Tackle Trade World - January 2024

Simms
FEATURE
up to the G4 durability standards?
The answer lies in the face fabric. After
thousands of hours of extensive field and
lab testing, the results revealed that this new
four-layer fabric package offered anglers a
7.5 per cent increase in tongue tear strength,
a 23 per cent increase in standard puncture
resistance and a 33 per cent increase
in breathability, when compared to the
previous five-layer lower.
While the fabric package remains the
same, the patterning of the wader has
received pretty significant tweaks – all of
which were implemented to offer anglers
more comfort and better range of motion.
In addition, the four-layer proved so
successful, Simms extended it about five
inches higher up on the thighs and the seat
of the wader to bolster the overall durability
in the hardest working areas of the wader.
FIT FOR PURPOSE
One of the more visual improvements is
the all-new spacer mesh suspender package.
It’s more of a harness style that provides
anglers with a much more ergonomic fit and
breathable support.
Another tweak here is the quick-adjust,
cam locking suspender hardware. This is a
small detail that makes a world of difference,
primarily because it gives anglers the ability
to adjust their suspender on the fly. Simply
flip the cam up and pull the suspender straps
until the desired tension is achieved and flip
the cam back down to lock in place.
Wondering about the excess suspender
strap material? Simms thought of that too.
On the inside of the top hem of the upper
of the wader, there’s a laser cut slit that
channels the excess material into the chest
pockets of the wader.
ALL IN THE DETAIL
The remaining updates are less obvious to
see but the following seemingly small details
make all the difference in the world.
This G4Z features the classic pocket array
of two zippered stretch woven chest pockets
and two zippered handwarmer pockets. The
handwarmer pockets now feature a higher
pile micro fleece to warm frozen fingers
quicker. Finally, the product team at Simms
also incorporated two fully submersible
TruZip toothless, self-healing zippers on the
inside of the wader to stash smaller essentials.
Another major update that can’t be seen
is a completely new construction of the
YKK centre-front, fully submersible zipper.
Previously, this zipper was sewn in, now it’s
bonded in.
Why is this significant? When something
is attached via stitches, it means more
material, more tape, more bulk and more
rigidity. The new construction of the G4Z’s
most distinguishable feature is now bonded
in.
By doing so, Simms was able to reduce
the construction from 16 layers of fabric
down to only four (plus the zipper itself ).
This drastically decreased bulk and rigidity to
provide a much better fitting upper that’s way
more comfortable.
For more on the fly adjustment capabilities,
the G4Z comes equipped with a new G4
specific stretch neoprene wading belt that
stays in place with upgraded low profile belt
loops.
Finally, it features modified lower profile,
snag-free gravel guards. These now fit so well
that the classic boot hook is no longer needed
for them to stay in place, so it has also been
removed.
While this G4Z does lean into standby
aspects such as fabric, its patented front and
back leg seams, and anatomically engineered
left and right stockingfeet, mean the latest
version most definitely lives up to the original
mission statement and truly lives up to the
legacy of its past.
SIMMS
www.simmsfishing.com
The G4Z Stockingfoot
www.tackletradeworld.com
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