Recently, a friend of mine sent his waders in to Simms to be repaired. Two weeks after he mailed them, he got a message saying it would be another 2-3 weeks before they’d be ready. So that’s a total of at least 4-5 weeks that he’ll be without them. De facto, it will probably be more like 6 weeks. Like many, he wasn’t thrilled at their turnaround time, but unfortunately, this is pretty much par for the course and it’s something most people don’t think about until they’re in the situation and it’s too late.
Understanding wader guarantees can certainly be confusing as some manufacturers have gotten very clever in their wording. So here are some things you should understand BEFORE you purchase any waders with a guarantee …
It’s Not Forever
The so-called “lifetime guarantee” doesn’t mean what it sounds like. As one Simms representative explained to me, “the guarantee is for the ‘lifetime of the waders’, not the lifetime of the user. Well, that just about knocked me right off my Christmas tree! What does “the lifetime of the waders” mean? What is the average life expectancy of a pair of waders? I protested saying that Simms are expensive and people expect to have them last a long time. He pointed to his jeans and said, “I bought these jeans and I don’t expect them to last forever.” I said, “yeah, but you didn’t pay $500 for those jeans”. He shrugged his shoulders, gave no answer, and just staunchly stood by the policy.
If you expect waders you bought today to be covered 20 years from now, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. This is one reason I only buy cheaper waders like Cabela’s. I could replace them four times before it adds up to the price of one pair of Simms. I’ve had the same pair of Cabela’s waders for years and they work just as well as more expensive ones. Plus, big box stores like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops have such liberal return policies that if your were able to get any company to replace or repair your 20-year old waders, you’d have the best chance with them. But my own policy is that waders are disposable. They’re all eventually going to leak whether you paid $100 or $1,000. In general, I don’t expect any gear to last forever, but waders are an especially bad investment. That’s why I don’t buy high-end anymore.
It’s Not Free
When Orvis introduced their “unconditional 25-year guarantee”, it was free. People loved the policy and it wasn’t long before they started taking advantage of it. It basically gave them license to mistreat their gear thinking that they’ll be covered–no questions asked. And for a while, it was like that. But people started abusing the policy so much, Orvis decided to start charging not only to cover costs, but to give an incentive for people to take care of their waders.
The last time I worked for Orvis a couple of years ago, customers were shocked and appalled when they’d bring their waders in and I’d tell them there’s a $60 handling fee. Of course, this lead to the predictable last-ditch ploy of the irate and disgruntled customer: “let me talk to your manager” (which didn’t get them very far).
Orvis took a stand and and I applaud them for it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the statement, “Who cares? Orvis will replace it for free.” And so we had customers doing things like fishing for salmon with a 4wt., not drying out their waders after trips, throwing their rods on the ground, etc.. People almost took pride in their gear abuse as if it were a sign of how good of an angler they were. “I’m really hard on my gear” was the mantra, letting us all know they’re a pro. They’re serious. But in reality, all it really let us know was how stupid and careless they were. In those cases, I was more than happy to ring up their fee, smirking as I swiped their credit cards. 🙂
It’s Not Fast
My friend’s experience above is typical. Most companies will tell you the turnaround time is 4-6 weeks. For many people, 6 weeks is almost their entire season! You can try to make a plea with them if you have an upcoming fishing trip or something, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re backed up with piles of waders ahead of yours. It’s possible you might get them back sooner, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Be realistic, and plan on a good two months sans waders. If they come back earlier, it’s a nice serendipity.
My Advice
I never have this dilemma because I can replace my cheap waders quickly and easily. But if you really do want that fancy pair of overpriced waders, make sure you read the entire return policy so there are no surprises when you bring them in. For most manufacturers, pleading ignorance will get you nowhere and they’ll be quick to point out what the policy “clearly” states in the fine print. So here are some questions you should be asking yourself as you search for your next pair of waders:
- How long does the guarantee last? If the company claims a “lifetime” guarantee, exactly what does that mean? Is there an expiration date?
- What exactly does it cover? A lot of companies have cracked down on abuse so things you consider normal wear and tear might not be what they consider normal wear and tear. For example, if you normally fish in a place with brambles and thorns, will they cover a puncture or tear in the fabric? Which types of damage disqualify you from the guarantee?
- If the waders are beyond repair, what are my options? This happens. Some waders are so trashed, there’s no way to salvage them. In this case, will they offer a discount on a new pair? Many companies will do this if you ask.
- Is it free? Is there a shipping or handling fee? Is there a registration fee?
- Can I pay more to get a repair expedited? At least you might be able to pay extra for shipping to get your repair back a little faster. It probably won’t bump you up in the queue but still, a few days can make a difference.
Back in the old days at Orvis, we didn’t even send some rods and waders in for repair because it was too laborious and it was honestly cheaper to hand them a new rod or pair of waders off the shelf and just RMA the damaged ones. Those days are over. Policies today no longer sycophantically pander to the customer–especially the high-end companies. And don’t expect to get any special treatment if you come at them like a karen on Tik Tok. You’ll be challenged, get frustrated, probably end up a little embarrassed, and will still have to wait 6 weeks for your waders.
Another option is to try to circumvent the repair process entirely by just fixing the waders yourself. Many come with a small repair kit and if it’s a relatively minor leak, it should be pretty easy even if you’ve never done it before. But for a major failure, you’re going to have to bite the bullet and either send them in or buy a new pair.
If you’re going through the repair process right now, I feel for you. Being without your beloved waders for so long is definitely frustrating so that’s why it’s important to make sure you inform yourself before you buy. But the best piece of advice I can give you is this: take care of your waders! I could write a whole article just on wader care, but most of it is just common sense. If you just bought a Ferrari, you’re probably not going to want to take it off roading. Care is the best prevention and can avoid (or at least delay) the inevitable.
I hope you find this helpful in your next purchase. Be savvy, wade well, and respect your gear!
I only wear my waders in the winter, which dramatically saves on wear and tear. The rest of the year I wet-wade, unless conditions dictate otherwise.
Hey Mike, I’m with you! I try to wet wade whenever possible. Maybe that’s why my waders last so long. In general, I hate wearing waders. The best thing about wearing waders is getting out of them.
My experience with Simms was even worse than yours. I have opted out of their over priced stuff and are trying other brands with far better results at a better price. Their attitude at the hq, not field reps, was arrogant and appalling and I won’t go back.
In the 90/00’s, the warranty was a factor in choosing which company’s product I wanted. Patagonia SST waders began leaking at the bootie, so I mentioned it to the local Fly Shop where I purchased them: he told me to grab another pair from the wall and bring back the others the next time I came in (the Stripers were running hard in local waters that month). I still have the replacement waders and they had a loyal customer for the rest of my time in that state.
FFW to 2020 and I purchased some hip waders based on recommendations. They were woven with equal proportions of Gore-Tex and a screen door. Contacted the company and sent them (and their boots) in for repairs. 3 months later, they were returned. I learned that with smaller companies, you also need to factor in the worker’s travel and fishing schedule.
It may seem obvious but buying more than one pair of waders will save you the wait for the repair. In the US I have two pairs of Redington ‘Sonic Pro’ waders I bought on special 3 years ago for less than $500 for both pairs and surprisingly no major leaks so far. To be honest I would really like to upgrade to full zip waders but until these fall apart you may see me struggling by the side of the creek when nature calls 🙂
The best part about wearing waders is getting out of them.
I have been wearing heavy weight to featherweight waders for 60 years (I’m 73) as I waded the warm-water rivers of northern Illinois for smallmouth, and the Lake Michigan tribs of Wisconsin and Michigan for steelhead, salmon and browns. Once I made the switch to neoprenes and lightweight waders I have bought almost exclusively from Cabela’s. I take TLC of my equipment and materials, I just do, but no matter what, waders only last so long – period. Spot repair on little leaks buys some time, but only so much, and those will tend to fail again at the least opportune time. So, I replace them. I have found Cabela’s to be reliable enough for a season or two (I fish every other day from May through Oct. – retired). Then just buy more when I start getting wet. (I do have a couple of pair of leaky lightweights and one pair of 2mm neoprenes I keep for doing yard work in the rain and in winter’s cold and snow – they work fine for those purposes). I had a few lousy customer service run-ins with the high end shops and merchants, and that was that. I will not pay others for the privilege of abusing me. (I’m always respectful – I’m not a Karen or a Karl.) Since I buy less expensive, and have expectations of only a season or two, and I don’t care about “how cool do I look” bragging rights to others, my stress level over waders disappeared decades ago. I’ll pay the cost to be the boss. You’ll always find me smiling and fishing in the river, not waiting on repairs to come back. Good article Sir.
Thanks Bob! I agree that Cabela’s is always great to deal with. I’m not just saying that because I’ve worked for them–I’m saying that as a long-time customer. By extension, Bass Pro Shops is the same since they’re one company now.
You just gave me a flashback when you talked about neoprene waders. Wow, I haven’t worn those in years! But back east for steelhead, they were a must. I even had a pair of 5mm boot foot waders I used for winter steelhead and fishing in the Niagara River. Talk about heavy and clunky! Out here I can get away with just lightweight wader pants or wet wade. I can’t imagine having to don those things now.
Another way to solve the problem is to get good at repairing your waders. I find the leaks by blowing air into the waders using a shop vac and spray soapy water on them. You can see the leak where the bubbles appear. I then mark those spots with chalk, let them dry and then cover fill the leak with Aquaseal. Thanks
Good tip! I also used to fill them with water to pinpoint the leak. But yours is better because you don’t have to get the inside of the waders wet.
Waders in the cold only. Wet wade in the summer w/a swimming suit on. Spectacular.
Jason, hope this comment finds you well.
After reading one of your reviews years ago I bought a pair of Frog Toggs (waist high style) and they have been faithful for almost 10 years now. I can’t thank you enough for the years of articles you’ve written. Because of your enthusiasm with Tenkara back in 2010 I bought my first Tenkara USA rod and have enjoyed Tenkara fishing ever since. Glad to see you writing again, Walt
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Thanks so much Walt! That really means a lot to me. I hope you like all the new content I have planned. Coming soon …
The same good-for-the-life-of-the-product gimmick is even worse with electronics.
Don’t forget regular preventive maintenance.
I’ve gotten good wear from waders (mostly Orvis in the past 20 years after a bad Simms experience) in part by annually washing them in a GoreTex compatible detergent and re-treating the breathable material with a compound designed for that purpose. (I use the NikWax products to wash and to treat.) Washing gets out tiny abrasives; replenishing fills the tiny thin spots that seep but don’t leave the telltales of real pinholes.
First I run a cycle of washing machine degunker. Then I wash/retreat all my breathables in one or two batches, then additional batches for my fleeces, soft shells, and socks and delicate unmentionables.
I haven’t found a way to reattach seam tapes. OTOH, I can’t recall ever having leaks where the tapes had been.
Outside the wader, my shoe repair guy fixed the delaminating felt soles on my summer wading books last fall for all of $10.
Thanks for sharing your wader cleaning ritual. Your comment could be a blog post in itself! What happened to the seam tape? It is just peeling off?
I should have been more precise: it’s the seam tape inside the waders, especially on the neoprene booties, of two pairs of Orvis silver sonic lightweights that still soldier on after a decade or so.
Hey Bruce, I had a pair of Orvis Silver Sonics and loved them too! They lasted a few years but were lost to theft. And unfortunately, like all the best gear, they’ve been discontinued. 🙁
Good article – I’ve heard doublespeak from another big flyfishing company about both waders and wading shoes similar to what you heard from the Simms guy – “100% satisfaction guaranteed unless we say otherwise” No one forces any company to offers overly generous warranties – they do it because they believe it gives them a competitive advantage in the marketplace. At the very least they ought to stand by their word.