Need new wading boots - any advice?

[natetreat]

I have a pair of budget shoes, they're canvas aand green, and work fine for standing and walking to give traction, but when you walk for anylength of time down the river or trail they feel awful on your feet, like walking in socks or something. In the marketfor some boots that'll give support as well as awesome traction in both gravel and mud.

[Brian253]

Hey nate I got the frog toggs hell benders, they are reasonable in price and super comfortable

[Marc Martyn]

Take a serious look at Korkers Streamborn Wading Boots. Cabela's now has them on sale for $120.00
Several states are considering outlawing felt soled shoes. Alaska and and a couple of others have already done that. With the Korkers, you can change the soles if needed. They are a good quality boot that offers a lot of ankle support. My son-in-law just bought a pair and really likes them. You want good ankle support. It is very important. If you hike into a river basin and happen to twist your ankle while walking the river, the 1 or 2 mile hike back to your car will be extremely painful.

[donman]

One thing you have to remember - you get what you pay for. You also have to ask yourself how comfortable do you want to be. The Korkers Streamborn are good. I have the Simms Rivershed. Pricey but very worth it. Great ankle support, rugged, vibram soles. I have had them for 4 months now and its the best thing ever. I have a bad back and these give me the necessary support when humpn around the woods and walking through the rivers and up hills, down hills, through mud and snow. I love them. I remember what FlinginPooh said about my boots, he basically said, you pay top dollar for your rod and reel but neglect the other gear that is important as well, like your feet. Being a Marine for eight years, one thing we stressed out in the field - take care of your feet!

Here's another report about them . . .

http://fishwithjd.com/2009/06/14/simms- ... bber-sole/

and simms website . . .

http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/rivers ... tread.html

[Racer]

I also have a pair of the Korkers. The interchangable sole is nice and fairly easy to change. It does give me good ankle support and have been very comfortable to wear. I have worn them most of the day walking around and wading and haven't had any discomfort with them.

[leahcim_dahc]

I got tired of the felt soles falling off of the cheap boots I get. After a bit of research, I decided to go with the Simms Rivershed boots. Great support in the ankles and decent sole for longer walks to and from the water. The only drawback, is the material of the sole itself.

Lots of people have complained regarding the traction of the vibram sole. By themselves, and depending upon what type of surface your walking on will determine how well they perform. If there is any slime at all one the rocks, the boots have very little traction. If the bottom, rivers in particular, have a sandstone type of rock, they perform really well.

For example, on my maiden voyage, the boots were great on the Tilton...however, once I got into Ohop Creek, I slipped around quite a bit.

To combat this, Simms has some carbide cleats and studs you can install into the soles to give more traction. Unfortunately, they cost a pretty penny ($40.00/set). Instead of spending that much on the studs, I used sheet metal screws (#14 x 1/2"...IIRC) and have had no issues with them at all. I would rather spend $10.00/100 and have to replace them a couple times in a season than $100.00+ to outfit a pair of boots I've already sunk $200.00 into.

Another option for the cleats are ice studs for motorcycles. I can't remember the name of the outfit, but they sell them right around $20.00 for 200 carbide studs.

All in all, I'd say the Simms boots are a good investment...it all boils down to your budget.

[natetreat]

Awesome advice guys. I'm gonna go check out both of those boots. That's good to know about the cleats being necessary, I want a pair of boots I can hit up all the rivers with, not just one or two.

[leahcim_dahc]

Ideally, felt soles with studs is obviously preferred...I decided to go with something beefier that I hope will hold up better to longer walks than what my previous style had. As I hit more rivers with different types of bottoms, I will figure out whether or not I made a good choice...or just wasted money. Which wouldn't be the first time...

Below is a pic of the cheaper studs/screws...

[donman]

So far my Riversheds have been great, especially when climbinh over and under logs, rocks and you name it. The place I have had any sort of problem was on slick rocks, you know like at the Barrier dam above the boat launch. But all I had to do was bury my feet into the rocks to give me stable footing. Again one thing I love about these boots is the stability and support. I like what Chad did about his riversheds in the pic above. I wanted to add studs but yeah the simms studs are expensive.

[Marc Martyn]

Every product of Simms is expensive. I think they are way over priced.

[Gringo Pescador]

I usually don't shop there because I think they are overpriced in general, but I too think taking care of your feet is a good thing. So when I got a gift card for Orvis, I combined it with an online sale and picked up a pair of the River Guard Side-Zip Brogue Boots with EcoTraX Soles.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx ... t_id=10664

I was leary of the studs and how they would do on the rocks, but man these things stick like glue! I was amazed. Plus I can walk in clay/mud and not feel like I am on ice like my old felts. The side zipper is awesome, heavy duty and EASY on and off. The studs are holding up great, haven't had to change one out yet (and I have been on the rivers every weekend since I bought them in September as well as walking on concrete to/from). The only downside is are a little heavy (but not too much really).

[Anglinarcher]

......Several states are considering outlawing felt soled shoes. Alaska and and a couple of others have already done that..........

Marc makes a really good point. If you plan on overseas travel, the felt soled shoes will have to stay home.

I also have heard, don't know if it has been done yet, that some states want to prohibit aluminum studs because, while they stick to rock well, they leave metallic tracks on some rocks.

Also remember something about steel and tungsten breaking rock, so again, some states were talking about outlawing them some 15 years ago or so.

I guess there is no perfect answer, but I agree that going cheap on wading boots is unwise, both for safety out of the water as well as safety in the water.

I currently use a very old pair of boots, can't even remember who made them (custom), but they have felt soles with tungsten studs. I find that they stick to anything, but I don't really enjoy walking on studs for long distances.

I also know that the felt sole issue is real. Any of you that know me know that I am a practical Green guy, not one of the knee jerk Jerks that seem so prevalent in the current world. Nevertheless, the foreign snails located in the Fire Hole river of Yellowstone, the world wide spread of "rock snot", and the general spread of non-native species from one loved fishing river to another, all seem to have only on common source - felt soles.

Good luck on your decision, it will not be easy, and it could be expensive.

[flinginpooh]

Well Nate I had this same problem. Looking for a good boot not trying to be cheap but not trying to break my pocket book. I had been looking for awhile. I liked the simms boots but not the simms price. I decided to take a chance and I bought Redington Eco Grip boots. They are really comfortable just trying them on. THey seem to offer alot of ankle support. THey have a rubberized stip above the soles that cover some of the seams on the boot. This is where I always wreck my boots from repositioning my feet in the water. I rub against rocks and stuff. Ive not tryed these boots in the river yet. They just came in the mail today. But Ill have them out soon. Check them out on ebay see if they have your size avail and at what price. I paid 98.90 with no shipping. They sell for alot more. They are also a dealers choice award winner for 2010 boots. The soles are made by a company named OTB, they apperantly make soles for navy seals boots. Well heres the info I have on them.


REDINGTON NEW 2010 ECO GRIP RUBBER SOLED WADING BOOTS--SIZE 10

Be part of the solution by using rubber soled boots that stop the spread of aquatic hitchhikers!

The brand new Eco-Grip wading boot by Redington has already generated a lot of excitement and favorable reviews within the fly fishing industry. It is environmentally friendly, innovative, and affordable.







Rubber-soled wading boots are an evolution in wading gear, since felt soles can be a cesspool for damaging aquatic microorganisms. In addition to helping prevent the Aquatic Hitchhikers (didymo, New Zealand mud snails, zebra mussels, whirling disease and other introduced nuisances) that threaten our waterways, the Eco Grip™ boots have many other notable features. Mesh side panels allow for instant water drainage, and ballistic mesh placed between the outsole and upper prevents small stones and other debris from entering the boot. High-abrasion TPU upper material resists scuffs, far outlasting conventional leather and a DWR finish on the entire boot prevents extreme water absorption, so the boot doesn’t get weighed down as the day progresses.



The Eco Grip Boot features the same foot bed found in OTB’s maritime footwear. In the footbed, the exclusive SFS™ (SEAL Fit System™) aids in water drainage as well as breathability. OTB’s SEAL footbed has a patented removable shank that allows the user to customize the fit with two different insoles, depending on the application. A thick neoprene insole takes up more room inside the boot for use with a thin sock or when wearing the boot barefoot while wet wading. Replacing the thick insole with the thinner insole gives the wearer additional room inside the boot when using an extra-thick sock or a neoprene bootie.

The rubber sole of the Eco-Grip boot provides excellent traction in different aquatic environments, and won't ever peel off like a felt sole. More and more U.S. states and countries will soon be following the lead of progressives in fisheries like New Zealand by outlawing felt soles altogether, so you may as well upgrade now. And with all the features offered by the Eco-Grip boot at a fair price, you can feel good about being part of the solution!

REDINGTON ECO GRIP WADING BOOTS FEATURE:


Environmentally responsible feltless wading boot
Lugged and razor siped Tactical Rubber Technology was designed by OTB at the request of the U.S. Navy Seals
This partnership with Redington & the OTB brings a proven, superior military technology from the Navy Seals to the fishing world.
2 Interchangeable SFS (SEAL Fit System) footbed insoles of different thickness provides proper fit for wet wading or layering up with waders and heavy socks or booties.

Mesh side panels allow for instant water drainage
Ballistic mesh placed between the outsole and the upper prevents small stones and debris from entering the boot
Textured rubber rand with reinforced heal and toe caps
High abrasion TPU upper material resists scuffs, far outlasting conventional leather
A DWR finish prevents extreme water absorption
Speed lacing with non-corrosive hardware


All Redington Wading Boots are covered by a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Any claim against this warranty must include a dated proof of purchase.

ORDER 1/2 TO 1 SIZE LARGER THAN YOUR NORMAL SHOE SIZE TO ACCOMMODATE WADER BOOTIES AND SOCKS UNDERNEATH BOOTS.

[scott080379]

I usually don't shop there because I think they are overpriced in general, but I too think taking care of your feet is a good thing. So when I got a gift card for Orvis, I combined it with an online sale and picked up a pair of the River Guard Side-Zip Brogue Boots with EcoTraX Soles.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx ... t_id=10664

I was leary of the studs and how they would do on the rocks, but man these things stick like glue! I was amazed. Plus I can walk in clay/mud and not feel like I am on ice like my old felts. The side zipper is awesome, heavy duty and EASY on and off. The studs are holding up great, haven't had to change one out yet (and I have been on the rivers every weekend since I bought them in September as well as walking on concrete to/from). The only downside is are a little heavy (but not too much really).

I really like those, might be my xmas present to myself

[BassDood]

Flinginpooh, that's good info there. I wasn't aware that felt soles could create a problem. Guess I need to read more and be aware. Thanks