Are you a fan of saltwater fishing?
Maybe you are an avid Surf Fisher who stands out in the breakers for hours on end, or perhaps you prefer to fish the deep saltwater channels inshore. Or maybe you are lucky enough to have a saltwater estuary nearby that you like to stand in to fish.
Whatever your situation, if you are standing in the sea you need to be wearing the best saltwater waders to protect you from the elements.
Saltwater Waders do much more than just keep you dry, don’t underestimate their usefulness!
- They keep you warm when the water is icy
- They stop jellyfish from rubbing up against you while waiting for the fish to bite
- They keep objects like glass (or others’ fishing hooks!) from cutting into your legs
If you’re fishing near (or in!) the ocean then waders really are a must have item.
No one wants to come back from their day fishing with a case of hypothermia, cut up legs or stings from those nasty jellies.
Let’s take a look at some of the best saltwater waders on the market so you can keep yourself well protected in the water.
Table of Contents
The Top Saltwater Waders of 2023
1. Simms Tributary Stockingfoot Waterproof Chest Waders
- DESIGN – Our Mens Tributary Stockingfoot wader offers a breathable and waterproof 3-Layer upper and 4-Layer lower. Built with proven Simms durability, these dry, breathable fly fishing chest waders promote natural mobility while you negotiate steep trails and deep rivers
- PERFORMANCE – Great for any season. Suspenders and opposing male and female buckles allow a quick waist high conversion for the warm days on the water. Plus a reach-through fleece lined hand warmer pocket for trips in the cold season
- UTILITY AND CONVENIENT – Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet. Equipped with two belt loops with 38 mm nylon waist belt, a reach-through fleece-lined hand warmer pocket, and a front zippered top stash pocket for keeping tools and fishing tackle within close range.
- COMFORT – Stay active, stay comfortable – why compromise? Fishing waders come with a self-fabric gravel guard and gathered elastic bottom hem - designed to improve articulation and mobility
- THE SIMMS WADER WARRANTY: If your wader leaks in the first 60 days of ownership, you may return it to Simms for a replacement of the same model and size. If your wader leaks within the first year of ownership, we’ll repair Simms will repair it at no charge. If your wader is in need of repair after your first year of ownership, Simms charges a flat fee of $60 for evaluation, repair, testing of repairs and return shipping back to you
Simms Tributary Stockingfoot Waterproof Chest Waders are durable and breathable waterproof chest waders that will keep you dry whether you’re fishing in saltwater creeks or pounding surf.
These saltwater waders have suspenders that can fold down to become waist high waders when the weather gets too hot for chest high waders.
On colder days you are going to love the fleece lined pocket that Simms have put in place especially to keep your hands warm.
The front zippered pocket allows you to keep your jigs and tools close at hand, while keeping them protected from the saltwater.
The Tributary Waders come in a wide variety of sizes – both shoe and pant length – so you will be able to find the perfect fit for your body type.
2. Compass 360 Tailwater Stockingfoot Breathable Chest Waders
- DESIGN – Made with premium, highly water resistant, breathable, 4 and 6 layer fabric. Seam tape and Durable Water Resistance coating. Durable 6-ply wrapping on lower ¾ of leg. Single crotch seam with no leg inseam.
- FEATURES/BENEFITS – Made with contour fit, double taped, 4mm 100% neoprene booties that provide warmth, protection, and comfort for your feet. 4-layer, abrasion resistant gravel guards with lace hooks designed to keep rocks and debris out of your shoes.
- EXTRAS – 4-in-1 B.A.P. with zippered pass through and box pockets. Flip out storage pocket. Equipped with belt loops and durable wading belt with quick release buckle. Built with an adjustable chest drawcord and fully adjustable elastic suspenders.
- WADER CARE – Let your wader dry completely between uses if at all possible. Wash wader with cold soapy water. NEVER put your wader in the dryer. It is best to store your waders in a cool, dry place by hanging them from the feet instead of the suspenders.
- WARRANTY – Compass 360 products are covered for one year from the date of purchase against manufacturer’s defects.
Compass 360 Tailwater Stockingfoot Breathable Chest Waders are made with premium water resistant fabric with seam tape on all seams and a water resistance coating. The water isn’t going to get through these babies!
The pants come with a single crotch seam to alleviate any chafing issues you get with your typical inseam designs. If you suffer from chafing these waders are for you!
The 6 layer leg fabric is articulated which both reduces the chance of punctures, while allowing you to move freely so you can cast further out over the surf.
The Tailwater is known for its 4 in 1 BIG A** POCKET (BAP) that includes a flip out pocket for your electronics, so you can safely keep your phone on you while out in the saltwater.
3. Hodgman Caster Neoprene Cleated Bootfoot Chest Waders
- Reinforced double layer knees
- Top entry pocket with fleece lined hand warmer pocket
- 200g Thinsulate rubber boot with cleated sole
- Rear D-ring for net
- Two front D-rings for accessory attachment
- Y-back elastic suspender straps with opposing buckles
- Internal pocket included
Hodgman Caster Neoprene Cleated Bootfoot Chest Waders have a 3.5mm neoprene shell to keep you warm on those icy days. If you tend to feel the cold in your bones you’ll want to have a pair of neoprene waders!
These saltwater waders have cleated soles so you can safely walk across rocks and debris to get to your fishing spot.
The Caster is a Boot Foot wader that comes in shoe sizes from size 7 up to size 13, so you can find the perfect fit for your foot
4. Simms Freestone Waterproof Stockingfoot Chest Waders
- MEN’S STOCKINGFOOT HEAVY DUTY WADERS: The SIMMS Men’s Waders handle brushy approaches and cold wet weather, while the articulated fit promotes natural mobility both on the trail and in the water. These waders come with a 38 mm adjustable nylon waist belt, 5 belt loops, Duraflex buckles, and adjustable shoulder straps. The approximate weight of the durable waders is 38 oz./1077 g.
- MULTI-LAYERED TORAY QUADRALAM TECHNOLOGY: The Toray fabric technology was developed specifically for fishing waders. The QuadraLam fabric featured in the SIMMS Freestone waders is a heavy-duty engineered fabric with a micro-porous waterproof coating. It utilizes 2-layer coated fabric, a single membrane layer and a tricot backer to offer improved durability. These 4 layers are waterproof and breathable, ensuring you will stay warm, dry, and cool all day long.
- CONVENIENT POCKETS: The waterproof waders feature a reach-through fleece-lined hand warmer chest pocket for chilly days. The front of the waders also includes a zippered top stash pocket for keeping tools, fly boxes, and lures within reach.
- NEOPRENE STOCKING FOOT WITH GRAVEL GUARDS: These stockingfoot waders have a built-in self-fabric gravel guard with an elastic bottom hem. The booties are made from anatomically engineered neoprene.
- THE SIMMS WADER WARRANTY: If your wader leaks in the first 60 days of ownership, you may return it to Simms for a replacement of the same model and size. If your wader leaks within the first year of ownership, we’ll repair Simms will repair it at no charge. If your wader is in need of repair after your first year of ownership, Simms charges a flat fee of $60 for evaluation, repair, testing of repairs and return shipping back to you
Simms Freestone Waterproof Stockingfoot Chest Waders are heavy duty waders for when you need to trek through thick brush or stand in cold weather for hours on ends. These waders are the most durable on the market and will handle whatever you throw at them
Built with a 4 layers of heavy duty engineering fabric and covered with a micro-porous waterproof coating, these things are definitely waterproof and will keep you high and dry until the sun goes down.
The fleece lined pocket on the front keeps the icicles off your hands when you’re fishing in the winter months.
The Freestone Waders come with one of the best warranties on the market with Simms offering free replacements within 60 days of purchase and free repairs within 1 year of purchase. If these heavy duty waders leak, you can get them fixed without any hassles.
5. FROGG TOGGS Hellbender Breathable Bootfoot Chest Waders
- 100% Other Fibers
- 4-ply nylon upper
- Double-reinforced knees
- Oversized multifunction chest pocket
- Zippered handwarmer/storage pockets
- Horizontal zippered storage pocket
- Rugged, neoprene-lined boot with steel shank, reinforced midsole, reinforced toe cap and heel kicker
FROGG TOGGS Hellbender Breathable Bootfoot Chest Waders have a 4 ply nylon upper to keep you free and dry from the saltwater.
The boots have a steel shank with a reinforced mid-sole, a reinforced toe cap and a heel kicker so you can be sure that nothing is going to break through these boots.
In terms of pockets you have a multi-function chest pocket, a zippered hand-warmer pocket and a horizontal storage pocket so you can keep everything you need close at hand while out on the water.
How to Choose the Best Saltwater Waders
The main reason for buying saltwater waders is to keep you dry. If your waders don’t do that, it’s time to get a new pair.
A good set of waders will come with PVC boots to protect your feet and taped seams for added waterproof protection. They will be warm enough to keep you comfortable out in the sea, and flexible enough to allow you to cast long distances.
Let’s go into a little more detail.
Materials
Your choice of materials will make a big difference in how comfortable you feel out in the saltwater.
Neoprene used to be all the rage (the same material that wetsuits are made out of). It keeps you warm. Very warm!
But the downside with neoprene is that it doesn’t breathe.
If you live in a cold part of the world like Alaska or Seattle, then maybe neoprene will be your preferred fabric. But for the rest of us warm blooded animals you will probably be more comfortable in saltwater waders made out of a modern, breathable fabric
Typically a nylon blend or other microfiber technology is used these days to produce waders that are both waterproof and breathable. It’s the same sort of stuff you find on ski jackets and high end waterproof rain jackets.
Remember, a lot of the time you will be wearing your waders while standing in direct sunlight so you need something that will keep you dry without overheating you.
Neoprene is great for cold weather, but no good if you are anywhere else.
Boot Foot vs Stocking Foot Waders
There are two types of Saltwater Waders:
- Boot Foot Waders
- Stocking Foot Waders
Boot Foot saltwater waders come with fully enclosed boots attached to the pant legs that cannot be removed. If you’ve ever used this type of wader you know it’s nice to be able to slide in and out of quickly.
You also don’t need to buy a separate pair of boots to go with it!
Stocking Foot saltwater waders do what they say on the box – at the end of the pant legs is a stocking! You need to buy boots separately and once you have your waders on, you then need to put your boots on.
These take a little more time to put on than the all-in-one Boot Foot Waders, but they let you wear boots that actually fit your foot like a regular shoe. You can even wear sneakers with them if you want to! With Boot Foot Waders it’s always a bit more hit and miss in terms of the boot fit.
I find Boot Foot waders to be more convenient, but the seam between the pants and the boot does tend to be a weak point and often leads to leaks.
Really it comes down to which style you prefer wearing. Both are fit for purpose.
Saltwater Wader Style
There are two styles of Saltwater Waders:
- Chest High Waders
- Waist High Waders
Where you like to fish will determine your style of waders.
If you typically fish inshore, in saltwater creeks and estuaries or in nearshore channels then you can probably get away with waist high waders. In these types of environments you don’t typically go into saltwater beyond your waist.
But if you are more into surf fishing, then you are definitely going to want to choose a pair of chest high waders. They do a better job of keeping you dry when the waves inevitability splash up against you.
Durability
Saltwater is famously hard wearing against any materials. It turns metal to rust remember!
You need to make sure your saltwater waders have features such as taped seams to prevent the water from destroying the stitching. If you are buying Boot Foot waders then you want to make sure the boots are made out of high quality PVC to prevent holes from walking through the sand and rocks.
If you go cheap on materials, you will end up with a leaky set of waders and trust me when I say that is no fun.
Waders that don’t keep you dry just aren’t doing their job.
The Last Cast
Saltwater waders are a special breed. The best saltwater waders are tough enough to withstand the corrosive sea environment while being durable enough to keep you out in the water week after week without turning into a leaky sieve.
No one enjoys standing in the sea in waders that have more saltwater on the inside than the outside!
The colder it is where you live, the more likely you are to need neoprene chest waders to keep you warm through the day. And depending on your preference for inbuilt boots or BYO boots, you will need to make sure the model you like comes with a Boot Foot or Stocking Foot option. Only some have both.
Material technology has come a long way in the last couple of decades and most of the saltwater waders on the market come with nylon microfiber fabric, so as long as you stick to the higher quality models you should not run into any issues with material failures.
Do you have a pair of favorite Saltwater Waders that you think others should know about?
Give them a shout-out in the comments below!
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