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Best Breathable Waders for Fishing

Using waders is an excellent way to keep dry while enjoying a full day of wading around at your favorite fishing hole. They give you the flexibility to get up close and personal with the fish you’re tying to catch without getting wet. However, most heavy-duty waders tend to feel bulky and uncomfortable due to the thick materials that they’re constructed from. And they sometimes even trap sweat when exposed to warm weather conditions, leading to an uneasy sensation when wearing them.

Lightweight waders, on the other hand, offer the same waterproof durability as the heavy-duty ones, but without the cons. Not only do they feel lightweight, but also they’re suitable to wear in a variety of applications and weather conditions, providing warmth, comfort, and flexibility of movement.

Most come with pockets for gear storage and are available as either hip or chest waders. Other features of good quality breathable waders include adjustable suspenders for a custom fit, and availability in a variety of sizes to suit different body types. Apart from that, lightweight waders are available at various price points, with some brands offering great value for money with good quality features at a reasonable price.

Top 8 Waders that are Breathable

Here are some of the most popular breathable waders that money can buy, offering a variety of features to suit your unique preferences, and at price points to suit any budget.

Caddis Men's Attractive 2-Tone Tauped Deluxe Breathable Stocking Foot Wader, Large Long(DOES NOT INCLUDE BOOTS)

Caddis Men's

Best Value Breathable Wader (For Price & Quality)


Best Value Breathable Wader (For Price & Quality)

This wader strikes a good balance between price and quality, offering all the benefits you’d expect from a high-quality wader at only a portion of the price.

This two-tone wader is made from a high-quality breathable material, with CaddisDry technology which prevents water from getting in, making it completely waterproof. It has a durable polyester outer layer and comes with double taped feet with extra stitching to keep your feet dry and comfortable no matter what. The booties are thoughtfully made big to make room for warm woolen socks, and there’s a quad pocket with a built-in warmer pocket and zipper.

It’s a versatile wader with adjustable suspenders that make for a customized fit, and breathable gravel guards to protect from rugged terrain. Other features include double knees and an easy to distinguish two-tone design. This wader is suitable to wear in any weather condition, and can easily adapt to different applications, from fishing to working in the pond.

Pros

  • It’s available in a wide variety of sizes for both men and women, from Small to XXL-Stout
  • Features CaddisDry technology which is both breathable and waterproof, as well as a heavy-duty polyester layer to keep you warm and dry even under the coldest weather conditions
  • The feet are double taped, glued and stitched to provide maximum comfort and waterproof protection, plus they’re made to run big to make room for socks to keep you warm
  • The exterior quad pocket has a zipper as well as an in-built hand warmer pocket
  • This wader comes at an affordable price
  • When purchased at the right size, this wader fits well and is easy to put on and take off
  • It’s flexible and easy to move around in

Cons

  • This wader is on the thin side, and will not hold up for more than a few seasons. So, not the ideal purchase for an avid angler, but they could work for someone who only fishes on an occasional basis, say, a few times per year
Hodgman MACKCBC07 Mackenzie Nylon and PVC Cleated Bootfoot Chest Fishing Waders, Size 7, Brown

Hodgman Mackenzie

Best Budget Breathable Wader


This is an ideal wader for anyone who’s shopping on a budget but still wants something that’s well-constructed. Granted, a wader in this price range probably won’t last that long with frequent use, but if you don’t mind doing a few repairs on it now and then, you can still enjoy this wader for many seasons to come.

This flexible wader from Hodgman is made from denier nylon fiber with a PVC finish to keep you snug and dry for many a season. Despite the rugged construction, it’s very lightweight and completely breathable, and it works well for long fishing trips, especially in harsh terrain and weather conditions. You can easily customize this wader for a genuinely comfortable fit, using the adjustable suspenders and easy-to-attach fasteners. Other features include an interior pocket for gear storage and PVC boots with a cleated outsole. Sizes run from 7 to 13.

Pros

  • It feels light weight and is easy to move around in for long periods of time
  • PVC coated denier nylon makes this a completely waterproof wader
  • It comes with adjustable suspenders for a customized fit
  • You can easily store some of your gear inside the roomy internal pocket on the front
  • Great value for money – this is a quality product and maintains good performance even after years of regular use
  • It fits comfortably with enough room to layer up if necessary

Cons

  • The section between the boot and the wader tends to tear and leak pretty quickly
  • The boots are not well suited for rugged conditions, and wear out easily in rocky terrain, causing the feet to hurt; however, inserting a good plastic insole can solve this problem
Adamsbuilt AB2TR-XLL Truckee River X-Large Long Sf Chest Wader

This wader is made from a microfiber fabric of superior quality that has an extremely waterproof and breathable membrane. The knees and seats have been reinforced four times over to ensure long-lasting strength. It also comes with gravel guards and a quick release belt, as well as adjustable suspenders for ease of movement. One of the most fun features is the flip-out pocket, with a hand warmer compartment and separate interior accessory compartment to keep your phone, wallet and implements dry, and your hands warm. It’s available in diverse sizes from x-small to XX-Large, and offers excellent value for money.

Pros

  • This is a very well made and durable wader and can last through a few seasons of regular use
  • It’s fully breathable and waterproof
  • Great pocket space, with compartments for hand warming, accessories (including phone and GPS device), and an elastic coil
  • Built-in gravel guards allow for effortless navigation in rugged terrain
  • Quick-release belt
  • 4x reinforced knees and seat
  • It’s easy to put on and take off
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • The sizes do run small, so you’d do well to order a size up, especially if you’re on the bulkier side
Redington Sonic Pro Fishing Wader, Driftwood/Basalt, Small

Made from 100% nylon through an ultrasonically welded construction technique and double taped seams, this wader is waterproof, durable and breathable. It’s unique custom features include a stretchy wading belt that’s 2 inches, gravel guards with molded lace hook and micro-fleece lined pocked dedicated to keeping your hands warm. Storage features include a flip out pocket with mesh detailing, forceps and hyperlan detractor dock, as well as a zipped pocket which is ideal for storing your gear. The sizes for this wader run from Small to XX-Large.

Pros

  • This is very well-constructed through ultrasonic welding and double taping on the seams, which makes it durable and long-lasting
  • The built-in belt gives it a beautiful and secure fit
  • Breathable and lightweight
  • It’s reasonably priced
  • This will keep you warm even in extremely cold weather conditions
  • It fits comfortably and makes for flexibility of movement

Cons

  • The sizes run a bit small, so you’ll want to order a size up if you want to fit socks under this
Hisea New Rubber Boot Foot Chest Wader Waterproof Hunting Fishing Waders, Size 7-11.5 (9)

This wader is constructed from hardy PVC material, then sealed with heat welded seams and crack-resistant rubber soles for long lasting durability. As a breathable wader, it feels comfortable in any weather condition, and although it keeps water out through its waterproof qualities, it allows for sweat to escape to keep you comfortable during hot weather. The boot foot design comes with durable neoprene soles and built-in gravel guards, and its lightweight construction means that it’s roomy and comfortable enough to move around in. It features adjustable suspenders and a quick-release button for a customized fit and sizes run from 7 to 11.5.

Pros

  • The seams are glued and stitched together through a durable heat welding technique, which protects from leaks and ensures long lasting durability
  • It’s available at a very affordable price
  • Fully waterproof and breathable
  • Excellent customer service from Hisea, they know how to stand behind their product
  • The booties are made with neoprene and have crack-resistant rubber soles
  • Built-in gravel guards
  • It’s lightweight and fits comfortably for ease of movement

Cons

  • The boots on these waders run too small, especially for tall people, so you’d have to order a bigger size than normal to get a truly comfortable fit
Redington Crosswater Fishing Wader, Tan, Medium

This Redington wader is constructed from 3 layers of 100% nylon fabric and comes with built-in neoprene gravel guards. It features plenty of storage, including a chest pocket with drain holes as well as a flip-out pocket with YKK zipper. A waist belt with opposing buckles easily converts this into a waist high wader, and the sizes run from Small to XX-Large.

Pros

  • It’s completely breathable and comfortable
  • It works great for a variety of fishing environments
  • Made from 3 layers of 100% durable nylon fabric
  • Ample storage for gear includes chest pockets with rain holes, as well as a flip out pocket option
  • The wading belt comes with belt loops and opposing buckles to help you effortlessly transform this into a waist-high design
  • It fits perfectly and is easy to put on and take off

Cons

  • The buckles on the belt are pretty flimsy and come apart easily
FROGG TOGGS Canyon Breathable Stockingfoot Chest Wader, Khaki/Stone, Size Small

Expert construction using tough materials is what sets this wader apart. It’s a high-performance breathable wader that’s made from nylon material, with DriPore technology to prevent leaks while allowing sweat to escape. Other features include neoprene booties made for robust action, gravel guards with lace hooks, adjustable suspenders with quick-release buckles and an adaptable wading belt with eyelets. Available sizes are Small to XX-Large.

Pros

  • Adjustable suspenders and wading belt means that you can easily customize this wader to suit your preferences when it comes to fit
  • It feels lightweight and flexible
  • The gravel guards fit securely with lace hooks
  • It’s completely breathable

Cons

  • Taking this off can be a bit painful due to the confining ankle area
  • It doesn’t have any pockets
  • The neoprene boots tend to leak after using them a few times
Allen Brule River Bootfoot Chest Waders with Cleated Soles, 7

This breathable wader from Allen Brule is made from a durable nylon fabric which is lightweight and waterproof. It boasts features such as 2-ply booties with cleated soles, as well as an impressively pliant construction through its adjustable web suspenders and drawstring top. Available sizes run from 7 to 13.

Pros

  • This wader features a lightweight and comfortable design that fits very well along the torso and the feet. That said, you might get a size larger if you want to layer up underneath.
  • It’s waterproof and breathable
  • You can easily modify it to fit correctly, using the adjustable web suspenders and drawstring top
  • It’ll keep you warm and dry when wading in cold water
  • 2-ply booties with cleated soles

Cons

  • You will probably get a micro leak from the boot seam, which can easily be repaired with some super glue
  • It’s not that durable, and can easily get pierced by a hook or sharp rock, causing leaks
  • Not ideal for long trips or regular use in rugged terrain
  • The material is not very flexible, so putting this on and taking it off can be a mission

Wading in Comfort

If you’ve ever struggled to find a good wader for the money, then we hope our list has helped to solve your dilemma. As you can see, breathable waders are aplenty, and feature high quality features to keep you dry and comfortable all season long. With a breathable wader, you no longer have to worry about feeling weighed down, hot and sweaty. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to performance, and allows you to do what you do best in complete comfort.

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