COLDWATER FLY FISHING Wading Staff Locking Collapsible Adjustable 49 to 54 Inch Review (2026)

Who benefits from an adjustable staff

This staff is aimed at wade anglers who fish a range of water types and depths, from shallow riffles to deeper runs, where a single fixed length does not always feel right. Because it adjusts from 49 to 54 inches, taller anglers or those wading deeper water can extend it fully, while someone wading shallower water or needing a shorter staff for balance can lock it shorter. It is distributed by New Phase Inc, an Idaho based fly fishing gear company operating since 1985 and carried in hundreds of independent fly shops, which points to a company with a long track record in wading accessories specifically. Anglers new to using a wading staff, and those who fish varied water on the same trip, get the most value from the adjustability here compared with a single fixed length staff.

How the staff is built

The staff uses a four section collapsible design connected by a coated, stainless steel core cable running through the center, similar in concept to a collapsible tent pole but built for the load of supporting body weight against current. An adjustable latch locks the sections at the chosen length between 49 and 54 inches, and the whole unit collapses down to about 20.5 inches for storage when not deployed. The handle spans about 2 inches across the top, and the staff shaft itself is roughly 3 quarters of an inch thick. A nylon wrist lanyard attaches to the top of the staff, built with a heavy duty double bungee cord on the inside that lets the staff snap open and collapse again with one hand, useful when wading with a rod in the other hand.

Using it on the water

The included gray neoprene sheath has a D ring and belt loop, so the staff rides on a wading belt or pack strap and stays out of the way until needed. Because the sections lock and unlock at an adjustable point rather than a single fixed setting, expect to rinse the locking mechanism periodically, since grit and sand from river bottoms can work into the adjustment collar over repeated use and make it stiffer to release. The bungee assisted design means the staff collapses with a quick tug on the lanyard rather than having to manually push each section closed, which matters when moving quickly between wading and hands free tasks like netting a fish. Compared with a simple fixed length folding staff, the extra locking hardware adds some weight, which is worth it for the adjustability but is a real tradeoff for anglers who want the lightest possible setup.

How it compares with other wading staffs

In the site's wading staffs guide this model ranks first out of eight, ahead of Coldwater's own fixed length 54 inch staff, which collapses to 15 inches but does not offer height adjustment. The Snowbee Prestige folding staff scores close behind with a similar aluminum build and storage pouch, while Hammers offers two length variants that trade some refinement for a lower price point. The Simms collapsible staff, a recognizable name in wading gear, scores a step behind in this group, generally due to fewer adjustability options than the Coldwater staff provides. For anglers who specifically want to dial in staff length rather than accept a fixed size, this model leads the group.

Bottom line

Choose this staff if you wade a mix of depths and want the option to lock in a longer or shorter length depending on the water, rather than committing to one fixed size. The bungee assisted lanyard and belt sheath make it practical to deploy and stow quickly, which matters more than it sounds once you are managing a rod, net and staff at the same time. Rinse the locking collar occasionally to keep grit from stiffening the adjustment, since that is the main maintenance point on an adjustable design like this. Anglers who do not need adjustability and want the lightest possible staff should consider Coldwater's own fixed length model instead.

Frequently asked questions