Author Topic: wading boots (Read 696 times)

Jason Christman · « **on:** July 19, 2010, 09:37:15 PM »

Can Anyone out there point me to a good pair of felt / studded wading boots. I have yet to own a pair that is not destroyed in a years time. same with the waders.
One of you guys has to know Please?
I don't care what they cost just give me some personal reviews.
Thanks to anyone that can help me .

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2010, 09:49:36 PM »

Do you have to have the felt??? If not, I recommend a pair of Simms Riversheds. Very sturdy.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2010, 07:42:34 PM »

I am very tough on my gear but the second I switched to Simms (hate to be that guy) my gear started to last.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2010, 09:16:10 PM »

Before I purchased a pair of Chota's STL's, I went through a pair of boots each year. If it's a felt sole you are looking for, they can't be beat.

Adam Page · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2010, 07:16:46 AM »

I agree with Chris on the felt sole Chota STLs. They are awesome. However, the rubber soled version absolutely suck! I had no confidence in crossing streams with them. I only wore them for about 6 months then bought another pair of the felt soled STLs. I now only use the rubber soled boots for little brookie streams and certain limestoners. Both are very comfortable on the feet even when fishing/hiking several miles.

Arron Varga · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2010, 07:39:50 AM »

For boots can't beat the Riversheds. I am working on my 3rd season (mine are the pre-vibram sole) with them and they are still good to go. Built like a brick sh!thouse.

I have waded in all rivers and all conditions from New Zealand (felt is no longer allowed) to Scotland and across Canada and never had a problem with rubber soled boots and traction.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2010, 08:18:59 PM »

I apologize for the hijack, but wanted to avoid starting a new thread.

After almost 3 years my Chota STL's are about to give out (stitching). It's good timing, however, as I feel the need to upgrade to rubber soles.

Based upon Adam's comment, the Chota's are probably out. Those soles even LOOK slippery.

I see numerous recommendations for Riversheds and will give them serious thought.

I'm told the Bean Aquastealth soles work fine, but if they're constructed like the rest of Bean's products, I'll be returning them every year.

I've heard really good things about the new Orvis boots. Is there anyone on the board who owns a pair?

Mark Ferringer · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2010, 08:46:29 PM »

I am a fan of simms as far as waders, but I can't give the chotas the same good recommendation. I might have got 8 or 9 good months out of them; they just aren't rugged enough. I am working on a pair or patagonia canyon walker boots at the moment, and although the toes are banged up (as usual), the carbide studs and the rest of the boot is great. I like them a lot. The other tough boot that I have had that is felt/ studded is the cabelas guidewear boot. they are tough as nails, and the studs aren't those flimsy screw in things. I really liked them.

Chris Davis · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2010, 09:12:33 PM »

Simms for both waders & boots. Quality and comfort are fantastic. I can't be without the felt yet either. Tried the rubber earlier this year and it was like I was on ice skates.

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2010, 12:14:40 PM »

I'll add my experience since I've been through a lot of boots and have tried a bunch of different companies and soles by now.

I agree that most any rubber soles without studs is going to be problematic given the right (wrong) stream-bottom conditions. If you get on the slimy algae stuff, you're pretty much done for in rubber soles, and some streams just seem to be extra slick for no reason I can determine. With that said,the best rubber soles I've worn are the Simms Streamtread. They are what I have right now, and they're pretty impressive in most conditions -- much better than standard Aquastealth. However, eventually (actually pretty quickly) I encountered some stream bottoms on creeks that I fish often and they were terrible without studs. I screwed in the studs and I keep them there. Only place I've found the studs to be a detriment was on some the the granite streams out west. Since the studs cannot bite in to that rock, you just slide, slide, slide.

Once you have the studs with the rubber soles, then I'm of the opinion that the type of rubber soles don't matter much anymore. Also, there's nothing better than the single tip carbide studs installed by the manufacturer. As long as they are sunk in to the level of the sole, then right there is your best year-round option.

As far as uppers, I've had far and away my best success with Simms. It took me a long time to beat up a pair of Freestones and then I bought another and did it again. I also went through a pair of Simms guide boots. Nice thing about Simms boots is that they actually support your foot and ankle. The Bean boots, for example, quickly lose any support that they started with, and you might as well be wearing slippers; this is a shame because Bean used to be known for building really nice boots.

Mark, how long have you worn the cabelas guidewear boot? If they are building a boot that last and has support that would be good news.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Mark Ferringer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2010, 03:18:45 PM »

I have the Patagonias at the moment and I really like them (my buddies give me a hard time because they're bright green), but other than that they are great. Light, supportive, and grippy with the installed carbide studs. The cabelas were great. I just changed because I got a good deal on the Patagonias. They were supportive, the studs wore well, and I feel like the grey felt on them was stickier than the traditional white stuff, although it may be all in my head. They were a nice boot, and I think they will be my next pair once the pats are toast.

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:22:55 PM »

I have the Korkers Streamborn boots (not the Gude ones with the BOA lacing system - I have the conventional bootlace style).

With the swappable/replaceable soles, they're great. I was a tad leary of them before I tried them, but certainly not after having used them. The ability to remove the soles and put felts, studded felts, trail lugs, sticky-rubber, etc... is great. If I am really concerned about transmission of micro-organisms (as I am), I can just use the sticky-rubber soles when needed to minimize the contraction of organisms. Or, if I have a river where you really need felt-studded, then I can actually have one set of soles (there're pretty cheap) set aside for that very river, and that river alone (so I only use them on that very river, minimizing transportion of organisms - except back to the same river). I can also remove the soles whenever I want to give them and the underpart of the boot a real thorough cleaning (which is were felt USUALLY has it's problems). They have proven pretty ideal so far.

Only issue is ordering the right size. They say order one size larger than your typical shoe size - but they don't tell you to ruond up. I'm a 10 1/2 roughly, and I tried an 11 with no luck. I had to go with a 12. Which is still fine - it's just a warning to anyone who might have to order these online or something. With the 12's I can still wear them to wet-wade also as long as I have some neoprene booties.

Jason Christman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2010, 10:51:45 PM »

Thanks for all the info guys, Im glad I asked.
I have a friend who bought the korkers with the cranks insteads of the laces and he loves them. Does anyone know if they are the real deal.
If not . I think I'll just have to go with the simms or canyon walkers. They both seem to have good feedback.
Thanks

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2010, 03:33:41 PM »

I know a lot of guys love the cranking (Boa) Korkers and will never go back. I heard very old reports that the very rare boa quick lace system broke, and unlike a shoeloace, they would be hard to repair in the field, but I haven't heard that issue come up in a couple of years (even then, only one report). Apparently they are very useful in cold weather (as the quick lace design is used for snowboarding and such) when fingers are wet and cold. I haven't used it myself, but I think Todd does.

Tim Long · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2010, 06:56:20 PM »

I love my korkers. I have the cheap $99 pair. Recently I swapped out the felt soles for the rubber soles that come with them. I am very pleased with the grip they provide in the stream. I think that I like the rubber soles even better than the felts because they are a lot nicer to walk with on land or in mud.

Aaron Laing · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2010, 01:10:27 PM »

I use the Korkers Guides with the Boa lace system. I've had them for three seasons and have put a lot of miles on them both hiking and fishing. They've got a lot of pluses and a few minuses.

One of the main advantages is of course the interchangeable soles, but to be honest with the exception of a few really greasy rivers I mostly just stick with the original Aquastealth soles. The newer rubber ones supposedly have a better grip, but I haven't really seen the need to change. When I do want to change soles it's very quick to make the switch.

The other big plus is the idiot proof lacing system. Some have claimed they've had problems with it, but those voices are the minority and I've certainly never had any issues. It's a real plus not to have to dick around with untied laces in the middle of a competition.

The boots do have a few minuses including the above mentioned sizing quirks. But if you follow the sizing guide (1 to 1.5 sizes larger than your normal shoe size) you should be good. Getting them wet is also key as they loosen up when wet. I normally retighten the laces after about 5 minutes of being in the water and then they're good to go all day.

Another minus, and it's not really a minus depending on your perspective, is the construction. These are not your standard heavy boots with stiff reinforced ankle support. They are lightweight with good support, but if that heavy "leather" type boot is what you are used to then I recommend looking elsewhere. I personally would prefer to keep weight to a minimum, but that's not always a key consideration for some.

Overall I give them a buy rating based on my experiences.

Aaron