Wading boots

[Toni]

How does one go about trying out wading boots? Do you wear your waders in and try them on? Try them on in heavy stockings? What sole is best?
If one gets waders are there any other things that need to be purchased to? Besides boots.

[curado]

belt is another thing to get. i have felt sole simms wading shoes. bring your waders in so you can get the right pair of boots i am a 10 in mens and wear a 13 wading shoe hope this helps.
p.s. go 1 or 2 size bigger than your foot

[Bigbass Dez]

From what i understand , Felt material is great for walking on rocks ! and rubber material for grass ! .. I Have a pair of hip waders in a size 12 mens that i havent used in years ... there your if you want them !

[curado]

it depends though Dez are the rubber or neoprene ruber gets holes and dont last to long neoprene will

[The Quadfather]

Watch out for rubber soles Tony. If you walk rivers like I think you do.... Rubber soles make it like walking on ice when you are on slimey rocks. Yes felt may hold dirt etc. but take them off and throw them in garage and so be it.

[curado]

felt soles is the way to go unless you go and get the new vibram soled wading shoes from simms. www.simms.com look under press and there is a article on vibram soles

[Gringo Pescador]

Just watch out with felt soles and mud, slicker than ice! If you are looking for boots to go over sockfoot neoprene, Cabelas has neoprene socks you can put on to try on the boots over.

[Toni]

From what i understand , Felt material is great for walking on rocks ! and rubber material for grass ! .. I Have a pair of hip waders in a size 12 mens that i havent used in years ... there your if you want them !

Thank you for that. I would take them but that is about 3-4.5 sizes too big. I am hoping to get women's boots.

[Toni]

Watch out for rubber soles Tony. If you walk rivers like I think you do.... Rubber soles make it like walking on ice when you are on slimey rocks. Yes felt may hold dirt etc. but take them off and throw them in garage and so be it.

Ok. I am on rocks most of the time. What about those felt spike type?

[Toni]

Just watch out with felt soles and mud, slicker than ice! If you are looking for boots to go over sockfoot neoprene, Cabelas has neoprene socks you can put on to try on the boots over.

I was thinking about going to Cabelas and use those coupon things they give me. I don't think they are neoprene waders though.

[sellis_414]

This may throw a twist in things... But since I do a lot of duck hunting, I bought neoprene waders that have rubber soles like any other hunting boots.. Granted they are great for cold weather, in turn when the weather is warm they are a little too hot (early fall fishing). So if your already have waders I guess your on your way to find boots. But I agree with getting felt soles. I have a couple buddies that have some and love them on the rocks!

[Toni]

felt soles is the way to go unless you go and get the new vibram soled wading shoes from simms. www.simms.com look under press and there is a article on vibram soles

Has any one used these Vibram soles because they do sound good and Simms is only going to sell them for 2010?

[mlrodoni]

Simms or Redington boots with felt soles and removable Simms hard bites work great.

[flinginpooh]

I never tried em but Korkers has changeable bottoms. You can have felt vibram studded felt and various other bottoms. You can change em pretty quick by the looks of it. You can get 2 bottoms with most of the boots. Like a vibram and a felt would be a good combo. They are not too terribly expensive I know ebay has many of them. I will be buying a new boot soon myself and have thought about the korkers but the price of the cabela ultralight felt bottoms is calling my name.

[curado]

i have had korkers they lasted me 3 years but the soles pop out

[Bodofish]

Personally I prefer the rubber soled boots for all types of wading. I don't like felt at all, the extra grip you get on slimy rocks is negligable. Felt works on rocks only. Look at the newer boots with the rubber lugs. Main problem with felt is it picks up everything you come in contact with and they're no good for walking in and out of a fishing area. I don't know about anyone here but I don't have a personal heli to drop me where I want to fish. Felt is dangerous on the hike in! I don't like to carry extra boots.

[bionic_one]

I'd recommend waterproof/breathable nylon style waders with neoprene socks because you can add layers under those more easily.

Then pick out the type of thick sock you're going to wear under them when it's cold.

Try the boots on with your thickest layers on. You want a fit that isn't too loose, but isn't tight. Too loose is uncomfortable, and too tight reduces blood flow (cold feet!)

I have a pair of Cabela's felt soled boots with the spikes (normally $99 and on sale for $59 last I checked) Try on whatever style they have, then order the exact boot you want online (free shipping with in store pickup)

As for trying the boots on, I just carried my waders and socks in with me.