The Swiftcurrent Traverse is the one-wader answer for most anglers. Patagonia's own line: built for years of work and engineered to reduce weight and bulk without sacrificing durability. It runs the same 4-layer H2No shell top to bottom, so it comes in around 300 grams lighter than the Expedition while keeping the waterproof YKK front zipper — the feature nobody gives up once they have had it.
Fabric: 4-layer, 5.6 oz, 50-denier 100% recycled polyester with a waterproof and breathable barrier, finished with a DWR made without intentionally added PFAS. Built in a Fair Trade Certified factory. 1,250 g.
Features
- Waterproof YKK front zipper — easier layering and quick streamside relief
- Converts chest-high to waist-high with a top-hem drawcord; Secure Stretch wading belt included
- Two zippered stretch chest pockets, fishing tool dock, pack loop points, low-profile net loop at center back
- Inside: large drop-in stretch pocket, zippered security pocket, center-back hanger loop
- Anatomical booties with lower volume and a sock-like fit; heavy-duty scuff guards at the ankles
Where it sits in the Swiftcurrent line
| Model | Shell | Weight | Front zip | Built for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultralight | 4.7 oz, 75-d (70% recycled) | 1,006 g | No | Travel, hike-in, warm weather — packs to a stuffsack |
| Traverse | 5.6 oz, 50-d, 100% recycled | 1,250 g | Waterproof YKK | The everyday, do-everything wader |
| Expedition | 5.6 oz upper / 9.4 oz, 100-d lower | 1,550 g | Submersible YKK | Hard use, long seasons — reinforced lower body, kneepads, handwarmers |
Current pricing is on the selector above.
Should you step up to the Expedition? The real difference is the lower half. The Expedition uses a heavier 9.4 oz, 100-denier fabric from the waist down, plus removable foam kneepads, two zippered handwarmer pockets, and a submersible zipper. If you guide, fish through winter, or spend a lot of time kneeling on gravel and pushing through willows, that reinforcement earns its weight. We stock both and you are welcome to try them on back to back.
One honest note: none of these waders are insulated. Warmth comes from what you layer underneath, which is also why the roomier fit of the Expedition matters in cold water.
About that size code — read this before you order
Patagonia sizes waders on three axes, not one, and the three-letter code trips up almost everybody:
- First letter — body size: S, M, L, X (XL), 2 (2XL), 3 (3XL)
- Second letter — length: X extra short, S short, R regular, L long, K king (extra girth)
- Third letter — bootie size: S (about 6–8), M (about 9–11), L (about 12–14)
So MRL is a medium body, regular length, large bootie. A tall angler with size 12 feet and a medium build is a very different code than a stocky angler the same height. Getting the bootie size wrong is the single most common wader mistake we see, and it ruins your boot fit too.
This is the part where a real shop beats a website. Call us at 970-964-9991 or come by and we will measure you, talk through your boot size, and put you in the right code the first time. If a size is not showing on the selector, ask — we can order it in.
Guarantee: Patagonia's Ironclad Guarantee, which carries no time limit — if the waders do not perform to your satisfaction, they will repair, replace, or refund. Patagonia also repairs waders rather than replacing them where they can, and DIY patches with Tenacious Tape do not void it. Bring them to us and we will get the claim started.
Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, downtown Montrose, Colorado.
