I am looking for some new wading boots. These will be used with breathable waders in colder conditions ie. steelhead fishing. What is your favorite? Pros/Cons... Any and all info is appreciated
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I am looking for some new wading boots. These will be used with breathable waders in colder conditions ie. steelhead fishing. What is your favorite? Pros/Cons... Any and all info is appreciated
My current boots, which I purchase this past spring, are the best I've ever had... Orvis River Guard Side Zip Brogue Boots with EcoTrax soles. I left a review on the site. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.a...subcat_id=6047
I retired my old steelhead boots for these as well. I expect I'll be much happier with these than with my old steelhead boots. There's more room for extra pair of socks. They are the easiest boots to get into and with the studs I don't expect I'll slip on the ice like I did with my old pair or rubber bottom wading boots....and right now I can't afford to slip on anything.
My next purchase for wading boots will be a pair of Korkers with the twist lace and interchangeable soles, I like the option of changing the soles on the fly. If you are walking down the trail to your favorite fishing hole put on the trail soles, when you get to your spot to fish put on the felts or studied soles. The best part is the cost of each sole set is only between $20 to $30 each set. I am definitely sold on them. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/i...lies/smile.gif
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FlyinCarp
I'm using Koorkers and I love them. Easiest on and off boots I ever had. Going into the third year with these. First pair were their lower end model, only lasted two seasons. Current pair were the highest end and they show no signs of stopping. I love the interchangeable sole system. I have plain felts, studded felts and rubber with cleats. These boots will make 20 - 30 steelhead outings a season, plus 15 - 20 trout outings. Very good product, one fault is they are tough on laces.
PS the first pair were not dead, I gave them to a youngster and they are still in use.
I'm now on my 4th set of boots and they are Korkers. I love them! Much easier to get on and off. Very comfortable. Being able to switch to rubber soles in the snowy months is a big plus for me.
Another vote for Korkers. Put the soles on properly & they'll not come loose. I have lug, felt, studded felt, studded rubber, & studded aquastealth soles & have no complaints. Only issue is that mine are the previous model Konvertibles & I would love to find another set of the studded aquastealth in a size 10...If anyone knows of any available, please let me know.
Mike
anything that fits comfortably. that's the most important thing in my book.
Carp:
If you are going to be fishing the Salmon River, all I can tell you is a buddy of mine who fishes there regularly swears by the Korker's with the studded rubber sole. That's the sole with the BIG carbide tipped spikes. Korker's will be coming out with a new and DEFINITELY improved version for 2010 so either wait for the new shoe if you can or look for the current version on closeout.
Ohiotuber:
Have you checked directly with Korker's for those soles you are after? They were still selling the old version soles as recently as a few months ago.
Another vote for Korkers. I have their low-end boot ($85-90) and they're wrapping up their third year of pretty nasty abuse. I'm talking probably an average of 50-60 trout outings per year, roughly 5 steelhead trips per year...ridden hard and put away wet, spending long summers in the trunk of my car, frozen solid on mid-winter steelhead trips and subsequently literally beat into flexibility.
Still work just fine. They *look* about as ratty as you can imagine from all that, and I did replace the soles once (from felt to non-studded aquastealth...what a bad choice...gotta get some felt back on them). The new system for 2011 with the updated boa lace and 'felt-free-felt' has me interested. If I can find a pair on the cheap, I may go for it...I think mine are starting to pick up barnacles. :P
If I were an alien, I'd give em four thumbs up, but my limited human anatomy only allows for two.
The new version Korker's also has soles that go all the way to the edge. This improvement has piqued my interest since I never liked the having that plain rubber around the edge.