Wading belts have long been sold as accessories to hip and chest waders, allegedly as a safety device to prevent water from filling your waders and dragging you under.
As far as we can tell, that’s a complete myth that’s been debunked time and time again.
But wading belts are excellent for two things. They can stop cold water from entering the lower half of your waders, keeping your feet warm and dry. And they can be used as a utility belt to support heavier items, reducing fatigue.
If your belt leaves something to be desired, keep reading. Below, you’ll find reviews of the best wading belts on the market, as well as a complete buying guide to get you up to speed quickly.
Quick glance at the best wading belts:
Table of Contents (clickable)
Related:
Best Wading Belt Reviewed
Frogg Toggs Wading Belt – Best Budget Wading Belt
If you’re a fly fisherman, you’re probably familiar with Frogg Togg’s excellent line of rainwear and waders. Unsurprisingly, they offer a simple, effective, inexpensive wading belt that will cinch your waders tight enough to prevent water from entering below your waist in most circumstances.
A strong, plastic buckle that’s easy to use and 1 ½” heavy-duty nylon make this a simple, effective accessory that can help keep you warm and dry.
This belt is tough as nails, too, so at this price, there’s no reason not to have one.
Pros:
- Extremely inexpensive!
- Very effective
- Durable
Cons:
Simms Neoprene Wading Belt
Simms is another famous name in fly angling, and their neoprene wading belt is a step up in comfort and ease-of-use from the Togg Froggs. It’s also a lot more expensive.
Made from 5mm neoprene, it’s probably more comfortable than nylon fabric as it will conform to your body more easily. The strong, plastic buckle is easier to use than the Frogg Toggs as it’s a snap design that doesn’t require you to feed one end of the belt through a slot.
A hook-and-loop closure tab allows for easy adjustment, too.
Durable, comfortable, and effective, Simms’s neoprene wading belt is a great option for minimalist anglers.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Very easy to adjust
- Very effective
- Durable
Cons:
Frogg Toggs Pursuit Wading Belt – Best Inshore Wading Belt
When the weather is scorching and the sun makes wearing waders an unnecessary burden, Frogg Toggs’s Pursuit Wading Belt can replace a stifling vest as a gear storage option.
Ideal for hot weather angling, the Pursuit would be my first choice when wading for flounder, reds, or other inshore species.
It’s made from tough Cordura nylon, so durability isn’t an issue. And it’s built for all-day comfort, so you won’t notice it’s there until you need something from it.
On the left rear, you’ll find a buoy clip and stringer cinch as well as a convenient pocket for fishing pliers or scissors. Next to that, Frogg Toggs has placed a hook-and-loop closure that can hold additional accessories right where you want them.
On the right side, you’ll find a handy zippered pouch that’s perfect for a small tackle box, bags of soft plastics, or anything else you want to keep ready at hand like sunscreen or bug repellant.
And right next to it, you’ll have a strong D-ring for attaching a net or fish grippers.
Frogg Toggs’s Pursuit Wading Belt is easy to adjust, easy to attach, and perfect for wading in hot climates.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Easy to adjust
- Offers lots of storage options for warm-weather wading
- Durable
Cons:
SAMSFX Adjustable Fishing Wader Belt
SAMSFX offers a quality product at a very reasonable price, and if you’re a gear hound who needs a new wading belt, it definitely deserves a close look.
Available in four configurations and two sizes (1 ½” and 2”), this wading belt is loaded with attachment options that anglers will love.
A fixed D-ring, four hooks and D-ring straps, and two fixed clips offer more attachment options than any competing product. From pliers to scissors, nets to fish grippers, you’ll find a place for anything and everything you need.
The most “expensive” option comes with a rod holder that’s just magic in situations where you need both hands free, and despite the very reasonable price SAMSFX charges, this belt is durable, easy to adjust, and easy to clip closed.
For hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen who need a utility belt that won’t break the bank, SAMSFX has you covered.
Pros:
- Extremely inexpensive!
- Easy to adjust
- Easy to close
- Offers lots of storage options
- Durable
Cons:
Busting the Myth: Will Waders Drag You Under?
The simple answer is no.
The idea that your waders will fill with water and drag you to the bottom is a story we’ve all heard, whether it was told over the fire at a hunting camp or spoken as a warning before you slipped into a stream with deep pools hidden among the rocks.
But the reality is that the water inside your waders is exactly the same as the water outside your waders. It’s not heavier, more dense, or suddenly turned into lead. Full waders will not pull you down, though they can be a touch cumbersome in a strong current.
Buying Guide: What You Need to Consider When Buying a Wading Belt
Comfort
If it’s not comfortable, you won’t wear it on the water.
That’s a fact.
The most comfortable wading belts on our shortlist are the Simms and the Frogg Toggs’s Pursuit, hands down, as the materials and design are just superb.
That’s not to say that the other wading belts will drive you mad by the end of the day – they won’t – but if extreme comfort is a must, these products are the places to start.
Adjustment and fit
It’s important that your wading belt fit well and be easy to adjust.
The easiest of the wading belts to adjust is the Simms, hands down, and its hook-and-loop system is genius. The others rely on feeding material through a slot, which can be a bit more cumbersome but still works well.
Closure
As far as closures go, the snap style is definitely superior to the feed system used on the truly bargain-priced Frogg Toggs.
Storage
Some anglers just want a simple belt that keeps their waders in place and arrests the flow of water toward their feet. Other will want storage for their gear, especially anglers fishing in hot climates where waders and a vest are going to feel like torture.
Frogg Toggs’ Pursuit is the best option for warm weather, offering excellent comfort and enough storage to keep any inshore wader happy.
But if you want your wading belt to double as a utility belt in cooler climates, SAMSFX’s belt is a very good choice.
Final Thoughts
We can’t tell you which wading belt is right for you, but we can guarantee that one of the products on our shortlist today will fit the bill perfectly.
We hope that this article has helped you make the best choice for your needs, and we’d love to hear from you if you have questions.
Please leave us a comment below, and we’ll be in touch soon!
Source: usangler.com