Wading shoes recomendations?

[Keiththom]

You guys steered me good on some waders, what about wading shoes? I did a 7 mile walk up the current river today in some cheap waders with attached boots and my feet still hurt as I type! If I would of had on good wading shoes, they'd feel fine. Any ideas?

[fishinwrench]

7 miles in waders?    Good grief!   You're a marathon man!    Never have I ever....

 

Surely it wasn't in vain.  Let's see some dang FISH PICS !  👍 

[Keiththom]

10 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

7 miles in waders?    Good grief!   You're a marathon man!    Never have I ever....

 

Surely it wasn't in vain.  Let's see some dang FISH PICS !  👍 

I'll try and load some pics later. There were four of us. (The other 3 had good wading shoes and were younger. I'm pushing 70 but in really good shape) From put-in to put-in it was 7 miles and we were working up river, hopefully to spook fish less.  I did fine but my feet did start hurting in the big, oversized cheap wader boots. Anyway, we caught 70 fish. Most were Brown trout. We caught about 6 rainbows, 4 smallies and 2 large-mouth. I'm primarily a small-mouth fisherman and don't do trout but I'll try something new occasionally and I'm glad I did. Grueling but fun!

[Keiththom]

Do you guys have better luck with 1/2 size or full size over your normal size then shopping for wading shoes?

[Foghorn]

Yellowstone Angler used to do a wader shootout and had a sizing guide for the various stocking waders. Not sure if they have put out one of their reviews lately. Having several pairs of Simms waders and wading shoes ,I'd try to find a place to try them on. The freestone's that I have are a little wider in the foot than the older G-3's that I have.  

[netboy]

I understand Missouri has banned felt soles so that may enter into your decision. I don't know if they are serious about enforcing it though.

I currently have 3 pair... one Simms with felt soles and studs, one Orvis with felt and no studs and one Weinbrenner, Gary Borger with felt and studs. All three have held up well. The studs give you a much better grip if you are wading over smooth bedrock. All are one full size larger than my shoe size. 

Also wanted to mention that I have thrown quite a few pairs of cheaper boots away due to the soles coming unglued and then not having much luck re-gluing them. I would also suggest getting a pair that has the soles stitched to the boots as well as glued. Also, I fish an average of 5-6 days a week, so I switch boots every couple of days and let the boots dry out.     

 

[Terrierman]

Simms with zero doubt in my mind.  I normally wear a 12 1/2 or 13 shoe, the size 13 Simms are perfect with medium weight socks and stockingfoot waders.  I am old - about like you - and do not want to fall and break anything on wet slick rocks, especially on a jetty.  The Korkers - or something studded - are also zero doubt the solution to that problem at least in my mind.  Those studs just don't slip on rocks.  They're good, real good.

I've never had a problem with mine coming off or getting loose but have read of using duct tape to further secure them to your boots.  They do make them in other than strap on options.

You can tell I clean my stuff up before I put it away.😎  Things seem to last longer that way...

 

[tjm]

@Terriermanwhy didn't you just use the stud screws that Simms sells for their boots?

[Terrierman]

6 hours ago, tjm said:

@Terriermanwhy didn't you just use the stud screws that Simms sells for their boots?

My boat has a plywood floor and I need to be able to choose when the studs are on.

[fshndoug]

Why would you wear studs in a boat. I know you are probably getting in and out of the boat but that is a real PIA . Gett a rubber mat for your boat bottom.