The Best Fishing Waders of 2024

The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front Wader ($799) is our top pick for good reason. The quick-release suspender system, padded shoulder straps, and top-hem drawcord elevate its thoughtful design. But its durability is what makes it number one. Made with Patagonia’s recycled 4-layer H2No® Performance Standard shell, these beefy waders are thick and tough.

They are on the heavier side, weighing in just over 4 pounds. Helping add to the weight is the full front zipper with an extra-large pull tab. The zipper is submersible and waterproof, and it helps with the ease of putting on and off the wader. Once you try a zippered wader, you may never go back; it’s worth the added weight. Our tester fished in over waist-high water and can confirm that the zipper did not leak, and there was no discomfort from the zipper with the added water pressure. 

To shed some weight yet keep the waders tough, Patagonia constructed the uppers and lowers with two different H2No® materials. The upper four layers are made of recycled polyester, totaling 6.6 ounces, while the lower four are made of double-weaved recycled polyester, totaling 9.4 ounces. The denser lower makes the legs more durable and long-lasting. 

Our tester liked the removable foam kneepads. Initially, there was some worry they weren’t cushioned enough, but when applied in the real world—dropping to a knee to tie boots, releasing fish, or kneeling on the bank to watch the hatch— they delivered the perfect amount of cushion. The booties are also comfortable, and the gravel guard clip is easy to clip onto shoe laces. The ankle scuff guards are heavy-duty and made with Patagonia’s Black Hole® fabric, which is abrasion-resistant. This means you won’t be wearing holes anytime soon.  

This wader checks nearly all the boxes with just one flaw—the pockets. Our tester loved the interior, where a completely waterproof pocket holds essential things like a phone or keys. We used the side mesh pockets for snacks, water bottles, or fly boxes. However, the exterior hand-warming pockets are small and do not fit hands if you have a fly box or anything of size in the top layered stash chest pockets. It’s a major bummer when you want to warm up your hands, only to find the pocket hardly fits your hand in the first place. Or, you have to rearrange your gear in the middle of the river to make it work. The one thing they got right with the hand warmer pocket is the zip flap that protects your hand from the zipper when you slide it inside. 

The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front Wader is ready for angling adventure. These waders are for serious fishermen or those who want to “buy once, cry once.” Their quality build, durability, and comfort make them our pick for best overall wader.

If you want an essential yet dependable fishing wader that won’t break the bank, check out the Redington Escape Wader ($230). It’s a traditional chest wader with a few bonus features. 

Our favorite feature is the fleece-lined kangaroo hand warmer pocket. Redington gets it right in a world where “lined” pockets can mean many things. It’s lined with fleece that actually feels warm—a fact appreciated when fishing in cold mountain run-off rivers. 

Another feature our tester appreciated is the tool docks and rubber tabs on each side of the shoulder clips. The adjustable shoulder straps and the top-hem cinch make it easy to find the perfect fit.  

The water-resistant horizontal external chest pocket is large enough to hold two smaller fly boxes or one large box. The inside flip pocket is large enough for a phone (in its case) and a few snacks. The rear D-ring is the perfect place to hang your net or waders to dry after a day on the river. 

These waders do not have a gusseted crotch and are somewhat restrictive when making larger steps up a steep bank. Our tester noticed his feet got cold during winter fishing, even with the 3 mm neoprene stockings. 

They are lightweight and best used in the summer or on warmer shoulder season days. For the price, the Redington Escape Waders offer an excellent solution for those who don’t want all the extra bells and whistles but want a solid wader.

Simms G4Z ($1000) is a powerhouse—and with a price tag like that, it better be. We particularly loved the upper features of these waders. With multiple pockets, including handwarmer pockets, a fly patch, comfortable shoulder straps, and the best wading belt we’ve seen come with a wader, the upper design caught our attention. 

The G4Z is also highly durable. Made with a 3-layer GORE-TEX® PRO upper and 4-layer GORE-TEX® PRO lower, these are the definition of durable.

The fully waterproof center zipper is installed with a stitched construction for maximum flexibility. Our tester didn’t feel any restriction from the zipper when bending down to release fish or tighten laces. The center zip makes putting on/off waders so much easier. However, it would be nice if the zipper had a house or guard to ensure it doesn’t snag on anything. 

The pockets are plentiful on the G4Z. The exterior has a zippered lined handwarmer pocket and two large stretch woven chest pockets. The stretch woven pocket is a nice touch if you need to pack in extra supplies. The hand warmer zippers are smaller and lay flat to help avoid scratching the outside of the hand when going in and out of the pocket. They do still rub a little, but not as much as some. The two interior pockets are fully waterproof and large enough to hold a phone and other valuables. 

Simms stepped up its wading belt game. This belt is not one you will want to replace. It’s wide, thick, and neoprene. As a bonus, it can also provide lumbar support. The GZ4 utilizes snag-free 2mm neoprene gravel guards. Our tester was concerned with how well the guards would stay in place, but they didn’t budge while post-holing through two feet of snow. Just tuck your laces under so they don’t snag on anything underwater or on the trail.

Make sure to store the neoprene guard straight. One tester unknowingly kept one guard folded, and when he went to fish again, he noticed a crease that would not come out. Over time, creases will create weak spots, and the neoprene could fail. Also, there is a seam that runs across the top of the foot near the ankle; one tester felt that it was too tight on his feet and uncomfortable, and another tester didn’t even notice. This might be a wader you want to try on before buying to ensure the neoprene boot isn’t too tight on your ankle. 

Since 1980, Simms has been setting standards in the wader game. The Simms G4Z is no different. These waders are innovative and built to endure whatever weather comes your way. 

The Orvis Pro Waders ($598) are among the most durable waders on the market. Made with Orvis’ proprietary CORDURA® fabric shell, they are abrasion and puncture-resistant—two key things when looking for a wader that can go anywhere the fish are. 

The Pro Waders offer many options for organized fishermen! The removable interior flip pocket has three different sections and a daisy chain. A sizeable inner mesh pocket can hold fly boxes, beverages, and snacks. The exterior has a large water-resistant horizontal pocket, daisy chain, fly patch, and rubberized tabs on the top corners of the hand warmer pockets. All of your tools and gadgets will have a home, and you can easily find them. 

The suspenders adjust easily and have opposing buckles that allow you to switch to waist-high waders quickly. The top-hem cinch keeps the wind out and helps keep the uppers closed when dropped down to the waist. 

These waders move with you thanks to the gusseted crotch that allows for giant steps up onto banks or over logs lying in the way. And with the CORDURA® fabric, you can worry less about poking holes. Our tester slid down icy banks without slicing or ripping seams. The five-layered legs add some thickness, which helps keep you warm in cold waters. However, despite their thickness, they still breathe well.

The anatomically correct neoprene booties do not slide or bunch. The PU-reinforced mesh gravel guard protects the stockings. The mesh gravel guard design also helps eliminate drag and is tight enough on the back of the boot to stay in place with the help of the metal lace clip. 

The main disappointing feature was the lined kangaroo hand-warming pocket. “Lined” is a term used loosely as the lining is very thin. An addition that would have been nice is a zipper guard, as when our tester put his hands in and out to warm up, the zipper would scratch the back of his hands. It’s not a pleasant feeling when your hands are ice cold. 

Even with the hand-warming pocket flaws, the Orvis Pro Waders are a high-quality and durable wader for anyone wanting to fish during all seasons. 

The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Ultralight ($499) waders are precisely what their name calls them: ultralight. They pack down to a little bigger than a Nalgene bottle size and only weigh 35.5 ounces. This packability makes them perfect for backpacking, camping, and traveling. 

Even more than just their packability, Patagonia makes these with both the upper and lower receiving four layers of its H2No® Performance Standard shell fabric and finished with DWR (durable water repellent). Like its high-end waders, the scuff guard is made with super-durable Black Hole® material. The gravel guard utilizes a metal lace clip to hold it in place. 

To keep the weight down, these waders don’t have many pockets. They still have one internal submersible flip pocket that is just big enough for a phone and some snacks/keys or a 6” fly box and snacks/keys, but not both a fly box and phone. The shoulder straps are minimalist and are thinner than traditional wader shoulder straps. They are adjustable and can drop down on hot days or for quick bathroom breaks. Where the shoulder straps meet the wader, there are tool docks and tabs for optional accessories. 

The booties are noticeably lighter than others we tested. Designers nixed the heavier neoprene stockings and opted for a much lighter-weight plastic feeling material. They are made with vacuum-formed TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a laminate coating that creates an extremely weather and abrasion-resistant material. The seam runs down the top of the shin, wraps around the middle of the toes, down the middle of the sole, and back up the back of the calf. They are not the most comfortable stockings.

The TPU material offers no stretch, so you want to ensure you get your foot size as close as possible. Our tester’s feet were smaller than the stocking, and the most comfortable way they found to wear them was to curl the extra material either above or below your toes. Leaving them scrunched in the toe box caused significant discomfort on the river. 

Another note about the stockings is that they are not breathable or insulating. On warmer days, our tester noticed his feet getting hot on hikes and even needed to stop and take his feet out to let them quickly breathe. On the other hand, because these are such lightweight waders, even with multiple layers on, they got cold while fishing later in the winter and on cooler spring run-off days. 

Finally, it’s worth noting that these waders are designed to be suitable for both men and women, yet there are concerns regarding stocking sizing. For men’s sizing, individuals ranging from shoe size 6.5 to 8.5 may find themselves needing to size up to 9 – 11 or squeezing into 4 – 6. Similarly, women wearing sizes 7.5 – 9.5 may need to opt for 10 – 12 or try fitting into 5 – 7 stockings. We feel this sizing range leaves out a significant portion of individuals with “average” foot sizes. 

The Ultralight’s durability meets Patagonia’s standards. Our tester wore these through the thicket and never worried about puncturing holes. The main concern is the comfort and breathability of the plastic stockings. The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Ultralight Waders are best used in warmer weather with short hike-ins.

Grundens took a giant competitive leap into the fly-fishing wader world with their Boundary Zip Stockingfoot Wader ($900). For a brand traditionally known for making the best and most durable commercial marine clothing, it was only a matter of time before they broke into the fly-fishing wader world.

Grundens already has the base knowledge of waterproof gear. They use GORE-TEX laminate to create a breathable and flexible wader. For an easy on/off experience, they employ a YKK Aquaseal waterproof and submersible center zipper. Our tester noted it was like putting on a large pair of jeans.

These waders proved sufficiently durable. With an “aggressive” fishing style, our tester often bushwhacks his way to the river along the banks or climbs rocks and then slides off them in the middle of the river to get to the best fishing hole. The Boundary Zip Stockingfoot waders never once got snagged or sprung a leak.

They are equally comfortable as well. While kneepads would have been a comfy addition, there is no restriction while bending or climbing up banks. The shoulder straps are highly customizable, broad, and slightly cushioned, ensuring your shoulders will not feel fatigued after hours on the river. On the back of the straps, there is a D-ring hook for your net.

The stockings are comfortable and made with titanium coating layers that reflect body heat back to your feet. They were tested during Montana’s spring run-off conditions, and our tester’s feet were never cold. He did note that they felt slightly narrow, so if you have extra-wide feet, these may feel snug.

The double-weave stretch-woven gravel guard negates the need for a metal hook. However, our tester thought it was a little too loose, as his laces would wiggle their way out of the guard, creating concern for snagging on unseen dangers under the water. If using a lace system, be sure to double-knot them and tuck them high up under the guard. Boa systems will not have this same problem.

The Boundary Zip Stockingfoot Wader is an impressive wader, right up there with other high-end waders. It is durable and has a submersible zipper, handwarmer pockets, and a fly patch. It is also comfortable and warm, making it ideal for cold-water fishing.

Are you looking to elevate your fishing experience from your entry-level waders but don’t want to spend a high dollar amount? Then check out the Grundens Vector Stockingfoot Wader ($500). It is made with a durable, Ultra-Dense poly nylon outer fabric that is soft to the touch and a 4-layer Bi-Component Puncture-Resistant Lamina that provides a 30k waterproof submerged rating. For your reference, GORE-TEX® has a waterproof rating of 28k. They may feel softer on the outside, but no water will seep through the fabric.

While these waders have comfortable adjustable shoulder straps, they do not drop down to the waist. They have a top-hem cinch to help keep the weather out and a fly patch on the front left chest with a tool dock and looped cord for accessories. The top hem also includes two belt loops for attachments.

The knee pads provide excellent protection and comfort. They are not too bulky and thin enough not to restrict movement. The booties are comfortable and made with Dual Density TiAlpha warming neoprene, which keeps you warm in cold water. The attached gravel guard is elastic and easy to pull over your boot. The same issue arises here as with the Boundary Zip waders: they are a bit too loose for our liking.

These waders have a zipped kangaroo hand warmer pouch, but take caution when using them with cold hands. The zipper will rub on the tops of your hands when putting them in and out. The large single pocket is large enough to hold a fly box on each side, your cell phone, and some smaller necessities, though the 8″ vertical zipper makes it tricky to pull out items. When utilizing the pocket, you’ll want to make sure smaller items, like a tippet, that naturally fall to the bottom of the pocket do not fall out while pulling out your phone for a quick photo.

The Grundens Vector Stockingfoot Wader is a quality mid-range wader with durability that rivals higher-end waders. These are great for all-season fishing, but we’d recommend bringing a vest or fishing bag for a more organized fishing experience without the stress of accidentally dropping small items from the pocket.