If you are an avid waterfowl hunter you probably know by now the importance of having a good set of waders. This is true whether you hunt from a blind, a boat or in a body of water itself. If you are looking to buy a set of hunting waders or are not happy with your current ones then you will be really interested in some of the wader models we will review here. They are definitely some of the best hunting waders you will find in the sports marketplace.
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Summary: Top 5 Hunting Waders
Model |
Key Features |
Editor’s Rating (out of 5.0) |
LaCrosse Mallard II Expandable Max-4 HD 1000-gram Chest Waders |
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4.6 |
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4.3 |
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4.2 |
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4.2 |
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|
4.1 |
Waterfowl hunting is so popular there are a large variety of waders in the sports marketplace to choose from. You don’t just want to buy the first pair you come across online or on the store shelf. There are certain features of hunting waders that you want to focus on in order to make a sound buying decision.
Here are the key hunting wader characteristics to consider when looking to buy a new pair of them:
- Height
Hunting waders come in one of two heights. There are hip waders and chest waders. From my personal experience, I would never even consider hunting waterfowl in a pair of hip waders. This is mostly personal preference but you have a much better chance of staying dry with chest waders.
- Material
There is not a lot of choices these days in material that hunting waders are made of. Most are made out of neoprene. If they are made out of another material you may want to think twice about buying them.
- Plain versus camouflage
Deciding whether to wear plain or camouflage colored waders is often times personal preference. You should also consider whether you will be out in the open or under cover such as in a duck blind. If you are out in the open then camouflage waders will help you stay concealed better.
If you do decide to go with a camouflage pattern then pick one that matches the surroundings you will be hunting in. If you wear predominantly light green camo waders in an area that is dark green and brown you will be defeating the purpose. You will actually be easier to see by any type of waterfowl in the area.
- Thickness
There are two basic thicknesses that hunting waders are generally sold in. They are 3.5 mm and 5 mm in thickness. A 5 mm thickness wader is sturdier and will last you longer but it is also more cumbersome and expensive.
- Warranty
When you are dealing with a product that is seam welded then you better make sure you get a good warranty on it. You certainly want to be able to return a pair of hunting waders that has a material defect in it. Leaking waders kind of defeat the purpose of wearing them.
If your waders do ever get a hole in them and they are not under warranty here is an informational video on how to easily patch them:
Hunting Wader Reviews

LaCrosse Mallard II Expandable Max-4 HD Chest Waders
Here is a very good pair of chest waders from LaCrosse. They will do a great job of keeping you dry and warm when you are duck hunting or going after any other waterfowl too. These waders are very well-designed to say the least.
They feature such things a 3 ½ mm stretch neoprene upper and tough welded seam construction. This neoprene wader stretches to help you put it on but then goes back snug to keep you warm. The boots have a layer of Thinsulate material which helps keep your feet warm even in the coldest hunting conditions.
One of the best thigs about these hunting chest waders is they will keep you warm. The neoprene in them is stretchy but at the same time clings close to your body to keep you war. The boot component of these waders has added Thinsulate material to help keep your feet warm too.
The authentic Realtree camo pattern is a real nice bonus that you get with this model wader too.
Pros:
- 3 ½ mm neoprene upper
- Realtree Camo design
- Built in hand warmer
- Thinsulate Boot Insulation
Cons:
- Slightly to the heavy side
- A little tough to take off


Frogg Toggs Amphib Camo Bootfoot Wader
Frogg Toggs is a very popular name when it comes to waders. This nice pair here is an example of why they are so popular. These are a little bit thinner style waders that are good to hunt in when it’s warm or cool. They allow you to move around easily when wearing them and they will keep you very dry at the same time.
These are a highly adjustable pair of chest waders that fit a little looser than some models that we have reviewed. Some hunters really like the shooting freedom that gives them. They have added lightweight insulation in the boot area and reinforcing patches on the knee areas too.
There distinct camouflage pattern works great in marshy type settings and there is also a built in hand warmer I these waders too. With these you also get an easy access chest pocket for storing a few shells, chewing tobacco or whatever else you want to put in there.
Pros:
- Reinforced knee area
- Adjustable neoprene suspenders
- Thinsulate lined boots
- Built in fleece hand warmers
Cons:
- Some say they are too long and loose fitting
- Not good for extreme cold weather hunting


Frogg Toggs Amphib 3.5mm Neoprene Bootfoot Cleated Wader
Here is another chest wader from Frogg Toggs that is a little bit to the lighter side. That allows for a lot of mobility for when you are wading to get into shooting position or getting ready to take down a duck. They we keep you warm and dry while hunting except for in extremely cold conditions.
The best thing about these Frogg Toggs model chest waders is how tough they are built for a thinner style wader. These feature reinforced welded seams and extra padding in critical areas wear areas such as the knees. They are bib style waders that feature fully adjustable suspender straps to ensure a proper fit when wearing them.
These are a solid green color so they are best worn when using a blind or shooting from behind other types of thick cover. The boot area does have a small amount of extra insulation too.
Pros:
- Reinforced in high wear areas
- Solid green color
- Very durable for a thin wader
- Extra foot insulation
Cons:
- Not meant for cold weather hunts
- To the baggy side


Hodgman Caster Neoprene Cleated Boot-foot Chest Wader
Hodgman is a very well trusted name when it comes to manufacturers of hunting and fishing waders. These chest waders are a great example for why that is. They are a thin style wader that is perfect for both waterfowl hunting and fishing.
One of the things that set Hodgman apart from some of the other manufactures is their rigid testing and quality control. Hunters know they are getting a product that will hold up well when hunting. These waders feature such things as reinforced knee areas, strong bonded seams and Thinsulate lined cleated boots.
They are plain green in color and also feature a hand warming pocket and two chest pockets for easy access storage.
Pros:
- Neoprene shell
- Rigid testing to ensure quality
- Very durable
- double layer knees
Cons:
- No camouflage so not good for waterfowl hunting in the open
- Wear socks because the boots are lightly insulated


Allen Cattail Bootfoot Neoprene Chest Waders
These great hunting waders are one of the highest quality pairs of waders you will find in this low price range. They are an excellent value for the money you spend to say the least. These waders feature a highly adjustable and snug fit that will help you keep comfortable all the while you are hunting.
If you are concerned about your feet while hunting then these are the waders for you. The boots are nicely insulated with thin material that will keep your feet dry and warm. They have a tough toe for protection and added steel arch supports for comfort.
These chest waders are made from a durable neoprene fabric and they also come in a really cool Mossy Oak Blades camouflage pattern.
Pros:
- 100 gram Thinsulate insulated boots
- Mossy Oak Blades camo pattern
- Tough toed boot with metal arch support
- Web suspenders and belt
Cons:
- Not for hunting in colder weather
- Shoe size runs big for most people

Conclusion
There is not a bad pair of hunting waders on this top review list but there was one we liked better than the others. That was the LaCrosse Mallard II Expandable Chest Waders. They are definitely some of the best hunting waders you can buy.
They seemed to be a little bit warmer than the other brands according to those that wore them. These waders are built to last and the boots are nicely lined with Thinsulate insulation for even more warmth. The Realtree camo pattern was a nice finishing touch that not all of the other model waders on our review list have.
These are most definitely a pair of hunting waders that you would want to check out before you decide which ones you purchase.
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