5 Best Fly Fishing Waders For Beginners & Why

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A good pair of waders is essential for fly fishing, nobody likes getting wet and cold so these things really do come in handy when standing in a shallow river or stream.

When you are starting it out it can be a bit overwhelming finding the right gear and knowing what to look for so we have put together this helpful buyers guide to help you find the best fly fishing waders for beginners (this is our top pick).

Contents

What To Look For In Fishing Waders

Before you go out and buy waders, whether for fly fishing or anything else, there are a few important considerations that you should always keep in mind.

fly fisherman with waders

1. The Boots

First off, when you buy waders, you want to make sure that they come with good boots. For one, you want the pants of the waders to be directly attached and sealed to the boots. This will stop water and debris from getting in.

Next, of course, the boots should be comfortable on the inside. Try buying a size larger than you would usually wear so you can wear good socks. Finally, the boots should have good anti-slip traction pattern to ensure that you do not slip on the rocks.

2. Waterproofing

The waders in question absolutely need to be waterproof, 100% waterproof. This is the main purpose of fishing waders, so whatever material they are made of, it better be totally waterproof.

Also, make sure that there are welded or directly attached seams. You do not want to buy waders with stitching because it will most likely leak.

3. Breathability & Weight

Now, this is not a top priority when looking at waders for fishing to purchase, but some breathability certainly does help. Breathable and lightweight material will ensure that you stay dry, but also that you do not overheat.

Of course, having lightweight waders will also help in terms of maneuverability, and you won’t get tired too fast either.

4. Adjustability

When you buy fly fishing waders, you want ones that are adjustable so you can get the right fit for you. At the very least, you want waders that have adjustable suspenders.

Even better is if they also come with an adjustable stomach buckle, and maybe even a chest drawstring.

5. Color

Many people might not consider the color of their waders, but the fish certainly will. Dark green and camouflage colors tend to work best so the fish do not spot you too quickly.


5 Best Beginner Fly Fishing Waders

These are our top 5 picks that are ideal for beginners;

1. FishingSir Chest Fishing Waders

There is a lot to like we these, they are great entry level waders that get the job done well;

Design

These Waders come complete with the boots. In other words, the rubber boots here are already attached to the wader’s pant legs, which is pretty convenient. They are fairly durable rubber boots, which is nice. The waders here are made of two-ply fabric, so they are quite durable indeed.

These waders go up to the chest, so they will keep everything dry right up to your arms. What is nice is that these things are specially designed to resist dirt intrusion.

At the same time, they are also designed to be very lightweight. Most waders are quite heavy, but not these ones.

Waterproofing & Comfort

In terms of comfort, as we mentioned before, these waders are very lightweight, so that should not be a problem. Moreover, they come with an adjustable stomach buckle, as well as adjustable suspenders, so you can get the fit that works best for you.

These things have a fairly soft interior, something else which definitely helps with comfort. They are also 100% totally waterproof from top to bottom. The boots are attached to the pants and they are well sealed.

All of the materials used here will not let in any water, plus they will not let wind in either. On a side note, the front D rings are pretty cool because they allow you to attach some accessories.

Pros

  • Easy to take on and off.
  • 100% waterproof.
  • Boots included.
  • Comfortable and adjustable design.

Cons

  • Boot soles do not have the best traction.
  • Boot soles are not the most durable around.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


2. Sougayilang Boot-Foot Chest Waders

This is another cost effective, durable, and versatile pair of fishing waders, one that also comes with the boots included.

Design

In terms of the design, the Sougayilang Waders do come with the boots included. The boots here are directly sealed and attached to the waders themselves. It is convenient because you do not need to buy boots separately, plus being attached means that they will not leak in water, and they are easy to put on as well.

As you can probably tell, these are chest waders, so they will keep everything up to your chest bone dry. We do like these things are they are quite lightweight and built to be versatile.

They are made with very durable materials that should never rip or break from basic use. On a side note, they have a cool camouflage design too.

Waterproofing & Comfort

When it comes to comfort, these waders are made with a fairly soft interior and are made to be non-abrasive. Moreover, while these ones do not come with an adjustable stomach buckle, they do feature adjustable suspenders so you can get a proper fit.

Besides that, these things are fairly lightweight, which is another bonus. In terms of waterproofing, these waders are indeed 100% waterproof. Although they are light and actually fairly breathable too, they will not let in any water, which is true for where the boots connect just like anywhere else.

These things are very user friendly, breathable, and 100% waterproof too.

Pros

  • 100% waterproof.
  • Easy to put on and take off.
  • Boots come included.
  • Fairly comfortable.

Cons

  • Boots are not that durable.
  • No stomach buckle.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


3. TideWe Bootfoot Chest Wader

The TideWe Chest Waders is a very simple yet effective option. They also come with the boots included, are 100% waterproof, and quite comfy too.

Design

One thing which we can definitely appreciate about the TideWe Chest Waders is that they are made of two ply fabric. The point here is that these things are made to be very durable.

Getting a fish hook stuck in them really should not do much at all. At the same time, the included boots here are quite durable as well. They actually come with a good traction pattern to ensure that you do not slip on slippery surfaces.

Yes, the boots here come included, and they are sealed to the pant legs for maximum efficacy and durability. These are chest waders, so they will keep everything up to the arms dry. The dark green color of them is a good choice because it makes it harder for the fish to see you.

The fact that they are made to be very lightweight is great in terms of being able to move quickly from one fishing spot to another.

Waterproofing & Comfort

These waders are made of nylon reinforced PVC. In other words, not only are these things highly durable, and also very lightweight, but they are also indeed 100% waterproof.

As long as you don’t puncture anything, they won’t ever let any water in. They are also designed so that they do not let in any dirt or grime.

Now, with that being said, they do not appear to be very breathable, which is an issue, because you might get a little hot in them.

On the other hand, they are fully adjustable and feature a top drawstring, a stomach buckle, and fully adjustable suspenders too.

Pros

  • Two ply durability.
  • 100% waterproof.
  • Sealed boots included – good traction.
  • Comfortable and adjustable.

Cons

  • Not very breathable.
  • Can get a little hot.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


4. Ouzong Bootfoot Chest Waders

If you are on the hunt for a really spiffy looking pair of fishing waders, ones that are durable, comfy, and 100% waterproof, these Ouzong Waders are a decent option to keep in mind.

Design

One thing which we definitely like about the Ouzong waders had to do with the boots. The boots here are really well made. First of all, of course, they are directly attached and sealed to the pant legs, which helps to keep out dirt and water.

One of the reasons why we really like the boots is because they have a great anti-slip cleat pattern to make them safe on slippery surfaces.

Moreover, they also come with a really thick sole to ensure that nothing can puncture them. What is also convenient about these waders is that they are made with really durable materials.

They are more than durable enough to resist being sliced with a knife or punctured with a fishing hook.

Waterproofing & Comfort

These waders are quite comfortable indeed. For one, they are about 35% lighter than pure nylon waders. This makes it easy to move around and it means to having to carry around too much weight either.

These waders come with an adjustable stomach buckle as well as adjustable suspenders so you can get the fit that works right for you. The interior of these things is made to be very soft, which also helps with comfort.

The Ouzong Waders are also very waterproof, 100% waterproof to be exact. The materials here are specially designed to keep water and dirt out with great efficacy and efficiency.

Unless you manage to puncture or rip these things, they won’t let in any water at all. On the other hand, they are definitely not breathable.

Pros

  • High quality boots.
  • Good for slippery surfaces.
  • Highly adjustable.
  • Very durable.

Cons

  • Not very breathable.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


5. Tung Hsing Lon Fly Fishing Waders

This is our final pick that we felt deserved a mentioned, again these are great for beginners and will certainly get the job done and more.

Design

We do like the Tung Hsing Lon Fly Fishing Waders, because for one, they come with totally integrated boots, which is always something that we look for.

The fact that the boots are seamlessly sealed on instead of stitched is a big deal, both in terms of durability and overall function. The boots on these things do have a great traction pattern on the bottom to keep you safe on slippery rocks and river beds.

One thing that we cannot help noting here is that these things do have a funky color to them, some might even say ugly. The super tough nylon fabric used here is definitely quite durable.

It is durable enough to withstand basic use, plus it can withstand dealing with fish hooks too. All in all, we do like these things quite a bit, although they are not too visually appealing.

Waterproofing & Comfort

These waders are 100% waterproof. There is no doubt about that. From top to bottom, they will certainly not let in any water whatsoever. On that same note, these things are actually quite lightweight and breathable.

Both of these factors are quite important when it comes to comfort. In terms of adjustability, these things feature an adjustable stomach buckle as well as adjustable suspenders so you can get a comfy and secure fit every time.

On a side note, the Tung These waders also come with some pockets, which is very convenient no doubt.

Pros

  • Durable.
  • Comfortable.
  • 100% waterproof.
  • Lightweight and breathable.

Cons

  • Run very small.
  • Boots are not the most comfortable.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


Related;

Conclusion

So, now that we have looked at and compared the top 5 fly fishing waders, it is up to you to decide which ones will work best. Just remember to get something lightweight, durable, and breathable, plus of course waterproof too.

If you need some tips on what to wear under your waders during summer and winter, this article will help you out.

Jason Downs

I created Fishtackly to share my 30 years of fishing experience and knowledge with others with the aim to help, and hopefully get more people involved and educated in this fantastic hobby that I love.