Sitka may be best known for their line of duck-hunting waders — including the favored Sitka Delta Zip waders — but they have waded into fishing in a big way. Launched Feb. 3, 2026, Sitka Fish marks the company’s official entry into the fishing category, with waders and technical apparel designed to tackle everything from icy steelhead runs to the deck of a bass boat and beyond.
I’ve been wearing a pair of Sitka’s CrossCurrent GTX waders since the launch, using them to target rainbow trout and smallmouth in small streams and medium-sized rivers, and chase largemouths in ponds. I’ve even worn them to catch (and release) salamanders with my son. I paired them with Sitka’s CrossCurrent wading boot with the rubber sole. Here’s what I found after wearing them for a couple of months.
What The Sitka CrossCurrent GTX Waders Are
Sitka’s CrossCurrent GTX waders are convertible waders that transition from chest- to waist-high by simply sliding the upper downward. The front attaches with Sitka’s familiar hook-and-loop system, with a metal hook indexing on elastic loops sewn to the shoulder strap. The back takes a slightly different approach, utilizing a series of magnets to affix the rear yoke to the back of the wader without having to reach behind you.
The legs are constructed using 4-layer GORE-TEX Pro fabric to provide resistance to streamside brush and rocky approaches while maintaining waterproof, breathable performance. Though they are not included, there’s provisions to slide in Sitka’s knee pads if you choose. An anatomically-cut 5mm neoprene bootie provides a good fit without being overly bulky or tight. The legs are finished off with stretch-woven gravel guards, which fit over the tops of your boots and keep out rocks and other streamside debris.
Up top, Sitka went with a 3-layer GORE-TEX to maximize breathability, betting that the upper wouldn’t encounter as many rocks or snags. A zippered, pass-through handwarmer pocket lets you warm fingers or stash a cell phone or other oft-needed items with a measure of protection. Inside that, there’s a smaller zippered mesh pocket that’s sized just right for keys. Right in the middle of the chest is a slash pocket with a magnetic closure allowing for quick access. It is flanked by a little “nub” that provides a place to stick your forceps. A stretch elastic wading belt helps seal the waist against water intrusion if you happen to wade deeper than you meant to.
The CrossCurrent wading boot is fairly lightweight at about 28 ounces per boot, but is built tough with a TPU heel counter and reinforced toe cap. It is built using synthetic materials with ballistic overlays in key places, and there’s drain ports to speed water out. A full-length EVA midsole provides support and comfort for long days on the water, as well as the hike in and out.
Grip is provided by a sticky rubber outsole (a felt sole version is also available), augmented by a customizable cleat system. The boots include a set of both aluminum and TPU cleats, as well as all the hardware needed, so you set them up for the conditions you’ll be fishing.
On The Water
Though I’m more accustomed to zip waders these days, I quickly grew to appreciate the CrossCurrent GTX waders. Despite the lack of a zipper, they went on quickly and easily, even over bulky winter clothes. They kept me warm, dry, and comfortable on every outing.
I definitely tested the durability of the legs with a couple of serious bushwacks down to a local river. I had to fight through some dense underbrush — which seems to have included wineberry and multiflora rose — without any tears. There were also a couple of technical wades that involved dragging myself along some fairly rugged shale cliffs without any rips. The stretch gravel guards worked better than I expected, keeping even fine rocks out of the boots.
The center pocket was very useful. I stuffed a fly box or pack of soft plastics in it and hit the river, often leaving my pack back in the truck. Retrieval was easy, as the magnetic closure simply moves out of the way as you stuff your hand in. The inside mesh pocket was another high point, letting me keep my keys safe without having to dig through layers to unlock my vehicle when I was done fishing. And I really dig the little nub that kept my scissor forceps at the ready.
I’ve only had the opportunity to wear them through the colder months, so I really haven’t made use of the convertible nature of these waders. That said, I’m excited to use these for the creek floats that I’m so fond of. These should do the trick in the shoulder seasons when the mornings are cool but the afternoons are warm. I’m also excited to try them out belly boating.
My only knock against these has more to do with my torso than the waders themselves. I’m almost 6 feet tall, but only have a 29-inch inseam. These funky dimensions always make it difficult to find bibs or waders that fit well. Predictably, the legs on the CrossCurrent GTX waders were a little long, and the uppers a little short. I maxed out the elastic shoulder straps, which made them a little tight. But if you have more typical dimensions, they should fit just fine. In the smaller foot sizes (9-11), you are also able to get short sizes, which may help with this.
The CrossCurrent Wading Boot
I felt very steady wearing the CrossCurrent Wading Boot, even through some pretty technical terrain. I opted to put the aluminum cleats in, so I didn’t have a chance to try out the TPU cleats. Installation of the cleats was very easy with the included Allen key; all told it probably took about 10 minutes to do both boots, I think that swapping them out for the TPU cleats should be as simple.
The uppers kept my ankles from rolling, even when traversing some pretty gnarly cobbles. My feet remained comfortable throughout the day, probably thanks to the robust ankle support and full-length EVA midsole. I initially thought they looked like “space boots” with the TPU heel counter and reinforced toe cap, but the look grew on me. And I can see how they will help the boots shrug off damage. They even survived freezing solid when I forgot them in my truck bed on a night that dipped into the teens.
Wade Right In
During my prior career in wildlife management, I spent about 250 days a year in waders between work and play. I think it’s safe to count Sitka’s CrossCurrent GTX among the best fishing waders, thanks to their lightweight but durable construction and thoughtful features.
They’re not cheap, but if they hold up like the rest of the Sitka stuff I own, that price tag is worth it when something lasts for a long time.
