Fishing The Fly Scotland

Index => Main Discussion Area => Topic started by: Paul Rankine on 25/09/2008 at 16:59

Title: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 25/09/2008 at 16:59
Hi All,
         Looking for a new pair. Anyone recommend good ones around the £100 mark ? (so not Vision).
Not Ron Thompson , crappola, Hardwear turned out to be software.
Snowbee possibles, Rapala ???!

Hamish , did you say at Lintrathen that the Airflo ones were not recommended ? or was that the Grey's ???

Any feedback anyone ?

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 25/09/2008 at 17:29
I have been using the Wychwood ones for a season and a half now. No leaks, well put together. Bearing in mind I use mine for Pike fishing so lots of walking, kneeling and climbing fences etc. I also put them on at the house..fish the whole day then drive home in them. Previous to this I used there "All Season" waders which had a neoprene lower and breathable upper. I had them 3 years before they went between the legs. It was the neoprene, not the breathable bit that went.

I paid £60 for the breatables as i did not need the boots. I think they are £100 with boots. Double lined lowers, comfy braces etc etc.

http://www.wychwood-game.co.uk/waders.html

Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 25/09/2008 at 17:51
Paul

I have pair of the Wychwood they are OK but leaked at the foot seams , aquashure did the trick though , free delivery from ReelsNDeals. It was the Greys Hamish had problems with.

http://www.reelsndeals.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Wychwood_Chest_Waders_834.html 

 :z18

Jim
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 25/09/2008 at 19:02
Cheers Guys ,
           
Thanks a lot for that .

Pity about the leaks , I don't think I,ve ever bought a wader that didn't leak at sometime. I suppose it's like most things , you get good ones and not so good ones.

Most of my waders up end looking like Aquasure City at some point.

Any more recommendations anyone ?

Am I the only one who gets pissed off at the prices some manufacturers are asking , (even with a GAIA discount ? ) :roll

Paul.

PS: Already checked your resident American discount house Jim , nothing there of interest so far !!   :wink
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 25/09/2008 at 19:36
Paul

Scroll down this link there are breathables for £50.

http://www.yga.yorks.com/acatalog/XMAS_OFFERS_-UPTO_50__OFF.html

 :z18

Jim
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Hamish Young on 25/09/2008 at 19:56
It was Greys G-Series waders Paul, I'm on my third pair (fair play to John Norris who have replaced them without quibble) and they've each religously 'let go' after their 3rd outing  :z6 :mad

Latest pair leak after trip 2, but nowhere near as bad as their predecessors.

I'm looking at an Orvis pair, but to be honest a lightweight pair of neoprenes might be the alternate. Diverdave was looking at having some made, so will maybe wait and see what he comes up with :z16

Hamish  :z3

Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: goosander on 25/09/2008 at 21:17
Second pair of Snowbee boots faling apart after a couple of months.
Breathables leaking after one months use.
Have given up hopeing to find a pair that does not leek after a couple of months
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 25/09/2008 at 22:41
Hi ,
      Thanks again to All,
                                  Jim, very tempted by the Klobba stuff. Only heard good things about them .

Hamish, funny that I thought the very same thing myself, light neoprene with a tough breathable outer , and a five year guarantee (!) , would sweep the market.  :grin

Ian, Snowbees have a good name but I wonder how much older stuff is sold , (maybe on E-thingy) , which is past it.

Waders , EH ! , Probably one of the greatest fishing problems of our age .  ???

Paul.

PS: Also very attracted to Orvis , (with my discount) ,but unfortunately had a few bad wader experiences  with them , especially with the top ends of their range .  :roll

PPS: Why don't manufacturers offer a return scheme if faulty , or even if they leak , like broken rods , for example. Some cost as much .

Answers on a postcard , or here , please.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: stickleback on 25/09/2008 at 22:47
I've got Orvis Clearwater breathables which have performed well over the last couple of years.  I think they normally sell for about £160 but with the sale on at their Banchory shop they might be down to a price nearer your target.  I seem to recall mine costing £120.  I've heard Orvis have a no quibble guarantee but thankfully I've not had to try it !  Give the shop a phone if your interested.

Just noticed I'd typed this as you were typing about your not so good experiences with Orvis  :z4
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 26/09/2008 at 09:10
PS: Also very attracted to Orvis , (with my discount) ,but unfortunately had a few bad wader experiences  with them , especially with the top ends of their range .  :roll

PPS: Why don't manufacturers offer a return scheme if faulty , or even if they leak , like broken rods , for example. Some cost as much .

Orvis does!! :z16 I have been in the Banchory shop several times when someone has come in with a pair of leaking waders. Replaced without quibble! Infact, one lucky visiting lady (so she had bought her waders else where) was given a free upgrade as they did not have a pair that fitted her in the model she had.

However...I am not in there "that" often..so to have seen several pairs of waders come back means there must be a high failure rate.  :z8
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Peter McCallum on 26/09/2008 at 17:40
Paul you can't beat visions IMHO. I've a pair of the (now discontinued) flyweight waders for almost 10 years - they only started leaking 2 seasons ago after using them tubing for a couple of seasons as well as wading/walking/bosting. Can't recommend them highly enough
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Dutchfly on 26/09/2008 at 19:33
Have my pair of Simms Goretex waders for over 10 years now, never had a problem with 'em. When they last you that long, are they really an expensive pair of waders?

Regards,

Jeroen
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 26/09/2008 at 20:13
Jeroen

Yes you have had good value if they lasted 10 years , were they boot foot or stocking foot , all my problems with waders have been with leaks in the foot seams.

 :z18

Jim
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Hamish Young on 26/09/2008 at 20:29
.....all my problems with waders have been with leaks in the foot seams.

Interesting, my problems with the Greys G-Series seem to be confined to the knee area only  :z10
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 26/09/2008 at 20:37
Interesting, my problems with the Greys G-Series seem to be confined to the knee area only  :z10

Hamish , the thought crossed my mind that as  I  always experienced the leaks after "tubing". Did  the designers probably  not take this into account , obviouslly when tubing you are puting more stain on the foot seems with the constant flipper action or am I puting 2 + 2 together and making 5  ?

 :z18

Jim
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 26/09/2008 at 21:40
Hi All,
        Jim, I think that you may be on to something in terms of the fact that increased movement (=life of wader ?) must surely  test float tubing waders more than normal usage. 

        Hamish I,ve noticed leaks from every part of my float tubing waders . Irrespective of price I might add.

        Jeroen, I wish all waders lasted ten years ! However, I don't see any advantage in spending £250 to £300 on waders which last ten years , (= say £25 a year  ?) , or simply buying £50 waders ( on discount , £100 RRP) and if I get 2 years out of them then that's the same , £25 a year . If they last longer then I,ve scored. I suppose I,m saying why have the initial high cost outlay when you don't need to. Fair enough if Simms have a ten year replacement guarantee or you have a friendly local shop which will replace them if , (and in my experience , when !) they develop faults.

 Peter, thanks for that , I,ve heard lots of good things about Vision waders , particularly Extremes. I used to have a pair myself but it's the cost of them that stops me returning . However....... in my Sept T+S I note that there is an ad for Vision Flywater breathable ,with free boots , at £149 . I am tempted.  :wink

So , for the time being I have gone for the half price KLOBBA . If they are totally crap , (which I doubt ) I,ve only lost £49.95 , (assuming I don't have to buy shares in Aquasure ) .If they are good and last more than two years , then they are up there with the best.

With the "saved" £50 I have bought myself a new wading jacket .(Thanks for that , Jim .)

Paul.

PS: Why is it so difficult to make a hard wearing wader that does not leak ?

Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 26/09/2008 at 21:51
A good point the most expensive waders I ever owned, were done to death on a barbed wire fence on the Ythan  :mad

Barbed wire is no respector of expensive waders  :z6

 :z18

Jim
   
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Dutchfly on 27/09/2008 at 09:28
Jim,

Mine are stockingfoot.

Those Simms were the third pair of waders I had to buy in one season. Both my previous Orvis and Shakespeare waders had leeks. The warranty had ended when I left the shop, it appeared :mad. I hadn't bought them at my regular flyshop, because they only carry Simms, which I found too expensive. Went to my shop, bought a pair of Simms and, sure enough, a couple of months later I had a small leek in a seam at the knees. Went back to the shop, they send the waders to Montana for repair, no charge because the have a lifetime warranty. 3 weeks later I had my waders back and have had absolutely no problems since. Next pair of waders? No doubt, Simms. :z16 :z16 :z16

CU

Jeroen
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 27/09/2008 at 13:05
Just had a totallu mad thought! Years ago I used to use an offshore survival suit for riding my motorbike through the winter. When i started watersking I wore it in the sea during the summer. It never ever leaked..and that must have been about 7 years hard use on bike and boat (used when sea fishinjg off the rocks and boat too) This had waterproof seals on neck and wrists and integrel boots.

Imagine a total immersuit for tubing...would that not be the answer? No worries about water going over the top of the waders, no wet elbows, an element of safety etc etc.

I found an army immersion suit in camo (if its like the ones i used over in norway it has boots sewn on) for £100. Again, 100% sealed agains water. http://www.mrarmysurplus.co.uk/page.php?domain_name=mrarmysurplus.co.uk&viewpage=ACCESSORIES

Or on ebay http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=immersion+suit Some of these are breathable!!!..for around £30!!

Just a mad thought!!..but the fact they are designed for extreme conditions and are built to be comfortable in a seated positions...well..who knows :)

Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 27/09/2008 at 20:34
Hi Jeroen,
             
Quote
no charge because the have a lifetime warranty

I did,nt know that Simms waders had a lifetime warranty. This is not mentioned in the sales ads.
eg Sportfish catalogues .

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 27/09/2008 at 21:00
Paul

This is a quote from the warranty card :

" If this product fails due to workmanship or material defects during the life of the product please return it to us for repair or replacement"

Mind you it would be difficult to prove bad workmanship or material defecs if they are 3 years old. You pays your money you makes your choice  :grin

 :z18

Jim 
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 27/09/2008 at 21:08
Hi Jim,
          Thanks for that.

It's interesting all the same that they don't advertise the "lifetime warranty".

I suspect that you are right in that the "life of the product " may mean something entirely different , as in not the lifetime of the angler !!  :wink   , as in not a "lifetime warranty " at all.

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Andy Wren on 28/09/2008 at 08:50
Orvis does!! :z16 I have been in the Banchory shop several times when someone has come in with a pair of leaking waders. Replaced without quibble! Infact, one lucky visiting lady (so she had bought her waders else where) was given a free upgrade as they did not have a pair that fitted her in the model she had.

However...I am not in there "that" often..so to have seen several pairs of waders come back means there must be a high failure rate.  :z8

Orvis In banochry are indeed excellent at the replacement of leakys ,I had a day in febuary Middle blackhall and the deluge started first thing in the morning ,lunch time run down welcomed with a livening Balvenie ,towels to dry feet ,discount on a pair of socks ,back fishing in under an hour .
sadly the replacements of febuary will go the the dover street shop in May fair London this week ,seams leaking again .
Will take the replacements ,but have just ordered some Dan Baileys ,they have a awsome reputation !Sadly no Uk distributor !
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 28/09/2008 at 20:39
the dover street shop in May fair

One of my fav shops as they have some really really interesting Pike/Saltwater flies, tying materials, rods and HUGE sailfish lures that for a joke, rigged up for a Pike trip to Loch Tay. I got some interesting looks with a 14 inch long rubber "Bonito" hanging from the rod tip ;)
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 29/09/2008 at 15:35
Hi All,
       
Quote
Orvis In banochry are indeed excellent at the replacement of leakys

I ,m delighted to hear it but you kinda wonder if they have had lots of practice at it then ? :roll

We'll see how I get on my Klobbas.

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 29/09/2008 at 16:46
One of my fav shops as they have some really really interesting Pike/Saltwater flies, tying materials, rods and HUGE sailfish lures that for a joke, rigged up for a Pike trip to Loch Tay. I got some interesting looks with a 14 inch long rubber "Bonito" hanging from the rod tip ;)

here they are..under "Little Tunny"...14" Bonito :) http://www.williamsonlures.com/products/live_series.php
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Andy Wren on 29/09/2008 at 19:45
Hi All,
       
I ,m delighted to hear it but you kinda wonder if they have had lots of practice at it then ? :roll

We'll see how I get on my Klobbas.

Paul.

Paul ,
My local orvis hate me ,
it is in Mayfair ,posh London ,much more of a Orvis lifestyle store than the normal Orvis .
i roll in open my back pack produce leaky waders /wading boots loosing sole /studs ,fresh from the river bank ,
Posh clothing sales women gives haughty looks and seems suprised that country wear gets muddy .
last time had to have discussion with head office , good guarantee crap product .
Keep on hoping find a lucky pair like the sale pair that lasted me 5 seasons hard fishing again !
that is the reason have gone for Dan Baileys ,several friends who fish hard have had 4/5 years no worries from them !
Still will keep a pair of Orvis as back ups as some one said here ,barbed wire has no respect for price or brand !
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Jim Eddie on 29/09/2008 at 19:56
From experience and from most posts on this thread the whole process of buying waders is a bit of a lottery  :roll

Bearing that in mind If I was buying at the moment I would have gone with Pauls choice of £49 Klobbas.

However if anyone is interested in the Dan Bailey's, the entry level model are currently selling on e-bay at appox. £65 plus £10 postage, In my experience e-bay sellers know how to avoid paying duty etc so could be a bargain.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dan-Bailey-Barebones-Wader-Size-M-New-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ290091650121QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290091650121&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

 :z18   

Jim
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 30/09/2008 at 13:12
Hi All,
        ACW , I reckon that's us off the Orvis Christmas card list then . :z4

Jim, I,ve put that site into my favourites list for when the Klobbas leak !

Rob, what are you on mate? This thread is about waders not plastic sailfish lures. :roll

Pike season coming up by any chance ?

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 30/09/2008 at 15:41
Rob, what are you on mate? This thread is about waders not plastic sailfish lures. :roll

Pike season coming up by any chance ?


Never went away!!!!..Always Pike Season this far North!

..and it was a lead on from the mention of the London Orvis shop...full of wonderful stuff!
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 30/09/2008 at 22:05
Ok, then Rob,
                    your thread now.

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Mike Barrio on 30/09/2008 at 22:40
Hi folks :cool:

This is always going to be an interesting thread :z4

I'm sure that you will remember me posting in the past that when I'm asked to suggest some good waders to buy ........ I can't :z6 because in my experience at the fishery, they all leak :z7

Some folk get lucky and get good ones ( that last and last ) from all of the brands, but I have yet to see a brand that doesn't produce a high percentage of leaking ones :z7

No, I don't think you'll be off the "Orvis Christmas card" list folks ....... because we do like their products and one thing that we all agree about on here is that the Orvis aftersales service is second to none! :wink

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 01/10/2008 at 18:48
Hi Mike ,
           
Quote
the Orvis aftersales service is second to none!
.

Got to agree with that . In fact I would say also that their sales service is second to none.

I phoned in an order to their website a few years back which within minutes was relayed to their Edinburgh shop (since they did,nt have the rod in stock). Edinburgh did, phoned me back and I received it the next day !
Not bad .

 :z4

Pity the tubing day conflicts.............
Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 01/10/2008 at 20:10
Went into Orvis, Banchory, asked about a 9 weight Power Matrix..."Yes Sir, we have two models, neither in stock here, but I will get both sent up and if you have a suitable reel and line you can have a cast of both before you decide, if you dont like either, then thats ok".

Went into a well known aberdeen shop, asked about a 10 weight Hardy Ad Swier Pike fly rod..."Ha, what do you want one of those for, fancy fly fishing for Pike, waste of time. Hope you kill them!"

Back to Banchory following weekend..."Glad you came in, we have the rods, and had a suitable reel and line sent with them for you to try, do you have time to try them out?..."

Needless to say I bought there and then...and then asked about the reel..."sorry sir, this is a demo reel, but we have in stock in black, you can take it now if you wish, BUT, I wouldn't do that just yet."  :z8 I looked confused.."come back next week if you can wait..I will give it to you at sale price!"....I saved £70 on the reel.

With Ben there now the service has gone up a notch..and thats saying something!! Already saved around £60 on two purchases!
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 01/10/2008 at 22:43
Yeah , Ok, Rob,
                       I think we've all got the message by now............







Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Hamish Young on 01/10/2008 at 22:55
Let us know how you get on with the Klobba gear Paul, I've been tempted by their stuff before but ultimately put off due to my 'manly' frame not seeming to fit their sizes  :z10
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 02/10/2008 at 08:31
Yeah , Ok, Rob,
                       I think we've all got the message by now............



Yet another wee dig...keep it up!  :mad
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 02/10/2008 at 12:22
Rob,
      Stop being a silly boy . Go and start your own thread on the Banchory shop, that is my point .
This is a thread about breathable waders as I,ve said before. Must listen more .

Hamish , I,ve now got the waders (and the new Klobba Bearskin wading jacket). Not got them wet yet but the quality of the material and stitching etc belies their £100 RRP. I note that they do make them in XXL  and at £49 a pop definitely worth a serious look. Intend to give them a Dee wetting so I'll let you know . If they perform as well as they look I might even buy another pair at that price. The jacket looks the business too but I should probably start another thread for that eh ?!  :z4

Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Hamish Young on 02/10/2008 at 12:31
I note that they do make them in XXL and at £49 a pop definitely worth a serious look.

As I continue to lose weight  :z16 might put in a request to Santa for a pair in XXL for Christmas  :cool:

Be good to hear how you get on with them, so please do keep us updated once you've had the opportunity to use them  :z17
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 02/10/2008 at 18:09
Paul

I think he wants a Helios blank :wink

:z4 :z4 :z4

Sandy

Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Andy Wren on 02/10/2008 at 18:13
OK I was wrong ,went into Dover St ,Charl the young tackle guy was there ,explained the leak and left somewhile later with an upgrade,
they look fine to me and have at long last  shifted the inside leg seam to the back of the wader ,more pockets than I know what to do with and sculptured neoprene feet which look good .
Heres hoping they last ,love the guarantee but would rather be dry .
Did I mention the very first ever breathables I had were Orvis and they did a good six years,did not feel justified in getting the guarantee (also not aware) but they slill have outings for bank fishing on wet cold days !
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 03/10/2008 at 08:49
Rob,
      Stop being a silly boy . Go and start your own thread on the Banchory shop, that is my point .
This is a thread about breathable waders as I,ve said before. Must listen more .

Keep it up...you are spawning some very funny PM's  :z16

Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 03/10/2008 at 12:52
Hi Rob,
          Likewise .
Paul.
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Paul Rankine on 03/10/2008 at 13:09
HI Sandy,
             
             
Quote
I think he wants a Helios blank

 Yup, and an ORVIS reel, ORVIS line, ORVIS Waders (breathable of course), ORVIS Jacket ,in fact all things ORVIS , from where ? Well there is this ORVIS shop in Banchory ..........

 :z2 :z2 :z2 :z2 Off to get my discount now  :z4 :z4 :z4
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 03/10/2008 at 13:35
:z14 If only I could get a discount too  ??? One rod, one reel and one chest pack..all bought with heavy discount...thats the sum total of my Orvis gear  :z8
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 03/10/2008 at 16:14
:z14 If only I could get a discount too  ??? One rod, one reel and one chest pack..all bought with heavy discount...thats the sum total of my Orvis gear  :z8

Me wonders, Trumpets or Oboes , what a descision  :shock

 :z8

Sandy
Title: Re: New Breathable Chest waders
Post by: Hamish Young on 03/10/2008 at 16:22
In the interests of keeping this topic friendly and on topic we will wait and see how Paul gets on with the Klobba waders  :z17

Perhaps Paul would be good enough to post something about them when they arrive/first impressions etc in a new thread.

This one is now locked  :z2

Hamish  :z3 :z3