Best Waders for Fishing in Winter

A great way to spend that holiday gift card!

Now that we’re rapidly winding down December, it is time for one of my all-time favorite fishing activities – Steelhead fishing in the river. I used to go with a buddy in his nice, heated riverboat, but he decided to up and sell it on me. The nerve of some people! That meant I had to join the guys grinding it out along the edges of the river. My wife thought I was nuts the first time I came home from the river. My waders were frozen and could actually stand up without me in them. Winter fly fishing can be fun and rewarding. There is definitely something intriguing about facing the elements head on, and enjoying the quiet solitude of a river as the snow falls. It helps that the fishing can be fantastic, and with the river to yourself… Well, you get the idea. What you need to have is the best waders for fishing in the winter, so you enjoy the moment, rather than just living through it.

It starts with waders

Since my friend sold the boat, I’m relegated to waders until I can convince my wife that we need our own river boat. If you’re a duck hunter, you already have a good place to start with your hunting waders. Many of you might think that warmth is the most important factor in winter waders, and it is important, just not quite as much as durability. All the warmth a wader can muster won’t matter if the waders leak. That was always a concern with neoprene. It isn’t exactly what I would call durable on its own. I’ve owned a lot of different pairs of waders over the years.

Cover photo: Shutterstock/Cliff

1. Drake Guardian Elite - Most Extreme 2. Simms G4 Pro - Professional Level 3. Orvis PRO 4. Lacrosse Men's Brush Tuff Extreme ATS 5. Hodgman Aesis Sonic Zip Bang for the Buck The Importance of Layering Caring for Your Waders

1. Drake Guardian Elite - Most Extreme

SALE

My current favorite for warmth are Drake Guardian Elites. These waders have a tear-away liner core that adds a ton of warmth, yet it can be removed without taking the waders off. The lower part of the wader is extremely durable so you can work through brush, river banks, ice and more without worrying about punctures or tears as much as you might with other materials. The boots have 1,600-grams of Thinsulate insulation. These waders also have a waterproof, seam-sealed zipper for when nature calls. It also helps in getting them off, which can be brutal after a long trip in the cold water.

Pros/Adjustable warmth and extreme durability

Cons/Not very good for warm weather use

Bottom Line/Extreme protection from cold and abuse

Check Price

2. Simms G4 Pro - Professional Level

SALE

These waders are built for the serious angler. They are extremely lightweight and flexible. They aren’t insulated, but you can layer up underneath them. The waders have a three-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell upper with a four-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell lower. This helps these waders to be tough as nails while still being breathable and flexible. The nice thing with these waders is that you can use them year round. If you spend as much time as possible standing in a river, these are the waders you need. Yes, they are a little pricey, but if it is the last pair of waders you need to buy, it’s worth it.

Pros/Tough, durable year-round waders

Cons/Price

Bottom Line/Maybe the last waders you'd ever need to buy

Check Price

3. Orvis PRO

SALE

I have a buddy who guides on several rivers. He is brutal on his equipment, even before he was a guide because he is a grinder. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, or the water conditions, he is fishing, either with a client, or just for fun. He went through a lot of waders before he got a set of Orvis PRO series. These waders have an extremely durable, four-layer Cordura fabric shell in the upper and a five-layer Cordura fabric shell in the lower legs that is exclusive to Orvis. The waders have knee pads for landing big fish on the shoreline and gravel guards to help keep water and gravel from building up on the legs. The waders are lined to help make the comfortable and easy to get on and off. If you spend a lot of time in the water, any time of year, you should look at these waders.

Pros/Tested tough

Cons/Order up in size for layering

Bottom Line/What a lot of guides wear

Check Price

4. Lacrosse Men's Brush Tuff Extreme ATS

SALE

I’ve owned several pairs of Lacrosse waders over the years and have always been impressed. They fit great, hold up well and are comfortable. Being a duck hunting wader, the Brush Tuff is exactly that – built to handle harsh conditions. They are made with 5mm neoprene that is fleece lined for extra warmth. The outer part of the waders have a mix of lycra and spandex to keep them flexible and resist tears. The knees have a layer of polyurethane protection to make them even more durable. They have 1,600 grams of Thinsulate in the boot. They are tough as nails and are a great rough weather wader.

Pros/Durable, warm and low priced!

Cons/Not for warm-weather use

Bottom Line/A great wader at a great price

Check Price

5. Hodgman Aesis Sonic Zip Bang for the Buck

SALE

Looking for bang for the buck? Hodgeman has you covered with the Aesis Sonic-Zip. These waders are tough enough for serious angling in the harshest conditions, and have the convenience of a waterproof zipper to make getting in and out easier. Made from tough four-layer construction, with an extra layer in the seat and wear areas, these waders have a 5mm neoprene booty and have an available insulation liner to help with cold water fishing.

Pros/A lot of flexibility for the money

Cons/None

Bottom Line/Features you'd pay more for from other brands

Check Price

The Importance of Layering

When you’re fishing in cold water, you need to layer, regardless of the waders you’re wearing. I’ll often go up a size in bootfoot waders just so I can add thicker socks. It’s best to start with a thin base layer for moisture wicking, and then have an insulating layer of fleece. The biggest reason to layer is to protect you from hypothermia. You can go past the level of cold that your body can take without being aware of it.

Don’t be afraid to come ashore and take layers off if you’re too warm. If you overheat, you sweat, and sweat can cause you to get colder faster.

Caring for Your Waders

The waders in this article are not cheap, so you will want to take care of them. A study set of boot hangers works great. Mount it high on the wall and then hang your waders upside down. This lets the inside of the waders dry fully and any moisture inside the waders dries, too. Neoprene likes to be out of the light, as UV breaks down the rubber fabric over time. Dark places like a closet or basement is best. Heat is also your enemy here.

Never store waders long term when they’re dirty. Mild detergents are best and always handwash. Make sure they dry fully, too. This goes for all waders. It’s also a good time to check for tears, leaks or more. A good way to repair neoprene waders is by sealing the hole with Goop, or another product, and then placing a patch or duct tape on both sides of the tear. I like Gorilla tape. It holds well and you don’t need much.

Derrek Sigler

Derrek Sigler has been a professional outdoor writer for more than two decades since earning his Master’s Degree in creative writing with a thesis about fishing humor. But if you ask anyone that knows him, he’s been telling fishin’ stories since he was old enough to hold a pole. He has written for Cabela’s and served as editorial director for Gun Digest books. Over the years, he has also written for Petersen’s Hunting, North American Whitetail Magazine, Wildfowl, Grand View Media, and has worked with Bass Pro Shops, Hard Core Brands and Bone Collector. Successful Farming had him write for their magazine and he has appeared on their TV show to discuss hunting and ATVs on multiple occasions. He writes about the things he loves - hunting, fishing, camping, trucks, ATVs, boating, snowmobiles and the outdoor lifestyle he enjoys with his family in their home state of Michigan and more as they adventure around North America.

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.