Wading pants are an incredibly useful piece of fishing gear to have when the weather is a little too warm for chest waders but still a bit cold for wet wading.
Pant waders, aka waist waders, also provide a huge amount of mobility when compared to chest waders since they are just waist-high like a pair of pants. They are also awesome for small streams where the water is always around knee height.
But, finding a new pair of waders is never easy as there are hundreds of options out there labeled everything from hip waders to pant waders and waist waders, so finding some good waders that are right for you is an arduous task.
Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|
Best Of The Best Wading PantsSimms Freestone Waterproof Fishing Wading Pants |
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All-Around Best Wading pantsRedington Escape Wader Pants |
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Best For MobilityRaprance Fly Fishing Waist Wading Pants |
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Best ValueFrogg Toggs Hellbender Stockingfoot Wading Pants |
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Best On A BudgetKylebooker Breathable Stockingfoot Wading Pants |
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This is why we have pulled together the best wading pants on the market for you to choose from so you can find a great pair of waders without having to spend hours scouring the internet.
Join me as we run through some awesome wading pants for you to choose from.
Contents
ToggleOur Best Wader Pants
Simms Freestone Waterproof Fishing Wading Pants
Best Of The Best Wading Pants
Specs
Type: Stockingfoot
Sizes: S-XXL
Weight: 2.9 lbs
Material: Toray QuadraLam Fabric
Pros
- Incredibly durable and awesome quality
- Breathable material so you don’t sweat
- Keep you cool in warmer temperatures
- Keep you warm in colder temperatures
- Built-in gravel guards
- Very waterproof and stay that way
- Neoprene booties ensure you stay warm
- Very comfortable fit
- List Item
- Simms Product Guarantee & Warranty
Cons
- Quite expensive
Now, most fly anglers have heard of Simms, but if you are one of the few anglers that haven’t, let me assure you that they make some of the best quality fly fishing clothing on the planet, and their wading pants are not any different.
The Simms Freestone Waterproof Fishing Wading Pants are stockingfoot waders that are made from four layers of material including a 2-layer coated fabric, a single membrane layer, and a tricot backer to offer improved durability.
This makes these wading pants 100% waterproof and breathable so you will stay dry and any sweat built up can leave while you are fly fishing. This means they keep you toasty from the inside and out. These waist waders are also super durable and will last for years of rugged use.
You can use these wading pants in shallower waters and deeper water so long as it doesn’t come above your waist. The fully adjustable wading belt ensures they always stay up, they are anatomically engineered for mobility and comfort, plus the sizing ensures a comfortable fit.
You will need some wading boots to go with these stockingfoot waders, once slotted into your wading boot, the neoprene booties keep your feet warm and comfy. You can also use the gravel guards to protect your boots from any debris or stones.
While these wader pants are expensive, they will last longer than most waders and they come with Simms’ guarantee meaning they will replace them if there are any defects and repair them for a small fee if they wear out.
Redington Escape Wader Pants
All-Around Best Wading pants
Specs
Type: Stockingfoot
Sizes: S-XL
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Material: 4-layer waterproof breathable fabric
Pros
- Great quality for the price
- Includes hip pockets for gear storage
- A durable build of 4 layers of material
- Highly waterproof and you will stay dry
- Breathable so you stay cool in warm climates
- Comfortable ergonomic stocking foot
- Integrated gravel guards keep your boots clear of debris
- Comfy to wear
Cons
- Quite expensive
The Redington Escape Wader Pants are an awesome choice for any anglers who want some high-quality wading pants for a more affordable price than the Simms pants waders above.
These fly fishing waders are also made of four layers of material to create a waterproof and breathable pair of waders that ensure you are always toasty, dry, and comfortable.
They are also durable as the lower half includes extra material to protect them from abrasion while you fish.
These wading pants also feature an adjustable belt with a quick release buckle, pockets, gravel guards with lace hooks, and being a stockingfoot wader, have neoprene socks too.
This means that you will great and comfy fit from these fly fishing waders, have a place to store gear, be able to block debris from your boots, and ensure the guards stay in place.
Getting these hip waders on and off is quick and easy, they dry quickly, and they pack down small. These might be more money than you are willing to pay but they are a great pant wader that will last.
Raprance Fly Fishing Waist Wading Pants
Best For Mobility
Specs
Type: Stockingfoot
Sizes: S-XL
Weight: 2 lbs
Material: 3-ply breathable material and double taped seams
Pros
- Very affordable
- Comes in a good range of sizes
- Internal flip-out storage pocket
- Excellent mobility in the water
- Comfortable to wear
- Integrated gravel guards
- Warm neoprene booties
- Fully waterproof and breathable
Cons
- The sizing is a little off
- Elasticated ankles make it hard with layers
If you are shopping on a budget then the Raprance Fly Fishing Waist Wading Pants might be the pant waders you have been looking for.
These hip waders sit waist high and are built from a 3-ply breathable and waterproof material that ensures you stay dry while you are fishing. The knees also feature extra protection so you can kneel down when fly fishing without worrying about wearing them through.
These hip waders also come with an internal pocket for gear, guards, lace hook, and neoprene socks for sliding into your wading boots. They are comfy to wear, offer good mobility, have a huge range of sizes, and they are incredibly cheap.
I would, however, be a little suspicious about their pricing. When wearing waders, you really do put them through a lot from sliding across rocks to walking through sharp shrubs, and I personally don’t think these will lasts.
Chances are the seams will come apart pretty quickly on this pair of waders and they will not be waterproof for long, but that is my guess based on experience. If you want to take a chance on them, be my guest, but don’t be upset if they fall apart, especially if you fish often.
Frogg Toggs Hellbender Stockingfoot Wading Pants
Best Value
Specs
Type: Stockingfoot
Sizes: S-XXL
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Material: 3-layer waterproof breathable material
Pros
- Breathable so you don’t get sweaty
- Lightweight and pack down small
- Durable and abrasion-resistant
- Reinforced knees
- Adjustable wading belt
- Elasticated ankles and attached gravel guards
- Comfortable to wear
- Neoprene bootie feels great on your feet
Cons
- The sizing is a little off
- Elasticated ankles make it hard with layers
If you are looking for some waist-high bootfoot waders that are of exceptional value then the Frogg Toggs Hellbender Stockingfoot Wading Pants will be right up your street.
This pair of waders are quite affordable but not too affordable to make one think that they might not last too long. These wading pants are tough, waterproof, breathable, and they will stay that way for seasons to come.
These are built with a durable 4-ply nylon upper for extra durability as well as being breathable to ensure you don’t sweat too much on the inside and waterproof to keep the water out. The knees are also reinforced so you can kneel down to fish stealthily when you need to.
These wader pants also include a zipper pocket for gear, a long-lasting belt, gravel guards, and elasticated ankles. The elasticated ankles help keep the guards in place but they do make taking these on and off, especially with layers, a little bit tricky.
They are great for wading in the summer in shallow streams and in deeper water too, as the booties are comfy and keep your feet toasty too. One thing to watch out for with these waders is that the sizing can be a little off so be sure to do some research before you buy.
Overall though, these are some of the best value waders on the market that are affordable while being well made to ensure they do last.
Kylebooker Breathable Stockingfoot Wading Pants
Best On A Budget
Specs
Type: Stockingfoot
Sizes: S-XXL
Weight: 1.98 lbs
Material: Tricot 3-layer fabric
Pros
- Durable three-layer build
- Waterproof and breathable material
- Keeps you dry from the outside and inside
- Internal waist-high pocket for valuables and gear
- Lightweight and packable
- Great value for the money
- Comfortable to wear
- Includes gravel guards
Cons
- The sizing is a little off
- Not the best mobility
- Don’t breathe as well as others
The Kylebooker Breathable Stockingfoot Wading Pants are the best waders in the article to buy if you are shopping on a tight budget. These waders are certainly not the best wader pants in this article but they get the job done for a very cheap price.
This pair of waders are made from three layers of material which makes them breathable, waterproof, and quite durable too.
The three-layer design ensures you stay dry in every direction but the one issue with these is that they don’t breathe particularly well so you will probably end up sweating a lot when fishing on a hot day.
These waders also feature an internal zipper pocket for any gear or valuables you want to keep safe while fishing, gravel guards to stop debris from getting in your boots, lace hooks to keep them in place, and they are comfy to wear.
Being stockingfoot waders, they are super light, pack down small, and are much more portable than a pair of heavy neoprene waders or a wader with hip boots.
There are some cons to these fishing waders though, and there had to be considering how affordable they are.
As I already mentioned, they don’t breathe too well and you might get sweaty and overheat when fishing on a hot day, they don’t offer very good mobility either, and getting the right sizes isn’t so easy.
But, for the price, one might be able to deal with all these cons while fishing, especially if you don’t go fishing very often.
What Do I Need To Think About When Looking For Waders?
There are quite a few things to think about when it comes to shopping for waders and one of the most important is breathability and the durability of the waterproofing.
Wading takes its toll on waders and a poor quality pair will wear out quickly and you will be sweaty, wet, and uncomfortable very quickly.
Unfortunately, you can’t get around price vs quality when it comes to waders as they are quite technical bits of gear. I would therefore not recommend scrimping on your wader pants as if you do, chances are you will have to buy another pair the season after.
It is best to pay a little more money upfront as an investment for a pair of waders that will last 5 years or more instead of replacing cheap ones every year.
Should I Choose Pant Waders Over Chest Waders?
Yes, but only if you fish in shallow streams only or in the warmer months. Otherwise, you should own a pair of chest waders first and then a pair of pants waders too.
Fishing in chest waders in hotter months is a steamy affair and they are less comfortable too when walking, so having some pants waders for these occasions is highly recommended.
Wading Out
Thanks very much for reading my article. I hope you enjoyed it and have found the right waders for you in the article.
Now, waders and how much one likes them comes very much down to personal preference but if there is one thing I know it is that you should not scrimp on waders as the cheaper ones tend to leak quickly and no one want’s to fish in leaky waders.
Please share the article with your fishing buddies as everyone needs some wader pants for the warmer part of the season and those shallow streams too. Also. why not check out some of our other articles, we cover everything from great fly gear to tactics and more.