8 Best Waders for Fishing

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

When you pick up some pairs of fishing waders and check the price tag, you might think they’re a luxury item, but they’re essential equipment for many fishermen such as Western trout anglers who spend long hours standing in cold waters.

Waders make those hours warmer, drier, and more comfortable, but they also help prevent serious potential risks of standing in the water too long without them, such as trench foot, the same issue that killed thousands of soldiers in World War I.

Waders also let you move freely in and out of the water, and up and down rivers and streams. Being in the water permits better views of the fishes’ habitat, allows more natural presentations when fly fishing, and gets you farther away from trees, brush, and other obstacles to unobstructed casting.

That said, not everyone needs waders to fish effectively. If you only float fish from a boat or kayak, waders might not be necessary, and in fact, wearing waders in a boat can be a safety issue. Falling into the while water wearing waders can make getting yourself ashore extra difficult, as yours waders can take on water when submerged. Wading belts are essential safety equipment that mitigate this danger somewhat, but the point remains that you shouldn’t wear waders on the water if you don’t really need them.

Yes, some waders can be pricey, but there are plenty for less than $50 as well, so almost any angler can add them to their kit if they need them. No matter your budget, you’ll want to make sure you select the right pair for the waters you fish regularly. We’ll break down what to look for and share our top picks within several main categories of wader.

What to Consider

Materials

The most basic choice in the fishing wader selection process is material. Classic waders were made of ultimately waterproof but minimally breathable rubber and are uncommon today. Most waders on today’s fishing shelves are either neoprene, Gore-Tex (or other treated fabric), and PVC. Rubber, canvas, and other materials can be found but are less common.

Neoprene waders are a wetsuit-like material meant for cold waters and cold weather. On a hot day, they’re unbearable for more than a few minutes as anyone who has put on a thick wetsuit on a hot beach should understand.

Within the treated fabric class of waders there is a wide range of constructions, quality, and prices. At the high-end, there are ultra high-tech garments with trademarked names such as Gore-Tex and eVent that are fully waterproof yet maximally breathable. At the lower end are multilayer fabrics with thick waterproof coatings that are more affordable but minimally breathable.

Style/Cut

The classic wader style is what’s known as the “chest wader” which is essentially a pair of overalls that have solid fabric up to the chest, cut out under the arms, up higher on the center of the back, and supported with integrated suspenders. These are a must for deeper waters and are the default for cold-weather waders.

Waist waders (or wading pants) are essentially just waterproof pants held up by a belt. They obviously can’t go as deep as chest waders but are cooler in warmer temperatures than chest waders if you don’t need the extra height. Most folks go with chest waders because they plan to own only one set of waders, and chest waders are the most capable in a range of conditions. But if you know you’ll fish only shallower waters and want to stay cool, wading pants can be a great option.

Hip waders are the next size down and are closer to chaps, or really tall boots, than pants. They offer the least protection of the various cuts of wader, but have the advantage of being lighter, less restrictive, and a great option for shallow waters and hot days.

Stockingfoot or Bootfoot

Waders generally come with either integrated boots—“bootfoot”—or as “stockingfoot” type, which require a separate wading boot purchase. Bootfoot waders are more common at the low end of the spectrum and are convenient since you only have to make one purchase decision before wading in to fish. Stockingfoot waders allow more serious anglers to separate the boot and wader purchase, which means they can get more of their preferences in their setup without needing to find the single perfect pair of waders that have the right fit and features in both the waders and boots. Stockingfoot waders make the most sense for anglers that may have more than one pair of waders or more than one pair of boots, as they can use different combinations for different conditions.

Size

Proper fit for waders, like any performance garment, is essential. Most online product descriptions for fishing waders list several of the following measurements, each of which will help ensure you don’t get an ill-fitting pair of waders: hip, overall length, inseam, chest, waist.

Take the time to make your measurements (you may want assistance) and write them down so you can reference them during your search.

How We Selected

My selections here were based on conversations with fly shop owners and my years of experience fishing across the U.S. I grew up fishing mostly bass in New York’s Finger Lakes region, shorecasted and spearfished for saltwater species while living in Hawaii, and now I fish almost exclusively for trout in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains where waders aren’t really optional unless you exclusively float fish. Lots of brands sell waders, but we focused our selections on the most common options in North America that anglers will find stocked online, in fishing-specific retailers, and in the more popular big-box stores. Our category picks offer guidance if you’ve already narrowed down your search.

Caddis Affordable Breathable Stocking Foot Wader

• Material: Polyester with CaddisDry DWR
• Foot Type: Stockingfoot
• Height: Chest

The Breathable Stockingfoot Wader from Caddis hits the sweet spot on price—not so cheap that it leads to sub-par performance or so expensive that it’s out of reach for average humans. Perhaps most significantly, these waders can fit anglers of all sizes, since Caddis not only offers sizes S to XXL, it also features body type options including Stout, Short Stout, Standard, and Long.

While it may not be Gore-Tex, the proprietary CaddisDry treated polyester offers breathable waterproofing for less. Seams are all tape-sealed and there are some nice-to-have features such as a hand-warmer pocket, gravel guards, wader belt, and repair patch kit. Because they’re stockingfoot waders, you’ll still need to buy wading boots, but they’ll be a better choice in the long run thanks to the flexibility to purchase different boots down the road and for different conditions.

Frogg Toggs Cleated Rana II PVC Chest Fishing Wader

• Material: PVC
• Foot Type: Integrated Bootfoot
• Height: Chest

These PVC waders are representative of the lower end of the wader spectrum and are a great option for budget-conscious shoppers as well as anglers that need waders only a few times a year. The trade-off for the low price is that these waders aren’t very breathable and can get very hot and clammy on sunny summer days compared to more expensive, more breathable options.

But for occasional use, the Rana IIs will serve the essential purpose of waders and keep you dry while fishing. They’re also durable and backed by a one-year warranty so your modest investment has some reassurance that you’ll get more than a season of fishing out of them, with an opportunity to upgrade if you find that you’re using waders more often than you anticipated.

Simms G3 Guide Gore-Tex Bootfoot Waders

• Material: Gore-Tex
• Foot Type: Integrated Bootfoot
• Height: Chest

Gore-Tex is one of the most respected names in outerwear technology and it’s featured prominently on these high-end bibs from Simms, one of the most respected names in fishing gear and waders, specifically. The upper is akin to a high-end ski jacket, employing more breathable Gore-Tex 3-layer construction, while the lower half is Gore-Tex 4-layer, meant to be ultimately waterproof and hold up to prolonged immersion.

The integrated boots are insulated and fitted with a fishing-specific Vibram sole. The G3s are also tricked-out with lots of fishing-specific features such as dual-entry pockets, reach-through handwarmer pocket, and a fly-holding patch on the chest.

Caddis Zippered Deluxe Plus Breathable Bootfoot Wader

• Material: CaddisDry Breathable Polyester
• Foot Type: Integrated Bootfoot
• Height: Chest

While these are fairly expensive waders, they’re definitely a more versatile step up from the PVC sub-$100 waders many anglers start out with. The CaddisDry breathable polyester is Caddis Wading Systems proprietary DWR-treated fabric (akin to GoreTex) and you’ll be glad for it when wading out in midday summer sun.

Still, the waders are warm where you need it, featuring 600-gram Thinsulate insulation in the boots. The cost is higher, but the 240-denier fabric and quality build mean these waders should last.

Itasca Breathable Youth Fishing Waders

• Material: Nylon
• Foot Type: Integrated Bootfoot
• Height: Chest

It’s hard to swallow buying expensive waders for kids knowing they’ll likely outgrow them in a couple of years. These affordable nylon waders from Itasca are breathable and functional chest waders that can get your young angler out into the river for about $60.

The H-shaped suspender back and included wading belt keep the waders on and keep your kid safe when out fishing. Unlike some other cheaper PVC/rubber waders, these have some breathability to keep your kid cool and happy for longer sessions on the water.

Patagonia Men’s Swiftcurrent Wading Pants

• Material: H2No recycled polyester
• Foot Type: Stockingfoot
• Height: Waist

While chest waders are the most commonly used, there are plenty of shallower waters where chest waders are just overkill. If you are fishing hot weather and can spare the extra material, waist waders such as the Swiftcurrent Wading Pants from Patagonia will keep you cooler and be more comfortable and mobile than bib-style chest waders.

While Patagonia may have a better known pedigree in snowsports, it has a long history in fishing, as its name might indicate. The brand employs a four-layer version of the its eco-friendly recycled polyester H2No fabric in these waist waders to create a lightweight, packable, and travel-ready pair of wading pants. The no-hassle lifetime warranty also helps ease the sting of the higher price tag.

Allen Company Black River Hip Waders

• Material: H2No recycled polyester
• Foot Type: Bootfoot
• Height: Waist

Hip waders look a lot like chaps and function much like extra-tall gaiters, giving you knee-high-plus protection without restricting your movement much or heating you up excessively on hot days. In fact, these are a great summer option when you don’t need to get too deep but still want to keep your feet warm and dry.

Allen is an established outdoors company with a reputation for quality budget-conscious gear, and these Black River Hip Waders are a great instance of that. You can spend more money on hip waders, but for a less frequently used item, I personally don’t see the need.

Orvis Ultralight Convertible Women’s Waders

• Material: Nylon
• Foot Type: Stockingfoot
• Height: Chest

Many women use men’s or unisex waders just fine since they aren’t the tightest fitting garment, but considering how important fit is for a long day on the water, having a women’s-specific fit may be worth the higher price tag here. Respected fishing-only brand Orvis has created a contoured fit designed for women and it’s available in several body type and size combinations to ensure a comfortable fit.

All the expected features from a higher-end pair of waders are there as well: breathable, treated lightweight nylon, fishing-specific pockets and patches, and wading belt with loops. The waders also convert from chest waders to waist waders for hotter days, eliminating the need for multiple pairs of waders.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?