Best Duck Hunting Waders Of 2022 (Reviewed By Expert Waterfowlers)
Looking for the best duck hunting waders of 2022? Your search ends here. At Texas Fowlers, we’re passionate about helping waterfowlers get the gear they need at prices that won’t break the bank. And today, we’re going to talk all about waterfowl waders - one of the more important pieces of gear in your wardrobe. They can make or break your experience on the water.
It’s no secret that not all waders are created equal. Some hunters try and scrape by with cheap, low-quality waders - and it becomes clear pretty quickly that they got what they paid for. In the end, they ultimately upgrade to something better. Why not get it right the first go-around? When you buy the best waders for duck hunting, you get a few key benefits:
- Cost savings from less frequent replacing
- More enjoyable hunts with proper protection from the elements
- Style points from looking fresh in your blind (especially when you throw up that IG pic with your haul at the end of the day!)
All things considered, getting the right pair of waders is paramount to a comfortable, successful hunt. But, how can you differentiate the best from the rest? With so many options online, it can get overwhelming trying to find the pair you deserve. But you don’t need to stress any longer. As the experts in all things waterfowling, we’re here to help. In this complete buyer's guide to finding the top waterfowl waders on the market, you’ll learn what you should consider when shopping. Then, we’ll give you our recommendations for the best waterfowl waders of the year. From Drake to Banded, Frogg Toggs to Lacrosse - we’re going to compare and contrast the best of the best. By the end of this in-depth resource, you’ll feel confident in setting out to buy waders for yourself. Let’s start with some basic information on waders in general for the new hunters reading along.
What Are Waterfowl Waders?
First things first - what are waterfowl waders? If you’re a seasoned hunter, you can skip ahead to the next section. But if you’re just starting your journey as a waterfowler, we’re excited to introduce you to one of the most essential components of your waterfowl wardrobe.
Simply put, these are bottoms you’ll throw on to grant you protection from water. They’re waterproof, and allow you to stay comfortable despite the conditions you’re hunting in. Think about it like this - you’re going to have to wade out into a pond or wet field to set your decoys early in the morning. You’ll also have to venture out into the water to collect your birds throughout the day. And, you’ll have to head out there again to collect your decoys as you call it quits. That’s a lot of time wading through the water - sometimes, up to chest deep. Imagine how miserable you’d be without waterproof protection!
Now, not every hunt calls for waders. In fact, some hunts are better off with duck hunting bibs instead. If you don’t anticipate going into the water, no need to wear waders. This is only the case when you have someone to set your decoys out for you, or you have a boat or a dog to retrieve birds. But there will eventually come a time when you will need waders. And when that time comes, you’ll undoubtedly want the best of the best when it comes to waders. Here’s why…
Why You Need The Absolute Best Duck Hunting Waders
We said it before and we’ll say it again - not all duck hunting waders are created equal. As this industry grows and these types of products become more accessible, more and more brands have popped up peddling their waders to the masses. And unfortunately, many new waterfowlers end up wasting their hard-earned money on less than the best.
When you go cheap, you get cheap quality. This results in 2 problems: discomfort and the need for replacement early on. You won’t get the level of protection you need in a cheap pair of waders. And, these lower-quality products will be bulky, unbreathable, heavy, and irritating. No one wants to spend 6-8 hours outside feeling this way. This is reason #1 to invest in the best of the best.
Reason #2 to invest in the best of the best? You actually save more money in the long haul! We know what you’re thinking…how will I save money by spending more on quality? Hear us out. These cheap, low-quality waders will start to fail you far quicker than a high-quality pair will. While you may get 5-10 years of use out of the top waders in the game, you’ll be lucky to get 1-2 seasons out of your cheap waders. Save yourself the hassle and frustration of constantly shopping for new waders by sticking with the best from the jump.
What Makes The Best Waders For Duck Hunting? Our Buying Guide
Ok…you know that you need the best duck hunting waders. But with so many options out there it can be tricky to find your perfect pair. Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this section, we’ll discuss what we believe makes the best waders for duck hunting. This is our criteria for evaluating a pair of waders - and by implementing the same criteria for yourself as you shop, you can rest assured you’re getting your money’s worth. It comes down to a few simple factors:
- Comfort
- Performance
- Durability
- Camouflaging
Allow us to break down each of these factors for you below - starting with comfort.
Comfort
You’re spending a lot of money on a good pair of waders - you obviously want them to be comfortable! That should go without saying. But, what makes a pair of waders more “comfortable” than the next? To help you understand, let’s talk about the two different types of waders you’ll commonly encounter:
One common complaint people have is that waders are heavy and bulky. If you would rather stay light and enjoy ample airflow throughout the day, you’ll want to stick with uninsulated waders. These are great for those warmer days when you don’t need protection from the cold.
Now, in terms of materials, stick with neoprene fabric. This is as breathable and comfortable as it gets - while still offering 100% waterproof protection.
Durability
We mentioned earlier that the best duck hunting waders will last far longer than their inferior counterparts. That’s where the durability element comes in. Think about it - you’re going to be pretty hard on these waders. You’ll sometimes crawl around in the dirt wearing them, you’ll be squeezing through brush and branches, and you’ll be wading around through the water. All this wear and tear can take its toll on any pair of waders - but, the best of the best will last far longer. Stick with pairs of waders that feature premium materials, quality stitching, puncture resistance, and other forms of abrasion resistance.
Camouflaging
Your goal when duck hunting isn’t just to find ducks - you have to prevent the ducks from finding you, too. The specific camouflaging a pair of waders offers is an important consideration. But, it’s important to remember that the right camo for you will depend on the location you’re hunting in. That’s why in our opinion, the best duck hunting waders must be available in a variety of camo patterns.
Other Important Features
While the factors above make up much of our buying advice, there are a few other things you can look for to help you pick the right waders. The best of the best offer other cool features, including:
- Handwarmer pockets
- Looped shell holders
- Padded adjustable shoulder straps
- D-rings for additional storage
- Bootfoot waders (built in boots)
The Best Duck Hunting Waders Of 2022 Revealed
Ready to discover the best duck hunting waders of the year? Now that you know a bit more about what waders are, why they’re so important, and what you should keep in mind while shopping for yourself, it’s time to get to the topic at hand: unveiling our selections for the best duck hunting waders currently on the market.
Keep in mind - all the waders we’re going to share with you below are worth looking into. If they’re on this list, there is a reason for it. However, there are a few brands in particular that we believe to be in a league of their own. Choosing the right pair of waders for you will come down to budget and personal preference. Now, with all that said, let’s kick things off with one of our absolute favorite duck hunting clothing brands: Banded.
Banded Duck Hunting Waders
Banded waterfowl gear is renowned as one of the top choices in the game - and for good reason. They consistently produce quality that exceeds hunters' expectations. And, there is no exception when it comes to Banded Duck Hunting Waders. With a wide array of styles to choose from, these are a recommendation we’d offer to anyone looking for the best waterfowl waders available. While they’re a bit on the pricier side, they are worth every penny.
We particularly like their selection because you can find your specific size with ease - and in some cases, you can even get specialty height and body frame sizing. And whether you prefer insulated or uninsulated waders, you can find something that suits your needs in their collection.
Drake Duck Hunting Waders
Another great option is the lineup of Drake Duck Hunting Waders. In general, Drake waterfowl clothing is an industry leader. They revolutionized the waterfowling industry with their systems-based approach to clothing. And while there are quite a few different styles to choose from, we want to highlight their middle-of-the-line model - the EQWADERS. These chest waders feature a tear-away liner for those early-season hunts. As things start to warm up, you can tear the liner away to offer a bit more breathability. Built-in boots are a great added feature on these. And, you’ll experience some of the most durable materials and unparalleled attention to detail, these are another great choice. You’ll be able to rely on these waders season after season!
Lacrosse Duck Hunting Waders
We also want to highlight the Lacrosse waders as a worthy candidate along your journey to find the best duck hunting waders in 2022. These guys offer a range of wader styles to choose from - including women and children alike. Choose from breathable or insulated styles depending on your hunting conditions or personal preferences. Either way, you can trust that you’re getting the quality you deserve. In the Alpha Swampfox series, you get to enjoy the perfect balance of insulation and breathability - with an incredibly lightweight material that won’t weigh you down. And with Alpha-constructed boots, you get unprecedented comfort and support in each step you take.
Choose from two unique camo patterns that will have you well hidden from any overhead ducks - making for easy hunts. Oh, and if you’re looking for the best big and tall waders in particular? The Lacrosse Mallard II Expandable wader is a great choice for you. The torso is adjustable and expandable - perfect for the big men out there who struggle to find waterfowl clothes that work for them.
Frogg Togg Duck Hunting Waders
The final brand we want to highlight today is Frogg Toggs hunting gear. These guys have been at it since the mid-90s, providing waterfowlers with the gear they need for comfortable, successful, and safe hunts. And you can rest assured that Frogg Toggs waders will deliver the performance and comfort you deserve! This brand offers perhaps the most robust selection of waders to choose from - so, we will let you explore their selection yourself to find the right pick. However, we personally love the Grand Refuge line. These are the most value-packed selection on this list, offering premium quality at a discount. This style works remarkably well in any conditions, any season. They’re obviously 100% waterproof, but what really separates them from the rest is the degree of insulation they offer. Never stress about wading through frigid water again - you won’t feel a thing! Then, as the season progresses and starts to heat up, you can ditch the lighter for enhanced breathability. Other features include a wide range of pockets for incredible storage capabilities, boots built-in, shell sleeves, and much, much more.
Final Thoughts On The Best Waders For Duck Hunting This Year
Well, there you have it. That concludes our breakdown of the best waders for duck hunting this year. As you can see, there are a few amazing brands out there to choose from. We encourage you to stick with the names you see on this list - they’re tried and true. Their reputations speak for themselves - and if you truly want the best waders for duck hunting, these are it.
With all that said, there is just one thing left to do - head over to Texas Fowlers and secure your pair of waders at the best prices online! We’ve become known as the #1 choice for all waterfowling gear because we source the best brands at the lowest prices available. And to put the cherry on top, you’ll experience unbeatable customer service every step of the way. That means if you still aren’t sure which pair of waders are best for you, you can lean on us. As lifelong waterfowlers ourselves, the best part of our day is helping others enjoy the sport as it was intended - safely, comfortably, and with a bag full of birds at the end of the day. Don’t hesitate to reach out - let’s get you set up with the waders you need this season!