Wading Boots

[Doc Dave]

Looking to purchase a new pair of wading boots. Not real costly, but yet a good pair. Any suggestions

[Gavin]

Chota's if price is not object...otherwise the Simm's Freestone tough as nails but heavy.

[ness]

I've got the Simms Freestones -- Gavin's right. They're especially good if you need ankle support, because they're a thicker vinyl rather than fabric.

[Zack Hoyt]

The Cloudveil 8x Rubber will be my next boot. I like the Simms alot but they are HEAVY!!!

[Terry Beeson]

Take a look at Korkers... Very popular out west and moving east...

[Micheal Kyle]

This is a great topic to me there are to very important pieces of equipment to a wade fisherman first and for most is the wader then next is the shoe to go with the waders. If your wet you will continue to fish but if you are wet and your feet hurt you will stop fishing. So maybe the boot should be placed on top priority.

I have every pair of boots that is mentioned in this thread and have wore them religiously trying to decide which I love the most.

Korkers I liked at the start but within 1 month they were splitting out up in the toe area I was told by Korkers that was because the boot was too small for my feet I wear a 10 in a regular shoe and my wading boots I always go up 2 sizes to accommodate for heavy socks and the 5mm neoprene boot on most waders. I told them this and all they say was send us the boot and we will take care of this problem. Also after a a few trips the patented removable sole that has a button on the back to keep it in place had stretched enough that the sole would not stay in the grooves. Over all great customer service, bad made boots. the 2 boots that I have are the guide and the Stream born.

Next is Chota it has the widest toe box on the market next to Simms they both fit up to a EEE in width, they last I have the STL plus and the Citico Creek. They are light weight and have the quick lace system that I really like and they will hold up to the guy that only wades a few times a year. I am pretty sure that I still have my original pair of the STL Plus and they are going on their 8th year I have also put 3 set of studs in them Great boot for the money. Plus the Bryant's do a great job of Customer Service if something happen to the boot send it back and they will fix them and have them back to you in about 2 weeks BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

All I have to say about Cloudveil is I should have not bought them light weight but crap the soles came off within 3 trips. Stay away from them. Plus in all of the vibram soles you had better put studs in or you will be fishing on your back:) and that is not any fun.

Next is the Beast Simms what a boot yes they are heavy but that means they are well built and built to last. I bought my first pair of guide boots 9 years ago I have to get them wet to be able to get them go on but absolutely nothing has been done to them except for shoe strings. I love the river shed and the guide boot they are the best boot ever yes they are heavy but they are wide and fit very comfortable. They will LAST that is the main thing, If you are on a budget which 99% of us are I would look at the Simms Freestone or the River shed in the vibram sole and put studs in it. 99-169.

I would go with either SIMMS or Chota if you are going to go with Simms go get them now they underestimated their delivery and are running a little short there might be a bounty on them latter in the season.

Hopes this helps

Michael

[FlyFishinFool]

While you are finding the right wading boot, consider choosing a Vibram sole over a standard felt sole also. Where you currently fish may allow felt soles, but more and more places are beginning to ban felt soles. The Alaska DNR has banned all felt soles in the SouthEast region of Alaska effective 1/1/2011, and felt sole bans are under consideration in a couple of New England states. You may think that does not impact you if you do not travel that far to fish, but the felt sole bans are increasing in the lower 48 states. I would not be surprised to see a total ban on felt soles in my lifetime. So if you plan on your new wading boots lasting quite a few years, you should seriously consider Vibram soles (with or without studs).

[Mike Davis]

I wear Simms now but actually the most comfortable boot I've worn is the Chota. I had the Abrams Creek boot until someone stole them from me. If they hadn't been I'd probably still be using them. Not a bad price either.

Mike

[Brent]

I recently picked up a pair of Korker's. They are very light and I like them so far. At a little over 80 bucks not a bad price either.

[King Fish]

I also say the Chota's.. lite weight and comfortable.. Huge upgrade for me.. I had some old Gary Borger boots and the Chota's made me more comfortable all day

PK