Patagonia’s Swiftcurrent Ultralight Wader is their response to a travel-friendly, super-light set of waders. The Ultralight wader was contributed to their “Swiftcurrent” line of waders and is the lightest and least pricey set priced at $499. They fit real to size, and if you have any of the other items in the Swiftcurrent line, these waders will fit the very same. They are a great alternative for taking a trip or backcountry experiences where packaging light is chosen.
The Swiftcurrent Ultralight waders are the most light-weight wader in the line weighing in at a remarkable 36 oz. As Patagonia states, they load down into a “Grande Burrito” sized things sack, making them ideal for taking a trip by aircraft, vehicle, or on foot backpacking. They are built with a gusseted crotch for optimum motion and liberty. They have a special ultra-thin bootie which assists them load down. Much like the other swiftcurrent waders, they have a moving total strap system making it simple to enter into them. This system likewise permits you to move the chest part to your waist, and use them as trousers to cool down on hot days. They are equipped with a strong water resistant pouch on the chest similar to their other waders. This is a typically ignored element on waders; I have actually put that pouch’s efficiency to the test a number of times on the various designs, and my secrets and phone are constantly dry. They include the unrivaled warranty/repair program that just Patagonia deals.
I had the chance to put these waders to the test on 2 current journeys: one to Central Washington, and one to the Driftless location in the Midwest. They were both checked in cool early mornings, and in heat. I was impressed with them on both journeys for their efficiency as a light-weight, warm-weather wader that was likewise incredibly packable.
My journey to the hot desert of Central Washington happened on some Yakima tributaries towards completion of July so it was a fun time to evaluate these waders in some heat. This journey was an outdoor camping journey and the waders loaded perfectly into my backpacking bag. The waders used up very little area in their little things sack which kept them separated from the rest of my equipment. Fishing early in the early morning was best for the fish, and having the waders assisted when it had not heated up yet totally. The very same been true for fishing at night, a few of the canyons got cold once the sun stashed behind the mountains. Having a set of light-weight waders assisted profoundly, compared to damp pitching in those conditions. They dried rapidly at camp and were prepared the next day to either be utilized once again, or be evacuated to head house.
My latest journey to the Driftless Location in the Midwest included fishing meandering spring creeks for native brook trout and wiley browns concealing underneath undercut banks and streamside lawns. There was a trico hatch which came off early in the early morning and a spinner fall which took place a couple of hours after. Frequently the valleys and coulees which the spring creeks circulation through are thick with fog a couple of hours into the early morning. The creeks remain cool and are shaded by the close-by hills and bluffs up until late morning/early afternoon. Having a set of thin waders was practical on those cool early mornings, fishing those cold spring fed streams. The waders were cool enough where if you didn’t wish to alter and damp wade, you would not get too hot as it heated up throughout the day. The waders on this journey loaded into a little knapsack, they were compact and light, being better than a traditional set of waders.
My only review of the waders is that the booties are extremely thin, which might not constantly be a bad thing, particularly on hot days. With stockingfoot waders, and wading socks, we are utilized to the cushion of a neoprene bootie. These waders do not have a neoprene bootie and in turn do not have the cushion that a lot of booties or wading socks supply. This is less of a real concern, and more of something various that you need to get utilized to. The booties are thin enough that you can use a set of socks with more cushioning if this ends up being a concern.
Throughout the dog-days of summer season, damp wading can be good throughout the middle of the day. Sadly that is when fishing is sluggish and can be unsafe for trout. Early in the early morning and at last light in the summer season is when hatches and spinner falls are focused and fishing is much better. Sadly this is frequently when it is the coolest, particularly when you are damp from damp wading. Having an ultra-light set of waders that evacuates little, and is simple to get in and out of is a video game changer.
– Simon
