Women's Waders Perfected by Female Anglers' Expertise

These aren’t just men’s waders with a fresh coat of paint and reduced features—the new Women’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front Waders were designed, field-tested, and perfected by women anglers—and professional guides like Hilary Hutcheson, with decades of experience working in the harshest weather Montana can deliver.

As with all waders, fit is everything, and Patagonia met that design priority with 12 different women-specific fit options that account for girth, inseam, height, bootie size, and women’s shoe size in different combinations. A good fit looks better, has greater functionality so the wader doesn’t flag in the water or restrict your motion, is more comfortable, and a good fit also makes the waders last much longer. When I see someone wearing any brand of baggy waders with elephant knees or a drooping crotch, I know they will likely leak in six months of heavy use. The most durable waders are the ones that fit.

To help with that fit, Women’s Expedition Zip-Front Waders also have a gusseted crotch, anatomical booties with a socklike fit, an adjustable top hem, and integrated front and rear belt loops with a Secure Stretch wading belt, which flexes when you move and provides a snug fit without sagging under the weight of bear spray, wading staff, walkie talkie, or whatever else you need on your adventure.

Like the other waders in the Swiftcurrent line, Women’s Expedition Zip-Fronts are built with 100% recycled face fabrics, and they use Patagonia’s toughest breathable H2No Performance fabric package.

Contrary to popular belief, the submersible, waterproof YKK front zipper in waders was not invented just so men could pee.  The zipper makes it so much easier to get in and out of waders in general, and the quick-release adjustable suspenders and the rear-buckle drop-seat function in the Women’s Expedition Zip-Fronts make quick relief in the outdoors radically easier for women as well. There are no more awkward, dangling straps during bathroom breaks.

Beyond comfort and fit, there are some hardcore fishing options in these waders—actually, these top-of-the-food-chain waders are loaded with all of Patagonia’s best fishing improvements, things like removable knee pads for sneaking up on trout in difficult situations, or for kneeling and carefully releasing your catch. They also have two soft handwarmer pockets and two stash pockets—all the pockets have waterproof zippers. There is also an inside flip-out waterproof pouch for your phone, and elastic-bottom scuff guards at the bottom to help control your laces and keep debris out of your boots.

“We’re extremely proud to deliver the Women’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Fronts,” said Patagonia Fly Fishing Global Product Line Manager Nicole Labrie. “By adding the Zip-Fronts into our women’s wader line, we’re assuring that the female angling community has access to the waders they deserve—full-featured, heavy duty, versatile, and designed, built, and tested for women by women.”

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$799 | patagonia.com