Grundens Vectors: The Waders I Fell in Love With

As the summer begins its wind down and the rivers become flush with summer-run steelhead, I start shifting my focus to fall and winter fishing. With that comes cold mornings where I’m more inclined to suit up in my waders.

Admittedly, I hate wearing waders. Even in the 45-degree Metolius River, I’m dumb enough to jump in wearing swim trunks, wading boots, and a hoodie in the early summer morning. However, I understand that not everyone shares my love of a good cold plunge—and that waders are an essential component of your fishing kit.

I’ll break down why the Grundens Vector is my wader of choice, and what I believe makes for a solid pair of waders. (Grundens doesn’t pay me to give this review, but I’d definitely take some free stuff if they sent it my way.)

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Cheap Waders Wear Cheaply

Don’t buy the cheapest waders off the rack unless you’re a newbie heading into your first winter fishing season. Even then, I’d be wary of buying the absolute cheapest pair.

My very first set was a pair of Simms Tributaries, retailing just over $200. Yes, they kept the cold water at bay—but not for long.

The waders would get pinhole leaks anytime I was within 10 feet of a thorn bush, and abrasion from hitting my knee on a rock would inevitably result in a larger tear. By the end of spring, the seams began weeping, which I hopelessly tried patching up with Aquaseal.

I thought this might be a fitment issue, but I definitely had enough bulk in the knees to account for squatting. Long story short, I promptly replaced those $200 waders after suffering through a second winter in them. By that point, most of the fabric was covered in a thick layer of Aquaseal.

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What Should You Look for in a Pair of Waders?

A decent pair of waders should have a few key features:

1. Knee Pads
Not just to protect your knees, but to add extra fabric to one of the highest wear spots. Knees take abuse from kneeling for fish pics, climbing rocks, and eating crap in pocket water.

2. An Accessible Waterproof Zippered Compartment
Great for when you’re packing light and don’t want a full pack. Keeps your phone and keys dry—and maybe a tub of Zyns too.

3. Four-Layer Fabric (Waist Down)
Anything less won’t last. The extra layers give warmth, insulation, and most importantly durability where it’s needed.

4. Smart Seam Placement
No seams in the crotch or across the knees. These areas stretch the most and will blow out if fit is too tight. You need extra fabric in the knees and crotch for movement since wader fabric doesn’t stretch like spandex. A tailored fit is not your friend when it comes to waders.

5. A Wide Wading Belt
This isn’t optional. A proper belt prevents water from filling your waders if you get dragged under. A thin or loose belt won’t save you.

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Nice-to-Have (But Not Essential) Features

• Upper Zipper: Convenient, but an extra cost and a potential failure point. If you want one added later, there are shops that will retrofit your waders.
  
• Gore-Tex: Overrated and unnecessary. The patent expired in 1998, and now lots of companies use identical tech under different names. You’re basically paying extra for the label. Save $200 and get a breathable fabric that isn’t branded Gore-Tex. (Pro tip: no fabric breathes once it’s wet anyway.)
  

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Why I Forked Up for the Grundens Vector Waders

I hesitated to spend $500 because I’d always thought waders were somewhat disposable. Boy, was I wrong.

Grundens backs all their waders with a 365-day warranty against ordinary wear or defects. They’ve been making foul-weather commercial fishing gear for almost 100 years—and it shows.

The Vector waders are guide-quality, built for people who spend 200 days a year on the water. They’re made with 4-layer nylon fabric that’s both waterproof and durable, reinforced knees, and smart seam placement. After a year of brutal use, I haven’t touched a tube of Aquaseal.

Fit is excellent, with plenty of size options. I’m 6’ tall, 175 lbs, and the Med-Long size fits perfectly.

The booties are warm neoprene with a more anatomical fit than standard stockingfoot waders. Gravel guards stretch securely over boots without the weird hook that snags.

Grundens also makes pricier options:

• Vector Zip-Ups ($750)
  
• Gore-Tex Wader ($600)
  
• Bedrock Entry-Level Wader ($400)
  

I can’t speak to the Bedrocks, but they include some features uncommon at that price point. If you’ve fished them, let me know in the comments.

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Good Waders Are Worth the Spend

Not all waders are created equal, and not all expensive waders are bomber. But the Grundens Vectors are the best value I’ve come across.

If you’ve only fished in cheap, leaky waders, you’ll immediately notice the difference. All waders will eventually leak, but you can set yourself up with a pair that makes the time before then more enjoyable.

Give the Grundens Vectors a try—you won’t be disappointed. And, if you like this review, check out my post on 5 gear upgrades that are actually worth it.

– T