Great Outdoor Blog

M’s Watermaster II Waders by Patagonia

The Watermaster II Waders are the toughest, most puncture-resistant breathable waders on the market, and feature our innovative internal suspension system that allows “relief” without removing jacket or vest.

These days, waders have to do more than just wade. They need to breathe easily and resist the thorns – from blackberries to Argentine Califate – that guard our favorite waters. Patagonia’s Watermaster II Waders feature a proprietary 3-layer HydroStorm waterproof/breathable polyester fabric package that’s quantitatively tougher (not to mention 25% more waterproof) than the competition. An innovative internal suspension system provides quick, layers-on “relief” without hard-to-operate and failure-prone zippers, safety when taking an unexpected swim, and cool comfort when worn at waist height in hot weather. Strategically placed reinforcement fabric, patterned neoprene feet, contoured crotch and knees, grit-stopping gravel guards and a built-in wading belt round out the package. Field repair kit included

» More Patagonia Fly Fishing

GUIDE TESTIMONIAL:

I wanted to take a minute and express my admiration for the Patagonia Watermaster II breathable waders. Frank, owner of the Pere Marquette River Lodge had told me how well they held up, but I was a little skeptical. After all, I not only guide steelhead and salmon on Michigan’s Pere Marquette River in the spring and fall – I spend the entire summer guiding 7 days a week on the Naknek River in Alaska, from early June until the snow flies in early October. This includes a lot of days hiking into wilderness streams and dodging bears in thick brush, not to mention dragging jet boats on and off of beaches, putting docks in and out of the water, refueling boats, etc.

Last summer, I went through 3 pairs of waders and by the first week of July this summer, I was already on my second pair. When Frank fished with me in early July, he saw that I was in need and left his Watermaster’s for me to test for the rest of the summer.

Amazing hardly begins to describe the difference. Not only were they dry and comfortable to hike around in, but, at the end of the season, I was still wearing the same pair. I had completely wore of the pair of wading shoes that I had started the summer with (not Patagonia’s shoes – another brand) but the waders were still going strong. I didn’t even need to use my patch kit.

I am only half joking when I tell my guests that I spend more time in my chest waders that I do in a pair of jeans. For the last couple of seasons, I have started out almost every day by pulling on a 7 or 8 year old pair of silkweight Capilene bottoms, an equally old and beloved pair of Patagonia fleece pants and then switched to a different companies waders. No longer. Patagonia’s commitment to quality and durability has convinced me to look to them for their waders as well.

I have already spoken to Frank about a pair of Patagonia wading shoes for next summer. I have been hearing only rave reviews from other guides on the shoes as well, and I can’t wait to put them to the test.

Thanks for the great products – keep them coming.

Jim Johnson
Owner, Alaska’s Naknek River Camp

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 12:16 pm and is filed under Fly Fishing, Gear Reviews, Hot & New GEAR!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.