The best fishing trousers

The best fishing trousers

by Aidan Bordiuk |
Updated on

As anglers, we know that fishing isn’t the cleanest sport, and a pair of the best fishing trousers will help keep the majority of the slime, water and mud at bay.

The best fishing trousers need to be durable, comfortable and in most cases waterproof, as due to the nature of angling, at some point you are going to get wet. The likelihood of them being exposed to sharp objects like hooks, brambles and often barbed wire means their durability needs to be considered too.

The best fishing trousers at a glance...

• Best Fitting Fishing Trousers - Korda DRYKORE Over Trousers - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

• Best Winter Fishing Trousers - Aqua F12 Torrent Thermal Fishing Trousers - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

• Best Waterproof Over Trousers - Halkon Hunt GORE-TEX Over Trousers - View offer on HalkonHunt

• Best Lightweight Match Fishing Trousers - Preston Drifish Trousers - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

As fishing varies amongst the various disciplines, so to do the trousers and what they are designed to do. Here is a guide to some of the best fishing trousers available right now…

Best lightweight match fishing trousers

The Preston Drifish Trousers are ideal for those anglers who regularly fish matches or catch lots of fish when pleasure fishing. They are very hard-wearing with reinforced knee and rear areas to prevent them tearing at the points where the trousers come under the most pressure.

Waterproof and lightweight, they can be put on at a moment’s notice should the weather turn but are also more than comfortable enough to be worn for your entire fishing session. 

The waistband is adjustable to keep the trousers from falling down and there are Velcro adjustable areas at the ankles to prevent them dragging along the floor, which can cause them damage, whilst also helping to eliminate draughts.

Pros

  • Easy to take off and put on.
  • Lightweight.

Cons

  • Limited range of sizes.

Best waterproof fishing over trousers

If you need confidence and reliability in your trousers, look no further than the Halkon Hunt GORE-TEX Overtrousers, these trousers are fully handmade in the UK and thanks to the GORE-TEX are 100% waterproof too. 

Fishing can be demanding on clothing, especially your trousers, so Halkon Hunt have designed these to be as robust as possible, with reinforced knee areas to prevent hook or wear damage. There is an elasticated waistband to keep the trousers flexible and comfortable whilst seated, and an ankle fastening to stop the garment being treaded on. 

The trousers can be designed in any colour combination you like and made to fit when you order. There are no pockets as this is extra stitching and an area where water can penetrate.

Pros

  • Handmade in the UK.
  • Ultimate waterproof protection.

Cons

  • No pockets.

Best winter fishing trousers

If you stay on the bank for prolonged periods and need something robust and comfortable, the Aqua F12 Torrent Thermal Fishing Trousers are well worth a look. Utilising high performance technical fabrics, the trousers will keep you dry thanks to the 10,000mm rating and won’t be easily ripped, nor will they start to degrade when given some punishment. The Torrent Fishing Trouser are also fully breathable and thanks to their Innovative cross-weave silver lining and hollow fibre insulation, they will keep you incredibly warm too.

The regular fit makes them ideal for walking or sleeping in and they are great for using on top of other layers thanks to the extra space they are designed with.  They aren’t restrictive either, so bending down to get a fish out of the water or reaching for the spod bucket won’t become annoying, whilst the reinforced knees will prevent splitting or damage. 

The ankle and calf area has a zip to allow easy access to wellies and also makes the trousers quick to put on without having to remove your footwear in most cases.

Pros

  • Really warm fishing trousers.
  • 10,000mm waterproof material.

Cons

  • Not the best in summer, there is a lightweight version available, however.

Best value fishing trousers

Tacvasen Fleeced Trousers
Price: £39.98

The Tacvasen Fleeced Trousers are a really fantastic pair of fishing trousers. We have been using these ourselves recently, and they are as good as anything out there. Warm, rip-proof, waterproof and really comfortable too - for the money, these are arguably the best outdoor trousers you can buy!

Available in a range of colours from Green to Grey, there will be a pair to suit any angler, regardless of discipline. There are a few zipped pockets on the trousers too, with taped seams to keep your valuables safe and secure. These are well worth a look if you're planning to do a lot of fishing in all weathers this winter.

Read our full Tacvasen Fleeced Trousers review

Pros

  • Waterproof.
  • Fleece lined for comfort.

Cons

  • Fitting can be tight, so go a size above.

Best carp fishing over trousers

The Korda DRYKORE Over Trousers have been designed with the modern-day angler in mind and it’s made for a great pair of fishing trousers. With a lot of anglers spending more time on the bank and in worse conditions, Korda have ensured their trousers are fully waterproof with the inclusion of a 15k hydrophilic material and fully taped seams.

The trousers are really lightweight and breathable, great for anglers who like to remain mobile or wear a pair of trousers all year round. The lightweight build means they aren’t cumbersome, and they will reduce sweating considerably, keeping you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. 

The DRYKORE material used features a mechanical stretch factor, giving the trousers great manoeuvrability, allowing you to perform all the tasks you normally would on the bank and almost forget you’re wearing them. 

Although there are no pockets, the trousers have a zip that travels from the waist to the knee, allowing you easy access to clothing and pockets underneath.

Pros

  • Really well designed.
  • Great fitting trousers.

Cons

  • No pockets, although there are zips to reach clothing underneath.

Best summer match fishing trousers

Matrix Tri-Layer Over Fishing Trousers 25k
Price: £109.99

The Matrix Tri-Layer Over Fishing Trousers 25K are a must-have for any anglers who brave the wet weather and will go fishing in any conditions. The triple-layer coated nylon material, with taped seams, carries a 25,000mm waterproof rating and, thanks to its manufacturing process, remains breathable, so you won’t sweat or feel uncomfortable whilst you are wearing them, making them ideal for year-round use.

The trousers look great and have high abrasion knee and seat panels to prevent wear in the highest traffic areas, the zips on the pockets are waterproof to prevent any ingress of water, whilst giving you somewhere to safely store valuables. 

The waist is elasticated and is fitted with adjustable drawcords to allow a comfortable fit on any angler, with ankle straps included to eliminate the trousers being stood on. There are also knee-length zips to allow you access to boots and make them easy to put on or take off over wellies or shoes should the weather suddenly change.

Pros

  • Great for sitting in.
  • Very comfortable and robust.

Cons

  • Not very well insulated.

Best lure fishing trousers

If you’re into your lure fishing, the Fox Rage Combat Trousers have been designed with you in mind. Lure fishing often subjects clothing to a lot of punishment, often walking long distances through harsh terrain and fencing means your clothing must be comfortable and robust, thankfully the Fox Rage Combat Trousers are just that. 

Rip Stop fabric ensures that the trousers are very hardwearing and won't tear or rip easily, which is great when using treble hooks or wire traces. The lightweight and comfortable material coupled with the elasticated waistband creates a superior fitting pair of trousers that you will be happy to walk as far as you need to in them. 

Reinforced knee panels create robustness in often the weakest area of the trousers, and zipped side pockets and open front pockets ensure you have adequate room for essentials like pliers and forceps and somewhere to store your valuables, too.

Pros

  • Ideal for walking in.
  • Very robust to prevent against hook damage.

Cons

  • Not the best for prolonged sitting.

Best fitting match fishing trousers

If you are a match angler or an angler that regularly fishes on a seatbox, the Guru Match Kombats have been designed with you in mind. The fit on these trousers is great, so they won’t become restrictive whilst you are seated, and they don’t ride up your leg either, making sure the full length of your leg is protected.

The material used is 150GSM Rip Stop fabric, this is ridiculously durable, making them ideal for angling. Brambles, hooks and anything else that will try to snag and tear them are easily brushed off by the Kombats. The fabric is also lightweight and breathable, whilst the material also wicks away moisture from your skin to reduce uncomfortable sweating, making them perfect for anglers that prefer to wear trousers in the warmer months. The Kombats are even impregnated with a fly repellent to keep annoying biting insects away, a great addition indeed!

There are nine pockets in total; some are zipped, and some utilise Velcro, whilst the rest are open so you can choose what to put in them and never run out of options.

Pros

  • Ripstop fabric for increased durability.
  • Very comfortable to sit in.

Cons

  • Not fully waterproof.

Best lightweight fishing trousers

The Nash Tackle Waterproof Trousers take everything you need in a good pair of fishing trousers and roll them all into a stylish design, giving you functionality and performance when out on the bank.

The water-repellent coating on the trousers makes them 100% waterproof, which is essential if you don’t like sitting in wet clothing. Thanks to a mesh lining, the trousers are also breathable and lightweight, allowing you to easily cover the miles without feeling weighed down or causing you to sweat!

A fully adjustable elasticated waistband gives you a flexible and secure fit, with the adoption of Velcro ankle straps preventing any draughts or damage developing to the bottom of the trousers. There are four zipped pockets, all located at the top of the garment, as Nash know most people only really use those top pockets, with one pocket facing the rear and one forward, you can safely secure your belongings.

Pros

  • Breathable thanks to a mesh lining.
  • Huge range of sizes.

Cons

  • Better for summer use.

Best summer carp fishing trousers

When it comes to angling in the summer, the Fox Lightweight Cargo Fishing Trousers are a perfect choice. Made from 98% cotton, they are both lightweight and cool, whilst offering exceptional comfort and softness.

The material is fully breathable, so you will not sweat when wearing them, even if you like to stay mobile looking for that next opportunity. The elasticated waist belt and cuffed ankles ensure they will stay secure and won’t ride up when you are wearing them. 

The sleek black and green colouration makes them look great and means they won’t be out of place on any fishing session, regardless of discipline or species you’re fishing for. Six pockets ensure you will have enough room for all your valuables, with the front two being zipped for ultimate safety.

Pros

  • Breathable design.
  • 98% cotton for a comfortable fit.

Cons

  • Only water resistant.

What to look for in a pair of fishing trousers

The best fishing trousers will vary between anglers depending on the style of angling you do. If you like to stay mobile and fish lots of swims, something lightweight and durable would be perfect, compared to an angler that sits on a fishing seatbox for 6 hours and may just wear over trousers during that period.

If you fish in all weather conditions, it’s best to choose trousers that are waterproof, as nothing is more uncomfortable when it’s cold, as being wet. Breathability is also worth considering, as sweat building up is unpleasant in the summer and can cause you to chill quickly in the winter months, so a pair of trousers that eliminates this issue are always a great choice.

Lastly, the best fishing trousers are comfortable to wear, there is little point in any of the other mentioned benefits if you simply don’t like to wear them. This is especially important if your sessions are generally for longer durations, and you’ll be wearing them for the entire time you’re on the bank.

Glossary

Waterproof MM rating: Measured in millimetres (mm), this is a measure of how waterproof a fabric is. In the case of a 10,000mm fabric, if you put a cylinder with inner dimensions of 1" x 1" over a piece of said fabric, you could fill it with water to a height of 10,000 mm (10m) before water would begin to leak through. The higher the rating, the more waterproof it is.

Gore-Tex: Gore-Tex is a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane and registered trademark of W. L. Gore & Associates. Invented in 1969, Gore-Tex can repel liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through and is designed to be a lightweight, waterproof fabric for all-weather use.

Breathable material: Material that allows air to pass through easily, fabrics like cotton and linen are the most breathable available.

Elasticated waist: Elastic is incorporated into the waistband to allow the trousers to grip your waist, this can be a set tension or it can be adjustable.

Ripstop fabric: Often made from nylon, the fabric undergoes a reinforcing technique during manufacture to make it more resistant to tearing and ripping. GSM refers to the density of the material, the higher the GSM the more durable the material.

Frequently asked questions on fishing trousers

What makes a good pair of fishing trousers?

The type of angling you do will dictate what makes the best fishing trousers for you. Realistically, because fishing involves getting wet and muddy very often, a waterproof pair of trousers that are durable would make a great choice to any angler.

Do you need to wear anything under fishing trousers?

The specific design of fishing trousers and the weather conditions will determine whether extra layers are required. Some fishing trousers are fully insulated to allow them to be worn on their own, whilst others are made more for summer use, so would need some extra layers underneath if you’re prone to feeling the cold. It all comes down to user preference and what makes you the most comfortable when you’re out fishing.

Are waterproof trousers meant to be baggy?

Certain styles of fishing trousers are meant to be slightly baggier than others, if you have some overtrousers, they are designed with extra space so they can be easily and quickly put on over other clothing, boots and wellies. Other styles will be made to fit as a normal trouser, so go for the size you generally would with clothing.

Author Aidan Bordiuk is an enthusiastic angler who enjoys all fishing disciplines from match fishing to beach casting. He is currently occupying the position of Commercial Content Writer at Angling Times.

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