Need wading boot advice and info.
Aug 24, 2021 08:29:45 #
I fish for sockeye salmon every summer. I am not very knowledgeable about wading boots. The pair I have now seem to soak up a lot of water and get very heavy and take a long time to dry out. Would like to find a pair that have plenty of support but don't hold a lot of water. I have week ankles and tender feet. Would love advice and experience on what is out there. Thanks for any help.
Aug 24, 2021 08:46:47 #
mbrillhart1957 wrote:
I fish for sockeye salmon every summer. I am not very knowledgeable about wading boots. The pair I have now seem to soak up a lot of water and get very heavy and take a long time to dry out. Would like to find a pair that have plenty of support but don't hold a lot of water. I have week ankles and tender feet. Would love advice and experience on what is out there. Thanks for any help.
I have a pair of Simms that I like. I have had them a long time and they seem to do the job. I can't say that about my waders.
Aug 25, 2021 12:20:05 #
FixorFish
Loc: SW Oregon
Big fan of my 3yr old Hodgman Aesis H-lock w/BOA lace.
Interchangeable soles (I have felt, studded felt, rubber, & studded rubber) that are WAAAAY easier to trade out than the Korkers I had previously. The Korkers were a "PITA" to trade out, usually necessitated removing the boot to properly attach the alternative sole.... not convenient or even possible sometimes. With the Aesis, it's merely a matter of finding a rock or log to perch for a minute or so to release and twist off and twist the other on, lock and go. What was a 6-10 minute task with the Korkers, is now more like 3-5 minutes...and half of that time is digging in my pack for the new ones and putting away the old. Korkers are easier to find, cost approximately the same, but wasting time is wasted time, why do it ? Especially if it's an incredibly frustrating waste of time. My old Korkers didn't have the BOA lace-up system (though now available) so even the fit is better, as well. Nothing beats reaching down to give a click or two and snug up, to give you better footing confidence... even in knee-deep water. Try "tightening up" your boots with conventional laces mid-stream...takes both hands etc. etc. I don't work for Hodgman, but I could certainly offer useful testimony, any day. The extra sole choices aren't cheap (~$30-35), but satisfies the need for the "No Felt" requirements by many waterways' regs these days, in a flash. BTW...I find them to be quite comfy, in the water or hiking (with the rubber sole, of course...saves the wear on felt bottoms) to get TO the water. JMHO, but I am convinced that they're a great "investment".
The best price & selection I found was from Hodgman directly or through "Pure Fishing" 's website.
Good luck on your search !
Interchangeable soles (I have felt, studded felt, rubber, & studded rubber) that are WAAAAY easier to trade out than the Korkers I had previously. The Korkers were a "PITA" to trade out, usually necessitated removing the boot to properly attach the alternative sole.... not convenient or even possible sometimes. With the Aesis, it's merely a matter of finding a rock or log to perch for a minute or so to release and twist off and twist the other on, lock and go. What was a 6-10 minute task with the Korkers, is now more like 3-5 minutes...and half of that time is digging in my pack for the new ones and putting away the old. Korkers are easier to find, cost approximately the same, but wasting time is wasted time, why do it ? Especially if it's an incredibly frustrating waste of time. My old Korkers didn't have the BOA lace-up system (though now available) so even the fit is better, as well. Nothing beats reaching down to give a click or two and snug up, to give you better footing confidence... even in knee-deep water. Try "tightening up" your boots with conventional laces mid-stream...takes both hands etc. etc. I don't work for Hodgman, but I could certainly offer useful testimony, any day. The extra sole choices aren't cheap (~$30-35), but satisfies the need for the "No Felt" requirements by many waterways' regs these days, in a flash. BTW...I find them to be quite comfy, in the water or hiking (with the rubber sole, of course...saves the wear on felt bottoms) to get TO the water. JMHO, but I am convinced that they're a great "investment".
The best price & selection I found was from Hodgman directly or through "Pure Fishing" 's website.
Good luck on your search !
Aug 25, 2021 18:21:29 #
rhoadda1
Loc: Southwestern. Utah
Best boots I ever used in freestone streams/rivers are Simms high top leather with studded soles. Grip amazingly well; proving solid ankle support and although leather absorbs water it is not that much. Heavier than fabric boots of course, but extra support is well worth it.
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