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Simms G3 Guide Wading Jacket Review – Great for Deep Wading
This is a review of the older G3 Guide jacket which can still be obtained from some retailers, however, we have the new G3 Guide Tactical wading jacket review done also.
Simms Fishing is an expert in manufacturing fishing and recreation gear, accessories and other products. The high-end products are all crafted and manufactured using high-grade material to ensure they are durable and out-perform when wading. Due to the dedicated team, professional management team and objective to fully satisfy customer needs, the company has always soared high and is among the leaders in the current market.
When it comes to keeping you dry while fly fishing, Simms G3 wading jacket is ideal because the jacket has been developed with all the features combined, the wearer is fully protected from the adverse effects of bad weather. There is a guarantee of warmth, dryness and comfort.
Storage pockets are in good numbers allowing you not to compromise the safety of your valuables and accessories. Those lined with micro-fleece keep your hands warmer when not in use. Considering that the pockets are made with water-resistant zippers, your items are safe from damage by water. This version of the jacket is lighter by 25% compared to the previous versions so not only is it lighter but it contains its immense waterproof levels.
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Main Features of the G3 Jacket
Waterproof – The Simms G3 wading jacket is made of 100% nylon material making it fully waterproof. Designed using the GORE-TEX Performance Shell outwear water and mud that gets in contact with the surface of the jacket slides off giving you maximum protection from cold.
Storage pockets – Storing your valuables, accessories and fishing gear isn’t problematic when you have this jacket on. With a total of 7 pockets at different positions, your items are secured. On the chest area are 2 top-load pockets and 2 zippered pockets that you can use to store your fly boxes. One internal stash pocket can be used to store money, keys and watches. The two handwarmer pockets are lined with high-grade micro-fleece material to ensure your hands are kept warm when not engaged.
Jacket length – The length of the jacket is reasonable- neither too long nor too short. This makes your pockets safe from water damage when you decide to wade deeper. This jacket is best used when wading in chest waders and not when just bank fishing in thigh waders or boots as the shortness of the jacket will leave your upper legs wet, if bank fishing is your style then a 3/4 length jacket is much better.
Cuffs – The Velcro cuffs used on the Simms G3 wading jacket are made from water-resistant material and keep your arms dry all the time even having to handle fish in the water a useful feature of the jacket.
Hood – Simms designed the hood of this jacket to be a tuck-away. The hood is big and spacious to accommodate any hairstyle. To get your head area fully covered and protected from wind and water splashes, use the three-point adjustment to get the perfect and comfortable tension for yourself. In case you want your head out to breath, tuck away the hood to avoid it from causing discomfort when fly fishing.
Attachment points – The G3 wading jacket has attachment points for your nets and zingers. You do not need another sling pack to get extra storage space.
Customer Thoughts
- The jacket is perfect and keeps you dry in the rain. It acts as a good wind barrier and the insulation mechanism is unbeatable.
- Attachment points on the jacket come in handy for hooking nets and zippers. There is no need to get sling packs weighing you down.
- After a few years of use, attachment points for zippers began to fail but Simms replaced the jacket
- The jacket runs a bit small for some customers.
- The jacket is excellent but doesn’t have vents in the underarm and in other areas to counter overheating during summer seasons.
- The jacket is entirely waterproof and there are no leaks around the pockets. The Velcro cuffs are weather resistant and keep the arms dry throughout the entire fly fishing session.
- The jacket’s design with three under layers is fabulous and keeps you warm. There is no need to get an under cloth for extra protection from cold.
- Big hairstyles are usually a problem when wearing many hoods but this jacket has one that is big enough and has adjustment points to get your perfect tension.
- Using fabric softener and bleaches negatively affects the jacket’s quality
- Washing the jacket without zipping the pockets and closing the Velcro cuffs gets the jacket damaged by the machine
- High setting when tumble drying the jacket may get it burnt.
Pros – Things we like about the G3
- 100% nylon waterproof material
- 7 storage pockets
- 2 micro-fleece lined handwarmer pockets
- Water-resistant Velcro cuffs
- Adjustable and tuck away hood
- Adjustable bottom hem using a dual drawcord
- Light in weight only 23oz
- YKK AQUASEAL zippers that are weatherproof
- Durable
- Breathability capabilities
- Dry on warm to reactivate the DWR coating
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons – things we don’t like
- Over-washing the Simms G3 jacket damages the GORE-TEX adhesives and tapes while also causing the casing to peel off the top layer affecting its durability and performance.
FAQ’s – Questions about the Simms G3 Guide Wading Jacket
Q) How many pockets does this jacket have? I love carrying a few personal items with me and would like to know
A) The jacket has 7 pockets in total to keep all your items in. For valuables, keep them in the internal stash pocket.
Q) Are there any attachment points for an avid angler like me?
A) Yes, there are attachment points for your zingers and hooking your net including 2 integrated retractors.
Q) I am worried about the length. Can I go bank fishing and wading when having it on?
A) Deep waders will find its short length excellent. If you love bank fishing, getting a jacket that is three-quarters in length will be a better option.
Q) Some cuffs on other jackets aren’t as secure. Should I bank on this one for maximum protection against the weather?
A) Definitely! Water‐resistant Dry Cuff™ are used on this Simms jacket and are made of weatherproof material to keep you dry regardless of the weather and the intensity of your session.
Q) Is it a removable hood? How big is it for my dreadlocks to fit in?
A) This one has a tuck-away hood and is very big to accommodate any hairstyle. For good tension and more protection on your head area, there are three adjustment points you can use.
Q) Does the jacket have underarm vents for sweaty people like me?
A) Unfortunately it doesn’t have vents. If your perspiration is high especially in the summer season, you can consider toning down on inner clothing and vests.
Q) Are there any leaks around the pockets?
A) The pockets are well-secured and your items will remain safe and dry no matter how deep you wade.
Q) Do I need more undergarments for protection against the cold?
A) It depends on your needs the three-layer construction is enough to keep you warm on modest days but for really cold weather a base layer would be required.
Q) How heavy is the jacket I hear it’s not a lightweight jacket.
A) The jacket weighs 23ozs and is 25% lighter than the previous model.
Final Verdict of the G3 Wading Jacket
All male anglers and waders should have this jacket for guaranteed warmth, comfort and maximum protection from the effects of wind and cold. In regard to performance and quality, the price is worth it. In this Simms G3 Guide wading jacket review, you will attest to the fact that convenience is highly considered.
The attachment points are an excellent feature of this jacket that you will love. You can attach your zingers and nets without needing any sling pack when going fly fishing. The seven pockets are another excellent feature. Storing your valuables and wading accessories shouldn’t give you a migraine. Fly boxes can be stored in the chest pockets.
The high performance of the G3 wading jacket makes it loved by many anglers and waders. In the event that your stores run out of it, there are other jackets with quality and performance like it. The G4 Pro jacket by Simms is in the higher price range of the Simms G3 wading jacket but it a great jacket and well worth the look. The alternative jackets work perfectly as the one in this review and you are guaranteed value for money.
How well you launder this jacket will determine its lifespan. The jacket comes with washing and drying instructions that have to be followed strictly to maintain durability, quality and performance. There are important points to note before machine washing to prevent the machine, bleaches and fabric softener from damaging the jacket. Nylon material should be machine washed at a warm setting and tumble dried in the same setting to prevent the jacket from looking burnt and distorted.
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Being a sports fisherman myself, and the fact that I live in Canada makes this Jacket very attractive for me. Our spring waters here where I live are somewhat cold (between 0C and 10C) so this jacket seems the perfect combo with my waders.
Salmon fishing here starts April 15 so it would be perfect for that time of year. I also like the fact that it has water resistant zippers.
One question I have is this: I like bringing my phone when fishing; not for the phone but for the GPS features. Do you think that these water resistant pockets would be enough protection to put in a cell phone?
Thanks
Denis the pockets will keep the rain away from your phone but I cannot stand over how waterproof the pockets will be if you fell into the water. I have heard of guys how did and everything was fine while others were damp. I guess its down to how well you shut the pocket and how long you are in the water. For complete protection why not use a waterproof pouch there are many small ones suitable for a phone etc.
What a multifunctional jacket! Actually I’m really in need of a waterproof jacket as summer is over now and the rainy days are back again. Every time I’m outside while it’s raining, I get soaked since none of my jackets are waterproof, which really sucks. Wow, 7 pockets! I wouldn’t even have to carry my bag around lol.. I should really consider buying this jacket. Unfortunately the price is somewhat above my budget but once I can afford it I’ll definitely buy it! Thanks for sharing this review.
Hey Ruya yea its a bit of a price but if you consider it will last you at least 5 years it works out very reasonable.
I like that the hood is basically customizable based on the wearer’s needs. Is the hood lined with micro-fleece like pockets? You can even tuck it away if you don’t need it! I also love that even mud just slides right off. Great for keeping it clean. How does the body of the jacket do in extreme environments? Thanks for the post!
The jacket can put up with a lot of moisture from the heavens if that is what you mean. The material is fairly tough and will take a few knocks and bumps without too much of a problem. One of the best wading jackets on the market.
this looks like a really comfortable jacket. I’ve never been to deep in the water when it comes to fishing. The deepest iI have been is a little under the knee.
I too like the cuffs and being able to tighten them to your liking, as well as the two large pockets on the front of the jacket.
Not everyone likes to go in deep Ty, it can be a bit dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing and the water is fast. Safety at all time is my moto.
I like how this jacket has Velcro cuffs which makes it easier to secure against your wrists. Also the number of pockets would be really beneficial especially when fishing. I just wanted to know one thing: does the weight of the jacket severely increase when wet? Also, are there any special care needed when washing this jacket so as to not deteriorate its quality?
That’s the beauty of waterproof jackets with gore-tex is that they don’t get noticeably any heavier when wet. The rain just runs off the jacket leaving you dry on the inside and if you shake yourself on the outside too.
Yes you need to follow the care instructions on the jacket labels. Normal detergents are not used on these jackets, there is special treatment fluids that get put into the washing machine usually one to clean and one to re-proof.
The gore-tex layer usually needs just a cool iron to re-charge the breathability and waterproofness.