Simms Waders Warranty: Leaks, Repairs and How to Claim

Short answer

Simms waders carry a 60-day replacement for leaks and 365 days of free repairs, for purchases in the US and Canada. After year one, Simms still repairs them, but for a flat fee. That is the full time-based summary on Simms' warranty page, and everything below expands on it.

The page is the maker's own, and I have not made a claim, so I can't tell you how any single claim goes. What I can do is set out the terms, flag the points where the pages differ, and say what the page doesn't tell you. For the brand itself, see the Simms brand page.

The two windows

First 60 days. If the waders leak, Simms replaces them. The page phrases it as "no questions asked". (A promise of no questions is a promise about the verdict, and the form, the photos and the receipt are still part of the process.)

First year. Within 365 days of purchase, repairs are free. This is the window most people will use, because a leak that shows up in month four is not a replacement case but is a repair case.

After the first year. Simms charges a flat fee that covers evaluation, repair, testing of the repair and return shipping to you. The amount is on Simms' warranty page, and I have left it off here because fees change. The repairs page words it more loosely, saying a small service fee may apply. Treat the warranty page as the more specific of the two, and ask what the fee is when you start the claim.

What the warranty covers

The general clause is a defect clause. If a Simms product fails because of a defect in workmanship or materials, Simms will repair or replace it. The repairs page says possible outcomes are a free repair, a replacement with the same model if available, or a comparable replacement if the model is discontinued.

What it does not cover

Per the warranty page, these are handled as repairs for a reasonable fee instead of under warranty:

• excessive wear;
• accidents involving barbed wire or campfires;
• the natural breakdown of materials over extended time.

The repairs page adds that, after one year, accidents, misuse or abuse; cuts, burns, abrasions and punctures; mold, mildew or improper care; cosmetic wear and unauthorized repairs or modifications are not covered. Simms still reviews them, but the gear may not be repairable. So a pinhole from a thorn is a different conversation from a seam that opens. If you patch the waders yourself, the unauthorized repair language is worth reading first. Our Simms wader repair guide covers what Simms itself says about patching and when to send them in.

Wading boots and other products

This is the gap. The warranty page gives time periods only for waders. For boots, apparel and gear it states no duration, only the general defect clause above. So I can't give you a number of days for a Simms boot warranty, and I'd be wary of any page that does without a source. If you are claiming on boots, ask the Simms team what term applies to your pair. Our wading boots section lists boots from other makers if you are comparing.

How to claim

1. Bought directly from Simms. Start the claim on Simms' repairs page, using the online Warranty and Repair Form. Include clear photos and a description. You pay to ship the waders to Simms, and Simms pays the return shipping.
2. Bought from an authorized North American dealer. Take them to that dealer with your original sales receipt or proof of purchase, and the dealer helps you create the claim.
3. Bought outside the US and Canada. Ask the original dealer for the terms in your country. Simms says international sales are final and it does not accept returns.

Before you send them: clean and dry the waders, remove mold or mildew, take out belts, cleats, fly boxes and retractors, and write your case number on the box.

How long it takes

The warranty page says typical turnaround is roughly 3 weeks, not counting shipping. The repairs page says most repairs take 4 to 6 weeks. Both pages say turnaround varies with volume and season. If your season is short, I'd send waders in during the off months.

Before you buy

• Who sells it? Authorized dealer purchases come with the dealer process above and need the receipt.
• When did you buy it? Keep the date. The 60-day and 365-day windows are what the page uses, so a dated receipt settles any argument.
• What does the maker say? Read the warranty page for the terms, not a listing summary of them.

If you are comparing waders, the waders page lists what the maker states for each pair. If you are checking size before you order, the Simms wader size chart guide explains how to measure and links Simms' own chart, and our wader repair guide covers fixes you can do at home.