Are you in a hurry? The TideWe Bootfoot Chest Wader was the best duck hunting wader we could find. It provides excellent insulation against the cold and water. Its boots are also slip-resistant and have some features best suited for duck hunting.
Today we will review the best duck hunting waders, and I am going to give you six options to choose from. I have personally vetted a list of over 15 waders and could only find six to my liking.
Having hunted with one before, I have an idea of what to look for. We will have several types of waders that include bootfoot and stockingfoot. I will also go over some of the materials used, such as neoprene and PVC.
Best Duck Hunting Waders
- TideWe Bootfoot Chest Wader (Editors Choice)
- Foxelli Bootfoot Chest Wader (Budget-Friendly)
- HISEA Bootfoot Chest Wader
- Bassdash Stockingfoot Chest Wader (Best Stockingfoot Wader)
- Frogg Toggs Rana II Bootfoot Hip Wader (Best Hip Wader)
- Frogg Toggs Amphib Bootfoot Wader
Let’s start with the first one, which came from TideWe:
#1 TideWe Bootfoot Chest Wader (Editors Choice)
- Size: 9-14
You will pretty soon know why this chest wader from TideWe was my favorite. It has so many features that will give you a better experience on your next duck hunting trip. It is made from a 5mm neoprene, which is covered with stretchable material. Neoprene is a rubber-like material that is very waterproof.
It is a bootfoot chest wader that uses 1600g Thinsulate rubber boots. The rubber boots are also slip-resistant and will be attached to your leggings. This feature will prevent any water from leaking into your leggings. The leggings are also coated with polyurethane, which gives them extra waterproof capabilities.
The seams are also double-stitched and glued, which will prevent water from leaking through. You also have a shell pouch on your chest that can hold up to 12 shells. Behind the shell pouch, you will have three frontal pockets. The shell pouch makes it easier to reload your shotgun. This product also comes with a hang-on hook.
The wader also comes with padded knees that enable you to crawl on the ground more comfortably. You also have adjustable buckle suspenders to give you a better fit. You will also get a waterproof phone case, which will help to keep your phone dry. The waiter comes in one camo pattern, which includes Realtree Max 5.
#2 Foxelli Bootfoot Chest Wader (Budget-Friendly)
- Size: 7-14
If you are on a tight budget, then I would recommend this wader from Foxelli. This wader can also be used for fishing. It is made from 420D nylon material that is lighter than neoprene. Nylon is a good material that is also durable and waterproof.
It is a bootfoot wader that is attached to lightweight boots. The boots are made from PVC and have an anti-slip sole. The seams are also double-stitched and sealed to prevent water from leaking through. It comes with buckle suspenders that can be adjusted. The suspenders make it possible to change the wader according to your size.
The wader also has reinforced knees that make it easier to crouch and crawl on the ground. You will also have an adjustable belt with d rings attached to it. The d rings make it possible to attach a harness to your belt if you take your dog with you.
It has outer and inner pockets that are waterproof. You can now store your smaller gear safely inside the pockets to keep them dry. The wader also comes with a carrying back that makes it possible to take it with you everywhere.
Cons: Does not have ammo storage.
#3 HISEA Bootfoot Chest Wader
- Size: 7-14
If you did not like my top recommended product, then this one might be for you. It is also durable and very waterproof. It is made from 4.5mm neoprene material and is covered with nylon. The legging is also connected to 600g Thinsulate boots. The boots are rugged and also slip-resistant.
The wader also makes use of double stitched taped seams. This feature will prevent any water from leaking through the wader. The knees are also reinforced, making it easier to crawl on your knees for a longer time.
The adjustable buckle suspenders also makes it easier to wear the wader by adjusting the height. You will also get a front zippered pocket in which to store your gear. There are also eight shell holders on top of the pocket that allow you to have quick access to your shotgun ammunition.
You will also get an adjustable belt around your waist area. The belt will also have storage space for your shotgun ammunition. Along with this product, you will also have access to a waterproof phone case. This wader also comes in the camo pattern called Next Camo EVO.
#4 Bassdash Stockingfoot Chest Wader (Best Stockingfoot Wader)
If you would like to wear your own waterproof boots with a wader, this option is for you. This is a stockingfoot wader branded as a fishing wader but can be used to hunt waterfowl. This product has a 15000 mm waterproof rating, which is ideal for walking in shallow water.
It has stocking feet made from 4.2 mm neoprene. The stocking feet allow you to wear your own waterproof boots. If you do not like the stockingfoot option, then you can also go for the bootfoot option. This product has a frontal chest pocket with a waterproof zipper. It also comes with several zippered pockets inside and outside.
You can wear this wader with the help of adjustable suspenders. The suspenders make use of buckles to take it off quickly. This feature allows you to adjust the height of the wader. You also have access to an elastic waistband, which will give you a more comfortable fit. You can carry the wader around with the help of a mesh storage bag. It comes in the color DESOLVE Veil camo.
Cons: It does not have shell storage, and the stockingfoot option might not be suitable for everyone.
#5 Frogg Toggs Rana II Bootfoot Hip Wader (Best Hip Wader)
- Size: 7-13
If you do not want a full wader to cover your entire lower body, you might want to look into this wader from Frogg Toggs. It is a bootfoot hip wader that only covers your leg up to your hip.
The wader is made from PVC, including the boot. The legging part is reinforced with a camo themed nylon. The boot is welded together with the wader, making it completely waterproof. waterproof taped seams were used to prevent any water from leaking through. This combination of boot and wader will make your legs entirely waterproof.
It also uses an adjustable belt leash that will attach to your belt, preventing it from falling off. The lease also makes use of a quick-release buckle. It also uses the camo pattern called Realtree Max-5.
Cons: It does not contain any pockets or shell storage.
#6 Frogg Toggs Amphib Bootfoot Wader
- Size: 7-14
This product was on the list because it was the only one that contained the Mossy Oak Bottomland camo pattern. It is an excellent bootfoot wader that is sealed from the bottom up.
The wader itself is made from 3.5mm neoprene material. Neoprene is entirely waterproof and is a very durable material. This wader will last a very long time and will keep you dry. This product is also attached to 600-gram Thinsulate boots.
It comes with adjustable neoprene suspenders that make use of velcro for adjustment. The suspenders will help to keep the wader in place so that it does not fall off. The seams are also stitched, glued, and taped to provide three layers of protection against water.
It has a large frontal chest pocket to store valuable gear such as your iPhone, car keys, or anything of value. The wader has D-ring attachments at the front just below the suspenders. You can attach a leash to the rings to keep your dog stationary.
The reinforced knees will make it easier to crawl around on the ground. This product comes in two different camo patterns that include Mossy Oak Bottomland and Realtree Max-5.
Cons: It did not have shell storage rings.
How To Choose The Best Duck Hunting Wader – Buying Guide
This section will give you some pointers on how to choose the best duck hunting waders. I will go over all of the features and will explain each one in-depth.
Materials used
The purpose of duck waders is to keep you dry, warm and to protect your lower body. It will be wise to choose a material that can do all of the above mentioned. So far, neoprene will be the best option for those who want to take their duck hunting to the next level.
- Neoprene: It is a type of synthetic rubber that is flexible and also waterproof. It is used commonly in diving suits. It is also very durable and provides good insulation.
- Thinsulate: This is also a material that is used in some of the boots. Thinsulate is very durable, waterproof, and will help to keep your feet dry and warm.
- Nylon: This material is also a synthetic material that is very durable and waterproof. It can also be lighter than neoprene but is not as waterproof. Sometimes nylon fabric will be coated with Polyurethane.
- PVC: This is a type of plastic that is durable and also waterproof. It is also a good insulator.
Type of waders (Hip vs. chest waders)
In this review, there were two types of waders, which consist of hip and chest waders.
Chest waders
Chest waders will cover your entire lower body and will go up to your chest. They will most likely use adjustable suspenders to be held in place. They will also provide the best insulation and waterproofing.
This type of wader will allow you to safely store some of your gear without the risk of getting wet. Chest waders will also let you go deeper into the water and almost through any terrain type.
Hip waders
This type will only go up to your hip and will only cover your legs. You will be exposed from your crotch area upwards. Hip waders are suitable for the hunter who does not want to stay in the water’s shallow areas.
Bootfoot vs. stockingfoot
These two types of waders are commonly found and included in this review.
Bootfoot waders are when the boots are attached to the end of the wader where your feet will go through. These waders offer the best insulation because the water will never be able to move into the boots.
These waders are also straightforward to put on and do not require you to put on every part separately. Some of the boots are also made from Thinsulate and offers excellent slip-resistant properties.
Stockingfoot is the other type of wader that you will find. What makes it different from the bootfoot is that it uses a neoprene sock instead of a fully functional boot. This wader makes it possible for you to wear your own custom waterproof boots.
The Bassdash Stockingfoot Chest Wader is an example of a stockingfoot wader.
The neoprene sock is also attached to the wader, which will make it insulated. It is not recommended to wear this wader without a boot because some sharp objects on the water floor might cut through the socks and penetrate your feet.
Insulation & waterproofing
When it comes to duck hunting, you want a wader that will keep you dry and warm. The water you plan to enter might be freezing, so it is better to find a wader to provide the best insulation.
The best type of wader that will give you both of these requirements will be one that is made from neoprene. Neoprene is a rubber-like material that is used to make diving suits. Divers will often go deep underwater where the temperature will fall.
This is the reason why this material was chosen to keep you insulated and dry. You also want your boots to keep your feet warm, and Thinsulate is a good material that will do just that. You should also make sure that the seams are waterproof as well. Sometimes the seams will be double stitched, glued, or even taped together.
Durability & toughness
If you are an avid duck hunter who likes to hunt a lot, then I would recommend a duck hunting wader that is both durable and tough. All of the waders in this review was made from a material that will last for years.
The materials included nylon, neoprene, PVC, and Thinsulate. The wader should be able to withstand the damage that might be caused by walking through reeds. The boots should also not get punctured easily or tear apart.
Comfort
I do not like to walk too much in a wader. Some hunters can walk for miles inside a wader without any issue. Make sure to get a wader that fits correctly, and you should probably choose the right boot size.
If the boots are too small, then it will put too much pressure on your toes. Oversized boots are also not a good idea as it tends to be uncomfortable. You should also be able to adjust the suspenders to your desired height.
Size
Fortunately, duck hunting waders are not universal in size because not everyone has the same size foot. It is like trying to get the right shoe size, pant size all in one. Fortunately, most manufacturers will give you a table that has all the data you need.
You will need to look at shoe size, inseam length, hipline, chest, and waist. As a general rule of thumb, you should choose a size ten wader if you wear a size ten shoe. The video above will explain it in more detail.
Waterproof seams
You can have the most waterproof material, but all will go to the waist if the seams are leaking. It is best to choose a wader who uses seams that are thoroughly stitched, taped, or glued. Some waders will use a combination of all three methods.
Extra knee padding
Duck hunting does not always require you to go on your knees, but you need to make sure that it is at least comfortable when you do. Some of the waders will be reinforced in the knee area to make it easier for you to stay on your knees for longer.
Pockets
Not all of the waders will have a pocket, but when they do, you need to make sure it is waterproof and situated high enough so that it does not come into contact with water. The most common area for pockets on waders is the chest area. Some of the pockets might use velcro, while others will use zippers.
Shell storage
How quickly do you want to reload your shotgun? This is the first question that you need to ask yourself when hunting ducks with waders. Some waders will have shotgun shell storage, which will give you quick access to your ammunition. The TideWe and HISEA both included shotgun shell rings on top of the chest pocket.
Suspenders & adjustability
Suspenders would be the first thing to look for if you want an adjustable wader. The suspenders will allow you to adjust how tight the wader will be around your shoulder area. It might also be a good idea to loosen the suspenders if the wader is hurting your crotch area.
Contain your dogs with the D-rings
If you like to take your dogs with you while waterfowl hunting, then you might love this feature. Some waders come with D-rings attached to either the belt or the suspender. You can attach the leash to one of these waders to put your dog in a stationary position. The Foxelli, HISEA, and the FROGG TOGGS came with D-rings.
Camo pattern
You do not want to stand out while hunting, so you need a wader that uses a camo. You want to use a camo that will blend into a terrain that is covered in reeds, high grass, and flooded timber.
Realtree Max 5 and Next Camo EVO were very well suited for waterfowl hunting close to water where reeds and tall grass were present. Mossy Oak Bottomlands was good if you like to hunt in flooded timber.
What To Wear With The Waders
What to wear with waders is a prevalent question that I get frequently. This section will discuss some of the clothing pieces that you might want to pack along with the wader.
Baselayers
What I like about base layers is that it is made from a thin material that will not limit your movement. Base layers are also lightweight. You can wear base layers underneath almost any type of clothing without having to feel bulky.
You can wear base layer pants and a long sleeve shirt with duck waders if it is not too cold. I have written a section on the best base layers for cold weather.
Waterproof boots
If you have chosen the stockingfoot design, I would recommend a good pair of waterproof boots to protect your feet.
Duck hunting jackets
Wearing a base layer set underneath your wader is fine, but you might want to add a good duck hunting jacket to the mix. You should get a jacket that is also waterproof and will fit the same camo theme as your wader.
Hunting gloves
Hunting gloves are optional, and I know that some hunters do not like to wear them even when it is too cold. Ensure that the glove is not too thick around the trigger finger, not to make it harder to shoot your shotgun. You should also try and get a waterproof glove.
How To Wash And Look After The Waders
Now that you have the wader, how do you take care of it? In this section, I will give you some tips on how to make your wader last longer.
Wader storage
If the wader is made from PVC or neoprene, then I would not fold it as it might cause a permanent dent in the fabric. Instead, you should hang it somewhere in a closet and not forget to allow the material to dry.
Washing and drying
I would not recommend you to wash the wader after every single hunt. The only time that I would was this product is after every hunting season. Sometimes, just wiping the wader will be good enough.
The washing method and soap will also depend on the type of material used. I would recommend that you read through the pamphlet or visit the manufacturer’s website to get more details on washing it.
After every wash, I would recommend you allow it to dry. By allowing it to dry, you will prevent any type of mold from taking form on your wader. The wader will also develop a strong moldy odor, which is not ideal. I like to hang my wader outside where the sun can give it a hand in the drying process.
How to repair the wader
If the wader develops a tear or hole from the waist down, I would not try and fix it. Some people will try to use glue or stitch it themselves, which is not ideal. Contact the manufacturer and ask them to fix it for you (if the product is still under warranty).
The most important area of the wader is the part that will be submerged under the water. If you do not fix it properly, then you risk getting wet. If one of the suspenders or pockets gets damages, you might want to try and fix it yourself as it does not require any specialized treatment.
FAQ
Q: Why are duck waders essential?
Duck hunting waders will provide the best insulation to find if you plan to go into the water. This product protects you against water and will help to keep you dry. Some duck waders are also built to prevent water from seeping through your boots.
Q: Do you always need to wear waders when duck hunting?
If you plan not to go into the water and have a hunting dog trained to fetch the game, you do not need to wear a wader.
Q: How do you keep your feet warm?
Socks, socks, and more socks. Most of the Bootfoot waders will have boots that are well insulated. If you still feel that you need to add some extra insulation, then you can wear socks. Nothing stops you from wearing several layers of socks if you need to.
Q: Is Camo necessary for duck hunting?
I know some people that have successfully hunted waterfowl without the need for camo. It all depends on the area and your hunting method. If you feel that you will be overexposed and need camo, it will be a good idea.
The Verdict
When choosing a duck hunting wader, you need to be on the lookout for potential issues. These issues will include waders that are not entirely waterproof, not well insulated, and where the boots might make you slip.
My #1 recommendation is this wader from TideWe, which will solve all of these problems. It is durable and very well insulated against cold and moisture. It also has other features to brag about. Please leave a comment below and share with us which was your favorite wader.
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