Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders- Tremendous Fit Options

Mattis Sessel

 

When I first got the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders ($649) waders out of the bag, I noticed right away that the material felt nice especially for waders!  The 100% recycled polyester upper and lowers just had the feel of a wader that would get the job done in the water. 

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders review

So, I needed to put them to the test to see how they held up and performed in the Colorado Rockies.  From August through October, these waders helped keep my flies adrift on the Clear Creek, the Arkansas River, the Eagle River and Bear Creek.

At 6’1” and 175 lbs, the Large, Regular Inseam and Medium Bootie (LRM) fit my frame very well.  The shoulder straps have many super intuitive adjustments that helped me dial-in the fit. The first few times I had them on I discovered new adjustments and learned how to use the quick release shoulder straps.  After using them a few times, I found my exact fit and knew how to modify the waders to accommodate more base layers and jackets as the weather cooled.  

Patagonia Men’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders

 

Patagonia offers 18 (yes, that’s right) different size combinations! In fact, I tested the LRM that includes the medium bootie. I have a size 13/14 foot and would have done better in a LRL with the large bootie. Other waders frequently force you to order a XL to get a bootie large enough to accommodate the size 13/14 foot. 

I found the variety of sizes, the ability to dial in the fit with adjustments, and the adjustable elasticized waste belt made these waders super comfortable for fishing and hiking around the stream. They didn’t show any scuffs after scrambling on boulders and bushwhacking along the streams. Also, the quick release shoulder straps, enable these waders to convert instantly to a waist high wader, rather than a bib, which keeps you cool when the weather gets hot and aids in urgent “pit stops.”

Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders – Men’s

 

The waders have a multitude of pockets.  The two drop pockets on each side of the chest are super handy for snacks and sunscreen that you may want to have available for quick access on the water.  There is a waterproof fold-out pocket and the standard chest pocket doubles as a perfect trash receptacle for my bits of fishing line, leader, and snack wrappers.  Doing my best to keep our rivers clean!

I also really loved the sleek look and performance of the gravel guard that is built into the pant and not part of the anatomical bootie.  Never did a pebble find its way into my fishing boots.

During the fall in Colorado, the water gets low and cold requiring the fly fisherman to stealthily stalk trout.  I even found myself crawling on boulders with these waders.  The small knee pads make a huge difference and aren’t even noticeable until you find yourself using them to sneak up on a pool guarded by a large glacial erratic boulder.

Later in October the air and water temperatures plummeted, and these waders kept me warm while fishing in 40-degree water for 90 minutes on the Clear Creek.  I had no special layering on that day underneath my Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders. Instead, I just had standard hiking pants and cotton socks (yes wool would be far smarter.)  When I pulled my feet out of the waders, my socks were dry. I did not have any water seep through to my socks or pants when fishing these waders even after wading hip deep pools.  

The bottom line: The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition waders feel great and have tremendous fit options and adjustments to further dial the fit. The waders hike and fish well. Nifty features like knee pads, pockets and quick convertibility to waste height improve your fishing experience.  Best of all: these waders will keep you warm and dry allowing you to keep your flies in the water longer as you search for the perfect drift and catch more fish!  

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Mattis Sessel

While growing up in St. Louis, MO, Mattis spent his summers with his family in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).  The trails of RMNP became his favorite stomping ground and he went to summer camp in nearby Estes Park first climbing Longs Peak as a 13-year-old camper.

He shared this passion for the Rockies with his wife, Deb, and ultimately they decided to imprint the Rockies on their three daughters by spending their childhood summers in Estes Park camped in a travel trailer. This love affair with the Rockies continued while Mattis pursued his business interests for 25 years on the East Coast.  Winter ski trips and summers spent in RMNP stoked the fire to ultimately make the move to pursue his passion’s full time in Colorado in 2015.  

Hiking, skiing, biking and fly-fishing were the activities of choice and Mattis decided to build any future businesses around these pursuits.  He’s come a long way since he caught his first fish in Kentucky Lake as a 3-year-old with a bamboo pole.

His first fish caught on a dry fly was in the Indian Peaks and he quickly took to hiking to alpine streams and fishing for wild trout.  He’s fished throughout Colorado and into New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.  He’s always got his fishing gear in the car and has created the concept of the “double,” skiing / biking in the morning and catching some fish in a nearby river in the afternoon.

He maintains his fitness on his road and mountain bikes and is known for his all-seasons, all-weather, “always train outside” approach to his physical training sessions with Sean Sewell at Colorado Personal Fitness.  His passion for gear that enhances his pursuits and allows for more time outdoors is reinforced in a favorite Colorado adage, “there’s no bad weather, just bad gear!”