Simms G4Z- A Review of America's Best Wader
FINALLY, I LUCKED OUT AND I GOT TO TEST DRIVE A PAIR OF THE NEW SIMMS G4ZS. SO, LET’S TALK ABOUT THEM AND WHAT THE HYPE IS ABOUT.
Out of the box they come sleek and soft to the touch. There is obvious sustained “Simms” quality in the material and the colors are not abrasive for the moments we must get stealthy. To acknowledge the obvious, they are $1000 and to some, that’s a lot of cheddar.
The first thing I noticed is the taper in the pant legs and stocking foot, overall, they fit better than my Simms G3 Waders. I’m sure the taper is the same as the G3s but they seem softer, and they conform to my legs better.
THE STOCKING FOOT HAS THE COMPRESSED MOLDED DESIGN THAT KEEPS THE MATERIAL AWAY FROM THE TOP OF THE BOOT AS YOU TIGHTEN YOUR LACES.
This is my first pair of waders without the gravel guard hook but the lack of one didn’t change my fishing abilities. The layering system is slightly different than my G3s (4- Layer Pro lower and 3-Layer PRO upper). The front 4-layer GORE-TEX® extends slightly higher above the groin but I didn’t notice much of a difference when I was in waist deep water. The welded belt loops give off a futuristic mesh look, or a gray batman waterproof suit and I love it. The belt itself comes with an external Velcro strap to keep the belt secured when not buckled (perfect for pliers, hemostats, etc.). The chest storage pockets are good quality but don’t differ much from my G3s besides the waterproof YKK AQUASEAL center-front zipper. The zipper supports healthy fishing (water) and not so healthy fishing (beer) habits. For the dudes, the ease of access on the water means you don’t have to de-layer and expose yourself to the cold.
The NEW inner handwarmer pockets are lined with fleece and felt amazing when my hands needed a break from the weather. An additional new feature is the adjustment strap, “quick-adjust cam-lock suspender hardware”, for the suspenders INSIDE of the inner handwarmer pocket. The suspender system gives even more distribution of weight and improved breathability. They help streamline the process, reduce the need for constant readjustments, and eliminate the hassle of dealing with bulky buckled straps found in older models. Eliminating hardware that requires more dexterity in your fingers when its cold is what makes the G4Z’s the obvious choice in cold weather. The "homerun" of upgrades that the new G4Zs now have is the TRU ZIP zipper pocket located inside interior of the waders. Having a true waterproof and submersible pocket gives reassurance for the items we want to keep dry.Simms has made not only good-looking waders but also made upgrades to the G4Z’z that are unmatched. I now see why these waders have been awarded the Fly Fishermans Guide Best New Wader, iCast Best of Category and Gray's Best (whoever that is- sounds prestigious). If you are someone who fishes a lot during the cold months these waders are for you. Made in the United States is a plus but staying dry is the goal.
AN HONEST SUMMARY OF THE 2024 SIMMS G4Z WADERS:
- The new quick-adjust cam-lock suspender hardware is a convenient upgrade that are very efficient.
- The belt, belt loops and lack of loop in the back make belt attachments worth having.
- The new TRU Zip zippered pockets are a perfect addition for the dry items carried on the water.
- The chest fleece lined chest pockets are the bee’s knees.
- Check out Project in the Wild no. 52 to see them in the wild.