Stay dry and comfortable in the best wading gear for Alaska. From breathable chest waders to convertibles, wading boots to jackets, we’ve tried the best wading gear for Alaska fishing. There’s no need to break the bank for you to stay warm and dry in the worst weather conditions Alaska can sometimes throw your way. Check out these options.
Hodgman Women’s H-4 Stocking Foot Waders
and Hodgman Women’s Aesis Shell Jacket
www.hodgman.com
We loved these quality waders that were not big and bulky and are fitted for a woman. They have high-quality reinforced waterproof seams. The pockets and straps are well-designed and easy to use. These waders proved to be very comfortable in the elements, keeping our tester warm and dry. Our tester also loved the look and feel of this fitted-for-a-woman jacket. It sports adjustable sleeves to keep the water out, multiple pockets for ease-of-use and is comfortable to wear all day long. This is a high-quality breathable jacket for staying dry and comfortable on the water.
Caddis Game Changer Wader
www.caddiswaders.com
Testers really liked this new wader from Caddis Wading Systems. The built-in fly and tackle box is very handy, as well as the two pockets bookending the box. It allowed our testers to be mobile with enough gear to keep them in the game. The breathable waders are comfortable, light and waterproof, and feature reinforced knees and seat, built-in gravel guards, wading belt and rings on the suspender straps to attach additional gear.
Frogg Toggs Pilot II SF Guide Pant
www.froggtoggs.com
Our tester wanted wading pants because he tends to overheat in a full set of waders. These pants are well-made with extra reinforcement in the high-wear areas. The pants are comfortable and reject water.
Patagonia Men’s Minimalist Wading Jacket
www.patagonia.com 
Weighing-in at a mere 10.7 ounces, this wading jacket is functional, waterproof and provides enough storage to stay mobile. The hood and cuffs are adjustable to ensure water stays out, and a bungee drawcord at the waist helps cinch it down tight. We liked the two lower hand-warmer pockets, which come in handy a lot in the fall in Alaska when it rains and temps head towards the freezing mark. We also noted that the jacket works well to protect anglers from the wind, which is another important factor in Alaska.
Hodgman Aesis H-Lock Wade Boot with BOA
www.hodgman.com
Our tester really liked the ease of adjusting these boots without needing to tie laces; they have a dial that twists for tightening. They are comfortable and very secure. The lock release system allows for quick and easy tightening and also allows for a quick-release when removing boots. Our tester really appreciated the removable sole system for quick changing of studded or regular soles.
Aquaz Wadertek Convertible Waders
www.aquazfishing.com
These waders convert from a full chest wader to a pair of wading pants with suspenders and offer a range of features handy to the wading angler. The lower body of the waders are made from four layers of heavy-duty Oxford nylon fabric and that translates to a tough and durable wader. Our tester likes the watertight front chest pocket, which was tested on several occasions when our aggressive wader went in too far. He also likes the detachable waterproof pocket.
Orvis Encounter Women’s Waders and Wading Boots
www.orvis.com
Being petite, our tester has always hated putting on waders. She reports that it’s always been such a fight, with the extra fabric in the legs and feet. “I would end up in pain, in the ankles especially, having to hike all that fabric up out of the boots to get them to fit. The Orvis waders are amazing, and I can credit these waders and boots with the most enjoyable year of fishing I’ve had since moving to Alaska. I thought I was just doomed to always be uncomfortable, but these waders are strong, flexible and extra breathable, even when I wear my FisheWear tights underneath.”
Hodgman Aesis Men’s Sonic WadeLite Jacket
www.hodgman.com
This jacket is light and waterproof, boasting Hodgman’s Sonic seam technology that produces a double sonic weld at the seams to eliminate water penetration. The jacket is made from three-layer V-Tech WadeLite ripstop fabric, which is both waterproof and protects the wearer from wind. Features include two lower zip hand-pockets, a chest pocket and watertight cinch cuffs. Testers reported that the jacket kept them dry in heavy rains.
Patagonia Women’s Spring River Waders
www.patagonia.com
Designed specifically for the female angler, these highly versatile, lightweight waders feature Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard to be worn in a wide range of fishing scenarios, and in Alaska this past year, the waders performed. The fit of the Women’s Spring River waders by Patagonia works well for several women anglers we know of different sizes and heights. We find this wader quality and design to be among the very top of women’s waders.
Redington Sonic Pro Wader
www.redington.com
These waders are comfortable to wear and performed admirably during several months of hard fishing in 2017. The booties are beefed up with 3.5 mm neoprene throughout and 4 mm neoprene on the bottom, which makes them more comfortable and keeps feet warm. We always like a hand-warmer pocket and this fleece-lined one is good. The Redington Sonic Pro wader also includes a flip-out pocket that has a zipper and a tippet pocket.