Wading boots by shoe companies

[sms]

Which (real)shoe manufacturers are making also wading boots?
In the past some shoemakers were making them and those were bulletproof compared to nowadays' wading boots that seem to fall apart much quicker.

I believe Weinbrenner does not make wading shoes anymore.

Italian maker, Andrew has two models (Fly and Creek). Any experiences on these by anyone?

Yeah, Patagonia is working with Danner, but those are ridiculously priced. 500€+ for wading boots?

I am trying to figure out my next boots as my current ones won't hold too long as some parts of the midsoles are cracked.

I would also have the perfect rubber to replace the original soles if those are not to my liking.

[Paul Arden]

A bit of the old Sexyloops Synchronicity at play here Sakke. I made these today -

9BD692D9-DB3F-473F-B011-5BFE5213550F.jpeg (97.93 KiB) Viewed 5350 times

I can send you instructions if you need. In fact I can send you felt since I have rather a lot.

Cheers, Paul

[sms]

I have felt for a long time time that felt is not for me. I think my past three pairs of wading boots did not have felt.
Unfortunately the best rubber that really had good traction isn’t available anymore. Fortunately I have some of that rubber still left. The new Michelin and Vibrams might be quite close, but that is only might.

[sms]

Also I prefer my mod.

74E91F2C-247D-4A98-BEC5-8ACB73E5132B.jpeg (112.61 KiB) Viewed 5344 times

[Paul Arden]

I think it depends how you cross rivers I used to fish a lot of rivers in NZ as you know, where it’s not possible to stand in the flow. So basically you run across them. This felt centre allows me to do just this. I feel like I’m “hovering”.

Felt I find a wonderful material. But wading boots are crap. At the worst it’s like wearing two big boats attactched to your feet.

Cheers, Paul

[Mangrove Cuckoo]

While we are on this subject...

Could someone please explain what properties make for a "good" wading boot?

As a South Florida native, and only have trout fished a handful of times, I actually am clueless.

The shop has a few different brands: Simms, Orvis, and another I cannot remember the name of (but it had interchangeable soles). When customers asked my opinion I told 'em I really had no idea.

The pair I have were discounted "last year's model" that were replaced, and with my discount I simply picked them up because of the price. I do not remember what brand they are.

All I can say is they stayed on my feet when wading. I did not hike in them. I carried them and my waders in a mesh bag under my backpack.

What would you suggest to a beginner... not brand necessarily... which properties???

Thanks!

Gary M

[Viking Lars]

I've been using Simms wading boots for many years, and the last three pairs have lasted a *really* long time. The ones I use in the salt are a Guide-model from a few seasons back. They are as comfortable and hard going for long walks (in and out of the water) as my best hiking boots (which by the way are Meindl Ortler - awesome model). And Gary - that's the exact feature I look for. I want fit and comfort as if they were a pair of high quality hiking boots. And important feature to keep in mind if you're not used to hiking boots either is ankle support (ie. high boots). You don't want a soft, bendy sole - that'll tire your feet, especially when wading on rocks.

I don't use felt anymore, and haven't done so for over 15 years. And I agree with Sakari - the rubbers isn't as good as it used to be, but it's still good enough for me. And when it's not, I have an extra pair of boots into which I've fitted Simms' Hardbite Star cleats. I don't feel like I'm hovering with those - on the contrary - I feel like I'm coming down and grabbing on like a damned tank :-).

The best wading boots I've had were the Simms G3 Guide. I haven't time-tested their current models, but previous models have lasted several seasons for me and fishing friends (with something between 50-100 trips/year).

Lars

[Thomas]

Different strokes for different folks. I hate wading boots with a lot of ankle-support and stiff soles. I do a lot of walking when fishing and I often move over rocks, boulders and the like. For me the best thing to have on my feet is a trailrunning-shoe with a megagrip sole. I find it much harder to move over such terrain in a safe manner when wearing a boot that doesn´t let me feel the ground (stiff soles) and also doesn´t allow me to freely move my feet (ankle-support). A couple of years ago i bought a pair of Simms Rivertek boots - the worst boots I have ever owned. I couldn´t move my feet and had absolutely no "feel" for the ground. I had never felt so unstable on my feet so i sold them. The new owner loves them.

[Paul Arden]

A really good wading boot should fit like a good walking boot - if you are into the boot thing. Some of the more recent Simms boots are excellent. Most wading boots I’ve used in the past don’t fit properly and your feet slides around in the bottom. The question I ask myself is if they were 1-2 sizes smaller then how would I feel about walking 20kms in them just wearing socks? Believe me I’ve done this with some boots and it’s been a nightmare. Blisters and once I couldn’t walk for two days afterwards, my feet and shins were so sore. Those are just really shitty boots.

That’s why I buy hiking boots and modify them. The leather doesn’t like it and I’ll get 2 hard seasons out of them. I hope to get more out of these boots because they won’t be continually wet which will make a big difference.

Mostly I walk a lot, it’s hard on boots. You are climbing over boulders, running across rivers, walking through the bush. Complete felt is no good for me because then it’s slippy and I have to walk down muddy banks.

(As a side note by the way, I only use felt nowadays when fishing one river and not moving between rivers.)

For me I like the ankle support and protection especially while carrying a heavy pack. I have used trail running shoes in the past but I really hurt my feet sometimes - but for speed they were unbeatable.

Poor fitting boots are painful but at worst they are downright dangerous. I need confidence when crossing fast broken water. If you miss a crossing and end up getting washed down a waterfall or slammed into a rock face then you might get seriously injured. Days like this were sheer hard work! http://www.sexyloops.com/picofday/trans ... on33.shtml

Cheers, Paul

[sms]

Lars, I know Simms has been good on some models. The current guide g3 and the newcomer g4 pro I haven’t heard too many people being really happy with them.

I used to have the Simms Freestone boots when they were very simple leather imitation boots. They were quite good.

Of course, if I install my own aluminium bars to new boots too, I will go with cheap boots. Even on cheap boots the stitching never fails. But that is because the first thing I do is I superglue all stitchings. That eliminates nicely the effect of any bad stitches and also eliminates quite well wear on them and the effect of stitch break due to wear causing extended damage.

But I was quite pleased to see the video of Andrew Creek boots being made. And since they are not more expensive than Simms, why the heck not if shopping in that price bracket. At least that’s my thinking. Somehow I prefer Italian made shoes over far east. Maybe that’s because my Scarpa SL Attacks are still in the game after more than 24 years of service. Not daily, but still.