Shedding Weight, Part 2: Backcountry Waders

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Introducing our "Shedding Weight" content series, all about the latest lightest fly-fishing gear to help you get into the backcountry. It has been organized into multiple parts, published over the coming days. This is part 2. Find links to the entire series below.

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When venturing deep into the backcountry, shedding unnecessary weight is key—and waders are no exception. In this second installment of our five-part series, we dive into the latest lightweight waders built for anglers who trek miles in pursuit of solitude and wild fish. Whether you prioritize packability, durability, or full-featured comfort, we put three standout options to the test to see how they measure up in demanding backcountry conditions.

Orvis Ultralight Waders, $379

Short, Regular, long, XL. Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL. Available in Men’s and Women’s.

There are a lot of things to love about the Orvis Ultralight Waders. Their ad copy states, “The perfect all-purpose flyfishing waders should check a lot of boxes…” And they are correct from this tester’s vantage point. It should be noted that the two color ways used on the wader’s main material are the same weight, and is an aesthetic treatment.

Pros:

• The new Fidlock magnetic mechanism kept wader top in place when one wanted full protection, and was easy to disengaged when temps warmed and one wanted the top down.

• The attention to detail in the patterning of the booty. This more anatomical patterning eliminated bulk, and made for a comfortable fit.

• The 4mm neoprene on the booty was toasty warm.
• The fabric, while having great stretch characteristics, never felt delicate. In two weeks of all day walking through dwarf willows and the occasion al Russian olive the fabric held up perfectly. It felt like the perfect balance of range of movement and durability.
• I loved the placement of loops on the waders for attaching forceps and zingers right on the wader’s top. You may not need those attachment points. However, it is better to have more points of organization than fewer, to better accommodate various user’s needs.

Cons:

• The waders do not rock a rear belt loop. At least for this angler and for my body, it felt like the back of the waders were swimming around a bit. Several times I had to stop and hike the belt back up.
• Without a zippered front, biological breaks had to be a strategic – stripping off a vest or pack, wader shoulders straps, and belt was not a quick affair.

If I owned this item: It would be a great all-round wader for relatively warm Colorado with the added bonus of being lighter weight, and allow greater range of motion. While a great all-round wader (without a zipper) it is still light enough to pack. I may be hesitant to use it as a go-to wader if I lived in Alaska or the Olympic Peninsula, instead opting for something a bit burlier to fish all day in rain and 30-degree temps.

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Patagonia SwiftCurrent Traverse Zip Front Waders, $549.00

A crazy array of sizing, Men’s and Women’s

The SwiftCurrent waders were the least anticipated waders of the test for me. I was on a mission for lightweight stuff. While weighing 40 percent more than the lightest wader, Patagonia’s full feature set won me over. I welcomed to the full zipper and not being having to strip a pack off and drop trou to pee. And while the Patagonia’s full feature set of zipper, zip chest pockets, internal zip pocket will not have me reaching for these on a multi-night into a designated wilderness area, they proved super comfortable in walking and stalking fish all day. As a plus, on many of my favorite waters the pockets held everything that I needed for a half day outing.

Pros:

• For me, these waders hit a mark as a great, full feature river tool that are not as bulky, confining and uncomfortable as many “pro” level waders.
• Love the pockets.
• The hip belt, like the Simms, was as substantial as any aftermarket belt.
• While not as elegant and unobtrusive at Orvis’s magnetic Fidlock system, the cam locks that kept the wader tops up stayed put when engaged.
• Like the Orvis waders, the patterning of the neoprene boot was on point. Paired with the Patagonia Forra wading boots, reviewed below, provides incredible security and stability.
• The 4mm booty was welcomingly warm.

Cons:

• For the purpose of this review of lightweight gear that you want to carry all day, the Patagonia waders checked in significantly heavier than the Orvis or Simms.
• Fit, for me, felt profoundly generous. I outlined height, weight, waist size and boot size for Patagonia. While foot size was spot on, the body of the wader was extremely generous. This is not a matter of, “Do these waders make my ass look fat”? It is more of having more material, and weight, than necessary. Sizing seems to run large.

If I owned this item: I have never liked fabrics with a heavy, stiff hand. These would be amazing day-in/day-out waders for my applications in Colorado and Argentina. As a travel wader, where I may have weight and size restrictions on various aircraft, these would be money. However, for strict backcountry applications where I am carrying them for hours on my back, their weight is a drawback.

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Simms Flyweight Packable Waders, $379.95

Regular, short and long. Sizes S through XXL. Men’s only.

The Simms Flyweight Waders were one of the most anticipated arrivals of the test for me. They seemed like the perfect wader for backcountry excursions. Fabric was gossamer where robustness was not needed, and substantial where use dictated. It showed focused intent in the design process, defining the term “technical”: designed for a specific use for a user who knows exactly what they are doing.

Pros:

• Lightweight and materials targeted to specific areas to accomplish specific tasks shows intelligence in design.
• The provided belt is the most substantial that I have seen on any waders.
• As the lightest waders in the test, these waders would be first in my pack for a day-long epic or multi-day backpacking trip.

Cons:

• While my testing took place very early season, in very cold water conditions, the 1.5mm compressed neoprene booty was shockingly cold. As a wader for more moderate temps, when wet wading is still some time off, they may be perfect.
• The patterning of the booty left this user, with normal width feet, a lot of excess material that made for a less than perfect fit. It was not uncomfortable, but not precise.
• The high friction silicone coating on the shoulder straps, and cinch closure that works to keep the upper part of the waders up, was a fail for me. When active the wader tops just sagged down. Placing anything in the front pocket likewise dragged the wader top down.
• Like the Orvis waders, the Simms lacked a zipper. Zippers add complexity, cost and weight. It is perhaps less of a “con”, and more of a of weight verses user experience balancing act. However, it does deserve to be called out. Note that my bladder is the size and consistency of an avocado pit.

If I owned this item: It would be a perfect packable wader. However, I’d eliminate that top portion, eliminate the problem of the sagging, eliminate some of the weight and bulk to make them even more packable. This would essentially make it a packable pair of pants, with suspenders.

See Marty’s complete deep-dive Shedding Weight reviews:

• Part 1: Introduction
• Part 2: Waders (this article)
• Part 3: Boots
• Part 4: Packs
• Part 5: Other Backcountry Essentials

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