As an avid waterfowl hunter there are few things that are as important as a good set of waders. We use them to get to some of the roughest parts of the water, in some of the coldest water and in some of the most extreme conditions. All while expecting them to keep us comfortable and dry. We ask a lot from our waders but when spending your hard-earned money, you should ask a lot. Whether it’s your first time picking up a set of waders or your fifth, there are a few things to keep in mind which I will cover in this review.
When starting out to find the best waders for the money, I looked at 4 main things: durability, comfort, waterproof, and the warranty. I then broke them down into 3 different ranges based on price: top tier, mid-range, and budget friendly. I looked at several different types of waders in each category.
- Best Duck Hunting Waders: Sitka Delta Hunting Zip Wader – Click to Shop at Scheels for $999.00
- Best Duck Hunting Waders for the price: TideWe Deep Wade Zip Waders – Shop Amazon for $149
- Best All-Season Duck Hunting Waders: Final Approach Branta 2 in 1 insulated wader – Shop on Amazon for $499
- Best Duck Hunting Wader for Cold Weather: Gator Waders Shield Insulated Waders – Click to Shop for $320-$399
- Best Duck Hunting Wader Under $100: TideWe Hunting Waders – Shop Amazon for $59
- Most breathable duck hunting waders: Gator Waders Shadow Waders – Shop Sportsman’s Warehouse for $499.99
Best Duck Hunting Waders:
Sitka Delta Hunting Zip Wader – Click to Shop at Scheels for $999.00
When it comes to hunting Sitka is a staple in the industry, known for quality hunting gear in everything they produce. Their waders are no exception. The best way I can describe theses waders is “comfortable in any season and they hold up to anything that is thrown at them”. I credit this to the Gore-Tex material they are made from. Most waders are either designed for cold weather or warm weather conditions, but not both. They are comfortable in a wide range of temperatures as long as you wear some base layers correctly in colder conditions, as these are not insulated waders. These had the best boots of all the waders I reviewed as they are not only comfortable but warm and have plenty of tread for grip. As far as waterproofing goes, they’ve seen plenty of days in the water over the last year in all kinds of terrain and I have yet to get wet. Lastly as far as a warranty goes these are fully serviceable by Sitka, should you have a problem. I have heard it can take some time to get the repairs done and sent back so keep that in mind.
These waders are offered in several sizes from small to 3XXL so they generally have something for everyone. As far as cost on these waders they MSRP at $999.99, but I have found them as low as $799 on the internet on sale. Although they are costly, I am often reminded you get what you pay for and if you’re a diehard waterfowl guy I think it is money well spent.
Best Duck Hunting Waders for the price:
TideWe Deep Wade Zip Waders – Shop Amazon for $149
If you haven’t heard of TideWe yet they are starting to make a name for themselves in the hunting industry. They offer a wide variety of waders from basic to top of the line, like the TideWE Deep Wade Zip Waders. They even make heated waders for those incredibly cold days. The Deep Wade Zip Waders are best described as warm and comfortable. These 4-layer nylon waders are made with 600-1600 gram 3M Thinsulate material that’s not only warm but is also breathable. The boots were durable and had plenty of tread on them, making it a breeze to walk over uneven terrain. With these being a newer wader to the market I haven’t gotten to test them as extensively as some of the other waders but don’t let this shy you away. I have tested plenty of other TideWe gear extensively, even other waders as you will see later, and haven’t had any issues. As far as waterproofing goes, in the time I spent in them I was as dry as could be. They offer a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase which you will find pretty standard with most companies.
These waders are offered in several sizes as well. They base their sizes from standard boot size and range from 7 to 14. A quick look at their size guide and it’s easy to figure out what size you need. When it comes to cost the cheapest you can find these is on Amazon for prices varying from $199-$249. These will make a great cold weather wader, especially if you are looking for a pair with built-in insulation.
Best All-Season Duck Hunting Waders:
Final Approach Branta 2 in 1 insulated wader – Shop on Amazon for $499
When it comes to insulated waders the Final Approach Branta 2 in 1 wader does the trick. These mid-range priced waders are best described as comfortable and solid. These nylon waders come with a removable 80-gram Primaloft Silver removable liner; which allows them to be worn on the coldest of days, even in the early season. I don’t want to forget to mention they also come with an interior fleece lined hand warmer pocket which is also perfect for those cold days. The boots are durable with plenty of tread and have 1600 grams of Thinsulate in them for keeping your feet warm on the coldest of days. When testing these they were put through several different environments and had no issues of any kind, and I stayed as dry as could be. As far as warranty information goes, I could not locate anything on their website.
They are offered in several different sizes from 8 to 14 as well as 3 different builds for slim, regular, and stout builds. When it comes to cost, they are listed at $499.99 MSRP but I have seen some sales on their website. These will make a great all season mid-range wader that comes in multiple different color/camo patterns.
Best Duck Hunting Wader for Cold Weather:
Gator Waders Shield Insulated Waders – Click to Shop for $320-$399
Offered in several different camo patterns, the Gator Wader Shield Insulated Waders offer everything you want from a higher end wader at a lower price tag. These mid-range waders are comfortable, durable, and warm. They are constructed out of 4 layer breathable polyester, and these waders also come with a cotton fabric insulated lining. The boots come with 1600 grams of Thinsulate insulation and a very aggressive tread. Some of the other features are a magnetic chest pocket and a fleece lined handwarmer pocket, perfect for those cold days afield. They were tested by a close friend and regular hunting buddy for a few seasons, and he described them as one of the best pairs of waders he has ever worn. They kept him warm and dry in the harshest conditions.
They come in sizes to fit most anyone starting at size 8 to 15 and offered in several different body styles. They come with a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase and have great customer service. Offered in several different colors they are found cheapest at Amazon from $320-399. It would be a tough choice to decide between both mid-range waders and I don’t think you could go wrong with either selection.
Best Duck Hunting Wader Under $100:
TideWe Hunting Waders – Shop Amazon for $89.99
The TideWe Hunting Waders are one of the best bangs for your buck if budget friendly is what you are looking for. These waders pack a lot of features that some of the higher end waders do at a lot smaller sticker price. They are made out a 3.5 mm neoprene material with a comfortable rubber boot. They are offered in both 600 and 800 gram 3M Thinsulate material. Not only do they keep you warm, but they keep you dry as well. I spent several days afield testing these waders out hunting a variety of terrains. They are not only durable but waterproof as well. As far as warranty goes it is 1 year from the date of purchase.
They are offered in several sizes as well. They base their sizes from standard boot sizes and range from 7 to 14. With a quick look at their size guide it’s easy to figure out what you need. When it comes to cost these MSRP at $119.00. If you’re in the market for a less-expensive but durable wader you can’t go wrong with these.
Most breathable duck hunting waders:
Gator Waders Shadow Waders – Shop Sportsman’s Warehouse for $499.99
Gator Waders is no stranger in the wader business. They have been around for a long time. With that said they must be doing something right. I spent 2 seasons with these waders running them through all kinds of situations and terrain in both early in late season. They have withstood the test of time not only are they durable they are also very comfortable. They are made out of 5 mm abrasion resistant neoprene material that comes with 1000 gram 3M Thinsulate boots. The rubber boots are comfortable and have an aggressive tread on them that will handle all terrain types. As far as waterproofing goes, they do their job at keeping you dry. Like most of the other waders they also offer a 1-year warranty from time of purchase.
They are offered in boot sizes as well from size 8 to 14 in several different body styles. They MSRP at 279.99 on Gator Waders website. These make them a perfect budget friendly wader for any level of waterfowl hunter.
In conclusion, the selection of the best duck hunting waders is a critical decision that significantly influences comfort, safety, and overall success in the field. The ideal pair combines durability, waterproofing, and mobility, and price point, tailored to the unique demands of the environment and personal preference. Neoprene waders offer excellent insulation in colder climates, while breathable waders are more suited for warmer conditions. The importance of a proper fit and additional features like reinforced knees and boots cannot be overstated. Ultimately, the best duck hunting waders are those that allow hunters to immerse themselves in the experience, confident in their gear’s ability to withstand the challenges of the hunt. As technology and materials evolve, hunters should remain open to new innovations that enhance their experience and success in duck hunting.
Keep Reading on duck hunting gear and read our list of the best duck hunting chokes.
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