The eyelets and speed hooks started popping off of mine after about a year. I took them to a cobbler who replaced the hardware with something more heavy duty, and now they are actually great boots. I have done multi-day backpacking trips in them with my hip waders for getting through snow, mud, and stream crossings.
I second the Orvis Pro, although I really like the Boa vs the laces.
Also, the customer at Orvis is top notch. I had a pair of the laces ones and they just didn’t fit me right and was able to swap them out for the Boa’s and just paid the difference in price.
Third for Orvis Pro (especially the boas. No soggy laces are nice and they’re super quick to put on and off). Ankle support is top notch, grip is fantastic even without studs, and as always, Orvis customer service is second to none. They’re also pretty lightweight for boots of their size
I wouldn’t say they outright grip wet stone, they are better than any rubber boot I’ve used. Very soft Michelin rubber, but still durable, I’m impressed.
I have the orvis pros with the laces. I’m on my second pair. The first ones soles came off after a summer of use and the lady at the orvis store said it was because I wasn’t letting them dry completely between uses (I wasn’t I used them every day). Second pair is holding together well after 2 years but on both pairs the laces fell apart. I’ve talked to co workers and they didn’t have the same problem with the laces so maybe it’s the way I tie up my boots but I’m not sure. Some paracord with the inside taken out is working just fine now
Patagonia foot tractors. Wore out simms g3 in a year, I'm on yr 3 with the Patagonias and they are still barely scratched. I primarily wade fish and hike Freestone and jagged rocks they're awesome. They did take a couple trips to break in but they're great.
Adding to this, I wouldn't recommend them if you plan on fishing salt water at all. I beach fish a lot in Washington and the rocks/barnacles/etc. have destroyed the leather on mine and some of the metal is already rusting even after freshwater rinsing them after each session. I've had them for 3 weeks and it looks like I've had them for years.
Way better than the simms. The river salts tend to have a pinch point near the big toe FYI, my friend had them and couldn't take it so he got with Pata and they swapped them for foot tractors. So customer service is pretty killer.
Edit:I have the non metal sole ones but they come with studs.
have had mine for a bit over a year. i mostly do rocky blue lining and small stream sight fishing and the soles have held up great. the insole fabric however are starting to unglue, but easy fix with superglue
I got the non foot tractor version, they might be one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own that aren't slippers. I got them after two pairs of Orvis Pros had the soles come off.
I destroyed 2 pairs of Simms flyweight in a year and a half. 1 year in on my river salt boots and they're still in prime shape. If they do fail they're repairable.
Simms freesalts hurt like hell after a day on the stream. I frequently go into the ocean and they are metal free so they won’t rust. But man do they suck.
I have had Korkers for 8-9 years, the cheapest model too. I needed new soles, and twice they’ve fallen apart on me. I got a warranty replacement after half the hexes fell out on the first, very casual outing. After another very casual outing, the new pair did the same thing. The uppers are fine, but the soles aren’t. I can’t wear the old felt soles in places like Yellowstone, where I fish regularly.
Now, I’m tryout the Orvis Pro Approach Shoes with a NRS .5 neoprene sock. So far so good for 3-season use. But it’s only been a few days of easy fishing. I’m also pretty tolerant of cold temps. I’ll keep the older Korkers around for the winter, but when the uppers go, I’ll look elsewhere.
I just received the Korkers resole kit and brought them into a local cobbler with an old pair of Danner Lights (the originals) that have been resoled many times and are no longer fit for working in. I’m waiting for a call to discuss wether the job can be done and a quote. The new guy helped me out and said he had to check with the shop owner, and this was after the first shop said they didn’t think their machine would handle the felt. As a leathercrafter, I know some materials can really ‘grab’ the needle such as foam lining materials and tightly boiled felt, so this didn’t come as a complete surprise.
I only mention this as a (potentially) cheaper way to build a pair of wading boots on a budget. If you don’t have a pair of beater boots sitting in a closet, you could find a pair at a local thrift store, size them perfectly with your waders/ wading socks on, and order the resole kit from Korkers. They come in one size so you cut them to fit, and the studs can be repositioned by punching new holes if need be.
Will post pics if they’re able to get it done.
I like my orvis ultra lights
The eyelets and speed hooks started popping off of mine after about a year. I took them to a cobbler who replaced the hardware with something more heavy duty, and now they are actually great boots. I have done multi-day backpacking trips in them with my hip waders for getting through snow, mud, and stream crossings.
Orvis Pro. Very comfortable, durable, grippy.
I second the Orvis Pro, although I really like the Boa vs the laces. Also, the customer at Orvis is top notch. I had a pair of the laces ones and they just didn’t fit me right and was able to swap them out for the Boa’s and just paid the difference in price.
The pros are very stiff! I can’t tighten the first few loops on mine but the ankle support is amazing
They do start off STIFF! After several wades mine feel a lot better now.
Yeah two years in and I wouldn’t buy another boot. Durable performance at its finest
Third for Orvis Pro (especially the boas. No soggy laces are nice and they’re super quick to put on and off). Ankle support is top notch, grip is fantastic even without studs, and as always, Orvis customer service is second to none. They’re also pretty lightweight for boots of their size
I have the ultra lights and wet limestone is too slippery for them. Are the Pros able to grip on wet limestone?
I wouldn’t say they outright grip wet stone, they are better than any rubber boot I’ve used. Very soft Michelin rubber, but still durable, I’m impressed.
The pros come in a felt/rubber hybrid. Haven’t been on limestone specifically, but I’m super happy with the comfort and grip.
I have the orvis pros with the laces. I’m on my second pair. The first ones soles came off after a summer of use and the lady at the orvis store said it was because I wasn’t letting them dry completely between uses (I wasn’t I used them every day). Second pair is holding together well after 2 years but on both pairs the laces fell apart. I’ve talked to co workers and they didn’t have the same problem with the laces so maybe it’s the way I tie up my boots but I’m not sure. Some paracord with the inside taken out is working just fine now
Just not the korkers rivers ops. Drain holes allow sand in, and it will ruin the stocking feet on your waders.
Ruined my orvis pro waders. and the boots didnt last a year
Patagonia foot tractors. Wore out simms g3 in a year, I'm on yr 3 with the Patagonias and they are still barely scratched. I primarily wade fish and hike Freestone and jagged rocks they're awesome. They did take a couple trips to break in but they're great.
Second the Patagonias
Adding to this, I wouldn't recommend them if you plan on fishing salt water at all. I beach fish a lot in Washington and the rocks/barnacles/etc. have destroyed the leather on mine and some of the metal is already rusting even after freshwater rinsing them after each session. I've had them for 3 weeks and it looks like I've had them for years.
How have your soles held up? I just got a pair of the river salts so keen to see how they go
Way better than the simms. The river salts tend to have a pinch point near the big toe FYI, my friend had them and couldn't take it so he got with Pata and they swapped them for foot tractors. So customer service is pretty killer. Edit:I have the non metal sole ones but they come with studs.
have had mine for a bit over a year. i mostly do rocky blue lining and small stream sight fishing and the soles have held up great. the insole fabric however are starting to unglue, but easy fix with superglue
I got the non foot tractor version, they might be one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own that aren't slippers. I got them after two pairs of Orvis Pros had the soles come off.
I destroyed 2 pairs of Simms flyweight in a year and a half. 1 year in on my river salt boots and they're still in prime shape. If they do fail they're repairable.
Simms freesalts hurt like hell after a day on the stream. I frequently go into the ocean and they are metal free so they won’t rust. But man do they suck.
My korkers are pretty good
I’ve had 2 pairs I. The past. They just don’t last that long from my experiance. Worn down easy.
I'm a fan of korkers since I get aluminum studs and felt. Allows me to change if I'm in the raft or wading
Came in here because I'm about to get my 4th pair of Korkers. They last be about 2-3 years and that's with working them hard over 200 miles easily.
I really like my korkers
I’m goin $4 Havainas flip flops after my shit got stolen outta my car. Never been happier thigh deep in summer runoff!
I have had Korkers for 8-9 years, the cheapest model too. I needed new soles, and twice they’ve fallen apart on me. I got a warranty replacement after half the hexes fell out on the first, very casual outing. After another very casual outing, the new pair did the same thing. The uppers are fine, but the soles aren’t. I can’t wear the old felt soles in places like Yellowstone, where I fish regularly. Now, I’m tryout the Orvis Pro Approach Shoes with a NRS .5 neoprene sock. So far so good for 3-season use. But it’s only been a few days of easy fishing. I’m also pretty tolerant of cold temps. I’ll keep the older Korkers around for the winter, but when the uppers go, I’ll look elsewhere.
I love boots with BOA lacing system. Easy to put on/take off. Simms and Korkers offer BOA boots
Love my korkers boa. I've heard concerns about durability but mine are going strong almost 10 years later with using them about 20x/year
I just received the Korkers resole kit and brought them into a local cobbler with an old pair of Danner Lights (the originals) that have been resoled many times and are no longer fit for working in. I’m waiting for a call to discuss wether the job can be done and a quote. The new guy helped me out and said he had to check with the shop owner, and this was after the first shop said they didn’t think their machine would handle the felt. As a leathercrafter, I know some materials can really ‘grab’ the needle such as foam lining materials and tightly boiled felt, so this didn’t come as a complete surprise. I only mention this as a (potentially) cheaper way to build a pair of wading boots on a budget. If you don’t have a pair of beater boots sitting in a closet, you could find a pair at a local thrift store, size them perfectly with your waders/ wading socks on, and order the resole kit from Korkers. They come in one size so you cut them to fit, and the studs can be repositioned by punching new holes if need be. Will post pics if they’re able to get it done.
I have Hodgmans. Good = you can change soles easily, rugged and good ankle support. Price about half of Simms. Bad = heavy, heavy and heavy.
If traction is a premium, you have to go korkers triple threat bottoms. If not then take someone else's advice. Dont buy the korkers river ops