Summer isn’t over yet, but the seasons are changing. Cooler mornings, shorter days, and the return of steady rain mean fall and winter fishing are right around the corner. Before the weather turns, now is the time to make sure your waders and outerwear are ready for the months ahead.
A little preparation now can save you from discovering a problem when you’re standing knee-deep in cold water.
If your waders have been sitting in the closet all summer, give them a quick inspection before their first big fall outing. Check the booties, straps and zippers, and give your waders and zippers a good cleaning to remove dirt, oils, and other buildup from the previous season. Clean out your pockets to start the new season fresh.
It’s also a good time to refresh the water-repellent finish on your waders. Proper cleaning and reproofing can help maintain the performance of the fabric and keep water beading on the surface like it should.
Fall and winter fishing are all about managing the elements. Your waders provide the first line of defense against cold water and rain, but the right layers make the rest of the day a whole lot more comfortable.
A waterproof, breathable rain jacket adds another layer of protection when the forecast turns ugly, while a warm puffy jacket provides insulation when temperatures drop. Layer them together and you have a system that can handle everything from crisp fall mornings to cold, wet winter days.
The goal isn’t to stay inside when the weather gets bad. It’s to have gear that lets you stay out there anyway.
$429.00Original price was: $429.00.$398.00Current price is: $398.00.
Don’t Wait for the First Downpour
The best time to find out your gear needs attention is before you’re standing in the river. Take a few minutes now to inspect, clean, and refresh your waders, then make sure your jackets and insulating layers are ready to go.
Fall fishing is coming. Get your gear ready and make the most of it.
Summer fishing hits different — long days, low water, warm weather, and more time chasing fish in places you’ve been waiting all year to explore. But the right gear can be the difference between an epic day on the river and a day spent battling the elements.
Whether you’re wet wading your favorite local creek or heading deep into the backcountry, having gear built for warm-weather adventures means less time worrying about the conditions and more time doing what you came for — chasing fish.
Gear up, get outside, and make the most of every summer session.
Longer days. Warmer temps. Fish getting ready to be caught.
Time to shake the dust off and make sure your kit isn’t the weak link.
Here’s your quick pre-season tune-up 👇
1. Clean First. Always.
Before you do anything else, give your gear a proper wash. Grime, fish slime, and last season’s “character” will kill performance if you let it hang around.
If your waders are soaking up water instead of shedding it, you’re officially in “wetting out” territory—and nobody likes that. A fresh DWR treatment keeps your gear breathing and you feeling less like a boiled potato.
Yeah, it’s basic. Yeah, people forget. Make sure your wading belt is actually…with your waders.
Safety first. Fishing second.
5. Pocket Archaeology
Open your pockets. Be honest.
If you find:
Old leaders
Rusty hooks
Snack wrappers from last July
…it’s time.
Start the season clean. Future you will be grateful.
6. Patch it if it looks suspect
Small abrasion spots turn into big problems—usually mid-river.
Now’s the time to inspect and patch anything questionable so you’re not dealing with it later. If it’s abraded, punctured, or fraying put a patch on it.
7. Layering Reset
Spring fishing = temp swings. Layer accordingly for the temp swings between cold mornings and warm afternoons. Nothing leads to fishing in sweaty waders faster than too many layers.
8. Upgrade What’s Holding You Back
If something’s worn out, or just not pulling its weight anymore…you know what to do.
Fresh season = fresh gear.
Get dialed now so when the fish are on, you’re not messing with your gear.
The 2026 update to the men’s DRYFT S14 waders feature a few choice upgrades to make the popular S14 wader even better. Now featuring a new heavier weight lower, with more abrasion resistance and durability, and longer reinforced rip-stop neoprene gravel guards.
The wader built to go where others can’t — without slowing you down. Featuring a premium TIZIP® fully waterproof main zipper for fast entry and streamside relief, combined with a rugged four-layer lower and breathable upper, the Primo Zip Wader gives you high-performance wading at an unbeatable value.
In general, totes are great for carrying gear but they don’t keep your stuff dry. Solving that problem, purpose-built as a fishing boat and carry bag, the Bkcntry Stronghold is a rugged 27+ liter waterproof roll-top tote that actually keeps your essentials dry, secure, and ready for action anywhere you take it.
Easy to carry, without taking up a lot of space in the boat, this mid size yet spacious dry bag fills a need you didn’t know you had.
Whether keeping camera gear dry and safe, storing extra clothing and snacks, or packing everything you need for a lightweight camping trip, this is your bag.
With a wider opening than a backpack, larger items go in and out with ease and finding what you’re after is a breeze. The top opens wide, and the hooped rim snaps open to make finding what you’re after a walk in the park.
How does it fit so much stuff?
With a spacious 27 liter main compartment, stay-open hooped rim with snaps, and roll-top closure, it’s made for easy access and watertight protection.
Two welded interior pockets organize the small stuff, while the removable felt base and fold-flat design make it versatile for storage and travel. Durable, RF welded construction and a removable shoulder strap round out a bag that’s as tough as it is functional.
This is a story about identity, belonging, and rediscovery.
For Oregon native Megan Brown, figure skating was everything—her identity, her purpose, her world. But when she left it behind, she faced the challenge of finding herself all over again. Years later, she discovered a new passion that reconnected her to that same sense of purpose: fly fishing.
Where I’m Meant to Be is a short film about how who we are—and where we belong—can change over time, and the courage it takes to embrace a new chapter when life’s purpose is recast.
Shot on location in Oregon Dir / DP / Edit: Andrew Krantz
Do you like fishing away from other people? Given the popularity of fishing and fly fishing around the country, you’ll need to work a little harder now to get that solitude. A lightweight and packable design is crucial in a wader for this type of activity. Waders designed with the features you need, in a small and light enough package to fit in a backpack, will allow you to reach difficult to access fishing spots.
The new Session Lite Convertible waders and Session Lite Wading Pants are both built in a small and light enough package to roll up and stuff in a backpack. Oftentimes if we are hiking into a spot that’s further than 3 miles then we will opt to put the waders in a pack and put them on after the hike. This is where a stockingfoot design comes in handy, because it enables the hiker to wear a padded sock (neoprene or thick wool) inside their regular wading boots for the hike, and then change into waders once they arrive at the fishing destination.
Improved stability and traction
That leads us to the ideal boots to use for backcountry hike-in fishing. We choose Korkers wading boots for all of our adventures, and especially this type of active fishing. All models of boots give ankle support and provide the huge benefit of swappable soles. You can literally change the soles out to match whatever conditions you encounter. We usually opt for a studded felt or studded rubber for hike-in fishing trips. The combination of studs and felt or studs and rubber performs well in dry and wet conditions, making the transition from hiking trail to river wading seamless.
Now get out there and do some backcountry angling!
So if you’re a fan of hike-in backcountry angling already, or looking to get away from the crowds then pick up a set of light convertible waders, some hiking ready wading boots, load up your fishing pack, and get after it! Lightweight breathable convertible waders paired with the right boots will take you there and back in comfort, and lead to many days of fishing adventure in the woods.
The only question once you’re geared up is where to go. We suggest checking out local maps (Google Earth or paper maps) to find areas where your river of choice isn’t accessible by road. Then it’s all up to your legs to get you there and back.
Do you like to fish places where you might not see another angler all day long? If the answer is yes, then you may want to consider the benefits of backcountry angling.
We’re really into the backcountry style of fishing, and are going to discuss why breathable fishing waders, and specifically the convertible wader style, provide several advantages for backcountry anglers, making them essential gear for your next backcountry fishing trip.
What are convertible top fishing waders?
Convertible waders are simply where the upper portion of the wader is constructed on a sliding system, to be able to be unsnapped from the top end position and pushed down to the users waist. Usually they incorporate snaps or buckles, to allow the top to be secured in the upper position. Our new Session Lite Convertible Waders use a magnetic snap to make this function effortless.
Convertible waders increase mobility and comfort through breathability and function
Waders with a convertible style top will increase your comfort by allowing you to drop the top when you’re warm and hiking, and pull it back up if you get cool or need to cross a deep stretch of water. Waders designed with an easy snap method, like the magnetic snaps on the Session Lite Convertible waders, are a necessity. We recommend a stockingfoot design for active fishing, as you can wear wading boots designed for hiking that will be comfortable all day long. Also, lightweight stockingfoot waders will roll up and fit in a backpack for a long hike in.
How do breathable fishing waders actually work? Breathable fishing waders are constructed of a multi layer fabric that allows air, but not water, to pass through. A waterproof membrane is sandwiched between layers of durable fabric, giving the fabrics the ability to pass air through but keep water out. This is a huge advantage to any active angler, and most quality waders are built using this technology now.
Benefits of breathable material The main benefits to breathable fishing waders is that it helps prevent overheating and sweating. Keep in mind that getting hot and sweating can still happen while wearing them! It just significantly helps compared to older styles of non breathable waders.
Comfort and mobility of waders designed for backcountry fishing The importance of using the proper waders for backcountry angling cannot be stressed enough. If you want to enjoy your day, be comfortable and mobile then you will want to use the right waders. Lightweight, breathable, and convertible systems will help make the most of your trip.
We hope you enjoyed these tips, and hope you enjoy lots of happy and comfortable fishing this season!
Session Lite Convertible WadersOriginal price was: $479.00.$379.00Current price is: $379.00.
