Patagonia M's Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front Wader
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
Lighter, stronger, smarter. With an updated material package treated with a DWR finish made without intentionally added PFAS; a refined, thoughtful feature set; and an innovative evolution of sizing, patterning and fit, our toughest all-season waders work more efficiently, fish harder and function better in all performance benchmarks. Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
Description
The Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front is Patagonia's zip-entry version of its Expedition-grade chest wader, built on H2No Performance Standard 4-layer fabric -- a lighter 5.6-oz, 50-denier face fabric through the upper body for reduced bulk, and a tougher 9.4-oz, 100-denier face fabric on the lower legs where abrasion risk is highest. A submersible YKK zipper runs down the chest, letting an angler get in, out, or layer up mid-day without removing the suspenders and booties.
Fit is built around a gusseted crotch with articulated seat and legs, repatterned to reduce seam stress and improve mobility over a full day of wading. Fully adjustable, quick-release suspenders convert the wader between chest-high and waist-high wear, and a Secure Stretch wading belt adds fit and an added measure of safety. Storage includes two handwarmer pockets with zip flaps, two vertical-zippered chest pockets for fly boxes, and a removable, fully submersible interior pocket built with TRU Zip technology. Removable foam kneepads provide comfort while kneeling, and heavy-duty scuff guards at the ankles add abrasion resistance in high-wear areas; anatomical, low-volume booties are shaped for a sock-like fit inside a separate pair of wading boots.
Features
• H2No Performance Standard 4-Layer Shell — 5.6-oz upper / 9.4-oz lower, DWR finish made without intentionally added PFAS, bluesign approved.
• Submersible YKK Front Zipper — Layer up, step out, or take a break without removing the suspenders and booties.
• Gusseted Crotch with Articulated Seat and Legs — Repatterned to reduce seam stress and improve mobility.
• Fully Adjustable, Quick-Release Suspenders — Converts easily between chest-high and waist-high wear.
• Secure Stretch Wading Belt — Cinches at the waist for fit and an added measure of safety.
• Submersible TRU Zip Interior Pocket — Removable, waterproof storage for valuables.
• Exterior Storage — Two handwarmer pockets with zip flaps and two vertical-zippered chest pockets for fly boxes.
• Removable Foam Kneepads and Heavy-Duty Scuff Guards — Comfort while kneeling and reinforced abrasion resistance at the ankles.
Size Guide
Patagonia sizes waders by girth first, combined with an independent inseam length and bootie size -- not by standard clothing size. Follow these steps to find your full size code (e.g. MRM = Medium girth / Regular inseam / Medium bootie).
1. Measure your chest at its fullest point, keeping the tape level under your arms.
2. Measure your waist at your natural waistline.
3. Measure your hips at their fullest point.
4. Use the largest of the three measurements to find your girth size in the table below.
5. Measure your inseam from crotch to floor, standing barefoot, to find your inseam length.
6. Match your street shoe size to the bootie size chart below; if between sizes, most anglers size up to leave room for a wading sock.
| Size | Girth | Inseam | Height | Shoe Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Short — 28" Inseam | ||||
| MXM Medium - X-Short | 42" | 28" | 5'3"–5'6" | 9–11 |
| Short — 30" Inseam | ||||
| SSS Small - Short | 37" | 30" | 5'6"–5'9" | 6–8 |
| MSM Medium - Short | 40" | 30" | 5'6"–5'9" | 9–11 |
| LSM Large - Short | 44" | 30" | 5'6"–5'9" | 9–11 |
| XSM X-Large - Short | 48" | 30" | 5'6"–5'9" | 9–11 |
| Regular — 32" Inseam | ||||
| SRS Small - Regular | 37" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 6–8 |
| SRM Small - Regular | 37" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| MRS Medium - Regular | 40" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 6–8 |
| MRM Medium - Regular | 40" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| MKM Medium - King - Regular | 42" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| MRL Medium - Regular | 40" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 12–14 |
| LRM Large - Regular | 44" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| LKM Large - King - Regular | 46" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| LRL Large - Regular | 44" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 12–14 |
| XRM X-Large - Regular | 48" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| XRL X-Large - Regular | 48" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 12–14 |
| 2RM XX-Large - Regular | 52" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 9–11 |
| 2RL XX-Large - Regular | 52" | 32" | 5'10"–6' | 12–14 |
| Long — 34" Inseam | ||||
| MLM Medium - Long | 40" | 34" | 6'1"–6'4" | 9–11 |
| MLL Medium - Long | 40" | 34" | 6'1"–6'4" | 12–14 |
| LLM Large - Long | 44" | 34" | 6'1"–6'4" | 9–11 |
| LLL Large - Long | 44" | 34" | 6'1"–6'4" | 12–14 |
| XLL X-Large - Long | 48" | 34" | 6'1"–6'4" | 12–14 |
| 3LL XXX-Large - Long | 56" | 34" | 6'1"–6'4" | 12–14 |
Girth: Use the largest measurement around your chest, waist, or hips.
Materials
H2No® Performance Standard shell
(upper) 4-layer, 5.6-oz 50-denier 100% recycled PET polyester microfiber high-density taffeta face bonded to a 100% recycled polyester backer; (lower) 4-layer, 9.4-oz 100-denier 100% recycled PET polyester microfiber high-density taffeta face bonded to a 100% recycled polyester backer
Shell has a waterproof/breathable barrier and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish made without intentionally added PFAS
Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory
Care Instructions
Machine Wash Cold, Use Mild Detergent, Do Not Bleach, Tumble Dry Low, Do Not Iron, Do Not Dry Clean, Front Load Machine Only, Do Not Use Fabric Softeners
FAQ
Who are these waders for?
These waders are built for anglers who want the durability of a full expedition-grade wader with the added convenience of faster entry and exit -- guides moving between clients, anglers layering up and down through a changing day, or anyone who'd rather not fully undress for a bathroom break streamside. The submersible YKK front zipper adds that convenience on top of the same 4-layer H2No build, gusseted fit, and kneepad-equipped durability of the Swiftcurrent Expedition line, making this a practical choice for long guided days, multi-layer cold-weather trips, or anyone who values quick access without giving up the Expedition's full feature set.
What is the submersible YKK front zipper and how does it work?
The front zipper runs vertically down the chest and is rated fully submersible, meaning it's built to keep water out even if it goes underwater rather than just resisting splashes. In practice, that means an angler can unzip to relieve layering heat, add or remove a jacket without removing the suspenders and booties, or step out for a bathroom break -- all without breaking the waterproof seal of the wader once it's zipped back up.
How does the Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front compare to the Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders (pull-on)?
Both share the same H2No Performance Standard 4-layer shell, gusseted crotch with articulated seat and legs, removable foam kneepads, and heavy-duty scuff guards. The difference comes down to entry: the Swiftcurrent Expedition is a pull-on wader with no front opening, while the Expedition Zip-Front adds a submersible YKK zipper across the chest for faster entry, exit, and mid-day layering changes. That convenience adds some weight -- 1,550g for the Zip-Front versus 1,500g for the pull-on Expedition -- and the two also differ slightly in pocket layout, with the Zip-Front running two vertical-zippered chest pockets versus the pull-on's single large zippered chest stash pocket. Choose the pull-on Expedition for a simpler, slightly lighter build. Choose the Zip-Front when quick, frequent entry and exit matters more.
What is H2No Performance Standard and how does the 4-layer construction work?
H2No Performance Standard is Patagonia's waterproof/breathable fabric standard. On this wader it's built as a 4-layer construction: a lighter 5.6-oz, 50-denier face fabric on the upper body for reduced bulk, and a tougher 9.4-oz, 100-denier face fabric on the lower half where abrasion risk is highest. Both are 100% recycled polyester microfiber, high-density taffeta, bonded to a 100% recycled polyester backer, finished with a DWR treatment made without intentionally added PFAS, and bluesign approved for responsible textile production.
What is TRU Zip technology and why does it matter for the interior pocket?
TRU Zip is a submersible zipper technology built to keep water out even when fully underwater, rather than just resisting splashes like a standard water-resistant zipper. It's used here on the removable interior pocket, giving a genuinely waterproof spot to store a phone, keys, or a wallet -- distinct from the wader's separate front-entry YKK zipper, which handles getting in and out rather than gear storage.
What are the downsides of the Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front Waders?
At 1,550g, this is the heaviest wader in the Swiftcurrent Expedition line -- the zipper, kneepads, and submersible interior pocket all add weight over the lighter Traverse Zip-Front. The zipper is also one more mechanical part to keep clean of grit and debris. And like any 4-layer waterproof/breathable fabric, breathability -- while good relative to lighter wader fabrics -- still has limits on hot, humid days of hard wading.
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