Fishing is one of the most common hobbies and pastimes of people. One variant of fishing that many people enjoy partaking in is fly fishing.
Fly fishing often requires you to wade inside the water to catch fish. An important piece of gear for when you need to go in the water is a wader.
Waders are waterproof clothing, mostly a one-piece garment consisting of pants with attached boots. Two of the best waders available in the market are the Simms Tributary and Freestone waders.
The main difference between them lies in the materials that are used to make them.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specification | Simms Tributary Wader | Simms Freestone Wader |
| Wader Material/Fabric Tech | Made of waterproof, breathable Polyester | Made of Toray® QuadraLam™ |
| Wader Features | Fleece lined hand-warming pocket, zippered top stash pocket, 2 belt loops with a 1.5 in. woven nylon, built-in gravel guards, and more. | Fleece lined hand-warming pocket, zippered top stash pocket, attachment zipper for flip-out Tippet Tender™ pocket, 3 belt loops with 1.5 in. elastic waist belt, and more. |
| Wader Sizes Available | Seven different sizes are available | Eight different sizes are available |
| Wader Weight | 36.25 oz. | 38 oz. |
| Wader Price | Around $199.95 | Around $299.95 |
In-depth Comparison of Simms Freestone And Tributary Waders
Fly fishing is the more active variant of regular fishing. Whereas in regular fishing you would just cast your line and relax until you get a bite, fly fishing involves a fair bit of activity.
Not only will you usually be waist-deep in water, but you will also need to match the fish’s movements, all the while wading through rushing rapids.
Some fly fishers are willing to just go in without any protection in the hopes of eventually getting used to the wetness and the cold.
However, most people desire some form of protection when they are waist-deep in cold water. This is where waders come in.
Waders are a very important piece of gear for any fly fisher.
They keep you warm and dry while you are in the water and just give you an overall feeling of comfort and safety.
A good, high-quality wader will you to reach hard-to-access places in the water, cast further, and more accurately.
After going through the comparison table, you should have a pretty good idea about all the characteristics and differences between the two different fly fishing waders.
Now, let’s go a bit more in-depth into the characteristics of the shelves and really break down and discuss each characteristic of the Simms Tributary and the Freestone waders separately.
Also Read: Differences Between Huk And AFTCO Fishing Shirts.
- The Material/Fabric Tech of The Waders
This is where the most critical difference lies between the Simms Tributary and the Freestone waders.
The Simms Freestone wader is made of very durable but also breathable, waterproof QuadraLam™ fabric from Toray®.
This material is very thick and durable while still allowing adequate ventilation and breathability.
Although this fabric gives the wader superior durability, it makes the water thicker and heavier, making it harder to move in the water sometimes.
On the other hand, the Simms Tributary wader is made of regular waterproof polyester.
Regular polyester, while it gives adequate protection in the water, is not nearly as durable as the QuadraLam™ fabric utilized on the Freestone waders.
It is also not as thick as the QuadraLam™ fabric, making the Tributary wader not as well insulated as the Freestone wader.
However, there is an upside to regular polyester being thinner. The Tributary wader gives much better mobility and freedom when in the water compared to the Freestone wader.
- Different Features of The Waders
When it comes to the features of the two different waders, the Tributary and Freestone have some similarities and a few differences.
Let us take a look at all of them.
Both the Tributary and the Freestone waders have reached through zippered pockets that can be accessed from the top.
These pockets are lined with microfleece and essentially, give you a place to warm your hands when out in the cold water.
The Freestone wader has an additional attachment zipper that the Tributary lacks. This attachment zipper is used for a flip-out Tippet Tender™ pocket with a retractor docking station & tippet spool sleeves.
The Tributary wader has 2 belt loops with a 1.5-inch woven nylon waist belt that is nonstretchable.
On the other hand, the Freestone wader has 3 belt loops with a 1.5-inch nylon waist belt.
The Simms Freestone wader also comes with an in-built chest pocket. However, if you buy a Tributary wader, you will need to purchase the chest pocket separately.
Both the Tributary and Freestone waders have built-in Gravel Guards with gathered elastic bottom hems on their boots.
This feature prevents sand, pebbles, and other debris from getting inside your boots while you are wading in the water.
Both the waders also have anatomically engineered neoprene stocking feet with an anti-microbial finish.
This finish prevents bacteria, fungus, mold, and other microbes from growing on the waders.
- Wader Sizes Available For Sale
The sizes available for sale obviously play an important role when deciding which wader to purchase. Let us take a look at all the sizes that are offered for both the Simms Tributary and the Freestone waders.
The Simms Tributary wader is offered in seven different sizes.
The available sizes are small, medium, medium king, large, large king, XL, and XXL.
If you want to look at all the available sizes and specific measurements, take a look at their official webpage.
On the other hand, the Simms Freestone wader comes in eight different sizes.
The offered sizes are, small, medium, medium king, large, large king, large (12-13), XL, and XXL.
To see all the available sizes and their specific measurements, check out their webpage.
- Difference In Price Between the Two Waders
Now comes the final, and arguably, one of the most important factors for many people, the price tags of the products.
The Simms Tributary wader is normally priced at $199.95 when there are not any discounts going on.
On the other hand, due to the superior building material and additional features, the Simms Freestone wader is priced slightly higher at $299.95.
Which Fly Fishing Wader Should You Choose?
So now, we come to the ultimate question that most people probably wanted answered from this article. Which of the two waders between the Simms Tributary and the Simms Freestone should you choose?
The answer to this question depends on your preferences as well as some other factors.
Do you want a wader that is heavier, more durable, and will offer better overall protection while sacrificing mobility all at a higher price point? Then, the Simms Freestone wader is for you.
However, if you would prefer a wader that is more lightweight and affordable but offers less protection, then the Simms Tributary wader is the one for you.
Also Read: Is Compass 360 Wader Worth It?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
If you plan on fishing a lot in cold temperatures, the Simms Freestone is the better choice.
Simms waders are by far the toughest, most durable waders on the market today.
Simms is owned by Vista Outdoor Inc.
Waders made of neoprene are the best.
Final Words
Whether you are a beginner in the field or already an experienced angler, a good wader should always be a part of your equipment. If you are thinking of purchasing a wader, you can’t go wrong with either the Tributary or the Freestone.
Hopefully, this comparison of Simms Tributary and Freestone waders helps you pick the best wader according to your preferences.
