The Best Women’s Waders
Move over, men’s waders – there’s a huge revolution afoot in women’s waders. Add fit, features, style, and color to quality materials and construction, and women’s fishing waders are taking the market by storm. Not to mention making it easier to wade into deeper waters for a good fly fishing catch. Check out these best fishing waders for women.
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Overview
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Many modern-day female anglers grew up with only the same waders as their brothers and dads had to choose from. Today, there are an increasingly wide variety of waders for women that offer not only protection and comfort, but suitability to every female angler’s needs and preferences as well. This article covers the top waders we think are the overall best in the market.
How To Choose The Best Fishing Waders
What makes the best fishing waders the best, what should you look for? There are several factors to consider when choosing the most suitable wader for you. These factors include whether the brand is proven in waders overall, features, fit, style, colors, material, design, construction, durability, and of course price.
For women anglers, style can be a key factor to consider when choosing a wader. Some brands styles are similar to their male counterparts, while others have completely redesigned the look and feel for women.
For many years the focus was on creating the best breathable-while-still-waterproof materials. Waders now come with many accessory features beyond waterproof materials, such as smart pockets (for more easily finding your tools), fleece lined pockets, more versatile adjustable straps, different colors and sizes. Of course, the more and better features you want, in general the higher the price goes. But, for standing hours in the water, durability and comfort should never be compromised.
Summary of Reviews – Best Women’s Waders
The waders we recommend in this article are summarized in the outline and table below, followed by detailed reviews.
PRACTICAL ($130 – $175)
BEST VALUE ($180 – $300)
HIGH END ($400 – $600)
For a description of how we arrive at our ratings for womens waders for fishing, read our article on “Ultimate Guide To The Best Fishing Waders”. For the most part we present gear in the Practical, Best Value, and High End categories, excluding Cheap and Outrageous.
To get the best long-term value out of your investment in quality waders, be sure to also read our sections in the article referenced above on storing and caring for your waders. We cover detailed tips specific to different wader types, such as breathable versus neoprene.
Comparison of Specifications and Features
We want you to know exactly what you are getting for your money, for each value rating, at each price point. So, our team has undertaken a lot of effort to assemble a detailed comparison of the waders specifications and features. Buying online is convenient, but we also want you to have a full view into exactly what you are getting, beyond the marketing pitch that comes on the manufacturer’s website or online retailers.
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Detailed Reviews of Best Women’s Waders
Each of our reviews is accompanied by a product snapshot so you can see all of the information you need in one place.
Caddis Women’s Teal Deluxe Chest Waders
Caddis is now a strong player in the market, by combining a chic design with CaddisDry breathable technology, strength, and durability. Their wader design boasts odor prevention, hand warmer pockets, and other features.
Features:
- Polyester material that features CaddisDry breathable technology
- Several pockets with hand warmer
- Taped, glued, and stitched tapes
- Double layered knees for proper reinforcement
- Suspenders that can be adjusted
Made from premium polyester, the Caddis Women’s Teal Deluxe Waders are known for their strength and durability. This womens wader can withstand even the most unfriendly fishing environment without getting scratches. Plus, it has a chic design that allows you to stay fashionable even when you’re in the water. Who wouldn’t want to catch their trophy fish in this stunning, teal wader? It has adjustable suspenders that makes it easy to wear.
Caddis Dry Technology makes this wader breathable so you don’t have to worry about getting soaked with sweat during warm days.
PROS
- Breathable and comfortable to wear
- Durable yet elegant
- Odor-preventive due to Caddis Dry Technology
- Ideal for various weather conditions
- Plenty of pockets for storage
CONS
- Heavy material can cause discomfort when worn for long hours
Redington Women’s Willow River Waders
If you are looking for a combination of durability and comfort, at a reasonable cost, the Redington Willow River waders for women are for you. You are virtually guaranteed comfort with its water-resistant zip pocket, reinforced knees, and neoprene boots to keep your tootsies warm even while most of the waders are breathable. For the cost, Redington waders bring a lot to the table.
Features:
- Neoprene boots that provide adequate insulation
- Zip pocket with water-resistant quality
- Pockets lined with fleece
- Triple layers of 100% nylon material
The Redington Women’s Willow River Waders guarantee comfort with its water-resistant zip pocket, reinforced knees, and neoprene boots, among other practical features. It is also highly-durable since it is made from three layers of 100% nylon material. Don’t worry about venturing into cooler waters because the high-density neoprene booties will keep you warm. This design is a nice departure from needing to buy 100% neoprene waders to keep your feet warm, which on many days will make your upper body sweat when it doesn’t need to.
PROS
- Durable
- Comfortable to wear for hours
CONS
- Only comes in gray color
Simms Tributary Stockingfoot Waders for Ladies
Simms designed its Tributary Stockingfoot waders for women with the adventurous female angler in mind. The cut and fit allows women to comfortably move through water, making it a strong choice for pros and beginners alike.
Features:
- Made of waterproof nylon, with a triple layer upper portion (thigh height and above) and quad-layer lower portion for extra durability
- Fleece-lined pockets for ample warmth
- Neoprene stocking feet with anti-microbial qualities to assure feet warmth in all water conditions
- Built-in gravel guard, that fits tightly with a gathered elastic bottom hem
- Non-stretch, woven nylon waist belt supported by two belt loops
The purpose for manufacturing Simms waders with multi-layered materials is to provide extra protection from the water and elements. What’s more, it has an anti-microbial finish that prevents bad odors, fungi, and mildew. It also features front-zippered smart pockets and fleece-lined inner pockets. Like several other brands, the neoprene booties give you warmth without having to buy a full-body womens neoprene waders. Put it all together, and Simms womens waders are among the most popular available.
PROS
- Lightweight, weighing in at 1.84 pounds (average across a range of sizes)
- Anti-microbial finish to combat unsightly fungi and mildew and combat odors
- Offers great comfort with its female-specific fit
- Smart pockets for tools
- Material keeps wearer clean and dry
- Warranty guarantees product repair in case of manufacturing damage
CONS
- Limited sizes available
- Water can get into the chest pockets
Orvis Women’s Ultralight Convertible Waders
Relatively new and specifically designed for women, the Orvis Women’s Ultralight Convertible Waders have become a popular choice and are among the best fishing waders in the angling community. This ultralight wader features adjustable suspenders that can easily convert the whole piece into a waist-high wader depending on the wearer’s needs – a nice versatile option to have on a warm day in lieu of hip waders. Although lightweight, this wader is made with four layers of material including polyurethane, that will help you warm even during cold days. Orvis waders in general have traditionally always been of high quality and value for the cost, giving the Orvis womens waders a leg up in their newer specific designs for women.
Features
- Quad layer breathable and waterproof nylon shell fabric
- Fidlock Snap magnetic fasteners for effortless and quick waist-high conversion
- Less water collection and drag, thanks to the integrated neoprene gravel guard
- External storage pocket with water-resistant zipper
- Low profile belt loops featuring a 1.5” stretch belt
PROS
- Lightweight
- Versatile conversion to waist high waders
- Smart pockets for tools
- Wide range of sizes and fit
- Suitable for all weather conditions
CONS
- Not enough pockets as some other brands and models
- Pockets may not warm your hands adequately
Patagonia Women’s Spring River Waders
For the woman angler who stays in the water for hours and hours, the Spring River Wader is your go-to gear. Featuring a waist-mounted EZ-Lock suspender, you can easily lower your suit to waist level on warmer days. In addition to that, it has an innovative rear buckle system that makes it easier to take bathroom breaks so you can stay focused on the fishing! Perhaps even better, are that the booties line-up perfectly with poly-grid and quick-draining flat-panel gravel guards. Pricier than many of the other models above, you can count on Patagonia for some of the best womens waders period.
Features
- Polyester microfiber shell with waterproof and breathable barrier
- EZ-lock suspenders for quick and effortless chest to waist conversion
- Reach-through handwarmer pocket
- Poly-grid lined and sock-like fitted booties
- Interior welded TPU-waterproof pocket
PROS
- Easy to wear
- Super comfortable
- Comes in 21 different sizes and fits
CONS
- Insufficient pockets compared to other brands
- Pricier compared to other women’s waders
Simms Women’s G3 Guide Waders
Simms’ G3 Guide Waders guarantee durability and comfort especially when fishing in the cold as it is made from a thick layer of GORE-TEX G3 material. These super-reliable waders provide better coverage with a scalloped top opening that fits higher in the chest and lower at the back. It has zippered chest pockets where you can easily reach necessary tools. This is the most dependable wader for those hard-working anglers, a testimony to the quality designed into Simms womens waders. If you are looking for the best fishing waders money can buy, these and Patagonia are at the top.
Features:
- Breathable, durable, and comfortable GORE-TEX material
- Waterproof side zipper
- Fleece-lined, reach-through hand warmer pocket
- Built-in gravel guards with boot hook
- Dual-fit suspender with anchor points specifically designed for women
PROS
- Comfortable
- Warm
- Wide variety of sizes
CONS
- Not very stylish
- Bulky
- Expensive compared to other brands of waders
Summary of Best Fishing Waders
Just a few years back, only generic waders or those designed specifically for men were available in the market. Today, manufacturers have used advancements in technology to serve the quickly increasing number of female anglers, with an expanding set of offerings designed specifically for women.
In particular, by tailoring the fit and cut, the best womens waders designs allow you to stay more comfortable under warm or cold weather conditions. Well beyond what was ever offered before, the growing number of style and color options let you express your personality even when in the water.
We hope that our list of recommended best fishing waders for women help you choose the right one for you. Look for an upcoming updated with women’s neoprene waders. Whether or not you buy a new pair, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide To Waders. This thorough articles has more details about choosing, storing, and caring for your waders, with specific tips for breathable waders compared to womens neoprene waders, to help them last as long as possible.
FAQs
How do I choose the right size waders?
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Which chest waders are the best?
For womens chest waders we recommend:
- Caddis Women’s Teal Deluxe Chest Waders
- Redington Women’s Willow River Waders
- Simms Tributary Stockingfoot Waders for Women
- Orvis Women’s Ultralight Convertible Wader
- Patagonia Women’s Spring River Waders
- Simms Women’s G3 Guide Waders
Are Simms waders worth the money?
While many people feel Simms waders and Patagonia waders are expensive, we believe it depends on your usage. If you are investing in travel, you’re a guide, or you fly fish routinely, then the higher price to pay may be worth paying for higher quality. Let’s face it, high-end waders like Simms do cost a chunk of change. Not inexpensive, but if the quality and features are worth it to you, then it makes sense to purchase high-end waders.
What do you wear under waders?
While it certainly depends on whether you are fishing in warm vs. cold weather, some guidelines may be helpful. Try to wear breathable clothing, that won’t get damp and clammy like cotton will. Always have a wading jacket you can wear if weather turns inclement, especially a hooded and insulated jacket if needed. Consider a fleece sweater as a midlayer if it’s really cold, or to wear by itself on cooler days without wind or rain. Of course, if you are steelheading in the winter, just to mention one extreme, you’ll want leggings or long underwear and thick (but not too tight) socks.
Are waders safe?
Waders come with their risks, because they can fill up with water if you fall in, and be hard to swim to safety. Be sure to follow safe wading practices, including wearing a wading belt, using a wading staff, always fish with a friend, and test each step before you commit to it.