Leland on the Simms Headwaters™ Pant Wader

Ever wondered after a day of wading no deeper than mid-thigh, why can’t someone make a pant wader? Guess what? Now there's the Simms Headwaters™ Pant Wader. After years of seeing their waders turned down into pant waders and years of requests from those of us that just need a little protection, Simms has delivered one fine pant wader. Cut from the now famous GORE-TEX® Performance Shell material, this pant wader is as lightweight and incredibly breathable as it is durable. Designed for the shallow water, small stream wader, the Headwaters™ is perfect for warm late season days or long hikes to high-country streams. Like its full length brother, the Headwaters™ Wader, this pant wader is Simms and Gore quality at a moderate price. Yosemite here we come.

Leland on the Specifications

Late summer is a wonder-time to fly fish; hoppers everywhere, low flow streams, and easy wading. Welcome to the Simms Headwaters™ Pant Wader. GORE-TEX® Performance Shell fabric allows the Headwaters™ Pant Wader to be Simms lightest, most breathable wader while it supplies extreme durability as well. As a pant design, this wader is designed for shallow water wading and to be worn during warmer times. The articulated knees give you a greater range of mobility while increasing durability and comfort. The built-in adjustable belt adds comfort over standard full length suspenders. The proven hourglass stockingfoot design increases durability as well. Do you see a pattern here? Durability and comfort is Simms mantra. Yes, they are Bozeman made! You just got to love summer and the Simms Headwaters™ Pant Wader.

Specifications:

• 3-layer GORE-TEX® Performance Shell fabric with reinforced front leg panel for added durability
• Articulated knees for less bulk and more comfortable wear
• Patented built-in Guide Model Gravel Guards
• Built-in, adjustable belt
• 4mm, high-density neoprene stockingfeet with hourglass seam design
• Repair kit included
• Every pair manufactured and tested in Bozeman, Montana
• Offered in 10 stock sizes: S, M, MK, ML, L (9-11), LK, LL (9-11), XL, XLK, XXL

Leland on Simms 

Simms was the pioneer in the fly fishing world, creating the first waterproof/ breathable waders in 1993. Today, Simms is unquestionably the world leader in breathable wading technology, building the most comfortable, best fitting, functional waders that you can buy.

Waders are, arguably, the most important piece of fishing gear that you own. They allow you to perform all day long by keeping your body comfortable. And when waders don’t work, you know it right away! That’s why the professional fly fishing guides that you see oaring a drift boat in Montana or wading a bank in British Columbia are most likely wearing Simms. These folks have to rely on their waders, day in and day out.

Utilizing the most advanced GORE-TEX fabrics and materials, Simms maintains the highest standards of quality and value with innovative design, construction technologies, and most importantly, skilled craftsmen. And Simms, located in the heart of trout country in Bozeman, Montana, is the only U.S. manufacturer. Their twenty or so competitors’ waders are all made in the same two factories in China. Of these, Simms is the only one to water-test every single pair of waders that leaves their factory. Trust your wading comfort to the leader; Simms.

Leland on Simms Fly Fishing Products

It's funny how childhood memories can influence one's life! Just ask K.C. Walsh of Simms Fishing Products about the underlying theme of his company and its location. He'll tell you it was because his grandfather took him fly fishing in Bozeman, MT as a young man. Funny how what started as a desire by K.C. to work in the fly fishing industry, turned into the design of the world's best fishing waders. Funny how that vision of wader design transformed a company into one that now manufacturers what is considered by many to be the finest collection of fly fishing –outdoor wear in the entire industry. Funny? Not really. Just great concepts and a lot of hard work: Welcome to Simms Fishing Products!

At Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters, we carry and use only the best fly fishing gear. There’s not enough time in our hurried world to worry about whether our chest waders or rain jackets are going to leak. We talk with K.C. quite frequently and love to listen about his passion for developing the most useful and highest quality fly fishing gear. We at Leland have toured the Simms factory, attended their numerous product seminars, and vigorously used and field tested their equipment and we can tell you flat out; K.C. is doing it right!

Simms on the Headwaters™ Pant Wader

"On warm days or when chest waders aren’t needed, these highly breathable pants perform with minimal bulk, solid protection and relaxed ease."

GORE-TEX® Performance Shell fabric has set the standard of excellence in our GORE-TEX® wader collection. Proven to provide breathable comfort and durably waterproof and windproof protection, GORE-TEX® Performance Shell waders leverage the standard GORE-TEX® fabric construction with a knitted backer fabric.

Simms on Simms

Simms waders continue to evolve with innovative new fabrics and design elements. GORE-TEX® Pro Shell fabric is a major technical advancement. You’ll also see several enhancements and new additions to our line – from the G3 Guide™ Convertible to a completely new Women’s GORE-TEX® Wader. However, as our waders progress, one thing remains unchanged – each and every Simms wader is designed, manufactured and tested in Bozeman, Montana with the underlying premise to keep anglers dry and comfortable.

Technical Fabrics: Quadralam™ Fabric Technology: Our proprietary polyurethane fabric, QuadraLam™ is a 4-layer fabric that features bi-component construction utilizing a membrane and coating that absorbs sweat and pumps moisture away from the body.

Design: Each Simms wader is designed to allow for fishing comfort in all fishing situations – sitting, kneeling, and hiking. An “ease of use” is built into the measurements. We also offer in the widest range of sizes to accommodate almost every body type. Several of our waders feature Simms’ exclusive patented front and back leg seam construction. This design not only offers unprecedented leg articulation and comfort but also significantly minimizes seam abrasion by removing seams from high-wear areas. All of our waders feature anatomically correct left and right feet utilizing the highest quality, high-density neoprene and seam tape from Japan’s preeminent supplier. Our stockingfeet are constructed with an innovative hourglass seam design for increased durability (excluding the Kid’s GORE-TEX® waders).

Quality Control: Our waders are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana with at least 22 different members of the production team involved in the making of every wader. We adhere to strict and rigorous methods of inspection to guarantee the highest quality waders. Every pair of Simms waders is completely pressure tested with water before they ever leave Bozeman to ensure the lowest leakage and return rates in the industry. "To ensure maximum performance, every pair of Simms waders is designed, manufactured and tested in Bozeman, Montana. At least 22 different members of our production team are involved in making each pair of waders. And all Simms waders utilized advanced technologies and fabrics, providing the kind of durability, functionality, and comfort that have made them the choice of professional guides.

"Why do professional guides choose Simms? Because we take pride in what we make, and products have been designed to go the distance. Our in-house design team has a combined 50 years of experience in making durable technical outerwear. We work closely with top material suppliers from around the globe, and continually test both our new and old products in the lab and out in the field to make sure we meet or exceed your expectations. Nothing pleases us more than to see our products, like those on the guides featured in out catalog and on our website, go the distance.”

“The thrill of discovering a pristine stream after a long hike into the backcountry, the exhilarations of being on the flats on one of those incredibly clear days, the rush of a crisp morning on a British Columbia river when the steelies are running, these are the memories that keep us tying through the dark winter months, and always find us plotting our next angling season or weekend. At Simms, we never forget that the goal of every committed angler is to stay on the water as long and has often as possible-regardless of the weather. That’s why we never stop looking for new ways to keep you dry and comfortable. Whether you’re waist deep in a drizzling snow on the Missouri or scouting the Keys in the sweltering heat of a June afternoon. So for all those who will be out there earlier, longer and later, we’ve got just one thing to say: "Your Gear is Ready - Simms, The Choice of Professional Guides Worldwide”.

Simms on Conservation

“IF YOU COULD PASS JUST ONE THING DOWN TO YOUR KIDS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?”

“Fishing is dependent on clean water, healthy ecosystems and just as important, people who care about conservation and resource preservation. It is the responsibility of everyone who enjoys angling to help protect and enhance our fresh and saltwater fisheries. After all, what greater inheritance would we leave future generations? Supporting local, regional, and national conservation organizations is certainly an important role that angles can play in caring for our fishing resources. However, one area of vital concern, and one that all anglers can easily help do something about, is the spread of aquatic invasive species. These “hitchhikers”, including New Zealand mud snails, Didymo and whirling disease are having an enormous effect on rivers across the United States and are directly linked to reduced trout populations. Unfortunately, anglers are part of the problem, given that invasive species are spread by “hitchhiking” on waders, wading boots, drift boats, trailers and other gear. YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES IN THREE EASY STEPS: 1) Thoroughly rinse all fishing gear -including waders, boots, boats, and boat trailers- in clean freshwater upon leaving a water source. Never travel from one river to another without clean gear. 2) Air-dry gear before moving to another body of water. 3) Tell other anglers about this problem and what they can do to help.”  For More information, visit www.protectyourwaters.com or www.simmsfishing.com.