If you have not already heard, Patagonia released a new line of waders just a few weeks ago. They are an improved re-release of their past iteration of Swiftcurrent waders. They have been updated, and most notably the geometry of the waders has been improved. The past waders were great, and Patagonia has found a way to improve them even more. They also shaved down their wader line to three models. They have done away with the packable Swiftcurrent travel wader, and the intro level wader has been completely redesigned with a zipper. This makes choosing what is best for you a little easier. A zip front wader offered in two price points, both boasting Patagonia’s superb quality just what we wanted in early 2025.
The new Traverse wader is a completely new release for Patagonia. A zip front wader retailing at $549, with Patagonia’s quality is unheard of. Constructed with a 5.6 oz 4 layer fabric featuring Patagonia’s signature H2NO selectively permeable membrane, this wader offers the breathability and waterproofing of a gore-tex like materials without the PFAS forever chemicals. A gusseted crotch and seam geometry that prioritizes movement mean these waders were made to move. The redesigned calf of the waders makes slipping in and out of the bootie a breeze. This has changed the fit, and will be covered more below. Like their past waders, they have additional protection at high frequency abrasion points like the ankles. Lastly the wader features a YYK waterproof zipper, and still has drop down chest tabs like past models. This means the chest can be dropped down on sliding suspenders and can be worn as pants.
The Swiftcurrent Expedition and Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front waders haven’t changed all that much. The most noticeable is the new green color. If you are unfamiliar, these waders are also constructed with H2NO technology. A 5.6 oz upper and 9.4 oz lower means you have additional warmth where you need it, and additional thickness where abrasions, pokes, and accidents will happen. The lower, which gets the bulk of the abuse, is fabricated more robustly, and the upper remains light for breathability. Both pair comes with knee pads which are, in my opinion, an essential feature. The standard Expedition comes in at $699 and the zip fronts are $799. They have been giving the same seam makeover and the fit is somehow better than their last models.
Comparing the two comes down to conditions you may be fishing in, how often you fish, and how hard you are on your gear. The Traverse waders are lighter than the Expedition series. This makes them better warm weather waders, they are more packable, and makes them less expensive. The zipper is a convenient feature, not only for getting in and out, but also going to the bathroom. The expedition series are built more for the unstoppable angler. If you are going to be pushing through brush, blackberries, fishing on cold winter days, and fishing any chance you have, then the Expedition series is better for you. Despite being a thicker wader, it regulates temperature in the summer surprisingly well. As for the zipper, that is a personal choice. I do know that most people that pay extra for it like it, and have a hard time going back to nonzip waders after. A fantastic boot to consider is Patagonia’s Forra Boot, they are what I have on in the video and I personally own a pair. See a full review of those here.
The fit has changed quite a bit with these waders, so if you had the past iteration of these, your size has likely changed. I wore an MRM as a 5’8 160lb man in past models. Due to the change in the bootie, ankle, and overall seam geometry. The legs seem to have been made longer in just about every model. By making the bootie easier to get into, they also made the bootie larger. Now I’d be most comfortable in a MSS (Sizing down the leg and bootie). Chris had a similar experience and used to wear an MLM, now he fits best in an MRM. This is something to be mindful of when trying these on in store, and especially purchasing online.
As always, Patagonia has a fantastic ethos and a correspondingly great warranty. They will repair your waders until the end and if they cannot, they will often give you a credit, and upcycle your waders into bags and totes. They do everything in their power to avoid throwing things out. My past generation of these waders has been into repairs twice, all from me pushing the envelope time after time. One was extremely avoidable as I was climbing over extremely sharp metal. Right after I got the waders, I tore the knee completely out leaving a 4 inch gash. The repair team at Patagonia stitched them up a little over 5 years ago and I have not had a single leak. My waders are now full of stitching and repairs, I can proudly still wear all my years of adventures, and the waders have a visible history that tell many stories. The best part is that they are not buried in a landfill.
We are extremely excited about these at the shop. If you live nearby, swing by and check them out. If you’re out of state or the country, give us a ring or email the shop, and we are happy to help you out and ship them to you. It is easy for us to recommend Patagonia waders simply because they are the best that money can buy making them a fantastic investment.
-Simon
