Wading Boot Advice

Hi, friends. Time for some new wading boots--I looked pretty funny with rope holding my felt soles on yesterday. I'd love advice from any of you who've tried some of the newer boots.

I really like the idea of AquaStealth soles, but not so sure about adding cleats to them (bad on boats, etc). The Simms Guide boots look nice but have cleats with the rubber. Their L2 boot looks like it might have an alternative called "Simms Convertible Cleat System". Anyone know anything more about that, or have opinions on either of these boots?

I also think the new Korker boots look interesting, but am skeptical about how long the removable sole feature would work well. Thanks for your thoughts!

Dave

Dave,
I have a pair of SIMMs freestone boots and love them. I have heard several good comments on the rest oh the SIMMs line. As for the convertible cleat system, my understanding is the cleats can screw in to a normal felt sole making them into a cleated sole. I believe the cleats can be removed when necessary and replaced. I am not sure how many times this can be done before the holes get a bit worn, but it is a good alternative to having to buy two pairs of boots. The fly shop in my area has not gotten these in yet, but I will be buying the conversion to try out.
Eric.

DenverDave,

I have had the LL Bean wading boots with aquastealth soles for 4 seasons now and I love them. I've got one pair with studs to wear on particularly slippery bottoms, and a non studded pair for other streams and when I'll be in a boat.

They are cheaper than the Simms L2's with aquastealth, but I've heard nothing but good tihngs about the simms boots too - I know simms makes quality products.

If you're willing to pay a little less than what simms wants for their boots, you might try the ll bean's. LL Bean also has a satisfaction guarantee - send em back for a refund if you dont like em.

i purchased a pair of chota stl plus wading boots around the first of the year. so far, i like them. they have the option of adding or removing cleats/studs into the soles, so that's a nice feature. they also have the speedlace system for easy on and off.

i've already broken one lace, and the other one is looking a little worn, so i'm curious how i will like them in the long run. time will tell i suppose.

chris

Another vote for the Simms Freestone. If you are going to be doing any hiking, I would recommend the Simms L2 felt. It is much lighter.

You will save money buying a high quality boot because it will last far longer. The Freestone is as durable as they come.

------------------

Chris,

I broke the quick laces on my Chota's and just replaced them with normal round boot laces. I love the boots and its not inconvenient tying them on.

Paul

I'll have to add our (mine and my wife's) vote for Chota's. She has the STL's and really likes them. Very light weight, removable and replaceable studs, good ankle suppport. I have the Citico Creek model and really like them. I've been fly fishing about 40 years and these are the lightest and most comfortable boots I have ever owned. They also have the removable studs.

After 23 years of jumping out of airplanes, my feet are a little oddly shaped (many broken bones). These Chota's are the only boots I have found that fit me well. (The STL's also fit well, but Vicki beat me to them)

We both wade on some slippery rocks and have yet to slip. Great boots.

Ron and Vickie Eagle Elk

Only way to really find good boots is to go down and try on as many as you can find. Different lasts are going to fit your feet differently and that's the only way to find ones that will be comfortable for you. Take your waders and the bulkiest sock combination you will ever wear to the store and try some on. If you go with your summer sock combo they won't work come winter fishing time.

I recently bought some new boots too after using the Simms Guides for a few seasons. Beware of boots that use real leather like these. The support is great and I like the feel of a heavy duty hiking boot but after enough wet/dry cycles the leather will begin to absorb water and dry out (shrink) between trips. Eventually, the toes got so curled you can't get them on without putting them in a bucket of water the night before. You can keep them nice but they take a lot of maintenance. I prefer the ease of synthetics.

So I went down to try on the L2's since I thought they looked nice. Let me say you really need a specific type of foot for those boots. The toe box is really narrow and if your foot isn't just right for them they'll be uncomfortable. Also tried out the Patagonia's and they were nice and comfy but fairly lightweight without a ton of support like the heavier boots.

The ones I settled on were the new Simms River Tek's. Sturdy boot with hefty support and the nice thing were how wide they were. Ample space in them for extra socks while still keeping a good feel when tightened down without the extra layers on.

I'm not sure how good the aquastealth's would be in CO. A lot of slippery rocks in our rivers and most of the fly shops around don't even carry them for that reason. I've found the felt to be better. Adding studs like with the Simms convertible system is just getting some screws and screwing them into the felt. I've found the Simms screws to be somewhat more durable but have used the generic hardware store sheet metal screws too. Been doing that for years with no problems, doesn't tear up the felt on good quality boots. Every once in a while one will pull out and get lost but easily replaced. I don't think there is any reason to pay extra to get ones with premade holes like on the Chota's. Just get ones with regualar felt and screw them in yourself.

My wife has the Chota's and she likes them but they are a softer boot and I don't think have the support of a burlier boot like the Simms Guides. But the tradeoff is weight. Also have a few friends who love the Korkers but I have seen them on a couple occassions have the sole pop out of the boots going up banks and stuff. Go try some on and see what works for you. Good luck, SPB

[This message has been edited by splatte boy (edited 21 March 2005).]

I would like to second what splatte said about avoiding natural leather due to its shrinkage. I have a pair of the last model of the Simms Guide boots and they get smaller every time i put them on. They basically don't even fit with my waders any more. When wearing the thinner guidesocks, I can get them on, but I still have to pour some water over the toes so blood continues to flow in that area.

I like a felt sole boot with studs that don't protrude beyond the felt, but work when needed. I think the studded version of the Simms Freestone fit that description, and I know my Patagonia Beefy Wading Shoes do.

Chotas....most comfy boots out there....period.

J

One vote for the Korkers. Probably one of my best fishing purchases. I have 2 bad knees and these have made my fishing so much easier. The soles have held up very well adn have only replaced 2 studs so far.

In my experience:
Grub Creek boots fall apart and the plastic shim in them cut a hole in my waderboot.

Simms guide boots shrink so much when they dry that you'll have to get them wet to get them back on

Simms lightweight, I think now called the L2, are pretty sweet. Have lots of support and don't shrink. Have held up well over two seasons and I'd buy another pair.

Patagonia boots seem to wear fast but I never had a pair

I don't think there's really a place for studs and the Simms aquastealth are interesting but I still think felt is the only way to go unless it's winter or there's lots of slippery muck.

Hi Dave,

I too, am in Denver and was pleased to move from the Simms Freestone to the Lightweights last year. Mine were the studded aquastealths and I removed the studs after several weeks (I spend a fair share of time in boats) and have been very happy with them. I thought I would use my felt soled free stones more but alas they just remain in my garage. In fact the aquastealths have exceeded my expectations both in the water and on the trail. Good luck in your decision and just make sure you like the feel of them on your foot.

--Shiba

Everyone has their own opinions on wading boots and I'll just have to add mine to the list. I fish quite a bit averaging about 3 days a week, more during steelhead season, and have gone through multiple pairs of boots in the past few years. I've had 3 pairs of Chota STL boots and found them to be very comfortable but their durability is definitely lacking. My first pair wore out in under a year as both heels seperated from the soles. My fishing partner also had this happen to his first pair of Chota's. The second pair seemed to last a little bit longer but once again the heels seperated from the soles after about 14 months. I realize I fish a lot and steelheading is, I think, sometimes tougher on boots but I bought a third pair anyway because they are so comfortable. Once again, they held up for about a year and that was it. So, last year I bought the Simms guide boots with cleats and absolutely love them. They grip just as good as the Chota's but so far they are taking the abuse very well, especially the felt. Oh, I forgot to mention that all of my quick laces on the chotas broke and I replaced them with hiking boot laces treated with Nikwax. Overall the chotas are great if your not fishing multiple days every week, but the Simms have just held up for me better. Just my $.02.

I have Chota STL's as well and they have held up pretty good although the soles need replacing. I have discovered that if you wear the soles down too much, if you replace the studs they will stick out too far. I purchased a pair of replacement soles but not for the studded version. This weekend I am going punch out the holes required and replace them. Hopefully my local shoemaker can then stitch them as well. If it turns out OK it will have cost me about $14 for the soles, $6 for new studs, $10 for glue, and the same for the shoemaker, not too bad.

In regards to the heels falling off; this happened to me too. Fortunately it happened while I was taking a break and not in the stream. I took a page from my Russell wading shoes and re-glued the Chota heel and took four ?? stainless steel flat head sheet metal screws and screwed the heels into the soles; end of problem. I have replaced the laces a few times but that?s the nature of shock cord.

I personally am from the old school that thinks that you should be able to either replace your soles and heels when they wear out or send them back for replacing. It sucks to have to spend $100 + for wading shoes and replace them once a year. Unfortunately nobody offers that in a modern shoe that I like. I own quite a few pairs of wading shoes so mine last pretty long. I also take good care of them, cleaning the shoe and soles after each trip.

For that reason I also own two pair of Russell wading shoes. They are twice the price of any other shoe but are custom made so they will fit your foot perfectly. They are available with true wool felt which grips WAY better than synthetic felt and they offer Korker?s studs. I know too that if you send them a pair of Auqa Stealth soles they will build you a pair of shoes with them on, they did it for me. They also offer a re-felting service which will run you less than a new pair of most any other shoe.

The down side is that because they are made of quality leather they do require some care after use. Cleaning and dressing of the leather when dry is all I do for years of use. If you are the type that just throws your wading equipment in the trunk, forget it. But if you are like me and looks at the investment in wading equipment the same as I do my rods and reels and takes care of stuff; Russell?s may be worth the investment.
[url=http://www.russellmoccasin.com/shoes_wading/wading_russell.html:56ccc]http://www.russellmoccasin.com/shoes_wading/wading_russell.html[/url:56ccc]


[This message has been edited by Bamboozle (edited 26 March 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Bamboozle (edited 26 March 2005).]

I had the same problem with my CHOTA STL's, the heel fell off after a year of use.
JOHN