"Daddy needs a new pair of boots. "
Any opinions on great wading boots? Current felt-bottomed Simms boots are just plain too big. Need to get a new pair to hike and fish in comfort.
Not overly impressed with much I've seen yet around $99.99.
I'm one of Simms biggest critics, for good reason so not sure about Redington either.
Corkers, no thanks, worried about sand, grit and rocks wedgeing between insert and bottom boot.
Whatcha guys got and why?
Lofty

What Simms boot do you have & what issues ?

I've had the G4 & the Rivershed, they seem like all a guy could want in a wader boot to me.


c/22

There is no connection between Simms and Redington.......

Cabelas.......boot foot......not many of the boots they handle, have the boot foot but there is 1 or two....Cabelas Brand

Fished everyday last summer....June 4 - September 8 or 9....still going strong. Price was under $200.00

Good luck.............

I have had 4-5 pairs of Patagonia's River Walkers, all but one pair have had the sticky rubber sole. Although I really like the light weight and general comfort of the boot and I have logged a ton of miles in them, they have durability issues. My most recent pair lasted from the end of August through the end of October. Granted I put nearly 50 days on them in that time frame, but they fell apart way too soon. They have a few design flaws and all pairs have failed in the same place/way. I connected with Patagonia's fishing product development folks and passed on some notes and photos.







They sent me a pair of these to check out as replacements, but I haven't had them in the water yet.

+1 on the Simms boots being too heavy. They are bombproof, but weigh too much for me to want to log a lot of miles in them.

I've had the g3 Guide boots for over a year and find them to be really lightweight and durable. They'd be my recommendation with Redington Skagit's which I haven't tried but looked at a close second.

I went with the cabela's $69.99 model which are light and durable.Can't see spending more then $100.00 for a wading shoe that ends up muddy & smelling like dead salmon/river water in the end of time.I get 3-5 season's out of the cheaper end boots/shoes.Good luck,
SZ

I alway's go for the lightest and most flexable wading boot for under a Benny.Last pair was Hodgeman lights the grey one's I only got 3.5 years out of them but for $60.00 it was worth it.

I cannot bring myself to paying 100+ bucks for wader boots! I guess I'm a cheapsake but Simms gear has me always thinking twice about softgear purchases now.
I may just go Hodgeman or Cabelas and get some good hooks with the leftover cash.

Simms gear has always disappointed. From their $40.00 Windblocker fingerless gloves marketed as warm when wet" 'Ok sure nice try', to their 5mm 400.00 Japanese top of the line neoprene waders (12 yrs back) = seam repairs twice a year when only wearing twice a year... wading boots that cracked after a half year and then my second nubuck finish pair that just plain weight a ton.
But gotta say the latest ding on Simms for me is their,"we're too special to qualify retailers from actually placing our gear on sale", really has me going elsewhere...

Korkers have been bullet proof for me and the different interchangeable soles allow me to adapt to any type of fishing. Whether going on long hikes, rowing the drifter, riding along in a buddies sled, or wading the algae covered rocks of the river in summertime, my Korkers have been awesome! I have the regular lug sole, felt soles, and studded felt. Good support around ankles as well.

CM

Canyon Man,
So no issues with rocks or debris wedging in between inserts? Maybe I should take a closer look at those. How much did your pair run, price wise?
Lofty

[quote=Lofty]Canyon Man,
So no issues with rocks or debris wedging in between inserts? Maybe I should take a closer look at those. How much did your pair run, price wise?
Lofty [/quote


Small rocks and sand were an issue for me.

Don't buy Korkers!

With the old design I did have issues with rocks and even with the interchangeable soles coming out, but with the new model (1 1/2 years on mine now) I have had ZERO issues and could not be happier. Call Kent at 3 Rivers Marine if you want a price quote as I do not remember what they cost.
425-415-1575

CM

If you don't want to slip and slide around in the rubber bottom boots, I'd take a look at Dan Bailey's felt soles. Not too expensive and they are one of the only felt soled boots still in production. Only had them for about 5 or 6 months now, but they seem to be durable.

Patagonia.

I've had my korkers since last Feb or March and they are falling apart. I have put them through the ringer though! I love them still and have never had an issue with the interchangeable soles other than walking through deep mud or sand. Almost lost a sole this year due to some very deep sinky sand. I'll probably get another pair when this pair can't go any further. I like the interchangeable soles because felt is great for wading but when I'm rowing it provides no grip on the bottom of my boat. When I row I just throw on the rubber soles and I'm good. One day I'll get around to getting a foot brace and felt will be fine in the boat.

I like 'em light when wet. I do a lot of moving around on trails, etc.

My favorites were Patagonia Lights. Pricey, but lasted 7 or 8 seasons.
When I bought, they had Lights and Heavy Duty.

Currently using Columbia Sportswear boots. Inexpensive, not that light when wet and showing wear on the uppers after a couple of seasons.

I might go back to Patagonia or look at what Simms has for the next pair.

Had the old school Korkers when they first came out...sucked.

Got the "new" ones as soon as they came out...sucked just as bad, only cost more to suck the same amount.

No more Korkers for this guy.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Maybe it's just me, but I have terrible luck with Simm's stuff...jackets, waders, boots...none of them ever seem to be durable enough to make me happy.

Go figure...I'm looking at buying another pair of Simm's boots, anyway...durrr.

Simms announced earlier this year it is going to be bringing felt back with their 2012 models, so you'll have some more felt opinions to consider in the future.