Winston Churchill is alleged to have once said, “My tastes are very simple; I simply want the best.”
So there’s little doubt that Winnie would choose Simms waders if he were still around and heading out for a day on the river. Simms waders aren’t cheap, especially the top of the line G4Z model at the suggested retail price of $699, but when it comes to hunting and fishing gear, most of us have learned the truth of the old saying- you get what you pay for.
But fear not, if your checkbook isn’t flush at the moment, Simms offers good waders starting at $140. Go to www.simmsfishing.com to peruse all of their fishing gear from waders to boots to outerwear and more.
With a factory and headquarters located in the heart of Southwest Montana’s famed trout country, Simms is the only company in the U.S. licensed to make Gore-Tex waders by WL Gore & Associates Inc. and all those Gore-Tex waders are made right here in the U.S.A.
Simms’ top quality fishing jackets are light, tough and rip resistant. I’ve used mine for years and not only when fishing but while bird and big game hunting as well. My Simms jacket kept me dry and comfy on two different occasions in Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National “rain” Forest while bear hunting, salmon fishing and chasing Sitka blacktail deer on cloud covered mountain tops. If a jacket keeps you dry in the Tongass, believe me, it will keep you dry anywhere.
Exotic species, like mud snails, which threaten our waters and fish habitat love to hitch a ride on felt bottom wading boots, so Simms discontinued making them in 2009 in favor of solid Vibram soles and screw-in cleats. This earned them praise from anglers around the country and a Best of the Best Award from Field & Stream Magazine.
There may be products as good as Simms out there, but none are better. Simms’ Gore-Tex waders are American-made, and the company is not only concerned about fishing habitat and conservation, they act on it. I use their products and have put them to the test across three continents. And they’ve never failed me, not once.