Wading in shorts and old tennis shoes

[Terrierman]

2 hours ago, grizwilson said:

Have a couple of pair, they work great as long as you are mostly in the water....much time in the yak or canoe swamp feet bad, mostly use a chaco water shoe and fight the rocks.  If lots of walking, neoprene socks with wading boots lots more support, but again swamp feet if in canoe long. 

Try wearing them with a pair of wool socks.  Best wading combo I've yet tried.  I've used my Keen Newports but way too much gravel pain.  Wading boots are fine too but lots heavier than the flats booties.  

[tjm]

canvas boots aren't much heavier than sneakers, just higher topped and better ankle fit, and drain better

[top_dollar]

I have experimented with several different types of wading shoes over the years.  Wading boots work well, but they do need to fit snuggly or they will fill up with water.  Plus in the summertime I just don't like them. My personal preference is a 3 strap sandal like Teva makes.  The rocks are going to get in no matter what, but the straps allow them to go in and out freely.  Croc type shoes allow rocks in but not out.  Tennis shoes fill up with rocks instantly.  The 3 strap sandal allows you to just curl your toes and shake the rocks out in the water.  

 

https://www.teva.com/sale/original-universal/195719334703.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyuORvofW-gIV8_3jBx2Y3gQREAQYASABEgJc0vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[FishnDave]

The flats booties can be ok.  But when walking on submerged rocks/rip rap....you feel every rock edge.  It hurts.

So, I tried something similar that has a more solid ,stiffer sole.  That helped a lot.  A bit clunky, but probably because I ordered a size too big.  However, I can (and do) also wear them with my stockingfoot waders, where they fit quite well.

https://www.froggtoggs.com/aransas-froggtoggs-neoprene-surf-and-sand

[grizwilson]

On 10/10/2022 at 8:39 AM, Terrierman said:

Try wearing them with a pair of wool socks.  Best wading combo I've yet tried.  I've used my Keen Newports but way too much gravel pain.  Wading boots are fine too but lots heavier than the flats booties.  

I think I recall you sharing this advice with me in the past.... unfortunately I am senile you may have to prod me again🤪

[jdmidwest]

Crocs made a river shoe a few years back.  Std Crock with a neoprene ankle and a cinch tie in back.  Gravel gets in, but washes back out of the holes.  Pretty grippy.  Stayed tight on foot, even wore them over stocking foot waders in a pinch.  But they work, drain when you pick them up out of the water.  I am going to miss them when I wear them out.  They were perfect for wet wading and reside in the back of the Sequoia year round.

[dan hufferd]

I have been wear (when not in cheap boot chest waders) my old merrel barefoot runners, they are pretty darn good as far as fit, but over the years of creek water and sun they have delaminated, they are an expensive choice for dedicated water shoes.

Thank you all, I have some things to try now 

[tjm]

I saw a young guy kayak/wading a few years ago in high top cowboy boots, I bet he didn't get much gravel, but I noticed they didn't drain very well either. I've tried a lot things over the years, and next to the Academy shoes I posted, the best I've had were high top Converse,  pretty much the same fit, fairly fast dry and lace up support. The (middle aged) kids bought me Chacos sandals with continuous strap that would come in third and another pair meant for water shoes with an elastic kinda boot top that I didn't like.

I haven't really worn waders since they stopped making them from canvas, don't like the tight fitting things, what ever they are made from. Wear boot foot hippers when it gets cold, and it's getting hard to find them with a calf harness.