I never wear my waders over the jacket since I want access to the pockets and I don't want rain finding its way down into my waders. If I wade, I either pull the bottom up higher on my body or take it off. If you do go over the top of the waders, the jacket seems to keep a lesser amount of water from entering than if not being worn; that is if you just take a short dip. From my steelhead fishing days , I always wear a wader belt for make a drenching less savior.