There has never been a set of waders manufactured that will not leak at some point in their life. It’s a simple fact that you have to accept when purchasing them. If you go into it expecting perfection, you’re only setting yourself up for heartbreak. The SITKA Delta Pro Zip GTX waders are looking to change that.
SITKA has been on the quest to make the perfect waders over the last few years. The brand’s website claims that the Delta wader was “the last wader you’ll ever own,” but that isn’t due to them being impenetrable. It refers to their excellent durability, backed by a fantastic repair program.
This spring, SITKA released an updated SITKA Delta Pro Zip GTX wader, the next step toward perfection. I guess the last ones weren’t the last set you’d own.
I was able to get my hands on them before the release and have some initial thoughts. This is in no way a comprehensive review, as I haven’t had the opportunity to hunt with them or use them extensively. I received them in May, and I live in Tennessee. There is no reason to wear waders.
Due to that, I’ll cover basic things like fit and features. I’ll provide a more in-depth review after spending a season in these waders.
In short: The SITKA Delta Pro Zip GTX waders fit well and provide excellent maneuverability. They’re packed with features that arguably make them one of the best duck hunting waders on the market. At first glance, they seem to be well-made. I’ll update this review after a full season of hunting in them to determine if they’re worth the $1,100 investment.
If you’re looking for layers to wear under your duck hunting waders, check out our Duck Camp Contact System Review.
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Thin straps allow for better shoulder mount -
Front zipper makes getting in and out of the waders easy -
Breathable -
Warm boots -
Excellent fit of both wader and boots -
Allow for great maneuverability
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Price -
Needs internal and waterproof pockets
Fit
With duck season being closed, and Tennessee summer heat coming in, fit is one of the only things I could test. Fit is important, though, especially for people buying online, and ill-fitting waders are miserable to wear.
SITKA Delta Pro Boot Fit
When I tried on the waders, the first thing I noticed was how perfectly the boots fit. Rubber boots are difficult to nail down, with most being either too tight or way too loose. The SITKA Delta Pro Zip GTX waders balance this perfectly.
My foot feels secure and doesn’t shift too much in them. They feel most secure around the middle part of my foot, with plenty of room in the toe box for good blood flow. I highly doubt my foot would come out of the boot when submerged in muck.
Shoe sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so I always compare everything to Nike shoes because they provide a reference people are likely familiar with. I wear a size 11 Nike shoe. I have the Delta Pro Zips in a size 11, and I think they run true to Nike size.
SITKA Delta Pro Wader Fit
I wear both hunting waders and fishing waders (and sometimes intermix them), and I find the differences between them interesting, given that they basically have the same job. Although there is overlap between the two categories, notable differences exist. One of them is fit. I have found most fishing waders to have a more athletic fit than hunting waders.
One of the main reasons to have larger fitting hunting waders is the need to wear warm layers underneath them. The Delta Pros are a touch baggier than my Simms waders in the same size, but not as baggy as other hunting waders.
Again, the Delta Pros play the loose/tight balance perfectly. The upper feels athletic, and there isn’t excess material, and I can fit insulating jackets underneath them. Most of the excess material is found in the lower portion, although I wouldn’t describe it as excessive.
The extra room in the lower allows for adding layers and increased mobility. I pulled some yoga moves out in the kitchen wearing these waders and was never once restricted by them. I could stretch my legs and bend my knees with ease. While contorting in all sorts of ways, I was amazed by how the little bit of extra material allowed me to move however I needed.
Overall, these waders run true to size.
Features
At a whopping $1,100, the SITKA Delta Pro Zips are loaded with cool features. Here are some of my favorites.
Zipper
I’ve been wearing zippered waders for years, and I love them. If you haven’t worn a zippered wader yet, here are the pros: they are very easy to put on and take off, they make going to the bathroom easier, and if you get hot, you can unzip them to let your core breathe.
If you have concerns about a zipper being waterproof, don’t worry. I have worn zippered waders from four different manufacturers, and not a single one has leaked. I’m sure the zipper on these will hold up just as well.
Shoulder Straps on the SITKA Delta Pro Wader
The shoulder straps on these waders are unique, and they are built with purpose. You won’t find annoying buckles that will mess with shouldering your shotgun. The straps are thin, featuring small loops. You attach one of those loops to a metal clip on the upper of the wader.
It’s an ingenious system that keeps bulk at a minimum. They feel secure, but I’ll see if they stay clipped through the rigors of running boats, setting up spreads, and brushing in blinds this fall.
Insulated Boots
The most apparent change from the past model is the boots on this version of the Deltas. The old waders had Lacrosse boots on them, but these are made by SITKA.
Like most hunting waders, the boots are insulated. SITKA hasn’t said how insulated they are, but I can tell you they’re warm. I wore these in my house and with a thin sock on, my feet were noticeably hotter than other parts of my body within 5 minutes.
The boots also have a large kick tab for removal, which is an upgrade from the last model. Boot-footed waders are notoriously difficult to remove, including the past iteration from SITKA, but these are a breeze to take off. It’s a boot that fits well, but comes off easily.
GORE-TEX Material
SITKA made the Delta Pro Zip GTX waders with a four-layer GORE-TEX laminate. You know that pursuit of the perfect wader? The brand claims that this new Delta wader is 10% more puncture-resistant and 200% more abrasion-resistant.
I don’t really know what that means in a real-world sense. I’ll have to beat them up this season to know if it actually works. I’m always skeptical of percentage descriptions of anything in the gear world.
Knee Pads
There are knee pads on the Delta Pros, and they’re massive. It’s more of a shin guard/knee pad. I like the length, because yes, it makes kneeling more comfortable, but it also adds more layers of material in a very high-wear portion of the wader.
Cattails would have to go through the knee pad outer layer, the knee pad itself, and then the four-layer GORE-TEX to penetrate into the wader. Seems pretty indestructible.
But Where Are the Pockets?
I’m disappointed with the lack of pockets in these waders. There are external handwarmer pockets and external water-resistant zip-front pockets on the chest.
However, this wader has no internal pockets and no true waterproof pockets. I mean, they’re over $1,000. You’d think you’d get a small, detachable, waterproof internal pocket for your phone at a minimum.
We all have phones now, and SITKA should know “pics or it didn’t happen” is the mantra with Insta bro hunters. I know that most phones are now waterproof, and I’ve certainly tested that and found it to be true, but still.
More organization would be nice. In the fishing world, any wader over $700 should have an internal pocket.
Final Thoughts
Aside from that pocket complaint, it seems like the SITKA Delta Pro Zip GTX Waders might be some of the toughest out there.
They’re true to fit, well-made, and have features that most hunters will benefit from. I’m stoked to wear them this fall and see how they stack against the other waders I’ve worn. Maybe they will be the last set of waders I ever own.
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