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[NothingToSnagAbout]

Gonna buy my first pair of wading boots shortly. I know to buy a size bigger but beyond that, any opinion on sole type from the experts here? Lots of people say felt has better grip for the moss but freezes up in the winter. I mostly fish Vedder, Squamish. Thanks in advance

[clarki]

Felt also has its disadvantages on muddy banks!

I have rubber soles on my wading boots because my fishing/wading tends to be in the mud, sand or gravel of the lower reaches of rivers, or in saltwater. If I was fishing the upper reaches of rivers more and wading on rocks, then I would tend to felt soles.

I would suggest assessing how much you wade and the speed of the water and the type of river bottom where you do. Also consider how much you walk on muddy ground to get to your fishing grounds and balance that against how much wading you do. Are you truly wading to cross channels, or are you mostly just standing in shin deep water? Lots of considerations to balance...

There are times I wish I had a pair of felts, but for 95% of my fishing, the rubber soles work just fine.

Another option is to buy a pair of Korkers with interchangeable soles, but it's too much of a pain to change in the field.

[Noahs Arc]

I have the Simms freestones in felt.
I'm on my 3rd set of felts on them and going to be gluing a 4th set on before the new year. The boots show no signs of other failure.
I like the felt as I feel it grips better on river rock and I'm more concerned about my traction when I'm cross the tail outs then when I'm on the trail.

[RalphH]

You don't want regular rubber soles (like on a gum boot) for wading on cobble, rock or gravel stream beds. That's an invitation to fall in. Vibram soles from Simms or 'klingon' from Korkers are far better. The vibram is very close to felt. Puts cleats or screws on them and they are better. Felt is probably cheapest if you don't want to spend big $ something like Chotas are usually a good buy.

[John Revolver]

I've used felt soles since I was a kid but a couple years ago I invested in the simms G4boa boot with vibram soles and installed the cleats in them.

I do a toooone of bushwacking and hiking into spots along the C/V , Chehalis , Cap ect. ect. and the Vibram soles were the only way to go. At first  I was suspicous of switching from felt but the grip of the vibram soles with the cleats installed is amazing.

I will never, ever switch back to felt boots.



with the hardbite star cleats found in the middle:

[clarkii]

Personally I like Rubber soles.  I also add the alumabites to them.  you have to redo them every year almost but the grip is through the roof and I did a lot of trips.

[NothingToSnagAbout]

Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards the Korkers Redside with the dual soles so I can play with both before I decide to commit to a better boot

[RalphH]

I have a pair of Korkers Whitehorse boots NIB to sell but they are a size 13 - so you have big feet?

[NothingToSnagAbout]

My wife would be the first to tell you that no, I don't have big feet But they are wide, ahem.

In fact, I wear a 10.5 shoe so I'm aiming to get a 12 boot. Just curious, are the Korkers soles interchangeable across all their boots?

[clarkii]

My wife would be the first to tell you that no, I don't have big feet But they are wide, ahem.

In fact, I wear a 10.5 shoe so I'm aiming to get a 12 boot. Just curious, are the Korkers soles interchangeable across all their boots?

Make sure you try on your waders with the boots.  It is not a solid rule to size up by 1 as different waders fit boots differently.  Same with different boots fitting waders differently.

[RalphH]

My wife would be the first to tell you that no, I don't have big feet But they are wide, ahem.

In fact, I wear a 10.5 shoe so I'm aiming to get a 12 boot. Just curious, are the Korkers soles interchangeable across all their boots?

current ones yes. They changed (improved) the design some years back and afaik no longer sell soles that fit some older boots.

[SilverChaser]

Never cheap out on wading boots. A good pair will go a long way. As well, make sure that the boots have good ankle support. Good support is crucial, especially when steelhead fishing if you are walking a lot.

[96XJ]

I am looking for new boots as well - actually waders too - I tried on the Korker Redside a few days ago, really liked them , two different soles and really light , the simms i tried on were too stiff

[John Revolver]

I am looking for new boots as well - actually waders too - I tried on the Korker Redside a few days ago, really liked them , two different soles and really light , the simms i tried on were too stiff

Do not forget that the boots will loosen up a lot with use.


Important keep in mind when walking along so many wobbly boulders along river banks

[Noahs Arc]

I am looking for new boots as well - actually waders too - I tried on the Korker Redside a few days ago, really liked them , two different soles and really light , the simms i tried on were too stiff

Once they get wet they loosen right up.
I try to keep my wading boots always wet.  
But seriously. Sometimes my boots dry out, and the night before I fish I'll fill them up with water from the hose so in the morning I can tighten them up real good