Orvis Men's Clearwater Wader

Orvis Men's Clearwater Waders — The Best Value in Fly Fishing

If you're buying your first pair of waders, or replacing a worn-out pair without paying $700, the Orvis Clearwater is the answer. These are feature-rich, well-built waders that hit the sweet spot between price and performance — built with a Modern Fit to eliminate traditional bulk, four-layer waterproof breathable nylon fabric with a 30K Waterproofness / 8K Breathability rating, anatomical neoprene booties, and convertible waist-high construction for warm days. Backed by Orvis's quality standards and 25-year company history of building reliable wading gear, the Clearwater delivers the features you actually need without the premium price tag.

Why Anglers Choose the Clearwater

The fly fishing wader market is split into two tiers: high-performance premium waders ($600-900) loaded with features most anglers don't need, and budget waders ($150-250) that leak after one season. The Clearwater splits the difference perfectly. You get the durability, fit, and feature set of premium waders at a price point that doesn't require a payment plan.

Specifically, the Clearwater is the wader we recommend to:

• First-time fly anglers who don't want to drop $700 on their first pair
• Occasional anglers who fish 5-15 days per year and need reliable gear without overspending
• Anglers replacing aged-out waders who want quality without the premium tier price increase
• Backup wader buyers who want a solid pair to keep in the truck or share with a fishing partner
• Guides and outfitters looking to outfit clients without burning through profits

4-Layer Waterproof Breathable Construction

The Clearwater is built from four-layer waterproof breathable nylon fabric with a 30K Waterproofness / 8K Breathability rating — meaning the material can withstand 30,000mm of water pressure without leaking and lets 8,000g of moisture vapor pass through per square meter per day to keep you dry from the inside.

For context, anything above 20K waterproof is considered "highly waterproof" and suitable for prolonged immersion. The Clearwater's 30K rating means you can wade hip-deep in fast-moving water for hours without seepage. The 8K breathability rating handles warm days well — moisture vapor escapes faster than it accumulates, so you don't end up sweat-soaked even on a 75°F afternoon.

The four-layer construction breaks down as: Nylon shell / polyurethane membrane / nylon tricot liner — the layered approach is what makes the wader simultaneously waterproof, breathable, and durable.

Modern Fit — Streamlined for Movement

Older waders had a baggy, bulky cut that made wading and walking awkward. Modern waders, including the Clearwater, are cut closer to the body for better mobility without restriction. The streamlined fit:

• Reduces drag in fast-moving water
• Makes climbing in and out of boats easier
• Prevents the "stuffed sausage" feeling on long hikes
• Sheds water faster when stepping out
• Fits more comfortably under a wading jacket

If you've worn waders that felt like wearing a sleeping bag, you'll feel the difference immediately with the Clearwater.

Convertible Waist-High Configuration

Opposing side-release buckles allow for waist-high conversion on warm days. This is one of the Clearwater's smartest features. When the day gets hot or you're fishing shallow water that doesn't require chest-high coverage, you can release the suspender buckles and roll the wader down to your waist, securing it with the included belt. The wader essentially converts to wading pants.

For Western Slope summer fishing — when afternoon temperatures hit 80-90°F — this conversion is the difference between a comfortable day on the river and a sweaty miserable one. Most cheaper waders don't offer this feature; you either run hot all day in chest-high configuration, or you take the waders off entirely and wet-wade.

Smart Pocket System

The Clearwater has the pocket setup most anglers actually use:

• External storage pocket with stretch panel: Big enough for a small fly box, leader pouch, line nippers, or hemostats. The stretch panel keeps gear secure without buckling or zippers in the way.
• Kangaroo-style handwarmer pocket: Front chest pocket that opens like a kangaroo pouch. Both hands fit inside on a cold morning. Also a great spot for snacks, a phone in a waterproof case, or a pair of gloves.
• Interior pocket with hook-and-loop patch: Designed to attach the Orvis waterproof pocket (8G3H, sold separately) for protecting electronics, wallets, and keys. We carry the waterproof pocket — ask if you'd like to add it.

Anatomical Neoprene Booties — A Real Upgrade

This is one place where the Clearwater shines. Most budget waders come with generic neoprene booties that don't fit any foot well. The Clearwater features anatomically correct neoprene booties — sculpted to fit a real foot, not just a wader-bottom shape. Combined with integrated neoprene gravel guards that reduce water drag and collection, the booties do three things:

1. Fit your wading boots better — no bunching, no awkward sizing
2. Prevent gravel intrusion — the integrated guards keep small rocks and sand out of your boots
3. Reduce water drag — slimmer profile means less force pushing against your legs in moving water

This is genuinely the kind of feature you'd expect on a $500 wader. The Clearwater includes it standard.

Specifications

Fabric	4-Layer Waterproof Breathable Nylon
Construction	Nylon shell / Polyurethane membrane / Nylon tricot liner
Waterproofness	30K (30,000mm rating)
Breathability	8K (8,000g/m²/day)
Fit	Modern Fit — streamlined to reduce bulk
Convertible	Yes — opposing side-release buckles for waist-high configuration
Booties	Anatomical neoprene with integrated gravel guards
Belt	1½" webbing belt included
Pockets	External stretch storage pocket, kangaroo handwarmer, interior with hook-and-loop patch
Care	Machine washable
Color	Sagebrush (current)

Sizing Notes

Orvis Clearwater Waders come in standard sizes plus stout and long variants to accommodate different body types. If you're between sizes, Orvis recommends sizing up to allow for layering underneath — base layers, fleece, and wading socks all add bulk that needs to fit comfortably inside the wader.

For boot pairing: when sizing wading boots to wear with these waders, go one size up from your normal shoe size to accommodate the bootie volume. So a Men's US size 10 should order a wading boot size 11.

Not sure what size to order? Give us a call at (970) 964-9991 and we'll walk you through Orvis's wader fit guide based on your measurements.

What This Wader Doesn't Have (Honest Notes)

• Not a Gore-Tex wader. Gore-Tex is the premium membrane found in waders priced $500+. The Clearwater uses a high-quality polyurethane membrane that's slightly less breathable in extreme conditions, but for 95% of anglers, the difference is unnoticeable.
• No internal flip-out pocket. Premium waders include a flip-out interior pocket for valuables. The Clearwater has the hook-and-loop patch system instead, which works but requires the separate waterproof pocket purchase.
• No reinforced knees or shins. If you're a guide who kneels on a drift boat 200 days a year, you may eventually want a wader with reinforced knee panels. For most recreational anglers, the standard Clearwater fabric holds up fine.
• Not insulated. These are breathable waders, not insulated. For winter fishing, you'll want to layer fleece or merino wool underneath.

That said, none of these omissions affect the core wader performance for the typical Western Slope angler. The Clearwater is a complete, durable, properly-featured wader that delivers what most anglers need at a price most anglers can afford.

Built for Western Slope Fishing

The Gunnison, Uncompahgre, San Miguel, Cimarron, Black Canyon — all the rivers we fish out of Ed's are full of cobbled bottoms, fast pocket water, and seasonal temperature swings. The Clearwater handles all of it:

• 30K waterproof rating handles deep wading in the Gunnison Gorge or hip-deep float trips down the Lower Gunnison
• Convertible waist-high configuration handles 90°F July afternoons on the San Miguel
• Anatomical neoprene booties with gravel guards survive the rocky bottoms of the Black Canyon
• Kangaroo handwarmer pocket handles cold mornings on Paco Chu Puk in October

If you're fishing Western Colorado regularly, these waders will serve you well for years.

Pairs Well With

• Orvis Clearwater Wading Boots — designed to work with these waders. We carry both rubber and felt sole options.
• Orvis Wading Belt — included, but if you want a heavier-duty belt, we stock those too.
• Orvis Waterproof Pocket (8G3H) — clips into the interior hook-and-loop patch for electronics and valuables.
• Simms or Patagonia Base Layers — for cold-weather wading, layer underneath.
• Fishpond Wading Belt System — alternative belt with built-in tool docking stations.

Why Buy From Ed's Fly Shop?

You can buy these waders from Orvis directly, from Amazon, or from any of dozens of online retailers. Here's why anglers choose to buy from us:

• Local fit support. Stop by the shop, try on multiple sizes, and have someone who knows what they're doing help you pick the right fit. No guesswork.
• Real expertise. We fish these waders. We guide in them. We know when they work and when something else might be a better choice for your situation.
• No hidden fees. Free shipping over $50, no surprise restocking charges if the size doesn't work out.
• Authorized Orvis dealer. Full warranty support and authorized return processing.
• Local for Western Slope anglers. If you're in Montrose, Telluride, Ouray, Delta, Grand Junction, or anywhere on the Western Slope, supporting local fly shops keeps the gear, expertise, and rivers you love accessible.

Stop by Ed's Fly Shop at 432 E Main St in Montrose to try them on, or order online with confidence. Available in your size above.

Best value in fly fishing waders. Backed by Orvis. Sized and fit by us.