gear review fly fishing blog

When snow is melting and the trail to your favorite creek turns to mud, your waders and boots are your ticket to the water. At Fishwest, we put our gear to work in the Uintas and around Northern Utah—not just in a product photo studio. Here's what we've been wearing this spring, with picks that hold up when the terrain doesn’t. 🥇 Patagonia Swiftcurrent Waders – Top Pick Why we love them: H2No® Performance Standard Shell 4-layer Zip (Expedition & Traverse) Men and Women's sizing Rugged and reinforced in the right places Excellent mobility without sacrificing durability Built with recycled materials and thoughtful design Best for:Anglers who bushwhack, scramble, and want gear that lasts for multiple seasons—and care about how that gear is made. Notes from the field:From thick willow-choked banks to fast-moving tailouts, these waders have been a standout performer for our team. They break in fast, hold up to abuse, and fit a wide range of anglers well. 🥈 Simms G3 Guide Waders – Trusted but Under Scrutiny Why we like them: 3 layer Gortex Pants and chest waders available. Men and Women's sizing Proven track record, great storage, well-known fit Our current take:We've noticed some consistency issues in quality over the past couple years. While Simms still builds a good wader, we’re keeping a close eye on durability and repair concerns and leaning more toward options that are holding up better long-term. 🥉 Orvis PRO Wader – A Tech-Heavy Favorite Why we love them Men's & Women's sizing Tough, durable build perfect for guides and hardcore anglers Thoughtful pocket placement for real-world utility Best for:They are built for the more atheltic person, meaning they aren't kind to curves. They are great for anglers who fish all day, every day and need gear that can keep up—especially in colder conditions. Bonus Boot Pairings Simms Flyweight Access – LIGHTWEIGHT, vibram sole that doesn't need cleats Patagonia Foot Tractor – rugged, grippy, and bombproof Orvis PRO BOA – fast on/off with dependable traction Not every wader fits every angler or water type. But these three get the Fishwest seal of approval for handling the unique challenges of Utah’s high country. Come by the shop to get fitted or ask our staff what they’re personally wearing this season—we’re always happy to chat gear (and fish).