BOZEMAN, MONTANA (MARCH 6, 2009) – Simms American-made Women’s Gore-Tex Stockingfoot Waders garnered an honorable mention award as Field & Stream Magazine unveiled its “Best of the Best” list of fishing products in the March 2009 issue.

The award marks the sixth consecutive year Simms products have reaped kudos from the panel of fishing experts that test hundreds of items – from rods and reels to filet knives, sinkers and electronics.

The waders took an honorable mention in the competitive “outerwear category” where three outstanding products were called out from a strong field of nominations for being unique, innovative and functional.

“We’re extremely proud Field & Stream is spotlighting these waders,” said K.C. Walsh, president of Simms. “Since we introduced our woman’s product line, we have strived to provide women with waders, outerwear, boots and sportswear for a wide range of body types and fishing styles utilizing the highest quality materials. We are pleased to have produced a wader that exceeds the standards of discerning field testers and veteran fishing journalists.”

Simms began offering women-specific line of waders in 1993 using input and feedback gleaned from serious female anglers and expanded the line in 2008 with outerwear and sportswear.

The women’s line currently includes three technical fishing shirts, the Women’s GORE-TEX® Jacket, and women-specific wading boots that come equipped with Simms’ revolutionary StreamTread™ soles from Vibram®. The women’s waders have been redesigned slightly for 2009 with 13 sizes now available to fit women.

“Wader manufacturers have finally grasped the architectural differences between men and women,” wrote gear reviewer Ted Leeson in the Field & Stream “Best of the Best” piece. “This is all gear, no gimmick – tough Gore-Tex shell fabric, reinforced legs, and high-performance features.”

Simms has been awarded five “Best of the Best” top honors from Field & Stream: in 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for products that have included waders, jackets and travel bags.

For more on Field & Stream's "Fishing Best of the Best," see the March issue of the magazine or click here.

DENVER, Colorado (Sept. 14, 2008) – Simms® president K.C. Walsh announced that Simms would stop using felt as a material for soles on its wading boots effective with the launch of the 2010 line.

Walsh made the announcement at a news conference held at the Flyfishing Retailer Expo. He said Simms’ decision to do away with felt is a result of the material being implicated in the spread of aquatic nuisance species and fish-killing disease. Walsh noted that anglers have always been among the nation’s first wave of conservationists, and with options to felt now on the market, anglers had a responsibility to both the resource and the tradition of angling to cease their use of felt.

“We know felt is not the only material that has spread invasive species and disease,” Walsh said, “but felt is surely part of the problem. At Simms, we’ve decided to be part of the solution.”

Late last week, national conservation leader Trout Unlimited asked at its annual meeting that wading boot manufacturers phase out felt by 2011. Simms is eager to lead the charge.

Walsh’s announcement comes as Simms unveils the world’s first fishing-specific Vibram-soled wading boots. For 2009, Simms will offer six boot models, a wading sandal and a wading shoe with soles featuring Vibram® Streamtread™ soles. Additionally, Simms boots and waders are designed with “CleanStream™ technology,” a design philosophy that uses materials and production techniques making it more difficult for microorganisms to attach and makes wading gear easier to properly clean.

Simms and Vibram have worked together to produce an ultra-grippy, super-sticky rubber sole that works as well as felt in virtually all wet and aquatic conditions. The partnership between Vibram and Simms has resulted in a boot that combines the best performance features of felt with the environmental benefits of rubber. The new soles have been field tested extensively.

New Zealand has placed a ban on felt boots for the upcoming 2008 season. A number of U.S. states where aquatic nuisance species are found have reportedly discussed the possibility of outlawing felt-soles.

Additionally, Simms has agreed to work with conservation organizations and other companies within the fishing industry to develop a certification process to highlight gear designed to help prevent the spread of ANS and disease.

DENVER, Colo. (Sept. 14, 2008) – If you’ve stumbled down a stream bank in the pre-dawn hours and knew – just knew – that the pulsating river at your feet was full of big, hungry fish then you can relate to the electric feeling running through Simms® these days.

Simms is wading into extraordinary territory at the FlyFishing Retailer Expo, introducing more than 80 new products – from boots and waders to sportswear, outerwear, vests and packs – in the most aggressive product expansion in the 28-year history of the Montana-based company.

• The world’s first Vibram® soled wading boots with exclusive Simms StreamTread™ grip sole. Simms will offer eight footwear models with sure-footed, easy-to-clean Vibram soles including wading boots designed especially for women anglers, sandals and wading shoes. These boots have been extensively field-tested and in virtually every fishing situation have preformed as well as felt-soled boots.

• A new finish process for the expanded sportswear collection. Simms’ exclusive COR3 Technology™ fabric finish has a UPF rating of 30+, anti-microbial properties to minimize odor and outstanding wicking performance. The rallying cry for CORE3 is “No sun, no stink, no sweat, no iron,” all of which are big benefits to those who want to do more fishing than laundry. Additionally, there are new pants, shorts and stylish, functional shirts for all types and sizes of anglers.

• New made-in-the USA GORE-TEX® waders like lightweight Headwaters™ stockingfoots in both men’s and women’s styles and the Headwaters™ pants for those days when chest-highs are just too much. Simms is also introducing three waders with premium design features utilizing Toray® QuadraLam™ technology.

• Updated versions of Simms’ award-winning fishing vests and a collection of all-new backpacks, day packs and chest packs. Simms’ waterproof Dry Creek™ line has been refigured, too, with offerings including everything from boat bags to flats packs.

• Redesigned features on a number of technical outerwear products, including new colors on the G4 Pro jacket, and updates to the best-selling G3 Guide jacket.

• New casual-wear T-shirts designed by leading fishing artists Jeff Currier, Derek DeYoung and Mike Stidham – with a retail price under $30.

Simms’ vibrant new line will be in retailer shops across North America early in 2009.

High-resolution images for most products will be available in early autumn 2008. Footwear samples are expected to be available early in 2009. For additional media information, please contact Matt Crawford at Pale Morning Media, matt_crawford@madriver.com, 802.583.6069.

Simms Fishing Products announced that its G4 Guide Stockingfoots have been awarded the prestigious Gray’s Best Award for 2008. This award recognizes the quality, innovation, design and overall functionality of Simms’ premier fishing wader.

Gray’s Sporting Journal, now entering its 38th year of publication, is the foremost sporting journal that embodies the sporting life. Readers of Gray’s have come to expect quality, honesty and integrity. Each year the editors of Gray’s Sporting Journal rigorously field test hundreds of pieces of gear for several months. Final endorsements go to a few pieces of gear that have innovative craftsmanship and whose construction reflect those same values that are core to the Gray’s name.

“We are very proud to be recognized for the innovation, design and craftsmanship that went into the G4 Guide Stockingfoots,” comments Simms President K.C. Walsh. “Simms is committed to making the highest-quality, most durable gear for anglers to wear fishing, and the G4 Guide wader truly embodies this quest.”

Simms Fishing Products introduced the first breathable wader in 1993, beginning a key partnership with W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Nearly 15 years later, wader technology has evolved significantly. Introduced in 2007, the Simms G4 Guide Stockingfoots feature GORE-TEX® Pro Shell fabric, the most advanced durably waterproof/breathable fabric technology available today. The patented front and back leg seam construction offers enhanced articulation, comfort and durability. Also setting the G4 Guide in a league of its own, the YKK® Aquaseal® waterproof center-front zipper offers unprecedented convenience to anglers. Additional features include an adjustable stretch spacer mesh suspender system, stretch Schoeller® chest pockets, fleece-lined hand warmer pockets, 4mm high-density anatomically correct neoprene stockingfeet and an adjustable, removable Simms neoprene wading belt system. The G4 Guide Stockingfoot is available in 12 stock sizes and can be customized with a bootfoot through Simms’ one-of-a-kind Custom Shop Program.

Complete details on the Gray’s Best 2008 can be found in the Gray’s Sporting Journal, 2008 Expeditions & Guides Annual (Volume Thirty-Two, Issue 7).