The 8 Best Wading Pants for Fishing on the Market (Compared & Reviewed 2024)

When you’re out fishing or hunting, having the right gear, clothing, and equipment is essential for success.

Not to mention your comfort and safety.

And this is especially true when you’re actually getting into the water.

In this article, we take a look at the best wading pants currently available, with a full buyer’s guide following the reviews.

Without further ado, let’s wade in.

Wading Pants – What to Look For

When it comes to fishing waders, it’s important you have at least a basic grasp on the features and factors that might influence your shopping choices.

As you’re browsing the reviews, keep the following things in mind:

We’ll explore each in more detail after the selection, so keep reading for all our buying tips and tricks.

The 8 Best Wading Pants for Fishing 2024

Frogg Toggs Hellbender Stockingfoot Guide Pants

Check Price on Amazon.com

If you’re not quite ready to spend exorbitant amounts of money on the very best wading pants in the world, then look no further than the Hellbender model from rain-gear icon Frogg Toggs.

While they’re at the other end of the price scale, they are still going to get the job done, made with a four-ply nylon upper that’s fully waterproof.

The stockingfoot finish also has attached gravel guards to keep you protected, with non-slip, rubberized, elasticated openings for convenience.

At the waist, you’ll find a fully adjustable belt with a quick-release buckle, just in case you have to remove the pants at a moment’s notice. And well you might, as that’s the only way you’ll be able to visit the little boy’s room in the absence of a zipper fly.

Pros

• Name to trust in wet weather gear.
• Affordable price point.
• Durable construction.
• Lightweight design.
• Thick neoprene booties.
• Highly rated.

Cons

• No pockets.
• Reports that sizing is a little tricky – be sure to double-check.

Takeaway

An affordable wading pant that will get you into the water in no time, this is a great addition to the Frogg Toggs line of budget-friendly protective clothing.

And for more from the outdoor stalwarts, check out this article on the best rain gear for fishing – featuring their famous rain suit.

Paramount Outdoors Fast Eddy Wader Pants

Check Price on Amazon.com

Here we have an affordable wading pant from Paramount Outdoors, a waist-high option with stockingfoot booties.

Made from a lightweight and breathable four-ply, puncture-resistant nylon, it offers fully taped and sealed seams to keep you dry.

Packed with features, the “Fast Eddy” includes gravel guards with lace hooks, dual-zippered, waterproof fly box pockets for valuables, and a two-inch elasticated belt for comfort.

Extra-wide belt loops allow for a comfortable and snug fit, and the attached booties are made from 100% neoprene that feel soft, without ever bunching up in your boot. Affordable comfort at its best.

Pros

• Great price point.
• Waterproof pockets.
• Lightweight design.
• Durable construction.
• Quick-release buckle.
• Easy to wear.

Cons

• No articulation to speak of.

Takeaway

They might be at the no-frills end of the wading pant spectrum, but the Fast Eddy from Paramount Outdoors certainly offers a lot of bang for the buck.

Lightweight and versatile, they’re easy to get on and off, with a simple design that still manages to be effective. You could probably get away with wearing them as kayak fishing pants, too.

Kingblue Heron Waterproof Wader Pants

Check Price on Amazon.com

Something slightly different now with these waterproof stockingfoot waist waders that actually feature detachable suspenders.

The Heron waders from Kingblue are made from a highly waterproof, four-ply nylon, with a nature-friendly, certified water-resistant coating.

The neoprene booties offer four millimeters of comfort, warmth, and protection, with redesigned ankle dimensions to ensure they’re easy on and off.

Two pockets with water-resistant zippers are located at the hip, with YKK hardware throughout, including the webbing waist belt and quick-release buckle.

But it’s the suspender braces that most catch the eye, here, easily detachable, and capable of providing additional comfort and a secure fit. If you’re concerned your wading pants could fall down in action, these might just be for you.

Pros

• Great price point for what you get.
• Durable, quick-release buckles.
• Elasticated suspenders.
• Taped seams.
• No crotch inseam.
• Carry bag included.

Cons

• Logo design is likely to rub off.
• Reports that the booties run large.

Takeaway

At this price point, you’re getting a great deal with these waders, and the addition of the suspender belt for comfort and support is a real winner.

Perfect for anyone who struggles to get wading pants to fit, it will just give you a bit of extra help for keeping things in place, similar to full-on chest waders. But if that’s more what you’re looking for, check out this review on the best chest waders currently available.

Compass 360 Deadfall Wading Pants

Check Price on Amazon.com

We finish with another no-frills, budget-friendly wading pant that is a great option for beginners, or anyone looking to keep costs down.

The Compass 360 Deadfall waders offer stockingfoot pants, with a breathable, four-ply polyester waterproof construction, and four millimeter neoprene booties for added comfort.

Finished with a smart, army-green look, they feature an elasticated waist-band at the back, a durable webbing belt, and quick-release buckle.

Gravel guards with lace hooks are located at the ankles, and while it’s not going to win any prizes for style, the Deadfall is one of the cheapest wading pants out there – that won’t let you down.

Pros

• Excellent price point.
• Ideal for beginners.
• Lightweight design.
• No-nonsense belt.
• Highly rated.

Cons

• No pockets.
• As basic as they come.

Takeaway

While they might not be the best quick dry wading pants ever made, they’re still perfect for anyone on a budget, and they offer affordable, comfortable, entry-level quality.

But if you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, try this review on the best fly fishing waders available today.

How to Choose the Right Wading Pants – A Buyer’s Guide

In the introduction, we touched upon the features and factors you should be considering when you’re looking for new wading pants.

Let’s explore them in more detail now, with our handy buyer’s guide. A brief FAQ section will follow in case we’ve missed anything.

And don’t forget a good-quality wading jacket if you’re out in colder climes. Follow that link for some excellent options.

Type of Wader

First, you’re going to want to decide on the type of wader you’re looking for. If that’s a wading pant – then you’re in the right place.

But chest and hip waders are also available.

The type you choose will depend largely on when and where you’re fishing, as well as your own personal preferences.

Check out this article exploring the differences between hip and chest waders, or this piece on wading pants versus chest waders.

Sizing

There’s no two ways about it – waders can be tricky garments to size. Most people aren’t going to be lucky enough to just buy the equivalent of what they wear in a pair of jeans, for example.

With thicker, denser material involved – plus the need to possibly layer underneath if fishing in colder weather and water conditions – waders tend to be on the bulky side.

One reviewer even said it was easy to look like a clown.

With that in mind, make sure you double-check your sizing, and read reviews from anglers who are roughly the same size as you for their experienced opinion.

Try to get the correct size first time, but remember – making online returns is easy nowadays, so don’t let that put you off if you’re concerned about making an error.

For more information, check out the video on wader sizing, below.

Materials and Design

Wading pants are made from a variety of materials, but for the most part, particularly the items in this review, it’s going to be a combination of nylons, polyesters, and neoprene for the booties.

Fully neoprene waders are more popular in chest waders, but improved fabric technology has shifted the market largely towards more breathable materials.

Some garments might also be made from recycled materials, which I always heartily recommend.

GORE-TEX is one of the best materials for wading pants, as it offers unbeatable weather protection as well as the best-possible moisture-wicking technology.

And that’s where the real trick is with this fishing gear – given the heavy-duty nature of these pants, and the activity they’re used for – you need something that’s going to help keep you cool and sweat-free.

You should also pay attention to the cut, fit, and design of the pants.

Good waders will offer nonrestrictive movement – given the nature of the activity they’re used for. I can’t stress the importance of this enough.

Look for articulated knees, and legs, as well as a gusseted crotch, for the ultimate in comfortable, fishing freedom, and to minimize the chances of rips or tears when you’re on the go.

Boots/Booties

Waders generally come in three types when we’re talking about the ankle-end of the garment.

Barefoot waders have no sock or boot attached, as the name suggests.

Stockingfoot waders will come with booties you slip into fishing or wading boots.

Bootfoot waders take all the effort away by having boots already built into the garment.

The vast majority of wading pants in this review (all of them, in fact) fall into the second category. They all come with neoprene booties attached.

Look out for anatomically shaped booties that have been designed to offer the ultimate in comfort, easy-wear, and range-of-movement.

They’re also available in a variety of thicknesses, so make sure your choice is going to suit your needs – usually to do with the temperature of the water, and how much extra protection you want for your feet.

Hardware and Fastenings

Nobody likes ill-fitting clothes, especially when you’ve got a job to do. And that job – is catching fish while standing in the water.

It’s a moment you certainly don’t want to be caught with your trousers down.

As such, you should pay attention to the hardware and fastenings of the pants. By that, I mean the belt, buckles, zippers, buttons, straps, or anything else that is used to aid a secure and comfortable fit.

Does the garment have an open fly? Is that something that is important to you? Make sure if it does – the zipper is fully waterproof.

Quick-release buckles are also very useful, especially if you need to remove your pants in a hurry (for any number of reasons, so get your mind out of the gutter).

Some pants might come with braces, which offer additional help with support and comfort as they strap up over your shoulder.

But the most important thing is that everything should be fully adjustable, so you can fine-tune your setup for a tailor-made fit. We anglers come in all shapes and sizes, after all.

Pockets and Storage

Wading pants will either come with pockets, or they won’t. It’s that simple. The question is – how much do they matter to you?

Sure, they can offer an extra space to store gear or equipment, but you really ought to be rocking one of these amazing fly fishing packs if you’re looking to stay properly organized.

Personally, though, I always like having at least two, jeans-style pockets on my outer garments, as they will always come in handy for something.

And if you’re intending to store valuables, or anything you don’t want to get wet, then make sure that the pockets have waterproof zippers.

Extra Features

The most common “extra feature” when it comes to wading pants, will be the addition of gravel guards.

Gravel guards are to be found at the ankle end of the waders, and they’re designed to do exactly as their moniker suggests – keep gravel out of your boots.

You pull them up as you’re putting your boots on, and then roll them down over the top, to produce a seal around anywhere dirt and debris might sneak in at your ankle.

Look for gravel guards that have non-slip lace hooks that help keep them securely in position.

Additional extra features include things like logos and color schemes. For the most part, these garments share similar, muted, earthy tones of greens, grays, and browns, with unobtrusive logos.

There’s no technical advantage here, as the jury is still out on whether fish actually see color. As such, it just comes down to personal preference.

Cost

As you can see, wading pants are available to suit a range of budgets.

While you should obviously try to stick to yours, I would suggest you choose a pant relative to how much use you’re going to get out of it.

There’s no point spending top dollar only for it to be left hanging in your closet for most of the year.

Still, I wouldn’t spend any less than $100 on these things – at the bare minimum.

FAQs

What are the best wading pants for fly fishing?

There’s no definitive answer to this question, as what could be the best for me, might not be the best for you.

That said, if I had to choose, I would say either the Redington Escape waders, or the Simms G3 – if money were no object.

What type of waders do I need for fishing?

It depends on the who, the when, and the where.

What is going to suit your fishing style and preferences, what time of year are you venturing out, and what are the conditions like?

In a nutshell, if you’re in deeper water and colder temperatures, in an easy-to access location – you’ll need chest waders.

For shallower waters, in warmer climes, that might be more challenging to get to, go with hip waders or wading pants.

What are wader pants used for?

Wading is the obvious answer.

But joking aside, wading pants are used for shallower waters, in warmer temperatures, and/or anywhere you might have to walk some distance to get to and from a fishing spot.

How do wading pants work?

Unlike chest or hip waders, wading pants are designed similarly to ordinary, everyday pants.

As such, they come up to your waist, and over your hips. You put them on as you would a regular pair of hiking pants, with the exception of the neoprene bootie attached to the ankle.

Then, if you’re wearing any of the pants in this review, your lower half should be 100% waterproof, up to your waist.

I highly recommend not pushing your luck with this, though, and you stick to fishing water levels that don’t come up any further than the tops of your thigh.

Are waders 100% waterproof?

They should be – otherwise, what’s the point?

If you think the waders you’re purchasing are not going to be waterproof, then I would heartily recommend you choose a different pair.

Here’s a hint – choose something from the review above, and you won’t go far wrong.

What do I need for wading?

Glad you asked! At the very least, you’re going to need waders and wading boots – and the types and styles will depend on where you’re fishing, and what time of year.

To keep things easy, head on over to this article for a complete fly fishing 101 for beginners, which will tell you everything you need to know to get started.

And this article is useful as a full fly fishing checklist, so you know exactly the clothing, gear, and equipment you need in your arsenal, before heading to the water.

Summary

The best wading pants are going to keep you comfortable and protected, so you can concentrate on a successful day of fishing.

Let me know which option you’ve gone for and why, or if you have any other general questions or comments you’d like to fire my way.

Stay safe out there, tight lines, and happy fishing!