Bottom line: the standard Simms Freestone remains the best all-round choice in this family. It gives you the useful parts of a serious fishing wader—durable breathable fabric, practical pockets, good gravel guards and a broad size range—without the complexity of a front zipper. Choose the Freestone Z only if zipper access matters enough to justify another potential service point; choose the pants for deliberately shallow water; and choose the women’s model for its different body and stockingfoot proportions rather than trying to make the men’s pattern fit.
We tested the Freestone family discussed here. The waders were bought or borrowed and none were gifted. Hands-on observations apply to the models we used; the current specifications below come directly from Simms.
Simms Freestone review: quick verdict
- Best for: anglers who want a dependable step above entry-level waders without moving into Simms’s premium G3/G4 range.
- Main strength: a practical balance of protection, mobility, storage and size choice.
- Main compromise: the Toray construction feels more substantial than lightweight travel waders.
- Our pick: standard men’s or women’s Freestone for most anglers.
- Buy the Z if: you genuinely value front-zip access.
- Buy the pants if: your water stays safely below the waistband with ample margin for current, waves and uneven footing.
Current Freestone family
Which Freestone model fits your fishing?
The table reflects Simms’s current catalog. The women’s Freestone Z has been discontinued, so the current women’s stockingfoot model appears instead.
| Model | Best for | Our call | Current destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Freestone stockingfoot | General river fishing | Best all-round choice | Simms |
| Men’s Freestone Z | Frequent front-zip access | Useful, not essential | Simms official |
| Men’s Freestone pants | Warm days and shallow water | Best specialist option | Simms |
| Women’s Freestone stockingfoot | Women-specific fit | Choose by measurements | Simms |
How the Freestone performs on the water
Fabric and durability
Freestone waders use Simms’s waterproof/breathable Toray-based construction rather than the GORE-TEX laminates used higher in the range. In use, the fabric felt substantial enough for regular riverbank contact and kneeling without becoming as stiff as heavy work-oriented waders.
That does not make them puncture-proof. Hooks, wire, thorns and abrasive rocks can damage any breathable wader. The practical advantage is a useful middle ground: more reassuring than an ultralight travel shell, but still mobile enough for full fishing days.
Breathability and warmth
The shell releases moisture better than neoprene, but breathable does not mean cool in every condition. You can still become clammy during hard approaches or hot weather. Likewise, the fabric is not insulation: cold-water comfort depends on the base and mid-layers worn underneath.
Pockets and gravel guards
The standard model’s fleece-lined pass-through pocket is genuinely useful on cold starts. Its upper storage is convenient for small tools, but exterior and water-resistant pockets should not be treated as dry storage for a phone or keys. Use a genuinely waterproof pouch for electronics.
The integrated gravel guards covered our boot collars cleanly and kept most sand and small debris out. They cannot compensate for an incorrectly sized stockingfoot or boot, so fit the neoprene foot first and choose boots around it.
Fit and mobility
The Freestone cut allowed comfortable walking, crouching and stepping over banks when the body and inseam were matched correctly. Too much leg length creates folds that rub; too little restricts a high step and loads the seams. The broad Simms size system is valuable only if you use all three measurements rather than buying from your everyday trouser size.
Which Freestone model should you choose?
Men’s Freestone stockingfoot: best for most anglers
This is the model we would start with. Its conventional chest design has fewer moving parts than the Z, while retaining the handwarmer pocket, storage, wading belt, integrated gravel guards and anatomical neoprene stockingfeet anglers actually use.
Our Freestone pick
Men’s Freestone stockingfoot
- Best balance in the family
- Broad practical use
- Exact refreshed Simms route
Men’s Freestone Z: choose it for the zipper
The Z’s defining difference is its waterproof front zipper. That makes access easier and divides the handwarmer area into two pockets. The zipper must remain clean, undamaged and properly closed.
If you regularly fish long days, layer heavily or strongly prefer front access, the convenience can justify it. If not, the standard model is simpler. The button below goes to the exact official Z product page.
Front-zip model
Men’s Freestone Z
- Waterproof front zipper
- More convenient access
- Exact official destination
Men’s Freestone wading pants: for controlled shallow water
The pants remove chest-high bulk and pack more easily, which we liked for warm-weather approaches and small streams. Their limitation is coverage, not fabric performance. Do not wade close to the waistband: current, waves, holes and slips can raise the effective water level quickly.
For more choices and safety context, see our tested wader-pants guide.
Shallow-water option
Men’s Freestone wading pants
- Less upper-body bulk
- Good for warm, shallow sessions
- Exact refreshed Simms route
Women’s Freestone stockingfoot: fit is the reason to choose it
This is not merely a relabeled men’s wader. Simms publishes women-specific torso, inseam and stockingfoot combinations, including short, regular, full and selected tall proportions. The correct model is whichever set of measurements permits a deep step without excessive folds.
Women-specific Freestone
Women’s Freestone stockingfoot
- Women-specific body proportions
- Multiple torso and inseam combinations
- Exact refreshed Simms route
What happened to the Women’s Freestone Z?
The women’s Freestone Z with side zippers is discontinued. Simms currently offers the women’s Freestone as a standard stockingfoot model, and the two should not be treated as the same product.
Freestone strengths and limitations
What we like
- Useful balance between durable feel and all-day mobility.
- Current men’s, zip, pant and women’s choices cover genuinely different needs.
- Practical handwarmer, storage, belt and gravel-guard setup.
- Many body, inseam and stockingfoot combinations.
- Current Simms warranty and paid-repair path are clearly documented.
What to consider
- Heavier and less compact than true travel-focused waders.
- The Z zipper adds convenience and another component to maintain.
- Pockets are not substitutes for waterproof storage.
- Pants are unsuitable when water may approach the waistband.
- Freestone uses Toray material rather than the premium GORE-TEX construction higher in Simms’s range.
How to size Simms Freestone waders
- Measure the largest torso girth. Do not assume waist size is the controlling measurement.
- Measure crotch to floor. Check mobility in a deep step and crouch, not just while standing.
- Match the stockingfoot range. A bootie that is too large bunches; one that is too small compresses toes and stresses seams.
- Allow for actual layers. Try the measurements with the base and mid-layers you expect to wear.
- Use the model-specific selector. Simms notes that its full chart includes sizes that may not be offered in every model.
Current Simms warranty and repair terms
Simms currently states that eligible waders receive replacement for leaks during the first 60 days and repairs during the first 365 days. Beyond the first year, its US/Canada policy lists a paid evaluation-and-repair service. Terms, fees, eligibility and turnaround can change, so verify the current Simms warranty page before relying on those terms.
Normal wear, accidents and material breakdown are not the same as manufacturing defects. Keep proof of purchase and follow the current care instructions.
Should you buy the Freestone?
Yes if you want a robust, practical fishing wader and do not need the lighter or more technical construction of Simms’s premium range. The standard model is the clearest value decision. The Z and pants make sense only when their defining feature solves a real problem for your fishing.
Compare it with the wider field in our best fly-fishing waders guide. If cost is the main constraint, Simms Tributary occupies the brand’s lower tier; if durability and premium materials matter more, compare the G3 rather than assuming a higher price automatically suits your use.
Frequently asked questions
Are Simms Freestone waders waterproof?
They are waterproof/breathable waders when intact and correctly closed. “Waterproof” does not mean puncture-proof or permanently leak-free; condition, seam integrity, zipper care and damage determine real-world performance.
Are Freestone waders warm?
They block water and wind but are not insulated waders. Warmth comes mainly from properly chosen layers underneath.
Do Freestone stockingfoot waders need separate boots?
Yes. The neoprene stockingfeet are worn inside separate wading boots. They are not soles for walking on the riverbed.
Is the Freestone Z more waterproof than the standard model?
No evidence supports treating it as more waterproof. The front zipper is a convenience feature. Both models still depend on intact fabric, seams and closures.
Is the Women’s Freestone Z still current?
No current Women’s Freestone Z product page appears in Simms’s range as of August 5, 2026. The current Women’s Freestone is the standard stockingfoot model.
