Best Fishing Pants Reviewed & Rated for Quality

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
 White Sierra Trail
Test Winner: White Sierra Trail
Amazon Link
Contrary to popular belief, fishing does require some proper clothing. After all, there are a lot of things that can ruin a good pair of pants which include bait, blood, guts, or mud. Naturally, you can and most likely will get a little wet while fishing as well. For this reason, you will need a good pair of fishing pants and the good news is that there are plenty of brands of pants that will accommodate these needs. You will find pants that offer you thermal regulation, UV radiation protection, water resistance, and even stain protection. A good pair of fishing pants can really help to make this activity even more enjoyable so you should take your time and find the best option for your needs.

Standout Picks

 Columbia Silver Ridge
The Silver Ridge by Columbia is a great option if you are looking for something that is nice and comfortable to wear while you are fishing. It's made of a material that is lightweight, breathable, and best of all is water resistant. This brand of pants is stain resistant and this makes it easy to clean them when you are finished fishing.
 White Sierra Trail
These trail pants by White Sierra are designed for spending your entire day at the lake or the stream. They have features that you might expect to find in a pair of high-quality outdoor pants such as UV protection. You'll be glad to know that these pants are designed to feel great while you are enjoying your favorite hobby.
Amazon Link
 Singbring Waterproof
One of the realities about fishing is the fact that you will get splashed. People who fish from a boat might get splashed by waves, and people who are fishing from a pier might get splashed by waves or spray. The fish themselves are wet also. Wouldn't it be nice to have a pair of pants that will keep you dry? If you get these pants, then you will!
Amazon Link
 Jessie Kidden  #6601
This is another brand of pants that was specifically designed with fishing in mind. The pants have features such as protection from UV radiation, convertible into shorts, and are water repelling. This is exactly the kind of pants that you would want to wear if you are going to spending your day on the lake, river or the pier with a fishing pole.
Amazon Link
 Columbia Blood and Guts III
If you aren't sure what to wear to go out fishing, then you should give the Blood and Guts III a try. As you might expect, these pants are specifically designed to resist stains that would be caused by fish blood and guts falling on the pants, which makes them into an ideal choice for fishing. There are also plenty of other outdoor-friendly features that you will love.
Amazon Link
 Skyinger Fleece
This is an excellent pair of pants to wear in the fall, winter, or the spring seasons. They are made of a nice and comfortable fleece material that fits great and feels as great as they look. You will love the high features such as zippered pockets, quick dry fabric, and excellent durability that these pants have to offer which is why they are great for fishing.
Amazon Link
 Nonwe Cargo
The Nonwe brand of pants are great for fishing pants because they breathe well, are lightweight, and feel fantastic. They are also made of a fabric that dries quickly when it gets wet so you won't feel waterlogged in the event that you get splashed or end up fishing in the rain. You can easily turn them into shorts when you feel too hot as well.
Amazon Link
 Wantdo Fleece
Sometimes you end up fishing in colder weather. When this happens you will want to wear a pair of insulated pants so that you can retain body heat. These pants by Wanto are great for cold weather fishing, including ice fishing, because they are insulated and will repel water and snow. You can also store your hands in the slant pockets to warm up.
Amazon Link
$41.97
 Inbike Thermal
These are the kind of pants that are well suited for late fall, early spring, and ice fishing. They are made of fleece which will help to insulate your body so that you don't get too cold in adverse conditions. The pants are highly breathable but also resist wind and moisture which will also help you stay warm in cold weather.
Amazon Link
$39.99
 Redington Fly Fishing
As you might expect from the name, the Redington Fly Fishing pants are designed for fly fishing. They are also great for other uses as well. They have straps on the cuffs to make sure that they are tucked into your boots so that you don't get wet and they are made of polyester fleece for comfort and water resistance.
Amazon Link
$39.99

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Breathability

People fish in a wide variety of different weather conditions. For example, some people end up fishing on hot summer days while other times you may end up fishing on a cool fall day or even in the winter. In both cases, your body is still going to produce some degree of perspiration which is why you should want to own a pair of pants that is breathable. Breathability matters because it is what allows air to pass through your clothing and wick away moisture.

If your pants do not breathe well, then there is a good chance that you will end up feeling hot and sweaty. This is because your body is going to produce perspiration in an attempt to cool itself down. As sweat evaporates from your skin, it takes the heat with it which allows the body to regulate its temperature. The problem is when sweat is unable to evaporate from your skin. Your body will end up producing more sweat to try and cool itself, but the sweat is retained in your clothing and ends up heating you up instead. As time goes on, more sweat builds up and the hotter you will get.

If your pants breath well, then sweat can evaporate from your skin. This will make you feel comfortable while you are wearing the pants and will also reduce issues such as chafing. When you are shopping for a high-quality pair of fishing pants, you should take the time to make sure that they are breathable. This will help to ensure the maximum amount of comfort that you can get from your fishing pants and make them more enjoyable to wear.

Comfort

No one likes to wear clothing that isn't comfortable. After all, what would be the point of doing so when there are so many clothing options that are comfortable? When you are picking out a pair of pants for fishing, you should make sure that you actually want to wear them. At a minimum, the pants should feel comfortable on your skin and they should also fit your body decently. If the pants don't fulfill either of these functions, then you should move on to a different pair of pants that you will actually want to wear. It's simply not worth ruining a good day fishing over a pair of pants that don't feel right.

When you are shopping for a pair of pants, you should begin by making sure that they are made of comfortable fabric. For example, you should expect that the fabric feels somewhat smooth and soft rather than bumpy, scratchy, rough, or rigid. No one wants to wear a pair of pants that are too tight to bend at the knees and you should be able to sit down comfortably without feeling as if you are going to burst out of your pants.

The waist should be tight enough to stay up but it should be too tight either. Likewise, you don't want a waist that is so loose that the pants will fall down either. It should feel snug and secure. The pant legs also should not be too long or too short for your body as well. Pant legs that are too long will get ruined and are also more likely to cause a tripping hazard. Fit and feel are an important part of comfort so you should consider them when you are picking out a pair of pants.

Materials

The types of fabrics that are used to make the pants are going to have a large determination on how the pants feel and function. It also will make a difference as to how well the pants resist tearing and stains. When you are shopping for a pair of pants for fishing, you should consider the sort of materials that are used to make the pants. Some materials are going to perform better than others which is why you see fishing pants tend to favor synthetic materials rather than natural ones such as cotton.

Cotton is a popular fabric for clothing but it has a few drawbacks as far as fishing is concerned. One issue is that cotton is highly absorbent. This means that it will absorb water and it will also soak in staining liquids such as fish blood. One main benefit of cotton is that it regulates temperature well so it can breathe well when it's hot and insulate when it's code.

However, due to the drawbacks found in cotton, synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, and fleece tend to work better for fishing. None of these fabrics absorb water so they tend to dry out very quickly when they get wet in addition to being naturally water resistant. They also do a good job of resisting stains for the same reason. Nylon and polyester do not insulate well but breath exceptionally well and make good choices for when you are fishing in warmer temperatures. On the other hand, fleece insulates very well and is better suited for colder or rainy conditions where you need to trap some more body heat in order to stay warm.

Water Resistance

By its very nature, fishing takes place in wet conditions. For example, there is the possibility that you can get splashed or sprayed when you are riding in a boat to the fishing location or even if you are standing near a pier. The fish themselves will come out of the water wet and slimy and you may end up having to hold the fish against your leg at some point to get the hook or lure out of its mouth. This would cause your pants to end up getting wet. Finally, there is the chance that it could end up raining as well.

These are just a few of the reasons why you will want to make sure that your pants are water resistant. However, you may want to go a step further and even look for fishing pants that are fully waterproof depending on what you are doing. Pants that are made of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester are water resistant by nature. These materials do not absorb water and in many cases will even repel it so that you stay dry. You can even go a step further and look for pants that are coated with treatments such as Teflon which will make them even more resistant to water.

Nevertheless, you may want to consider waterproof pants as well. These are pants that will not allow water to penetrate through the pants. However, it's worth mentioning that waterproof pants do not breathe and they can make you feel hot and sweaty when they are worn in warm or hot weather. Regardless if you choose to go waterproof or just water resistance, you should look at how well the pants can keep you dry.

UV Protection

One outdoor hazard that is of particular importance is the sun. The sun emits UV radiation, which is a form of invisible light that will cause sunburns and skin disease if you are exposed to too much of it. When you are fishing, you will need to pay attention to the sun so that you don't expose yourself to an excessive amount of UV radiation. Owning a pair of fishing pants that blocks UV is a great idea because you are likely to spend many hours in the sun. It's not enough to simply assume that wearing clothing will be enough to protect your skin from the sun. There are plenty of people who have experienced sunburns through their clothing because UV radiation is extremely intense and can penetrate through clothing.

Sometimes fishing pants are specifically advertised as being UV blocking. If this is the case, they will normally say UVA, UVB, or UVA/UVB to indicate which forms of UV radiation they block. Furthermore, they will have a UPF rating. The higher the UPF number, the more UV radiation the pants are designed to block so a UPF rating of 30 will block less UV radiation than UPF 50. If you are shopping for fishing pants that block UV radiation, you should at least try and get a minimum of UPF 30 but if possible, try and get the highest UPF rating that is available. Nevertheless, you aren't going to hurt anything by still putting sunscreen on your legs since this will provide you with some defense in depth against UV radiation. It's also important that you continue to cover any exposed skin with sun blocker as well.

10 Best Fishing Pants

1. Columbia Silver Ridge

Where to buy
 Columbia Silver Ridge
Amazon Link

The Silver Ridge by Columbia is a great option if you are looking for something that is nice and comfortable to wear while you are fishing. It's made of a material that is lightweight, breathable, and best of all is water resistant. This brand of pants is stain resistant and this makes it easy to clean them when you are finished fishing.

Nylon
The pants are made completely from nylon. The nylon is a great choice because it is water resistant and also stain resistant so that your pants aren't ruined by the fish.


Omni-Wick

You will love how breathable and moisture wicking these pants are thanks to the Omni-Wick (TM) technology. This is a treatment that will keep moisture off of your body so that you feel cool and comfortable.


Cost and Value

You can purchase these pants at a price that is considered to be average for these pants. The average price makes them into a great option because you get high-quality pants without having to pay a premium for them.

2. White Sierra Trail

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 White Sierra Trail
Amazon Link

These trail pants by White Sierra are designed for spending your entire day at the lake or the stream. They have features that you might expect to find in a pair of high-quality outdoor pants such as UV protection. You'll be glad to know that these pants are designed to feel great while you are enjoying your favorite hobby.

Zip-Off Legs
You won't need to worry if you end up feeling a little hot while you are wearing these pants. The legs zip off at the knees and convert the pants into shorts.

Teflon
The pants are treated with a layer of Teflon. Teflon is a great feature to have because it will repel water and stains so that your pants last for a longer period of time.

Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase a pair of these pants at a price that is around the average price. This turns them into an excellent value since they are high quality and moderately priced.

Amazon Link

3. Singbring Waterproof

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Singbring Waterproof
Amazon Link

One of the realities about fishing is the fact that you will get splashed. People who fish from a boat might get splashed by waves, and people who are fishing from a pier might get splashed by waves or spray. The fish themselves are wet also. Wouldn't it be nice to have a pair of pants that will keep you dry? If you get these pants, then you will!

Waterproof
The pants are fully waterproof. This will keep water from penetrating through the pants so that you stay nice and dry even when everything else around you is soaking wet.

Windproof

The water isn't the only thing that you need to worry about. Wind can build up on bodies of water which can also make you feel cold. These pants fully block the wind.

Cost and Value

These pants are sold at around the average price. This makes them into a great value since you get fully waterproof pants without having to pay a premium for them.

Amazon Link

4. Jessie Kidden #6601

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Jessie Kidden  #6601
Amazon Link

This is another brand of pants that was specifically designed with fishing in mind. The pants have features such as protection from UV radiation, convertible into shorts, and are water repelling. This is exactly the kind of pants that you would want to wear if you are going to spending your day on the lake, river or the pier with a fishing pole.

UPF Protection
UV radiation causes sunburns and ultimately skin cancer. These pants block UVA/UVB radiation which reduces your chances of getting sun-related injuries. It's always best to be safe in the sun.

Zip Pockets
The cargo and slant pockets close with zippers. This helps to make sure that your stuff doesn't fall out of your pockets and into the water and makes fishing safer.

Cost and Value

You can purchase these pants at a price that is considered to be around the average price. This lets you get a pair of high-quality pants at a fair and affordable price.

Amazon Link

5. Columbia Blood and Guts III

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Columbia Blood and Guts III
Amazon Link

If you aren't sure what to wear to go out fishing, then you should give the Blood and Guts III a try. As you might expect, these pants are specifically designed to resist stains that would be caused by fish blood and guts falling on the pants, which makes them into an ideal choice for fishing. There are also plenty of other outdoor-friendly features that you will love.

Omni-Shield
The pants are treated with Omni-Shield (TM), which is a technology that is specifically designed to resist stains. This will help your pants look great even after you have gone fishing in them a few times.

Rip Stop

They are made of a ripstop nylon fabric. This will keep the pants from developing large rips in the event that they get caught in something such as a fishing hook.

Cost and Value
This is a premium pair of pants so you ware going to have to plan on spending an amount that is much higher than the average price. The premium price is due to the premium features that give the pants great value.

Amazon Link

6. Skyinger Fleece

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Skyinger Fleece
Amazon Link

This is an excellent pair of pants to wear in the fall, winter, or the spring seasons. They are made of a nice and comfortable fleece material that fits great and feels as great as they look. You will love the high features such as zippered pockets, quick dry fabric, and excellent durability that these pants have to offer which is why they are great for fishing.

Fleece
The pants are made of a blend of fleece and spandex. Fleece is great because it helps you stay warm and it is also nice and comfortable on your skin.

Zippered Pockets
The pockets have zippers that will close them shut. This feature is great because it will keep your stuff from falling out of your pockets so that you don't lose things.

Cost and Value

You will be able to purchase a pair of these pants at an average price. This makes them into an excellent value since you can purchase a high-quality pair of pants without having to pay a premium.

Amazon Link

7. Nonwe Cargo

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Nonwe Cargo
Amazon Link

The Nonwe brand of pants are great for fishing pants because they breathe well, are lightweight, and feel fantastic. They are also made of a fabric that dries quickly when it gets wet so you won't feel waterlogged in the event that you get splashed or end up fishing in the rain. You can easily turn them into shorts when you feel too hot as well.

Convertible
There is a drawstring that is attached to the hem of the pants that you can use to roll them up into shorts. The feature makes them highly idea for when you don't know if you need pants or shorts.

Quick Dry
They are made of a blend of Chinlon and Spandex which are materials that do not retain water and will dry quickly. This will help you stay comfortable in case you get splashed.

Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase these pants at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. The lower price lets you get a great pair of pants while getting to save.

Amazon Link

8. Wantdo Fleece

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$41.97
 Wantdo Fleece
Amazon Link

Sometimes you end up fishing in colder weather. When this happens you will want to wear a pair of insulated pants so that you can retain body heat. These pants by Wanto are great for cold weather fishing, including ice fishing, because they are insulated and will repel water and snow. You can also store your hands in the slant pockets to warm up.

Snow Proof
They are made of a material that resists water. The ability to resist water means that you are less likely to get wet from melting snow or when water splashes on you.

Zippered Pockets

The pants have pockets that are zippered. Zippered pockets are a great way to make sure that your items don't fall out of your pockets and end up getting lost.

Cost and Value

You will need to plan on spending an amount that is slightly higher than the average price on these pants. The higher amount is due to the thicker materials that add to the value of the pants.

Amazon Link
$41.97

9. Inbike Thermal

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$39.99
 Inbike Thermal
Amazon Link

These are the kind of pants that are well suited for late fall, early spring, and ice fishing. They are made of fleece which will help to insulate your body so that you don't get too cold in adverse conditions. The pants are highly breathable but also resist wind and moisture which will also help you stay warm in cold weather.

Fleece
Fleece is an ideal choice for cold weather gear because it will help you stay warm by trapping your body heat. It also has other benefits such as being moisture resistant.

Reflective
The pants help you stay visible in low light conditions because they have strips of reflective material on them. This will help you be seen by other fishermen, vehicles, or even search and rescue.

Cost and Value
These pants are sold at a price that is slightly below the average price. This allows you to get a great pair of cold weather fishing pants without having to pay a premium.

Amazon Link
$39.99

10. Redington Fly Fishing

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$39.99
 Redington Fly Fishing
Amazon Link

As you might expect from the name, the Redington Fly Fishing pants are designed for fly fishing. They are also great for other uses as well. They have straps on the cuffs to make sure that they are tucked into your boots so that you don't get wet and they are made of polyester fleece for comfort and water resistance.

Foot Straps
If you are standing in a stream, then you need to make sure that your pants stay tucked into your boots. That's where the straps on the bottom of the feet are useful.

Fleece
Fleece is a great material to wear when you are in cool and cold conditions. It acts like wool and traps heat so that your body is insulated. These pants are made with fleece for extra comfort.

Cost and Value

You will need to plan on spending an amount that is slightly higher than the average price on these pants. The higher price is due to the premium features such as fleece that add to the value.

Amazon Link
$39.99

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, Ripstop, Web Page
  2. Whitney DeGroat, What is Fleece Fabric Made From?, Web Page
  3. Wikipedia, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Web Page
  4. WikiHow, How to Remove Blood Stains, Web Page
  5. WikiHow, How to Waterproof Fabric, Web Page