In February, Patagonia announced new and revamped waders in the Swiftcurrent lineup. The announcement was for five new waders between men’s and women’s designs, and like any time Patagonia has announced new waders in the last decade or so, there have been some aspects and features to be pretty excited about.
The Swiftcurrent lineup now includes the Men’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front Waders, Women’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front Waders, Men’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders, Men’s Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip-Front Waders, and Women’s Swiftcurrent Traverse Waders. The team at Westbank Anglers has had the privilege of getting on the water for the last few months with the new Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip-Front Waders, and we couldn’t be more impressed.
Many of us in the Rockies are active anglers. While we’re often comfortably fishing and guiding from a drift boat here on the South Fork of the Snake River, there are also many days of hiking, maneuvering over big rocks and boulders, and just managing the terrain that is ever-present in the Rocky Mountains. With boot and wader designs, Patagonia is mindful of the needs of active anglers and those who might expect many encounters with thick brush, rocks, and other tough terrain. And that’s why anglers who might hike, crawl, and, well, “traverse” have a great pair of waders to experience with the new Swiftcurrent Traverse waders.
The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse waders are loaded with great features. The pair we worse are the Zip-Front design, and from getting them on and off to “using the facilities,” it’s hard not to love the front zipper feature. Other highlights include zippered stretch chest pockets that won’t leave you with a large pocket opening to get your oar handles or rod butts caught on. And like with other Patagonia waders, you can easily lower them to your waist, which is especially nice when temperatures fluctuate, and you want all-day comfort to not be inhibited by layers of water repellant wader material.
We could go on and on about loop attachment points and other features, but what really stands out his how these waders are designed for active anglers. The Traverse waders are impressively lightweight but built to be durable. Scuff guards at the ankles help cut down on premature wear while also protecting your boots. And with the overall fit, more room in the legs, anatomical booties, and a roomier crotch design support more articulation and all-day movement for anglers.
The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip-Front Waders come in a wide variety of sizes and cost $549. They are available online or in store now! Check them out below.
