Part of enjoying your time out on the water is making sure that you have the proper attire. Although many fishing fans like to wear shorts, there are plenty of times when fishing pants are much more appropriate. Fishing pants come in a variety of pockets, and some will have specific features designed especially for fishing. Fishing pants differ from fishing waders. If you are in the market for new fishing pants in 2022, we have you covered. Here are our favorites across several different categories and price points.

In a hurry here are the top 8 best fishing pants on the market . . .

Best Fishing Pants for Wind & Cold: TRAILSIDE SUPPLY CO. Men’s Fleece Lined Insulated Pants Softshell Pants,Water and Wind-Resistant

Fishing in the wind and cold is fine as long as you are prepared for the conditions. The Trailside Supply Co pants are insulated water and wind resistant. In addition, the fleece-lined interior helps keep you a little warmer when out on the water.

From a functionality standpoint, there are six zippers, and a zip fly with a snap. We liked that the outer feel of the Trailside Supply Co as they were pretty soft and comfortable. The water-repellant features of the pants ensure that you are dry.

There are two fits that you can order from Trailside Trail Co in this pant, the Regular Fit, and the Straight Leg fit. Depending on the type of shoe you like to wear, pay attention to the fit that you choose for these pants.

Pros

  • Hand, cargo and back pockets
  • Regular fit and straight leg pants
  • Breathable and water repellent
  • Fleece lined material

Cons

  • Can be kind of a tight fit

Best Fishing Pants for Warm Weather: HUK Men’s Waypoint Quick-Drying Performance Fishing Pants

HUK is a brand name that is quite well known when it comes to fishing gear and clothing. The HUK Men’s Waypoint Quick Drying Performance Fishing Pants are an excellent option for those that want to wear pants in the summer and not be completely uncomfortable. If its bugs, or sun, or whatever reason you have to wear pants in the summer, this HUK brand is the way to go.

The pants are made with mostly cotton and a little Elastane for some extra stretch. They have a 30 UPF material to help block out harmful rays. In addition, there are plenty of pockets and even a plier pocket.

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Sun protecion built in
  • Has plier pocket
  • Premium materials, pants will hold up a long time
  • Has a little bit of stretch fabric

Cons

  • More expensive fishing pants

Best Fishing Pants with Pockets: TBMPOY Men’s Outdoor Quick-Dry Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Mountain Pants with Belt

A great pair of fishing pants need pockets. There is just too much gear to carry around to not have any pockets while you are fishing. Of course, there are fishing vests that you can wear, but we all know the first thing that is reached for is the pocket.

The TBMPOY Outdoor Quick Dry Lightweight Pants are a perfect option for the fisherman that wants something easy to wear and comfortable at the same time. These pants dried in no time and were really impressive as far as overall quality is concerned.

Pros

  • Dry quickly
  • 12% spandex
  • Windproof
  • Slimmer fit will not get in the way while fishing

Cons

  • Can be a little tight, check the size chart carefully

Best Kids Fishing Pants: CQR Kids Youth Hiking Cargo Pants, UPF 50+ Quick Dry Convertible Zip Off Pants, Outdoor Camping Pants

Taking kids fishing is excellent, however, taking uncomfortable kids fishing is not so great. If you find that your kids constantly complain about being hot or cold while fishing, the CQR Kids Youth Hiking Cargo Pant is the perfect solution.

These pants have all the pockets a kid could ever need, and the best part is that they are adjustable pants. You can simply zip off the bottom and make them a comfortable short when the weather warms up. This is a fade and shrinks resistant fabric that quickly drys and makes it much easier to keep kids interested in fishing.

Pros

  • Multi purpose pockets
  • Mix of cotton, nylong and other fabrics
  • Moisture wicking material
  • Quick dry fabric material

Cons

  • Limited size selection

Best Waterproof Fishing Pants: TBMPOY Men’s Snow Ski Waterproof Fleece Lined Pants Outdoor Hiking Mountain Softshell with Belt

If you don’t get wet while fishing, did you ever really go?

We all know that there is a certain amount of water that you can expect when spending a day out on the water. This pair of pants comes in a wide range of sizes and has a soft, durable, and lightweight material. However, the best part is that these are waterproof pants that will help you stay warm and dry while fishing.

The pants are very versatile, and many will use them in the winter to avoid snow when skiing or even just shoveling.

Pros

  • Comes in a wide range of sizes
  • Soft materials
  • Several colors avaialbe
  • Good for fishing and cold weather days

Cons

  • Sizes are a bit different, check the size charge carefully

Best Fishing Pants for Women: Viodia Women’s Hiking Cargo Pants Quick Dry Lightweight Joggers UPF50 Summer Camping Pants

The best fishing pants for women are the Viodia Women’s Hiking Cargo Pants. Women anglers will love the fact that these pants are both comfortable and will help with keeping you protected from the sun. The Viodia pants are 94% Polyester and 6% Spandex, ensuring they can fit even on those days when you need the extra room.

The pants are UPF 50+ protection which really helps to ensure that your legs stay protected from the sun. The water-resistant material also helps resist moisture and will encourage the pants to dry faster as well. Another great feature for fishing is the fact that the pants have cuffs that keep bugs out.

Pros

  • Perfect for women that are fishing and camping
  • Plenty of pockets
  • Comfortable material
  • Keeps bugs out with cuffs around ankles

Cons

  • Jogger style is not prefered by all women

Best Ventilated Fishing Pants: RevolutionRace Men’s Nordwand Pro Pants, Durable and Ventilated Pants for All Outdoor Activities

Ventilated pants can be an excellent solution for fishing. With a pair of ventilated pants, you will be able to expose yourself to a more rough environment without feeling like you are going to get cold, wet, and dirty. The Revolution Race Nordwand Pro Pants are durable and ventilated pants that work for various outdoor activities.

These pants may look a little different than others, but that is because they are reinforced in certain areas where anglers need them the most. In addition, there is a phone pocket, hand pockets, thigh pockets, and plenty of overall storage in these pants.

We like the Revolution Race Nodwant Pro Pants for those days when you are walking through the woods to your fishing spot. The protection and functionality is exactly what freshwater and saltwater anglers need.

Pros

  • Comes in a few different colors
  • Reinforced in certain areas
  • Great pockets
  • Durable pants can be used for hiking as well

Cons

  • Priced a little higher than some other fishing pants on the market

Best Bib Fishing Pants: Grundens Men’s Tourney Bib Fishing Pants | Durable, Waterproof

Fishing bib pants are a bit different than an everyday pant, but it makes sense for most fishermen to have a pair of these as part of their gear. The bigs do a great job of keeping guts and grime away from your regular pants when you are having a perfect day on the water. The fishing bibs are a good option for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

The best fishing bibs also have pockets to ensure that you have a place to keep your gear. Staying dry in the rough conditions can be difficult and nearly impossible. However, with these on, you will be wall protected as they are 100% waterproof.

Pros

  • High quality product has been on the market for years
  • Works for both freshwater and saltwater fishing
  • Keeps stains and grime away from pants
  • 100% waterproof technology

Cons

  • Not as versatile as a traditional pair of fishing pants

What To Consider When Purchasing The Best Fishing Pants

Now that we have given you our insider tips on the best fishing pants on the market. Here are a few of the things to consider the next time you set out to purchase pants for fishing. The person style and preferences will vary from one angler to another, but there are some key functionalities that you will want to ensure are in place.

Sizing

Some fishing pants are worn in generic sizes like small, medium, etc. Others will be ordered exactly to your waist size. Some fishermen will wear fishing pants over their current clothing, while others will wear the pants as the only layer of clothing. Try to keep these things in mind when choosing the sizing that is best for you.

Color

Color is important with fishing pants. First of all, you will have to assume that these pants will get dirty. Darker colors will be easier to clean. However, darker colors can also be a bit warmer if you are fishing in the summer months. Our solution here is to have more than one pair of pants and shoot for neutral colors like grays that work for both cold and warm days and will stay relatively clean.

Materials

As you likely noticed, most of the pants on our list were polyester, cotton, and sometimes a bit of spandex. The material will vary depending on the type of performance you are looking for. Waterproof or water resistant fishing pants will likely have more of a polyester material that is likely treated to help repel water.

Durability

Whether you are kneeling in the grass or a hook grabs the pocket of your pants, you will want to purchase something that has some durability to it. With today’s modern fabrics, this does not necessarily mean that you will need thicker pants. Simply choose something that is made with higher quality in mind, and your pants should hold up for a few seasons.

Type

Some fishing pants will zip off and become shorts; others are part of a bib, and others you can also wear out for a hike or even some snowboarding. The type of fishing pants you choose will depend on where you live and what else you plan to do with these pants on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you purchase your next pair of fishing pants, it does make sense to ask yourself some questions about why you need these pants and how they will be used. Here are a few of the questions that we are asked most often.

Are Fishing Pants Worth it?

Fishing pants are worth it. I don’t know about you, but wearing work pants, golf pants, or sweat pants out to try and catch fish or for a day on the boat just does not feel right. Fishing pants are worth the money you spend, and they are not all that much more expensive than a pair of traditional pants.

What Makes A Great Pair of Fishing Pants?

The fabric, waterproof material, and mostly pocket placement make a great pair of fishing pants. However, it is also nice to be comfortable, especially if you have to hike to your destination.

Should I Wear Fishing Pants or Shorts?

Fishing pants are great for the cooler months. In addition, we like fishing pants anytime we are fishing in longer grass. Keeping bugs and tics off of your legs is a good reason to wear fishing pants instead of shorts.

Conclusion

We hope that you now feel like you can choose a pair of fishing pants that will really help you improve your time outside. Sometimes to reel in the big one, you have to be patient, and when you have the proper gear and equipment, it’s much easier to be patient. Overall, fishing pants with excellent durability, functionality, and fair pricing are out there; you just have to find the one that fits you the best.