Wading Boots - Required?

[randyflycaster]

Falling in a river can be very dangerous even on a small stream. You could hit your head. That being said, I can't see why an angler wouldn't want the best footing possible, which I believe is felt or the new rubber soles with studs.

Randy

[Silver Creek]

Wading boots are more comfortable for both hiking into and out of the stream and wading the stream. They are basically a hiking boot these days, but with extra protection around the heels and soles to protect your toes and to protect from wear. I wouldn't even think of wearing sneakers.

I own 2 pair. One felt bottom with spikes and one lug sole bottom. Both made by Chota. I change up based on the stream I am fishing.

http://chotaoutdoorgear.com/shop/foo...s-wading-boot/

http://chotaoutdoorgear.com/shop/foo...k-wading-boot/

Joe,

Didn't you stock up on the Borger Boots at the Weinbrenner factory second store?

Look what the shops that have them are charging for the remaining stock of boots.

http://www.iflyshop.com/Weinbrenner-...ELT_p_475.html

http://www.thehuskyangler.com/boots.html

[sgallas2]

Silver,
I wish I would have picked upa few more . I got an extra pair two years ago from MRFC before they ran out. Great boots but I don't think I'll pay 250.00 +'for a pair. Too bad, they were the best boots available.
Best,
Steve

[ScottP]

4 knee surgeries, one directly related to a mid-stream fall, with stream cleats on and a separated shoulder 2 feet from the bank of the Madison River, with studded Vibram (despite what my wife may say, I'm not a clumsy person); I buy the best boots I can afford, for safety (and comfort).

Regards,
Scott

[joekrz]

Joe,

Didn't you stock up on the Borger Boots at the Weinbrenner factory second store?

Look what the shops that have them are charging for the remaining stock of boots.

http://www.iflyshop.com/Weinbrenner-...ELT_p_475.html

http://www.thehuskyangler.com/boots.html

No. Was never a fan of them.

[joekrz]

4 knee surgeries, one directly related to a mid-stream fall, with stream cleats on and a separated shoulder 2 feet from the bank of the Madison River, with studded Vibram (despite what my wife may say, I'm not a clumsy person); I buy the best boots I can afford, for safety (and comfort).

Regards,
Scott

I tried vibram once and wasn't impressed at all. Had the boots for a week and sold them. Nothing beats studded felt soles on rivers with slippery rocks.

Good friend of mine was recently down on the Holston River in Tennessee...he was texting me fishing reports and pics and told me that the river was very slippery and he fell in a few times already and bruised his knees. I asked him what his boots were and he said vibram. I told him to visit the local fly shop and buy some felt soles with cleats. Later that day he texted me and couldn't thank me enough.

I only use my lug sole boots where slippery rocks are not involved.

[jimsnarocks]

I have used these for years. Mostly with flippers in a tube or pontoon, but they work great in small streams. When I bought my first pair they were $25.00. Wore them out in about 4 years and got my second pair a size larger. Still $25.00. I notice they have almost doubled in price but so has everything else since I got a fixed income. Still a good deal. Jim
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footw...3Bcat104674680

[ScottP]

I tried vibram once and wasn't impressed at all. Had the boots for a week and sold them. Nothing beats studded felt soles on rivers with slippery rocks.

Joe,

Agree that straight Vibram is nothing special. I would have gone with studded felt but I fish a lot in MD, where felt was banned in 2011, so studded Vibram it is; works pretty well and I have no fear of hiking through snow, gaining an inch in height with every step.

Regards,
Scott

[joekrz]

Joe,

Agree that straight Vibram is nothing special. I would have gone with studded felt but I fish a lot in MD, where felt was banned in 2011, so studded Vibram it is; works pretty well and I have no fear of hiking through snow, gaining an inch in height with every step.

Regards,
Scott

These are the non-felt boots I occasionally wear. Whatever Dual Density ATX100 is, I feel it is better than vibram from my personal experience.

http://chotaoutdoorgear.com/shop/foo...k-wading-boot/

[Uncle Jesse]

I wonder if a pair of wellies/rubber boots would work. Ed

Ed, years ago when I worked for a large hotel company and salesman lavished me with products to try, I tried a pair of hiking boots with slip resistant soles for wet wading out in Utah one weekend. The boots were designed for wet tile floors, etc., and work great there. One stream rocks they were not at all slip resistant, I suspect rubber boots would be even worse. I think if I were going to try rubber soles, I would add some short hex headed sheet metal screws (studs) to the bottom. A friend in Phoenix does use what I would call rubber barn boots for easing around the edges of small streams but not really wading.