If you are in the market for a new pair of surf fishing waders, look no further. In this article, I’ll share 6 of the best waders for fishing currently on the market. I will also explain how to choose fly fishing waders. We will look at different material types, lengths, and boot options.
Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|
Best OverallSimms G3 Guide Wader |
| Check Today's Price | |
Most DurableOrvis Pro Wader |
| Check Today's Price | |
Best BudgetRedington Sonic Pro Wader |
| Check Today's Price |
Contents
ToggleDetailed Best Waders for Surf Fishing Review
Below, we feature some of our favorite waders for surf fly fishing.
Simms G3 Guide Wader
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Key Features:
- Price: $549.95
- Material: Gore-Tex Pro Shell 3-layer upper and 4-layer lower
- Foot Style: Stockingfoot
- Inseam Sizes: Short, Regular, and Long
- Sizes available: S – XXL
- Weight: 45 ounces
- Warranty: 1 Year
The Simms G3 guide wader is the most expensive option on our list. Gore-Tex is a costly material, but it is an excellent breathable and waterproof fabric. The wader is available in two color variants, namely Shadow Green and Cinder.
All Simms waders are of the stocking foot type, they do not make fishing boots waders, so remember that you still need to buy an extra pair of boots before you can get on the water. The wader has three chest pockets and a hand-warming pouch.
The inside of the chest portion has a zip, where you can attach Simms’ Tippet Tender or Waterproof Wader Pouch.
I recommend these waders for the angler who spends a great deal of time fly fishing in the surf and wants the assurance that, should anything go wrong, they can have it repaired or replaced. You can also take a look at these simms guide waders if you’re looking for another option.
Orvis Pro Wader
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Key Features:
- Price: $498
- Material: Cordura fabric 4-layer upper and 5-layer lower
- Foot Style: Stockingfoot
- Inseam Sizes: Regular, Short, Long, and Extra Long
- Sizes available: S – XXL
- Weight: 48 ounces
- Warranty: Will replace the waders or refund your money within 60 days. After that, Orvis will repair waders for a $40 charge.
The Pro Waders are Orvis’ most advanced waders for surf fishing. The 5-layer fabric construction at the bottom of the waders makes them very durable and puncture-resistant. They boot are only available in stockingfoot models, so remember to budget for this additional cost.
These waders have ample storage on the chest and feature a hand-warming pocket for cold days. They also have a small fly pouch positioned on the left, which can be used for replacing flies or allowing flies to dry.
Overall, these are a great surf fishing wader that will serve you for many seasons. You can also check out the orvis encounter waders if you want more options from Orvis.
Redington Sonic Pro Wader
Check Trident Fly Fishing Price
Key Features:
- Price: $349.99
- Material: 4-layer breathable fabric
- Foot Style: Stockingfoot
- Inseam Sizes: Short, Long, and King
- Sizes available: S – XXL
- Weight: Not disclosed
- Warranty: 1 Year warranty against defects in material and craftsmanship
The Redington Sonic Pro waders are available as both a men’s and women’s wader. They have a 4-layer waterproof, breathable material making them lightweight and comfortable to wear. There are no funny gimmicks or accessories on these waders. They simple waders for surf and they do what they need to do well.
The chest has a large zippered pocket with a reach-through hand-warming pouch. The men’s version has a brown/tan color combination, whereas the women’s features blue accents.
You can see our full redington sonic pro waders review here for a more details.
Cabela’s Spring Run Bootfoot Chest Waders
Features:
- Price: $179.99
- Material: 5mm neoprene
- Foot Style: Bootfoot (available in felt and rubber soles)
The Cabela’s Spring Run wader is made from heavy-duty neoprene. The waders only come in a boot foot style but both rubber and felt soles options are available. The knees are well reinforced, giving the angler comfort and wader durability.
The Spring Run waders have ample chest storage pockets, making them perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to carry a backpack or fishing vest with them.
These waders are very warm, and I only recommend them to anglers fishing in the coldest surf fishing scenarios.
Caddis Northern Guide Wader
Available Here:
Features:
- Price: from $189
- Material: 240 Denier Polyester Material
- Foot Style: Bootfoot and stockingfoot
- Inseam Sizes: Standard, Stout, Long, and Short Stout
- Sizes available: S – XXL
- Weight: Not disclosed
- Warranty: 1 year from the date of purchase against any defects in material and workmanship
The Caddis Northern Guide wader is available in both a stocking foot and boot foot model. The stocking foot model is available in a wide range of sizes and fits, which makes it possible to find one that suits your body perfectly.
These Caddis waders offer great value for money and come with a one year warranty. These waders are an excellent choice for anglers who spend 20 days or less per season in the surf.
You can see our post caddis waders review so you can have a wide selection of waders from caddis.
Frogg Toggs Steelheader Reinforced Insulated Wader
Available Here:
Features:
- Price: from $269.99
- Material: 4-ply nylon upper with reinforced knees and seat
- Foot Style: Bootfoot
- Inseam Sizes: N/A as this is a bootfoot
- Sizes available: Boot sizes from 8 – 14
- Weight: Not disclosed
- Warranty: 1 year from the date of purchase against any defects in material and workmanship
The Frogg Toggs Steelheader boots are only available in boot foot models. Similar to the Cabela’s wader mentioned above, they are available in both rubber and felt soles. The waders come with a removable insulated liner, making them very versatile. The rubber boots are insulated with 1200 gram Thinsulate, which adds cold water comfort. The Steelheader is just one of the many frogg togg waders that the brand has to offer.
How to Choose a Wader for surf fishing
When you are choosing a wader for surf fishing, It is essential to understand what wader options you have before you invest in a pair. Below, I go through and give my recommendations for the most popular materials, foot styles, and lengths for surf fishing waders.
I won’t tell exactly which one you should buy, but I will help you make a well-informed decision.
What is the best material for surf fishing waders?
The best material for surf fishing waders is the material that best suits your need as a fisherman. Fishing wader manufacturers use several materials to construct waders. These fabrics include neoprene, nylon, PVC, and advanced breathable materials.
Let’s look into each material, going through each option’s advantages, disadvantages, and who should buy them.
Nylon/PVC waders
Nylon and PVC waders have long been the best choice if you’re in the market for an inexpensive pair of waders. They are very light and comfortable to wear. However, since breathable waders have become more affordable, I would always recommend breathable over Nylon and PVC.
Pros:
- Probably the most significant advantage of Nylon and PVC waders is that they are inexpensive
- They are lightweight compared to neoprene
Cons:
- They get damaged very easily. Nylon and PVC waders do not last long
- Nylon and PVC waders are not breathable, making them uncomfortable to wear in mild and warm climates
Neoprene waders
For many years, neoprene was the primary material used in wader construction. The advent of new materials has converted many anglers away from this trusty fabric, but neoprene still has its place.
I recommend neoprene waders for fly fishing, for anglers regularly fishing in icy conditions. For all other applications, breathable waders are superior.
Pros:
- Neoprene waders are very durable and offer the user some cushioning when kneeling on rocks
- They are available in thicknesses ranging from 2 – 7mm. Manufacturers often offer insulated neoprene to give it even more protection against cold climates.
- Relatively inexpensive compared to breathable fabrics.
Cons:
- Neoprene can be incredibly uncomfortable to wear in warmer climates.
- Neoprene waders are heavy
- The waders are bulky and can be difficult to move in
Breathable Material waders
Breathable surf fishing waders range from sub-$100 to over $800. Every manufacturer calls the material they use something else. In essence, the breathable material waders are made of layered fabric that allows small molecules to pass from within the wader to the outside and prevent large water molecules from entering. I recommend these waders to 99% of all anglers as they are comfortable to wear and durable if looked after properly. You should also consider on what do you wear under waders, it’s as important as picking the right waders for you so you can perform at your best.
Pros:
- Premium breathable waders are expensive. However, there are many inexpensive options on the market that present excellent value for the money.
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear.
- They allow moisture to escape from within the wader. This only counts for a bit of sweat — they will not dry out water that has accidentally spalshed in.
Cons:
- They need to be looked after well to keep them waterproof and breathable.
What is the best foot style for surf fishing waders?
Surf fishing waders come in two different foot styles: Bootfoot and stocking foot waders. Each has its distinct advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look at what option is right for you.
Boot foot waders
As the name suggests boot foot fishing waders are made with an integrated, or built-in boot.
They are a one piece design.
Bootfoot waders are an excellent choice for surf fishing. They prevent sand and small rocks from getting into the boot and ensure that you stay dry. The only downside is that boots are limited to standard rubber soles. Keep this in mind when wading in slippery conditions.
Note: Some manufacturers of waders with boots offer a stud kit for rubber boots that significantly improve their traction in slippery conditions.
Pros:
- A complete boot and wader combination means that you don’t have to buy a separate set of boots
- No debris can get into your boot
- You can’t forget your wading shoes at home (I’ve been there, done that, I got the t-shirt)
Cons:
- Boot foot waders are bulky to transport
You have to buy fishing waders with boots according to your boot size, so a tailored fit is not possible - You cannot adapt the fishing boot waders traction requirements to best match a section of water
- The boots do not offer the same level of ankle support that a proper pair of wading boots do
Stocking foot waders
Stockingfoot waders are my personal favorite for surf fishing because they allow you to fit the perfect wader and boot combination to your needs. If you are fishing in an area that has slippery rocks, you can easily simply swap out your wading shoes for a pair with felt soles.
Pros:
- The stocking foot waders and boots are bought independently from one another, which makes it possible to size each one correctly.
- If you choose stocking foot waders, you can buy seperate boots in a variety of sole options, which includes felt, rubber, and various cleated options
Cons:
- The angler needs to buy stocking foot waders and wading boots separately
- It takes longer to get ready for the water
- If the gravel guards are inefficient, the boots will allow sand and debris to enter. However, I must say that I’ve always found the integrated gravel guards on waders to work well.
What is the best length for surf fishing waders?
An essential consideration when buying a pair of waders for surf fishing is the length. Waders come in chest and waist lengths. Choosing the best pair of waders will keep you comfortable and safe, warm and dry on the water.
Waist Waders
Waist waders are best for the angler that generally doesn’t wade but needs something to keep his/her feet and legs dry should they accidentally step in the water. In my opinion, that’s the only logical application for these waders.
I do not recommend them for surf fishing at all. Even in shallow surf conditions, you have the risk of water splashing up from rocks.
Pros:
- Very light and comfortable to wear
- Perfect for warm days spent fishing in cold water
- Slightly cheaper because there is less material used
- Easy and quick to remove when nature calls
Cons:
- In many cases, waist-length waders do not have storage pockets
- Limits the depth of water you can enter
Chest Waders
Chest waders are the best waders for surf fishing. It will keep you warm dry and allow you to enter slightly deeper water. These waders will also keep you warm in cold climates. For you gear minimalists out there, chest waders provide enough storage space for a fly box, a couple of spools of tippet, your car keys, and a cell phone.
Remember to place these in a waterproof pouch as most chest waders for surf fishing claim to have a waterproof chest pocket, but in fact, they dont.
Pros:
- Storage pockets and hand-warming pouches located on the angler’s chest
- Can fish much deeper water
Cons:
- It takes some time to take them off. However, there are zippered options available dedicated to both men and women.
- Slightly more expensive than waist waders
Do surf fishing waders come with a warranty?
Anglers expect waders to handle a great deal of punishment. You wear them while plowing through thick bankside vegetation and scuff them over rocks when wading in the surf. The best waders for surf fishing need to handle this abuse while keeping us dry, warm, and comfortable.
I am not aware of any brand that offers more than one year of warranty on their surf fishing waders. Although this might sound short, buy the best waders you can afford. It’s still a good idea to go for a well-known brand that is reputable for having a warranty and trustworthy after-sales service.
Conclusion
In this review, we had a look at a wide range of the best waders for surf. I hope that it got the point across that you don’t need to spend $500+ to get a good set. Don’t get me wrong, premium Simms and Orvis waders are exceptional waders for surf fishing, but, how many of us genuinely want to spend that amount on a semi-disposable kit?
If you found this article insightful, please share it with your fellow anglers and friends looking for the best waders for surf fishing — I am sure they will appreciate it.