Best Wading Boots?

[dublhaul1]

So I took a bath today...54 degree water, air temp in the low 50's, and raining....felt soles aren't cutting it for me anymore. I want to get away from felt anyway - didymo and all that. Can anyone recommend a good pair of stud wading boots? Anyone ever try the Korkers wading sandal? Do the new rubber treads really not slip? Any advice would be appreciated.

[SherpaB]

felt is a better grip than rubber any day of the week...and the whole hoopla about dydimo is true but rubber bottoms are not going to help it gets in the laces and waders too.so you might reduce it but you wont stop it unless you clean your gear...cleaning gear is a better prevention than rubber boots..that being said, i have rubber bottomed shoes which replaced a 10 yr old pr. of felt boots...they work about 75% as good as felt and they have studs in them. they shine getting to and from the river but in the river...they are merely adequate at best...i feel like the pro's who tout them are touting them because they got some freebies. someone posted a review here a while back. you are kidding yourself if you think they will be better. the one boot that intrigues me is the redington ecogrip boot. the bottoms are supposedly the exact same thing seal teams use for amphibious assault...

[frankm205]

I have the Korkers and they come with the rubber soles and interchangeable felt soles. The rubber are no way as good as the felt. I just purchased the felt studded soles and they are pretty good. I like the Korkers just for that reason for 29 bucks you can change the soles out and they change pretty easy.

[SirJohnny]

All:

- The best wading boot made is the Weinbrenner Studded Originals. I believe it's also called the "Gary Borger Ultimate Wading Boot." The studs are carbide tipped studs ... and not just screws (as other manufacturers use).

- I am on my second pair. The first pair made it through 10 years of heavy use. The second pair has about 3 years on them.

- Best part ... they are made here in the United States. Will run about $120 for the studded pair.

- Do a Google search for them. Here are two photos ....







- Hope this helps.

John Coxey
(Altoona, PA)

[wwelz]

I like the g3 simms boot. I bought a pair three years ago and the felt has just about worn out. I fish three to four days a week most of the year. I was able to find a pair of new g3's with felt bottoms. They don't make them anymore. I will install the screw studs. I think the advantage of the Simms boot is the large sole surface area provides better traction. I owned a pair of felt corkers with the studded bottoms and for me they were not even close to the simms . I am going to stash this new pair of simms until the old pair is completely dead. I hope someone will figure out a better option than the vibram rubber soles in the future

[dublhaul1]

I love TPO...I never have to wait long for a reply....OK so you guys have almost turned me around on felt...but I still feel some guilt about didymo - waders and laces are relatively easy to clean - but felt soles? Do you do anything special? Can you soak the felt in bleach/water solution? Maybe I should explain...Vermont has didymo...but my home river does not...maybe her contamination is inevitable, but I don't want to think I had something to do with it. Also our State Legislature is considering banning felt soles and closing certain waterways because of this issue. A lot of anglers here feel that felt is not at all OK...and they'll tell you as much if they get the chance...are we/they missing something?

[VTflyfishing]

Hey dublhaul1, You do know that they are outlawing felt in VT. I think it just passed and will take effect next summer. The Korkers Aquastealth I used them a few times it felt like I was using roller skates. After I almost pulled something in my groin I stopped using them. I have been using felt just cleaning/air drying my gear and sticking ti the same water sheds.

[dublhaul1]

Hey VT,
So what are we gonna do next summer?

[SherpaB]

I soak in a 50/50 solution of 409 and water. Soak for 10 mins and air dry. Even though I have rubber...I soak them. It will work with felt too maybe soak a little longer...bleach solution works as well supposedly. I think if there is one watershed you go to regularly, use the same equipment and clean it. I have a separate pair of boots for my home waters...which I still clean.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for good traction, rubber is not as good as felt, I got them to try them but they quite frankly are not that great at least the vibrams, have not tried others.

[Loupe]

Sherpa, do you use the studs in your vibram boots. I have a relatively new pair of the Simms Guide boots with the vibram soles, and I haven't really felt a need for the studs yet... but I admit most of my wading has been relatively easy. I would probably install the studs if I were going to be wading deeper and faster water.

And guys, you might as well accept the fact that felt is on it's way out. Most manufacturers seem to be phasing it out completely, and before long it will not only be hard to find... but illegal to use as well.