' my gear but I do take care of it. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydropsyche Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I can get the WJ's for under $200 bucks and they sell in Calgary for $350, so I figured it would be a good deal. I bought some "Guide" waders from Cabella's thinking they were a deal and after exchange, shipping, tarriff's, etc. they were still cheaper, but not by much. However, I had to return them because they didn't fit ($32). Then after 3 mo they started leaking. Return ($). New pair started leaking after 3 months. Lesson learned. Don't buy waders from the states. Buy local. You can try them on before you purchase. If you have any real problems, they're local. The shop's taxes support our infrastructure, etc. ps. I got a couple shirts at the same time and they're quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birddog Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I have used a set of Simms guide series for over a year and I have used them alot and abused them and they work great, spend the extra $ its worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Drew: If you do get the WillyJoes, make sure you indicate "ship via USPS". They almost automatically will ship UPS, who will bend you over for their "Brokerage" scheme. I have a pair of WJs, got them just this spring, so haven't really strained them much. One week on the Bella Coola in August and a few days bushwhacking on a steelie stream in N. BC . So far so good. I had a pair of North Rivers(Redl Sports house brand) for 6 years, one barbwire puncture, that was it. They are substantially thicker than the WJs though. My wife decided she owned them after wading the Bella Coola. (Maybe cuz I told her she looked "hot" in waders and waving spey?) j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I've stated this before in a previous thread... About 3 years ago a roommate of mine (a former guide) was looking for a new set of waders and looked at the Willy J's at a non-sponsoring shop... Out of the box he noticed they had 2 left feet... With further research it was concluded that they had numerous quality control issues... Not sure they have improved any... I have gone through 2 sets of waders 1st was one of the original generations of the patagonias and they weren't great! Next were Redington CPS and they didn't last too long before they started to leak. I went back to the latest generation of patagonias guidewaters and like the SIMMS, you get what you pay for and these are the best waders IMHO. Pay the little extra for quality & piece of mind and you won't be disappointed (and if you are, both Patagonia and SIMMS have the BEST warrantees in the business - bar none!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishfreak Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Yup, those Simms aren't cheap. I bought an older pair of the Simms Guide for 30% off from a local fly shop, which was the only way I could afford them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I've been using William Joseph Waders/Jacket this season and so far I have not had any problems. Probably have around 80 trips with them since I bought them in mid April of this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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