Waders are essential in many branches of fishing, yet knowing which are the best fishing waders to choose from a host of designs and materials can make buying them a real headache. Whether you're wading through the river after chub and barbel or standing in a chalk stream chasing salmon and trout, a good pair of waders will keep you comfortable and dry whilst allowing you to get up close and personal with your quarry.
With the revolution in feeder fishing on large natural venues, waders have had to adapt to allow anglers to be seated for prolonged periods, as opposed to standing upright. A few changes to materials and design have enabled anglers to fish sat down with ease, whether they are fishing a match or just pleasure fishing.
Best fishing waders at a glance
When it comes to materials, a lightweight PVC will keep you cool in the summer but won't be as durable and warm in the winter as a pair made with neoprene. We've assembled a list of what we believe are the best fishing waders on the market at the moment, regardless of your preferred style of angling. Take a look and get in the water on your next visit to the bank.
Best value waders
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These Matrix Lightweight waders are lightweight and durable Taslon nylon waders featuring fully taped seams throughout and finished with a pair of tough, heavy-duty PVC boots with grippy textured soles.
The chest version includes adjustable, branded elasticated braces and quick-release buckles, while the waist version comes with an adjustable woven belt with quick release buckle.
Available in sizes 7 to 11.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Easy to get into and out of.
Cons
- The darker colour can make them heat up in the summer.
Best newcomer waders
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Designed to meet the requirements of modern match angling, the Preston 420D Heavy Duty Chest waders have key areas of reinforcement and feature a built-in boot. The robust tensioning straps are super-comfortable and easy to remove.
The light grey coloration ensures the waders stay cool, even during the hottest of days.
Available in sizes 7-12.
Pros
- Very cool to wear, even on the hottest days.
- High chest to give the maximum ability to wade.
Cons
- Not as durable as some others available.
Most feature packed waders
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The new Vass-Tex 3300 Breathable Waders have been designed and developed to handle the most hostile fishing environments. Using cutting-edge manufacturing and material technology, Vass has created the ultra-tough and reliable Vass-Tex 3300 series wader.
They are extremely tough, breathable and, above all, in many cases, up to three times more waterproof than other leading breathable waders.
Features include bonded rather than stitched and taped seams, double reinforced knee areas, elasticated shoulder braces with quick-release buckles, upper-chest drawstring, elasticated waist belt and internal and external pockets for storage.
Available in sizes 6-13.
Pros
- Most waterproof, breathable waders.
- Very hard wearing.
Cons
- Can be very warm and heavy to wear in hotter months.
Best waders for hot weather
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Made from a super light three-ply breathable fabric with added reinforcement in key wear points such as the knees, the Lead Profil are a super comfortable and unrestrictive set of waders.
Available in a chest version with a four-point removable shoulder harness and in a waist version – both of which feature an elasticated wading belt. The stocking foot construction requires the additional use of wading boots.
Available in Medium, Large, X-Large and XX Large, while matching Profile wading boots are available in sizes 6-10.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Comfortable.
Cons
- Can tear easily.
Best waders for comfort
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Looking for something lightweight with plenty of movement? These top-end, breathable Wychwood Gorge waders are for you. They’ve been cleverly designed so water won’t pass through the membrane, yet vapour will, ensuring excellent breathability.
Fitted with a waterproof front pocket, adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt, two internal pockets and a daisy chain lanyard for storing essentials.
Available in sizes Medium to XL and Medium King to XL King, these stocking foot waders require Gorge wading boots, available in sizes 7 - 12.
Pros
- Lots of pockets to store items.
- Very breathable.
Cons
- Don't have fitted boots.
Best of both worlds waders
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A highly versatile set of waders manufactured with 5mm neoprene legs for warmth, and a breathable upper for freedom of movement, giving you the best of both worlds.
Key features of Daiwa Hybrid waders include a front zipped pocket for storing essential items that you need to keep dry, adjustable shoulder straps, adjustable belt and built-in quality rubber boots.
Available in sizes 7 – 12
Pros
- Neoprene legs keep your bottom half warm.
- Good quality boots.
Cons
- Clips aren't the best.
Best waders for durability
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The Vass 700E is a heavy-duty PVC wader with quad welded seams and a soft polyester reverse, offering a slight amount of stretch for comfort and freedom of movement.
The body is fused with the tough and chunky Vass Boot, offering comfort, reliability and hard-wearing properties, and they feature the iconic yellow elasticated and box-stitched adjustable brace loops. Plus, there’s an internal waist draw cord for comfort.
Also available in thigh versions and with studded soles for difficult terrain, sizes 7 – 12.
Pros
- Hard wearing.
- Very roomy, don't restrict your movement.
Cons
- Chest area is quite low.
Best waders for the winter
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These Shakespeare Sigma Neoprene are made from a very durable, 4mm neoprene material and are really comfortable to wear. The knees have been reinforced to prevent damage when unhooking fish or tackling up and there is a large, waterproof front pocket to store items like fly boxes or bait droppers and pellets.
The boots have a cleated sole for extra grip and are designed for you to be in the water with maximum safety and comfort, especially in the winter.
Sizes available: 7-12.
Pros
- Very comfortable.
- Great in the colder months.
Cons
- Not the easiest to get in or out of.
Best all-rounder waders
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Constructed from durable Nylon Taslon, which is a lightweight fabric ideal for summer use, the Fox Chunk Camo waders boast fully taped seams, heavy duty PVC boots with textured soles for a secure grip, adjustable elasticated braces with quick-release buckles, chest drawcord and an internal pocket – all finished in Fox’s distinctive camo print to make for a practical and trendy product.
Available in sizes 7 – 12.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing finish.
- Tough and durable.
Cons
- Boots could be a bit tougher.
Best lightweight thigh waders
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The Daiwa Nylon Thigh Waders are perfect for using during the summer when navigating shallow streams or lakes, the thigh high waders only cover your legs meaning you don't get too hot and uncomfortable like you can in chest waders. The belt buckles fused to the top of the waders allow you to attach them to your belt/trousers to keep them in position.
The waders are super simple to get on and off but most anglers choose to wear them like they would wellies and keep them on for the duration of their session whether that be for fly fishing or coarse fishing. The PVC construction is 100% waterproof, durable and very lightweight, the bonus of the PVC being if they do become damaged they can be easily repaired.
Pros
- Perfect for summer use.
- Lightweight, can be worn all day.
Cons
- Only provide protection upto your thighs.
Best waist waders
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As with most things Vass, the Vass Tex 650 waistWaders are a fantastic quality product designed to meet the demands of angling. These waders are made from a thick, durable PVC material, much thicker than most other brands on the market, with an adjustable elasticated waistband making sure the waders stay securely and comfortably positioned.
The low profile boot is really durable and flexible making them really easy to walk around in, they cause no fatigue or rubbing even if you choose to wear them all day, ideal for exploring shallow waterways that can be inaccessible via the bank. The boots are cleated and can be purchased in studded or non studded versions depending on your preference, the non studded do seem to be the best all round waders, especially if you fish on hard, slippery surfaces.
Pros
- Very durable material.
- Low profile boot.
Cons
- A little warmer than some other brands.
What to look out for when buying fishing waders
Fishing aders tend to be split into three categories, chest, waist and thigh, and as the name implies they offer protection up to a certain point on the body, with chest waders the most commonly used.
If you do a lot of angling in the summer but not so much in the winter then a set of PVC waders will keep you coolest and will have more room to move around in, allowing you to stay comfortable even when temperatures start to soar.
Alternatively, if you tend to wade more in the cooler months the best fishing waders would be those made from neoprene as this material will help keep you lovely and warm, even in the worst of conditions.
Glossary
PVC: PVC a tough, chemically resistant synthetic resin used for a wide variety of products.
Neoprene: A synthetic polymer resembling rubber, resistant to oil, heat, and weathering.
Breathable: A breathable fabric allows air to pass through it easily, so that clothing made from it does not become too warm or uncomfortable.
Chest wader: A wader that will have waterproof material all the way to the chest line.
Thigh wader: A set of waders that only cover the leg, upto the hip.
Waist Wader: A set of waders that will sit above the hip.
Frequently asked questions about waders
Will PVC waders be ok for winter?
In short, yes! PVC waders are the best waders for all round use, as long as you have adequate clothing on underneath the waders will keep you dry and will offer some protection from the cold. However, if you do a lot of fishing in the colder months, a good pair of neoprene waders will be far more suitable.
What waders are best for carp fishing?
When it comes to carp fishing you generally wear the waders for short periods of time during your session, such as casting and after a bite. Due to this, it’s far better to go for a pair of PVC waders, as these will be much easier to slip into when charging out of your carp fishing bivvy (especially if you’re alone).
What are the benefits of thigh waders?
If you know the depth of the river you are fishing and you like to stay mobile or just head out for an evening session, then thigh waders are a great option. Not only do they allow you to walk around far easier than in a pair of chest waders, they will also keep you far cooler too. They are easy to get on and remove and can easily stay rolled up in a bag or in the boot, so they are available at short notice.
Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.