Waders are essentially waterproof overalls—a vital piece of gear for any fly fisherman who plans on going over their boot tops in a river. A good pair of waders keeps you dry and warm and should last you many seasons of fishing. However, finding a durable pair of waders can sometimes be easier said than done. Thankfully, Simms has been making it easier for us for the past 15 years with their G4Z Stockingfoot waders. And the new G4Z has had a complete makeover for 2024.
Simms revealed the first version of the G4Z back in 2008, featuring the waders on both the cover of their catalog and the inside cover. According to the catalog, "[G4's] represent the peak of Simms' design expertise. The recipient of many coveted awards, this wader is the most durable, breathable wader available."
Getty Images, Bacha Photo
Some excellent waders just got even better. The new and improved stockingfoot waders use the same award-winning fabric as previous versions: durable, 4-layer GORE-Tex Pro Shell fabric (the highest performing fabric that Simms has) for the lower half and 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell for the upper half, to allow for increased mobility and breathability.
While the fabric remains the same, the fit has been completely overhauled to give anglers a better fit and a wider range of comfort. The left and right stockingfeet are more anatomically correct than ever before, helping you avoid the dreaded stocking-scrunch in your wading boots, and a tighter ankle lets you lace your boots tighter to better fit your feet.
The 4-layer fabric on the lower half has also been extended higher on the legs and the seat to give increased durability to the areas of the waders that see the most use. Basically, these waders are ready for anything you could throw at them and, most importantly, you'll be comfortable while putting them through the wringer.
Simms, Bacha Photo
We also love the revamp on the upper half of the waders. Anyone who's spent time on the river knows the importance of pockets for stashing small gear, and the G4Z has this covered as well. The waders feature two zippered chest pockets that are fully waterproof while also providing some stretch to accommodate larger pieces of gear. There are also two zippered handwarmer pockets with high pill microfleece to warm the coldest of fingers. Additionally, a new suspender system makes fit adjustments easy to do on the fly, and the harness style design is more comfortable and breathable than ever.
In the press release announcing the new waders, Ben Christensen, Simms Head of Product, extolled the new waders. "Innovation is the cornerstone of the Simms business, and I can't think of a product that's more representative of that commitment than the G4Z waders."
The waders are only available in men's sizes. As of January 15, they are available through Simm's specialty retail network and will be made available more broadly on March 1. The G4Z retails for $1,000.
READ MORE: How To Plan the Dream Remote Alaska Fly Fishing Trip
