Few items are as important to the shore-bound angler as a pair of good waders. Grundens, long known for their excellent foul weather gear, entered the wader market in a big way back in 2023. Their flagship model, the Boundary Zip stockingfoot wader, offers everything you could want in a wader — including easy-entry, thanks to the full-length front zipper. I’ve been wearing these since November, and they quickly became a favorite. Here’s why.
What Grundens Boundary Zip Stockingfoot Waders Are
Unlike the heavy-duty raingear that made Grundens a household name along the Coasts and on the high seas, the Boundary Zip waders are constructed of a GORE-TEX membrane combined with rugged nylon. This makes them lightweight, and perhaps more importantly, breathable. Grundens said they used a “body mapped GORE-TEX Pro Wader laminate” in their construction, with four layers in the lower body for increased abrasion resistance, and three up top for improved breathability. The upper features a full-length YKK Aquaseal zipper that is totally waterproof, which allows it to be submerged for hours on end without leaks. A 2-inch elastic wading belt is included to keep everything cinched up tight, and prevent water from rushing in should you take a swim.
The uppers feature a number of handy pockets, including two fleece-lined chest handwarmer pockets and two drop-in vertical access chest storage pockets. These are large enough for small tackle boxes, fly boxes, and small spools of line or tippet. One side has a velcro patch to attach items, and a rubberized tab with a couple holes perfect for a retractor or as a place to clamp a hemostat. A zippered interior pocket provides secure storage for keys and the like. The shoulder straps function more like a suspension system on a backpack than what you expect to see waders. They are attached using an adjustable, single point in the back, and adjust in the front using a combo of sliders and quick-release buckles. The rear yoke features an aluminum D-ring, ideal for attaching a landing net.
The legs are constructed with seams placed to reduce wear in critical areas, which helps prevent chafing. They terminate in a pair of well-designed neoprene booties that are cut to fit the contours of your foot, not oversized or baggy. Grundens says they use “two layers of Titanium-Alpha” in their construction, a laminate they say increases heat retention. On the outside, stretch gravel guards keep stones out of your boots without the need for a lace hook.
On the Water
I received these waders in November, so my experience with them so far has been in the colder months. Fortunately, Grundens’ Boundary Zip Stockingfoot Waders are cut big enough to fit well with a couple of extra layers on. During the coldest days, I had on a set of Primaloft long johns and fleece pants. The waders were able to accommodate them all, without feeling tight. On the flip side, they weren’t baggy when I had just a single pair of pants on. The contoured neoprene booties fit well, and stretched a bit to accommodate the heavy wool socks I wore when the mercury really dipped. They managed to keep my feet warm even on sub-zero days.
The extra layer of GORE-TEX laminate in the lower section is evident, giving them a more rugged feel than the uppers. The added fabric didn’t impede movement, but I was glad to know it was there every time my legs found an underwater obstacle in the form of a beaver stick or a rough boulder. Despite the multiple layers, the waders moved well with me. Time will tell if the seam placement will add to the wader’s longevity, but they didn’t seem to rub when I walked — something that I have noticed, and that has annoyed me with other waders.
The shoulder straps/suspension was another high point. The unique system let the waders move with me in a way that others hadn’t. I felt more freedom of movement with these, when using fly or conventional tackle, than I had any other wader. Casting was unhindered, and though I didn’t get any oar time while wearing them yet, I can tell that working the sticks won’t be any issue when it comes up. Though I didn’t make use of it, the D-ring seemed to be at an ideal height to hang a landing net.
I hate gloves, so the hand warmer pockets were a welcome addition. They let me regain feeling in my fingers on those days that the line was freezing in the guides. The ample-sized exterior zipped pockets let me stash a day’s worth of flies, leaders, and tippet material so I could ditch the vest if I wanted. They also swallowed the small Plano Stowaway boxes I like to carry when I’m on foot, so all I had to carry was my spinning rod. The rubberized tab provided an ideal place to clamp a hemostat.
But the star of the show is obviously the front zipper. If you haven’t used a pair of waders with one, you owe it to yourself to. They make the waders go on and come off easier than you’ve ever experienced prior. And when that morning cup of coffee catches up with you, you’ll really appreciate it. These are not my first pair of waders with a zipper, but I must note that this one seems easier to operate. My other pairs require regular lubrication for smooth operation. While that’s good advice with any waterproof zipper, it seems less necessary with these.
Grundens Bankside Wading Boot
With stockingfoot waders like the Boundary Zip, you need a good pair of wading boots that go on over the neoprene booties and provide support. Grundens Bankside Wading Boot offered both comfort and support in spades, with a waterproof nubuck leather upper, fully concealed lace hardware that won’t rub on your waders, EVA midsole, and a studdable Vibram Idrogrip outsole.
A lot of the rivers I fish are riddled with odd-sized cobbles that are really good at grabbing a foot and rolling an ankle. The height of the boots, combined with an excellent lacing system and rigid sole, kept me upright and un-twisted even through the hairier sections. The Vibram Idrogrip outsole was aggressive enough to bite into rock as well as the siltier sections that have turned boots into rollerskates on me in the past.
I’ve only been wearing the Bankside wading boots for a few months now, but I have no doubt that they will hold up in the long haul. The leather upper shows no signs of wear despite being placed into its fair share of jams, and the rubber overlay absorbs most of the abuse with no ill-effects.
Final Thoughts
During my prior career in wildlife management, I spent about 200 days a year in waders, between work and play. I’ve watched waders go from rubberized canvas, to neoprene, then lightweight nylon, and now the waterproof/breathable models that represent the current pinnacle of tech. Grundens’ Boundary Zip stockingfoot waders stand with the best of the best, offering easy-on/easy-off qualities in a durable wader that keeps you dry from the inside out.
