Skip to main content

Review: Skwala RS Wader

Fly Fisherman's Best New Wader for 2023 is tough against punctures and abrasion and quiet while hiking, with an articulated fit.

Review: Skwala RS Wader

$799 | skwala.com

The first time I wore Skwala’s new RS Waders was on a remote Montana stream I’d never heard of—and I’ve fished in Montana for 35 years. The creek ran beside a long-abandoned railway line within a massive ranch. The old railway bed—the obvious line of foot travel—was shouldered by Russian olives, buckthorn, and miles of barbed wire. Not just barbed wire fences mind you, but abandoned coils of barbed wire on the ground, strung across the river in places, and also tangled in the riverbed as a testament to the rancher’s annual losing war with spring floods. It was a harsh place to bring a new pair of waders, but I pushed through the tangle of thorns and wires, and six months later, they are still keeping me dry.

The durability comes from a dense 100% polyester face fabric, which makes it not only tough against punctures and abrasion, but quiet while hiking. Underneath, a 4-layer waterproof/breathable laminate in the top and bottom creates a durable, submersible barrier. An antimicrobial finish on the wader lining prevents odor and mildew.

Upon first inspection, the most noticeable difference with RS Waders is likely the lack of a traditional wraparound belt. Instead, in the lumbar area, the waders have an internal heat-bonded polyurethane lattice from the Italian company Framis. The internal lumbar panel is connected to a partial belt in the front that you can cinch up tightly and buckle. The result is a wider, more comfortable back support, and a belt that doesn’t sag. You can even hook bear spray or a water bottle on the belt, and it won’t pull the belt down. It can’t—it’s part of the wader.

You’ll also notice that the panel design is different, with fourchette (forked) side panels in the wader legs to create an articulated fit. The comfortable heat-set shoulder yoke is buckle-less, with adjustable G-hook connectors that are hidden inside a mesh sleeve, so there’s nothing to catch or snag on your other layers.

Anatomically patterned left and right booties are glued and taped 4mm neoprene, with an abrasion-resistant panel on the outside of the sole to deal with sand and grit. The gravel guard is a little different as well, designed more like a cuff on snowboard pants. There’s no extra material sewn on the outside to provide for a gravel guard. The waders merely continue down to the ankles, with the neoprene booties hidden up inside for a smooth, snag-free design. The men’s waders come in seven sizes and two different foot sizes, for a possible 14 different combinations. 

$799 | skwala.com




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
Destinations/Species

A Classic Pennsylvania Sulphur Hatch

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
How-To/Techniques

André Brun Demonstrates the Backhand Snake Roll Fly Cast

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
Fly Tying

Tim Cammisa

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: Bakko's Phat Azz Hopper

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...

Ed Jaworowski's Fly Casting Video Series, Video 3: Critical Angle

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
How-To/Techniques

Nymphing Is A Drag

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
Fly Tying

Blane Chocklett: fly-tying innovator & guide, reveals new flies & relationship with Lefty and ASGA

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
News

Jay Nichols

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski, a lifetime of studying the physics of fly casting

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski's Functional Fly Casting Part 2: Rotation & Leverage

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: Max's Mess Maker (MMM)

Lefty Kreh wasn't just the greatest fisherman of all time, he was a mentor to generations of experts, he influenced the ...
News

Lefty: The Greatest of All Time

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Fly Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use