What do you think of when you think of Patagonia?

[catchsnaprelease]

Quick question:
When you think of Patagonia as a fly fishing brand, what comes to mind?
How would you compare them with other brands like Orvis or Sage?

Thanks for the input!

DZ

[Alosa]

I think of Yves Chouinard (founder?) and sustainability. I like their perspective.

[mems]

Yvon Chouinard is a surfer and rock climber who built a business out of the back of his surf mobile. He likes to travel and do some fishing. Their products are well built and a good value for the money. I think Tim Boyle at Columbia and Yvon are very similar and both give back to the environmental causes that are important to them and the world. Rick Pope at TFO is another example of a great guy who has his priorities in the right place. Rick is a big supporter of Project Healing Waters, that supports wounded veterans. It is great to see succeccful companies that aren't of the rape and pillage mindset. Mems.

[DAVID95670]

I Think Of How Terrible their products Are made. I also think about how they do not stand up to their warranty.

My waders leak terribly within 6 months of replacing them each time 4 times now. They said they will not warranty them again.

I also think of the really nice guy I met in 1983 when I was climbing in Yosemite. Too bad his company doesn't have his integrity.

I also think sonic pro waders from now on.

[JayDubP]

I am a diehard Patagonia fan-- of their apparel. I have had lots of great customer service and warranty replacements,,,,,

BUT their wading boots and waders are not of the quality of everything else they sell-- and not even in the same conversation as Sage or Orvis.

[John Sv]

I sold Patagonia ski and climbing wear for years. great, durable stuff. We had very few issues so I don't have a lot of experience with the warranty department.
Was not impressed with "Let My People Surf" and it soured me a little, as did Gary Erickson's tribute to himself/
Clif Bar sales pitch. Have not watched Damnation as I'm currently dealing with a dam issue d=for my work and don' want to get all evangelical while trying to be objective.

[James W]

I think of wader feet that fit great, best fit in the business.

[trouterfan1]

I think Patagonia guide water waders have been bombproof for me! Along with having very warm feet in winter with the merino wool insulation in the neoprene stocking. The rock grip boots have held up fairly well.

[Mark Kranhold]

Standup guy and company! Nothing but great service in my years of outdoor activity, there's always one rotten apple in the bunch!

[Terry Thomas]

Quality products. They seem to lead the industry with innovations in both soft goods and hardware. I really like their new tractor boots!

[Gene S]

I think that Patagonia waders can't compare to Simms G-waders.

I think that Patagonia celebrates eco-friendliness and sustainability and should not manufacture their products in countries that lack environmental laws.

[steveg137]

I've not had issues with their waders though only year old. Love the fit and design. Just bought their boots.

I think the designs are top notch.

As a brand I think they're serious about environmentalism, leaders in fact.

I've worked in marketing for 20 years ( don't kill me) and think their brand is top notch, strong core values, innovative and cause driven.

[sierraangler]

In regards to fly fishing...

Good styling, more progressive compared to Sage or Simms, but still lots of room for improvement here though.

You can tell the brand is relatively "new" in fly fishing. Not a very deep product line yet. The quality/durability can be a little suspect still relative to the Patagonia standard set by other lines. In general Patagonia iterates a lot of their product/lines, and seems to even more so in fly fishing. This can be good or bad. Sometimes I feel like the customer is the beta tester when certain products/lines/functionality may be completely changed or dropped altogether.

I think the fit and sizing on wading gear needs work. It does not really follow the standard Patagonia fit on the other lines.

Of the major brands it is my favorite, but its not like we have tons of options out there like ski or climbing wear/gear for example.

[sisyphusmpn]

In regards to fly fishing...
I think the fit and sizing on wading gear needs work. It does not really follow the standard Patagonia fit on the other lines.


And I say thank God for that! I started buying Patagonia waders about fifteen years ago because they made an XL Long that gave me plenty of room (6'6" tall). Never had a problem with them. About six or so years ago I swallowed the marketing pill and started wearing Simms. Being dumb and unnecessarily loyal by nature I went from G3's to G4's to G4z's. In every case the friggin' things were stiff, too short and oddly fitted in the boot. Climbing over logs or kneeling on the river was always an adventure as I waited for the crotch to rip due to excessive binding. (And then there's the short zipper in the G4z's that kinda defeats the purpose...) Blah!

Recently I rejoined Patagonia and bought the Rio Gallegos waders. Why oh why did I wait so long? They are lighter than Simms, fit MUCH better and my feet are warmer on the river with a single pair of socks (had to wear two bulky pair with Simms). Been through the blackberry bushes, climbed logs and slid down slopes -- no problems and just as tough as the other brand.

I believe in Patagonia. Their products, corporate values and service conform to what I look for in a company. So what if they don't make a jillion things you don't need for fly fishing like the other brand? Their boots (I've got the 2nd generation aluminum bar boots and they're great as well), layering products and waders are first cabin. And their value pricing is fairly reasonable as well.

[sierraangler]

OK, a little more info...

Specifically, I own the Rio Gallegos and Skeena waders and Rock Grip and Ultralight wading boots. The boots are pretty good, durability I would say average, not great. Stitching already coming undone on Rock Grips after 2yrs of mostly seasonal use. It should not be. Will probably use warranty.

I will say the wader booties fit and comfort is exceptional, better than anything else I've had. Particularly, the Merion grid lining on the Rio Gallegos is downright plush and brilliant. For me the Regular fit on the waders is a little too baggy and a little too short in length. I am a very average (slim, athletic) 6' 175lbs. The Long's are too long. Pocket configuration on the Skeena's is good, the Rio Gallegos needs a top down pocket added. I really don't understand why you would not put both the vertical and horizontal pockets on your flagship top of the line wader.

Also they were completely out of the Ultralight wading boot in Size 7 (for my GF) for like 3 months. It's a good problem to have, but who can't produce their flagship wading boots in one of the most popular sizes for 3 months?! That is a supply chain fail no matter how you look at it.

These could be viewed as small gripes but at $499 there should be absolutely zero gripes. They should be perfect.



And I say thank God for that! I started buying Patagonia waders about fifteen years ago because they made an XL Long that gave me plenty of room (6'6" tall). Never had a problem with them. About six or so years ago I swallowed the marketing pill and started wearing Simms. Being dumb and unnecessarily loyal by nature I went from G3's to G4's to G4z's. In every case the friggin' things were stiff, too short and oddly fitted in the boot. Climbing over logs or kneeling on the river was always an adventure as I waited for the crotch to rip due to excessive binding. (And then there's the short zipper in the G4z's that kinda defeats the purpose...) Blah!

Recently I rejoined Patagonia and bought the Rio Gallegos waders. Why oh why did I wait so long? They are lighter than Simms, fit MUCH better and my feet are warmer on the river with a single pair of socks (had to wear two bulky pair with Simms). Been through the blackberry bushes, climbed logs and slid down slopes -- no problems and just as tough as the other brand.

I believe in Patagonia. Their products, corporate values and service conform to what I look for in a company. So what if they don't make a jillion things you don't need for fly fishing like the other brand? Their boots (I've got the 2nd generation aluminum bar boots and they're great as well), layering products and waders are first cabin. And their value pricing is fairly reasonable as well.

[DLJeff]

I think of a huge expanse of land covering the middle of Argentina, the southern Andes, all the way to Tierra del Fuego. I think of a wide variety of terrain from the fertile fields of the Pampas to the majestic Andean Alps, deep fiords enclosed by sheer granite cliffs, to the surreal wind swept plateaus of Tierra del Fuego. I think of skies so crystal clear and blue so deep that it hurts your eyes to look straight up to see the massive Andean condor soaring over head. I think of guachos and mate and some of the finest beef, mutton and wine in the world. I think of some of the best trout fishing in the world in some of the most scenic water imaginable. I think how much I'd like to spend more time exploring Patagonia. I don't think of fishing gear or boots or down jackets or other outdoor gear.

[johnsquires]

I have been very satisfied with their products. I actually was surprised when they gave me credit on a 13-year-old product that failed under extreme circumstances. REI recently went to a one-year return policy.
I'm thrilled with their support in the fight against the proposed Pebble Mine project in AK.

[Bob Loblaw]

Quick question:
When you think of Patagonia as a fly fishing brand, what comes to mind?
How would you compare them with other brands like Orvis or Sage?

Thanks for the input!

DZ


Its what people from Marin wear when they go fly fishing. :o

[catchsnaprelease]

Thanks all. The feedback is super helpful.

[NVTrout]

I think Patagucci......

I'm a big fan of Orvis and Simms. Their stuff is expensive, but well thought out, and high quality. I know you didn't mention Simms, just thought I'd throw em in. Never really been a Sage guy. I like my rods a little softer.

[dynaflow]

I agree with NVTrout,Patagonia's stuff is well made but it's outrageously priced,especially in Australia,and any product I've bought (clothing) I've bought from places like Ebay:)

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Patagonia products are really well made and well designed.

I don't know if they ever got their waders sorted out though.

[johnsquires]

I'm a big fan of the Nanopuff jacket. Base layer, Nanopuff, and a GorTex raincoat got me through eight straight days of camping in the rain in AK.

[DAVID95670]

patagonia products are really well made and well designed.

I don't know if they ever got their waders sorted out though.


my waders were REPLACED for the third time in October. This year i have fished no more than 30 times in the new waders

i was soaked after fishing for three hours on saturday afternoon. They are already leaking from the seams

patagonia waders are not worth it

[Rossflyguy]

my waders were REPLACED for the third time in October. This year i have fished no more than 30 times in the new waders

i was soaked after fishing for three hours on saturday afternoon. They are already leaking from the seams

patagonia waders are not worth it

Patagonia has the best jackets but Simms has the best waders. I buy Patagonia jackets, sweaters, and shirts. That's all their really good at. Plus all their clothing is recycled material and they donate a lot of money to environmental organizations. Just my two cents.

[Gregg]

Just saw this thread. I've owned a handful of Patagonia products from different categories over the years, and am a huge fan. The conversation about Patagonia is two-fold; product quality, and brand quality. As fas as a brand goes, it really doesn't get much better. Their level of transparency, their commitment to the environment, and their general business vision are all things to be in awe of. They have one of the highest employee retention rates of anyone in the industry, and for good reason. They take care of their staff and everyone along the production line, and people are so committed to Yvon and the Patagonia brand they border on cult status. How they operate should be the model everyone looks at and attempts to recreate. I want quality, but even moreso I want to know that I'm supporting quality people behind the brand. That is the most important part to me.

As far as product quality goes, I haven't had a single warranty issue, or really even an issue outside what would be considered a real warranty claim. I am super hard on my gear, and don't take care of it. I've had Simms, Redington, and Patagonia, and all three have been fine. For years. Small patches here and there from being an idiot and sliding down blackberry covered boulders, but really nothing to trip about. If I put 80 days on a pair of waders a year, and get 3 years out of them, I'm beyond satisfied. I think $400 is a fair price for hundreds of uses of an item. When a brand like Patagonia warranties something out with no questions that's going above and beyond to me. I'd rather keep repairing something than getting something new and trashing the still workable previous item, I guess that mentality aligns me with the Patagonia brand concept already. 4 warranties in the last year or two seems bizarre to me, I've never had a failure rate on any product of anything I've ever used like that, and it sounds like nobody else has either.

Whether you buy Patagonia, Simms, Redington, or some cheap Bass Pro thing is really up to you, but I think all sides of a brand should weigh in when making a purchase. For me, Patagonia satisfies all of the boxes I'd like to check.

[JasonB]

I have lots of thoughts and feelings about Patagonia. Similarly to Gregg, I have nothing but respect and admiration for the company as a whole. On their product quality, workmanship, warranty, service, etc, I've been quite happy as well. I do think that in some ways the quality has slipped a little here and there over the years, but it's still pretty damn good! I have had some issues with my waders, but the company has really stood by their product and given me no hassles in replacing them 3 times.

The last time, I had called in ahead of time with a request for repair/inspection and after some question and answer the service rep informed me that it sounded like a warranty issue and that they had a bad run on some of the seams. Being that it was mid fall, he was concerned that the time to replace mine in my size might take a bit of my valuable fishing time he offered (as an option) to upgrade me to the next level at cost ($100 out of pocket for me). Overall this seemed to be the best option for me, so I went ahead with that. The new waders were in my hot little hands in less than a week.

My experiences with other outdoor gear has lead me to believe that EVERY single company has some "lemons" here and there; a bad batch of material, or compatibility issues with glues, coatings, or whatever. Singular anecdotal accounts along the lines of "these waders are the best" or "my waders leak so bad, they suck" don't really mean much to me; I'm much more concerned with the long term average impressions, and even more with how the company handles those issues when the undoubtedly do arise. For me Patagonia scores very well on pretty much all fronts...
JB

[TyV]

I have very mixed feelings about Patagonia. Great company with a conscience. I have been a fan for a very long time. That changed considerably when I bought my last pair of wading boots from them a few years ago. The first pair, blew out in 3-4 months. They nicely took the time to replace them. That pair blew out in about 12-15 trips on the river over maybe 8 months. I sent them back, only to be shocked by what they did. I received no communication from them, simply a gift card for $30 of their merchandise. That was all. Well, that was the last time I will ever do business with Patagonia. I have no idea what or why as there was no explanation. I called and couldn't get one either.

Extremely disappointing and really surprising to say the least. I got less than a year and less than 20 days on the water combined out of 2 pairs of their wading boots...that's not ok and the way that they handled it couldn't have been worse honestly.