Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zipper Wader Review

Feature rich and durable zip front waders

I’ve been a huge fan of Patagonia’s Swiftcurrent wader lineup for quite a few years now. I’ve used and abused them all around the Northwest, from coastal steelhead rivers to the backcountry of Northern Idaho and Montana. The durability of Patagonia’s waders has always impressed me, especially since I tend to neglect taking care of them and have earned a reputation for destroying gear.

When I saw Patagonia launching the Swiftcurrent Traverse model, a zip-front wader for $549, I had to pick up a pair and try them out. Getting into a pair of zippered waders has always been viewed as a premium purchase, so having a “mid-price” option really jumped out at me. The ease-of-use zippered waders offer is a major benefit, especially for layering and when nature calls. I feel this will put Patagonia as a front-runner in the wader market, giving anglers a great option for a reasonable price point.

There are a few noteworthy features and upgrades that I’ve been very happy with. The gusseted crotch along with an articulated seat and legs really improved the fit and mobility, reducing pinch points and common wear areas. The elastic suspender straps allow for more ease of movement, especially when crouching down or climbing up and over things. They also tweaked the interior fit of the ankle and bootie area, which makes getting in and out of these much easier. With all of that considered, the Traverse wader is one of the most comfortable I’ve worn.

The pocket layout is simple but functional. Two zippered front pockets with plenty of room for the daily essentials, one zippered interior pocket for secure storage and one large interior dump pocket. I will say it took me a few days to get used to the absence of outside entry hand warmer pockets on the front of the wader. If you’re wearing a wading jacket, this is a non-issue, but it is a bit different since most waders offer this pocket option. This is the only “gripe” I can give about these waders. Everything else is dialed, and it really doesn’t harm the overall functionality.

Overall, I’ve been thrilled with these waders. I can’t quite speak of the long-term durability aspect so far, going to need some more days of running them through the paces. But based on my experience with previous pairs of Swiftcurrents, I’m confident these will be in my lineup for years to come. Patagonia really nailed it here, and I hope anyone interested can use this feedback to put themselves into a quality piece of equipment.

Swing by the shop and Bo or I can get you fitted on the water!

- Kenyon Pitts