Travel with these once and you’ll have no excuses for being skunked. Testers in Patagonia put the 2lb-ish pair to work in and out of the water, on gravel bars and boulder-bottomed rivers with significant flow. No leaks in the 4-layer, 5.4oz polyester fabric promoted under the H2No Performance Standard moniker. Seams stayed the course despite frequent rolling and unrolling. In addition, left and right booties improved fit, stability and streamside walking. Patagonia throws in a field repair kit to keep you in the hunt while the interior, waterproof zippered pocket makes it easier to access essential documents. If more durability is desired, the Skeena River Waders are an Active Junky choice and feature a coveted kangaroo pocket to keep hands warm.
Tester Quote: “We took a lot of gear to Chile and bought some along the way. Rio Azul is the sweet spot for me, price- and performance-wise. Being able to travel with them, changing boots to fit the conditions, is my preference. Fit was solid and I wasn’t concern about abrasion resistance even while scrambling to get access.”
Best For: Domestic and international travel, moderate weather conditions
Key Features:
Size: XS - XL, Short, Regular, Long, King
Weight: 2 lb 3.2 oz
Materials: [membrane/laminate] H2No Hydrostorm, [shell] polyester, Deluge DWR coating