Unfortunately, finding field gear as a woman can be a challenge – especially waders, which are typically designed to fit male bodies. So, we turned to the 2,000+ members of Women of Fisheries to get their advice on what has worked for them!
Like many kinds of field gear, women seem to have a hard time finding quality, well-fitting, and affordable waders without compromising in one of these areas. The main challenge reported by our members is poor fit; waders designed for women seem to fit snug, and the available sizes tend to be limited. Also, too often waders that fit well in the feet don’t fit in the hips and torso, causing comfort and safety issues. Some women resort to using men’s waders due to these issues, with varying levels of success. So what were the top brands according to our members? Here you go, but keep in mind that the feedback on the quality of waders designed for women specifically and overall was mixed, likely due to how long it’s been since members made their last wader purchase and the type of fieldwork being done. See below for our members in action in waders.
Top brands recommended by our members:
Simms: Many members recommended this brand, and specifically the G3 Guide waders, though opinions on the durability were mixed. There was general agreement that the women’s sizing options were limited and not very inclusive.
Miss Mayfly: A few members praised the sizing options, but the durability received less favorable feedback.
Reddington: This brand was mentioned for a good fit, but as having limited durability.
Orvis: Members mentioned expanded sizes, although they can sometimes be too long in the legs. The overall quality was regarded as better than that of other brands.
Patagonia: Members recommended this brand for its inclusive sizing and durability. They offer stocking feet with separate boot options. They tend to be on the expensive side but do offer a lifetime warranty.
Additional brands members mentioned:
Grundens: Noted as fitting true to size, with no feedback on durability.
LLBean: This brand was reported as fitting well for all staff in a workplace setting.
Bass Dash: Mentioned for being reasonably priced and holding up well in rough fieldwork.
Frogg Togg: This brand offers stocking feet with separate boots and inclusive sizing options. The Hellbender Pro was specifically mentioned.
Caddis: Budget friendly and fits well. One recommendation was glowing: “Best fitting waders I’ve owned” and they have been using them for 5 years.
LaCrosse Mallard II expandable neoprene waders: Recommended specifically for insulated waders. Foot sizing was not inclusive, but straps tighten for a good fit.
What waders to wear? It depends…
Overall, members recommended making an investment up front for quality waders and to check out several brands to see which fit their individual body type. No company provides a perfect solution, and this is reflected in the fact that this specific topic has come up at least once a year (more than 40 times!) since the inception of our private group in 2018. Members routinely report frustration when this topic comes up. Like one member who was quoted saying, “Waders. In general, suck for women.” This represents a challenge and opportunity for outdoor gear manufacturers to improve on and provide well-fitting waders for women!
Do you agree with our members? Did they miss any brands? Send us your thoughts at women.of.fisheries@gmail.com so we can provide the best feedback to our readers!