How to Choose a Pair of Waders

Picture this: You are ready to hit the river, your rod and reel are all set, but when you step in the water, your bottom half is suddenly soaked to the bone. What went wrong? Well, for starters, you didn’t put on your waders!

Choosing the right pair of waders comes down to more than just finding something to keep you dry. If it were that easy, I’d tell you to tape some garbage bags to your legs and call it a day.Waders, like any other piece of outdoor clothing, should stand up to the elements while still matching your needs, your sense of style, and your level of expertise.

So what should you look for when it comes time to swipe the ol’ plastic? At the Compleat Angler, we believe it comes down tocomfort, destination, and affordability. 

Comfort

Remember when your mom used to take you to try on new clothes for school? Remember how terrible it was to squeeze into some pair of ill-fitting slacks or ugly sweater because you felt like youhadto? Well I do, and this same thought should be running through your head any time you try on a new pair of waders. 

Finding comfort is aboutpersonalpreference. That means doing your best to not be influenced by the trendiest fads or sworn affidavits of friends or brands. This includes me as well! If you don’t like my advice, tell me to kick rocks. I’m not your mom. 

However, if you do choose to listen to me, I would tell you to find a local retailer and try on as many pairs as possible to determine the best fit. Good waders should fitright.They should be as comfortable to put on as a well made suit, and while that may sound stupid, the point of high price gear is to not notice you are wearing it in the first place. You want to be sure that the waders are snug, but not tight, and have enough room to move without feeling like you are wearing a tarp. 

The good news is that most waders today are extremely well made, and are a far cry from what our grandfathers were putting on back in the day. Their materials are breathable, abrasion resistant, and flexible enough to accommodate long hikes or hours on a drift boat. Find a brand that works for you and go for it! 

Destination

Let me ask you a question: Would you use an offshore Tuna rod to target largemouth bass in a golf course pond? If you answered no, keep reading. If you answered yes… that’s actually pretty cool, we should be friends.

Seriously though, waders and fly rods operate very similarly— you should never bring a tool to a destination that doesn’t call for it.  

If you find yourself predominantly fishing local Connecticut streams for stocked trout, you probably don’t need a pair of extra insulated Patagonia zip front waders. That would be overkill. However, if you plan on fishing Connecticut streams, ocean flats for stripers,andhiking through the Alaskan bush to target salmon, by all means choose the zip front Patagonias. 

Be as critical of the intended use of the waders as you would be about their fit and comfortability. Outdoor brands have a silver tongue when it comes to convincing consumers that they should opt for the most durable, resilient piece of gear in the name of longevity. While part of me agrees with this, sometimes scaling down is not only friendlier for your wallet, but will better accommodate your destination. In short, don’t bring a gun to a knife fight. It’s poor form. 

Affordability

Let’s be honest, spending money sucks. Sure, that first hit of dopamine when you swipe a credit card is pretty fun, but buyers remorse is not. While I am definitely in the camp that believes spending more on something that will last you a long time is pragmatic, there is a spectrum to this philosophy. Ask yourself: what will spending an extra $300-$400 actually get you? “Affordability” goes beyond what you have in your wallet. 

Sure, you might be able toafforda $1000 pair of waders, but if you can’t name the reason you need them compared to a pair that costs $600 or even $200, then what’s the point? 

Start from the bottom and work your way up, especially if it’s your first pair. Choose something in the $300-$400 range, learn what you like about them, and treat them well. If you are wearing through them faster than expected or they aren’t comfortable, upgrade! Just don’t jump to the top of the line because you think you have to. 

Our Compleat Wader Recommendations 

Simms Tributary Stockingfoot Waders -$300

Affordable, durable, and lightweight.

Grundens Bedrock Waders - $399

Grundens has a long reputation of making quality gear built to withstand the elements. This pair is no exception, and won't break the bank. 

Skwala Carbon Waders - $569

Skwala is a relative newcomer in the wader world, but they make expertly crafted waders that are on par with any of the major players on the market. A worthwhile investment. 

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zipfront Waders - $549

Patagonia doesn't need an introduction, and these waders are the most affordable zipfront pair we carry. Getting and out of them is a breeze, and they are a favorite of a few members of the shop.