Long Haul Gear Reviews are designed to give you information on how well a product performs after rigorous, long-term use in the field. I want to make sure, especially given the prices of new gear these days, that you’re getting as much information as possible before parting with your cash. In this review, we’re looking at one of my favorite pairs of waders ever—the Backeddy from Skwala.
The Backeddy Waders aren’t an ultra-light option, but they’re not a bomber-style piece, either. They occupy some middle ground that’s big on storage, flexibility, and movement, without adding the bells and whistles that push this $699 wader into the $800 to $900 range.
I’ve had my Backeddy waders since their release, and have put roughly 65 days of use into them. They’ve come with me across the West, on hikes and float trips, and all over my local rivers. Of the waders in my stable, they’ve received the most consistent use over the past two years.
Skwala Backeddy Waders
Wader Specs
- Unique buckle-free shoulder straps
- Tons of pocket and storage space
- Same material as Skwala’s top-tier RS waders
- MSRP: $699
Pros
- Storage space, including Skwala’s unique side-dump pockets
- Extremely comfortable and durable
- Integrated kneepads
Cons
- Large chest pocket isn’t fleece-lined
The Skinny
The Backeddy waders are an impressive piece of gear. They’re exactly what you’d expect from Skwala: mostly over-engineered, with more features than you’ll likely ever need. These waders move with you while on the water, so you’re not fighting anything other than your poor diet choices when bending over to tie your boot laces, or scrambling across boulder-strewn banks.
They’re made with the same fabric as Skwala’s RS waders, which are their top-tier, bomber-style product designed for the most abuse. The Backeddy waders also feature a unique shoulder strap system that ditches traditional buckles in favor of a magnetic tongue-and-groove clip that’s surprisingly sturdy. Unless I snag my shoulder straps on something, I haven’t had these magnets come loose. They’re also quicker to remove than buckles, and even most zippers. Lowering the chest of these waders to take a streamside bathroom break might be quicker in the Backeddy waders than in any zippered wader I’ve ever used.
The chest pocket is huge, and there’s another zippered pocket on top and inside the wader, as well. On either side are the “side-dump” pockets Skwala introduced on their tactical hoodies, and these things are phenomenal. They fit water bottles, cans of Diet Coke, fly boxes—really, they fit almost anything.
The built-in kneepads are a fantastic feature, as well. They make kneeling to release a fish, snapping a photo, or sneaking up on a hole much more enjoyable. In theory, the kneepads should help the knees last longer, which are a high-wear area for a lot of waders.
The Time Test
I’ve had these waders for about two years now, and they’ve seen roughly 65 days on the water. These Backeddy waders have gone through approximately 30 miles of hiking in medium-to-rough terrain (scrambling over boulders, busting through brush, or long hikes where the inside leg seams rub against each other for long stretches without a break).
Through all of that, they haven’t sprung a leak. They are showing signs of wear, especially along the seams, but they continue to keep me dry. I have washed them, and reapplied some waterproofing spray, per Skwala’s instructions. But I’m not easy on my gear, and these waders spend a good deal of time bundled up into my bags as I criss-cross the Rockies. I’m satisfied with how well they’ve held up, and I have no worries about them as we head into winter.
The only real knock I have is that Skwala opted not to line the chest pocket with fleece. For a wader designed for use in all weather and environments, it’s frustrating not to have a real handwarming pocket on this wader.
Skwala opted not to add the fleece because they wanted the Backeddy to be streamlined through the chest, offering maximum breathability. They told me that adding fleece to the large chest pocket (and this thing is huge. You could fit a Thanksgiving dinner in there) would mean another layer of adhesive and material, which would inhibit breathability.
Personally, I’m fine with that compromise, but I’m also not running a wader company. I don’t think it’s a big enough “problem” to knock these waders off my list of favorites, though. No piece of gear is perfect (although an argument can be made for the 8’6″ 4-weight Winston B2T), and even the thousand-dollar waders aren’t perfect.
My Recommendation
The Backeddy waders are my second-favorite wader right now, behind the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip-Fronts. For whatever reason, those Patagonia waders fit me like a glove. Maybe they have slightly-dumpy mannequins to use for size models, or maybe I just got lucky; either way, those waders are the most comfortable I’ve ever worn.
The Backeddy waders, though, are dependable and reliable. They’ve become like my wife’s little Ford Focus. We’ve had it since we got married (and she had it for years before that). It’s nothing fancy, but it has Bluetooth and a moonroof. It gets 40mpg, it’s great in the snow, and it fits our daughter’s car seat. I know that car will get us where we need to go, and I love it for that.
I know the Backeddy waders will always feel great, look good, and move with me on the water. I know I have the comfort of knee pads, and a chest pocket large enough I could use it to smuggle half of Costco’s merchandise past their receipt-checkers. They’ve held up extremely well to abuse, and I can rest easy knowing Skwala will take care of me if something happens. I haven’t had to use their warranty on the Backeddy waders, but on other products, and it’s been a fantastic experience every time.
So here’s the short of it: if you want some top-tier waders, but you don’t need a zipper, and you want the most pocket space in any pair of waders on the market, buy the Backeddy waders. They’ll be up for whatever adventure you decide to take.