Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bassonator on November 04, 2009, 11:33:56 AM
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Ok so I bought my first Neos.....now as Im a little short on mula dept, was wondering if I could just use some regular Hiking boots with the waders then picking up a pair of real ones later on..
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yes
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Rubber soled boots don't grip rockslime very well, but lots of people do it.
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drying out might be a problem because some of the hiking boots have a foam padding, and leather soles, etc. These will get mouldy quickly. Check out the real wading boots and they are water and mold resistant. That is unless your hiking boots are worth nothing and mold is not a problem. Again ask the fishing store experts about the rubber soles. It would be bad for you if you slipped and caused yourself major pain or a break ( or worse ) just to save $ 50.
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I use to use a pair of value village hiker boots that worked just fine, even on rocks and stuff, but the rubber sole was a little thin and standing or walking on rocks was not the best experience.
Bought a pair of simms guide boots with the vibram rubber sole and love em.
I suggest using a pair of boots that are stiff soled with a high boot for ankle support if you plan do much walking as it will be allot nicer on the feet and heels.
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--can use old snow boots, remove liner. maybe you coastal boys don't have old snow boots kickin around
--There are inexpensive wading boots around. Big thing don't want sharp edges in the boot to ruin your new waders.
--Felt soul is on the way out because of disease transfer between water ways, new soft rubber, some with cleats.
-- old running shoes... all depends on the area you are wading in as other have said, round rocks with slime, you'd better have good grip.
--if wading also reccomend inflatable life jacket, neos float feet up not the greatest for survival if you get in trouble.--if bush wacking near roses etc, old rain gear over the neos will help protect them.
--all depends on what you're using them for.
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thnx for the input guys will prolly get a proper pair of wading boots.
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You can pick up a cheap pair of Chota wading boots for $60 or $70. They will do until you can afford a good pair. A bunch of the tackle shops carry them.
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Wearing hiking boots on slimy rocks is like walking on black ice. I tried it once after forgetting my wading boots, its was pretty dicey. I know where you're coming from mula-wise, but getting swept of your feet by strong currents is unpleasant and can be dangerous. Felt soles are much better traction. Try and find a cheap pair if you're wading rivers with rocky bottoms. You can get away with your hikers on rivers like the Harrison- slow, soft bottom, but not on others.
If you DO go with hiking boots, you can improve traction noticeably for free by taking an razor and cutting slits ("sipes" if you know tires) every 1/2cm maybe a couple mm deep. Still no where near as good as felt.
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I wore old running shoes lol ;D
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Depends on how much actual wading you plan to try/do.Never had a pair of felts myself.I do far more hiking to get to my spots than wading.I look for winter type "waterproof" boots with soft rubber soles.These grip streamside(cliffside) as well as instream when needed. My one fishing buddy wears felts and has fallen on his rear in muddy and snowy/icy conditions on the hike in/out far more than I have ever slipped instream/streamside.One big tip;wear some kind of sock over the neo foot.It saves on wear and tear and will lengthen the life of your waders ;)
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Ive used hiking shoes a running shoes before with no problems :)
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save up and buy a pair of wading boots. You'll want to buy at least a size larger than your shoe size to make room for neoprene boots. Go onto ebay or several other sites and you can find good boots for cheap. Sieratradingpost.com has Korkers for $32 and Simms for $51.
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Felts may not grip mud or snow well, but for me, that risk isn't the same as the risk of losing footing on slippery rocks crossing the Squamish at 7am in January.. Ask me how I developed this theory. ;D Slip on mud, you get a sore butt, slip on slippery rocks and you run greater risks.
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Bassonator I have a extra pair of wading boots size 12 that i am looking to get rid of. Check in the Buy and sell section.