The Answer to Wader Woes? Grundéns Vector Zip Wader Review

I use my dad and his group of fishing buddies as a litmus test for what fly fishing gear I recommend. Those dudes are hardcore. They hold weekly fly-tying sessions, own multiple boats, and travel across the West together, fishing some of the most storied trout waters. Heck, one of them spends months living out of a trailer on the ‘Mo. And not a single one of them is part of the fly fishing industry. It’s all for the love of the game.

That’s what makes them such good assessors of what gear is worth it, and what isn’t. It’s easy for a guy like me, who makes a living on the water, to use and recommend the most expensive. It’s equipment for work.

But those guys spend their hard-earned money on gear, and value starts to take a serious seat at the table. They need stuff that’s built for abuse, but won’t raise eyebrows with significant others.

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about waders in the group. Leaks have sprung, and it’s time to get replacements before spring trips. But $1,200 isn’t in the cards, and, whether deserved or not, trust has been eroded with a particular manufacturer, once the golden standard. So what should they buy?

In short: After spending the last month in the Grundéns Vector Zip Waders ($750), and having tested dozens of other waders, I can say without a doubt that these are some of the highest value waders I’ve worn. They pack all of the same features as more expensive waders, plus some, and have few drawbacks. If you want the best but don’t want to pay for the best, they’re the answer. It’s the set I recommended to my dad.

Grundéns Vector Zip Wader Review

Are the Grundéns Vector Zip as Good as Premium Waders?

What makes a set of waders “premium?” If you look at most of the major manufacturers, two things are apparent. First is a zippered front, and second is a four-layer, ultra-durable build.

Specific materials vary, and prices fluctuate. At minimum, you’re looking at over $800, and often over a grand after taxes. Even Grundéns has a similar offering in its Boundary zip wader.

And yes, most manufacturers offer cheaper zippered waders, but they lack the same level of durability. Now, thanks to the Vector, there’s a premium wader for under $800.

They have a zipper and four layers but differ from the Boundary in that they aren’t made of GORE-TEX, much like the premium options from Orvis, Patagonia, and Skwala. They’re not “as good as” premium waders. They are premium waders.

In an era of gear prices rising at an alarming rate, seeing a premium option come in at a lower price is unheard of. It’s glorious. It shows Grundéns is reading the room.

Features Galore

On top of the excellent price, the Vector packs all of the features you’d expect in a premium product, plus a bit more than the competition. Those little add-ons make this wader not only make sense from a financial standpoint, but also from a performance standpoint.

Pockets on the Grundéns Vector Zip Waders

When it comes to waders, I love me some pockets. The more the merrier. In that regard, the Vectors are the best waders I’ve ever worn. They have pockets galore, and more than the competition.

As is standard on most zippered waders, there are two hand-warming pockets on each side, and two “cargo” pockets on top of those. There’s an additional pocket on the left side, above that. It’s for tippet storage and has two welded holes in the bottom to feed tippet through. I’ve started sticking a few of my most commonly used spools in there and use them all the time. It’s so nice to be able to re-rig without having to actually grab a spool out of my pocket.

On the interior, there’s not only one, but two pockets. The one on the left is zippered, and the one on the right is wide open, allowing for quick access. I find myself using that one to hold my phone, as it keeps it in easy reach for a quick photo.

That’s already an impressive amount of storage, but it doesn’t stop there. On the rear of the wader, there’s a giant kangaroo-style pocket, accessible from zippered ports on each side. It’s there to hold a water bottle (or your favorite cervaza) or additional fly boxes.

Despite the placement, I’ve found it’s quite easy to access. I usually fish from a boat, but at times hop out to wade a run. It’s a great place to store necessities, eliminating treks back to the boat when I break a fly off or need a drink.

Internal Knee Pads

I typically don’t like knee pads. They’re becoming quite common in both waders and hunting pants, but I usually remove them because I think they’re uncomfortable. The knee pads in the Vector Zip waders are not removable, though.

And I am absolutely fine with that. The pads that Grundéns welded into the interior of the wader are very subtle. In fact, when you first pick them up, you may not even notice there are knee pads in them.

They’re not overbearing in the slightest. The kneepads provide just enough protection when you need it, but they don’t restrict movement or rub annoyingly on your legs when walking. It’s an A+ design that has converted me to kneepads.

Straps and Cinches

The strap system on the Vector Zip is supportive, with a breathable, mesh-like panel on the back. It’s definitely an upgrade from standard straps attached individually to the interior rear of the wader. This design keeps the straps from getting twisted up and keeps the waders riding high and tight.

There’s also an elastic band running through the top of the wader, allowing you to cinch it down. I personally never use that feature, but it’s discreet enough to stay out of the way.

Build and Fit of the Grundéns Vector Zip Waders

Fit is one of the most important things I need from a wader. A significant portion of my life is spent in waders, so they have to be comfortable. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve been so dedicated to Simms in my fishing career. Simms waders fit me perfectly. Despite trying waders from every other manufacturer, none ever fit me quite as well as my beloved G4Zs.

When I first put on the Grundéns Vector Zip, it felt exactly like I was in my tried-and-true favorites. The fit is perfect. Grundéns mostly nailed it (more on that in a bit), and I’m ecstatic to have another wader that fits just right and allows freedom of movement without excessive bagginess or tight spots.

And the build quality is excellent. The entire wader is made up of four layers and feels thick and burly, just like other premium waders. The seams are reinforced on the interior, multiple times in some spots. Grundéns has done a bang-up job of keeping these puppies watertight.

A Few Imperfections

Unfortunately, I can’t call the Grundéns Vector Zip waders perfect. There are some things I would change. Here they are, in order of annoyance.

Where’s the Fleece?

The hand-warming pockets aren’t fleece-lined. That flat out sucks. It’s not a deal breaker, but I’d like to see some form of lining. I don’t think fleece-lined pockets in waders are all that warm, but I do tend to use the cloth interior of most waders to dry my hands off. The inside of the pockets of the Vector Zips is the same as the outer material. It doesn’t dry my hands very well or provide any insulation.

Bootie Fit

While the waders themselves fit extremely well, the booties are a bit large. They don’t conform to my feet, and there is a lot of extra material in the wide-open toe box.

And on that note, they run large overall. I have a set with the 12-14 booties, as I typically wear a size 12, and they’re huge. There are two bootie options: 9-11 or 12-14. If you typically wear a size 12, and heck, maybe even a 13, you should get a pair with the 9-11 booties. Trust me.

Now, it’s not as big a deal as some people online make it out to be. When I put on the waders, I pull the heel of the bootie to shift my toes forward. I then run the extra material up my leg. That keeps the booties from bunching up in my wading boot, and I don’t notice the odd bootie fit the rest of the day.

Material

The final drawback, and the reason these waders are less expensive than the Boundary Zip Waders, is that they aren’t GORE-TEX. Some people believe that non-GORE-TEX waders don’t breathe as well. I don’t necessarily share that sentiment.

The reality is that every set of four-layer, burly premium waders won’t be as breathable and will run warmer than their thinner counterparts, GORE-TEX or not. I don’t notice a significant difference between the two. If you want extreme durability, you’re going to have to accept a little more sweat.

Now, I do believe GORE-TEX waders are the easiest waders on the market to find and repair pinhole leaks. If you mix water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and spray the interior of a GORE-TEX wader with the solution, pinholes appear as dark spots. It’s easy to then apply Aquaseal to those spots.

I’ve found that trick usually doesn’t work on GORE-TEX knockoffs. You have to resort to other, more time-consuming repair methods.

A Note on Durability

Every single set of waders in existence will leak. And they will probably leak before you, the user, think they should.

I don’t care what wader you’re considering buying; there is some dude out there who will bitch and complain, saying they bought them and that they leaked within 2 weeks. Complaining about leaky waders and calling them junk is a favorite pastime of anglers and duck hunters alike.

You can’t listen to it. You will not find a set of waders that hasn’t leaked. And you can’t expect any wader to last forever.

That’s why I haven’t touched on durability, outside of the wader build. These waders are built with durability in mind, and are priced accordingly. I’ve been wearing them for a month, and there are no leaks.

That could change in the next month or the next year. I don’t know. It depends on whether I do something stupid in them, like slide down a mountainside.

In my opinion, there are too many factors to assess durability in the field fairly. I look at seam reinforcement and the number of layers. In my eyes, these are durable waders, and if I get a leak, I’ll just repair them, as I do with every other set of waders I own.

Final Thoughts

Finding a solid set of waders at a reasonable price is a tough proposition in this day and age. You usually have to give up some level of performance or sign away your firstborn child. And to make matters worse, some of the most trusted brands are seemingly falling by the wayside, while other brands are entering the space.

The Grundéns Vector Zip waders cut through the noise. They flat-out deliver all of the performance of premium waders at arguably the best price on the market. I have a pile of waders hanging up in my gear room, and these are the ones I turn to most consistently. They’re the ones I’m unequivocally recommending to my dad and his buddies. If you’re a dedicated angler in the market for waders, the search is over.