Whichever way you look at it, Simms is the premier outdoor equipment brand in fly fishing.
While some of the Tackle Village team have dabbled with other brands (Orvis and Patagonia), from my point of view none of them come close to Simms.
I have the Simms Flyweight boots, the Simms G4Z waders, the Simms Guide vest and have my eye on a Simms jacket, the Taco wader bag and their casual shirt range.
In this short article, I am going to write a little bit about why I like Simms gear across a range of categories.
Simms’ history
Simms was founded in 1980 by fly angler and guide John Simms, who set out to create a better pair of waders than anything available on the market at that time.
Simms pioneered the use of Gore-Tex to make waterproof and breathable waders in 1993 and has set the standard ever since.
The company also relocated to Bozeman, Montana, the heart of trout fishing territory in the US in 1993 providing it with the ideal environment to develop and road test the best fly fishing gear on the market.
Simms’ reputation for quality
Simms has a great reputation for quality. But because of the nature of the ger they sell, it tends to cop a pounding. Think about what you put your waders or wading boots through and it is not hard to foresee that sometimes things do go wrong.
Simms’ policy on this is simple:
“If your SIMMS product fails due to a defect in workmanship or materials, SIMMS will repair or replace your gear and get you back on the water as soon as possible. If your SIMMS product fails due to excessive wear, accidents involving barbed wire or campfires, or the natural breakdown of materials over extended time, SIMMS will make every effort to repair your gear for a reasonable fee.”
Simms Waders: Why we use them
Waders are the product that Simms started out with and are still the product for which the company is best known.
As I said at the start of the article, we use Simms waders exclusively as they are the best on the market.
For reviews of individual Simms waders models click on the links below:
Simms Wading Boots: Our Favourite Models
Simms, in our opinion, also make the best wading boots. I use both the Flyweights and the G3 Guide boots and believe they are the best products on the market for their purpose.
The Flyweights are great for everyday fishing – lightweight, comfortable, stable and easy to get on and off, they are a pleasure to wear. They are comfortable and durable enough to last several seasons of hard use. Check out our review here.
The G3 Guides I use for remote trips where full ankle stability is paramount for safety reasons. They are sturdy and comfortable and superbly designed. Check out our review here.
Simms Accessories: Why We Like Them
Our team also use a lot of Simms accessories from hip packs, sling packs and vests through to wader bags and duffels.
The articles below have more info on these products:
