Wading boots
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Looking to buy a new pair of wading boots already have a pair of studded ones for the tough situations. I’m looking for a durable pair that will last my studded ones are chotas this time I was leaning towards simms or cloudveil. I will admit that I like the cloudveil’s for looks but have not
Probably either the Simms Freestones (and save you some money), or the Simms L2 or Riverwalker or whatever, or the LL Bean hiking-boot style boots (don’t know name) if they had a felt bottom, which I don’t think they do.
Zach
“If I was to give you 150.00 what wading boot would you buy?”
The Cabelas Lightweight for $50. Mine lasted three years and they are comfy and easy to get on and off. I mean they’re all made in Asia somewhere anyway…
Then I’d spend the extra $100 on a trip somewhere to try them out.
Ok one more question I promise where from? If local don’t worry I was in a shop Saturday they told me they only come in aquastealth no felt. They are the ones i wanted from the begining didn’t say that so I could get some honest opinions.
Pancho,
I completely agree with Zach on the L2 purchase as I think they are a great pair of boots. That said you should also look very hard at the Simms Keen boots. I have a pair of these and they are by far the best boots I own! I put over a hundred days on them this year and they still look practically new. If you do a lot of hiking around these are the boots to have! I just met with the Simms rep last week and he told me that the L2’s are his best selling boot, but the Keens are moving in fast on them. What ever you end up with make sure you try them on with waders so you get the right fit as they seem to vary a little from your regular size.
Moosedog
My 2 cts:
* Simms L2 are too narrow for me. Especially the toe area. I find my toes getting ‘cross wrapped’ in these shoes and my toes start to hurt due to the rubbing. In fact, I can’t wear wading shoes without the ‘gel tubes’ on one of my left toe to keep it from wraping.
* Patagonia shoes look nice and are very lightweight. But they have hardly *no* ankle support. Just a lightly padded and only a certain part of the upper part. Not sure about the durability either. I’ve heard stories about soles coming lose etc.
* My choice is, since it came on the market (1992?), the Simms Freestones. Durable as hell, a bit heavy indeed, excellent ankle support and VERY roomy toe area. I just keep coming back and I’m with my 4th pair now.
I’ve always used felted soles. I got the studded screws that I can screw on. Aquasole are a blank area for me…
Surprised no comments on Chota boots. I am a big fan of Simms, and came close to buying the L2’s but the Chota STL was the most comfortable boot I tried on. Had them about two months and really like the “hiking boot” feel to them. I have that there “plantar fascist” thingy 😮 and these boots seem to have answered the problems.
My $.02.
TB
I’ve heard the complaint about the Chota laces too. I was told you may be better off with a pair of hiking boot lace replacesments when/if the tiime comes. Not sure if the “give” from the OE “stretchy laces” is a comfort factor of not, but that might be a way to cut the expense of new laces.
BTW, they have a nice heel to them which I think adds to stability and the felt is dark gray which seems like it would be more stealthy, however, that may be moot in real life. Oh yeah, they’re about $10 less than the Simms lightweights, but I doubt any of us would let $10 affect this purchase in that good boots can really affect the enjoyment of the trip – as Zach found.
TB
If I had to do it all over again I would buy the Simms.
The felt thing won’t make a difference, if the fish can see your foot anyway then he’s gonna spook when you move it. Also once you start wearing your new ones and get them muddied up they will be black anyway.
Oh also, the snugness of the Chota’s is fine with their lacing kit.
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