Wading boots suggestions?

Buzzy

Buzzy

I prefer to call them strike indicators.
Forum Supporter
@castsN2trees provided a superb review of his Simms Flyweight boots and began a review of Patagonia's Forra wading boots: https://www.pnwflyfishing.com/forum...lyweight-access-wading-boot-photo-heavy.6295/ (Jason - how did the Forra's perform?)

I too have been using Simms Flyweight (vibram soled) wading boots. I was tightening the laces on my Simms Flyweight boots a couple days ago - the top, inside lace eyelet tore open on both boots and it's only a matter of a short time before more of them tear as the upper ones show signs of tearing. The boots aren't new but they have always been rinsed, air dried and stored in the factory box in my garage. I can't put a number on how many times I've worn these boots: 50 - 60? For the most part, I wear them wet wading for carp. They're lightweight and that's really nice for a senior citizen who covers a couple to several miles.

The Simms Flyweights are $280.00 (before sales tax), jeez!. Any suggestions for a better boot?

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The laces look almost brand new: aren't laces supposed to be the first thing that fails?
 
Buzzy, I had the same thing happen to my Simms Flyweights. It is definitely a design flaw which is too bad because I really like the boots. I ended up buying a repair kit off Amazon and sewing the loop rings onto what was left of the webbing on the boot. They have lasted another 2 seasons, and now the boots are actually almost worn out and I have had to replace the laces.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJPC22B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Repair.jpg
 
The new Simms flyweights have a different lace loop design. They obviously got a lot of complaints regarding the previous version. Mine failed there as well.
I looked at new boots today, but didn’t buy any. Korkers has a new lightweight boot. Bantam light or something like that that offers two sole package options.
SF
 
chief said:
Buzzy, I had the same thing happen to my Simms Flyweights. It is definitely a design flaw which is too bad because I really like the boots. I ended up buying a repair kit off Amazon and sewing the loop rings onto what was left of the webbing on the boot. They have lasted another 2 seasons, and now the boots are actually almost worn out and I have had to replace the laces.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJPC22B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

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Thanks, Ross!!
 
I would suggest taking a look at the Orvis Ultralight Boots. I like the Michelin sole; it feels spongy when I walk. I have always gotten good customer service from Orvis as well.

Another option (and if you want to go lighter) might be the Orvis Pro Approach Shoe. I have a pair (previous model) and they are comfy and I feel pretty confident when wet wading. I wore them when floating the John Day and did not have any issues.
 
My Orvis Ultralights are pretty nice. I use mine for winter steelhead & winter trout fishing. I'd probably use them for capr if I didn't go with other options below. I don't know how many days I have on mine (can't be more than 30 days or so), so I can't really comment on the longevity on them, if they're anything close to my older Orvis Pro's (over 7 years of heavy use--unsure of actual number of days though), it'll be great!

For summer capr fishing, I had bought a pair of Korkers Stealth Sneakers. They are really comfy, but longevity issues are going to be a problem (as with every single pair of Korkers I've ever had) and I've already ripped part of one tongue just getting them on....Once waterlogged, they're just as heavy as any other boot, unfortunately.

I've since found a pair of Astral water shoes (after looking at a whole bunch of reviews--none by fisherfolk, but lots by people who may be more prone to abuse the hell out of them) in high-top for more of a sneaker type of feel (really loved my old Simms Challenger shoes, but low tops weren't the best when in rivers etc & the newer Simms water shoe is great, but zero ankle protection), so I'm taking a chance on the Astral's this next summer.
 
I’ve got a love/hate relationship with the first gen flyweights. Love the performance, hate the durability. That said, after installing d-rings at the laces and gluing everything back together 3x I did manage to wear through the felt — which seems like a reasonable goal for any wading boot. Maybe 100 days, or 80.

And the performance has flat-out spoiled me; I’m not going to fish in clunky shoes anymore. I wore a pair of the Patagonia/Danner boots six or eight miles up and down a canyon with the kid last summer and it damn near killed me. Too old and too fat for big heavy boots. I’m not a runner but if I was I’d probably spend $200/yr, or whatever, on shoes.

So I’m going to buy either the new model flyweights or another pair of the old ones if I find them cheap. Truth is I haven’t been very happy with anything from anyone other than Simms, despite a fair amount of effort. I’m still gonna talk shit about them when the glue fails, though, because that seems deliberate — and I’m suspicious of private equity dudes.
 
Dave G said:
Caution about Orvis boots if you have wide feet... They tend to run narrow.
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My feet run AAA width so something running narrow is better for me. Thanks for this input!/Pat
Hoofer said:
View attachment 180861

I’ve got extra of these to share if anyone wants them but it’ll take me longer than overnight to find them, or find an envelope, or stamps, etc. Helped my boots a lot though.
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Nice offer, I ordered the same after @chief's suggestion. Thanks!/Pat
 
I like my Simms Freestone boots (felt soles). The uppers are made of a simulated leather (which doesn't become waterlogged), rather than woven nylon, so are heavier, but I use them a lot in the salt, as well as freshwater, and they have stood up very well. Vibram soles would be very dangerous on weedy beaches, or silty rivers. Whichever brand you choose, make sure felt soles and footbed are stitched to the uppers, not just glued, o/wise they'll eventually separate. When used in salt, I rinse them well and give the eyelets a shot of WD40 to prevent rust (these boots have minimal exposed metal anyway, another plus).
I think the Freestones are the best value out there.
 
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Herkileez said:
I like my Simms Freestone boots (felt soles). The uppers are made of a vinyl, rather than woven nylon, so are heavier, but I use them a lot in the salt, as well as freshwater, and they have stood up very well. Vibram soles would be very dangerous on weedy beaches, or silty rivers. Whichever brand you choose, make sure felt soles and footbed are stitched to the uppers, not just glued, o/wise they'll eventually separate. When used in salt, I rinse them well and give the eyelets a shot of WD40 to prevent rust (these boots have minimal exposed metal anyway, another plus).
I think the Freestones are the best value out there.
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My Simms Freestones are all leather and still kicking!
 
Buzzy said:
@castsN2trees provided a superb review of his Simms Flyweight boots and began a review of Patagonia's Forra wading boots: https://www.pnwflyfishing.com/forum...lyweight-access-wading-boot-photo-heavy.6295/ (Jason - how did the Forra's perform?)

I too have been using Simms Flyweight (vibram soled) wading boots. I was tightening the laces on my Simms Flyweight boots a couple days ago - the top, inside lace eyelet tore open on both boots and it's only a matter of a short time before more of them tear as the upper ones show signs of tearing. The boots aren't new but they have always been rinsed, air dried and stored in the factory box in my garage. I can't put a number on how many times I've worn these boots: 50 - 60? For the most part, I wear them wet wading for carp. They're lightweight and that's really nice for a senior citizen who covers a couple to several miles.

The Simms Flyweights are $280.00 (before sales tax), jeez!. Any suggestions for a better boot?

View attachment 180518

The laces look almost brand new: aren't laces supposed to be the first thing that fails?
Click to expand...
I wear same model in fresh and salt. Friendly Phil turned me on to them. Rinse and soak Never a busted eyelet but seems they should! My laces still good after 4 years, surprised and carry spare in trunk. I was lucky and got a spare set before they changed models, but the old originals still are going. Yes I fish alot. Tread is super and I put in 5 spikes tho help on a slippery log. Maybe just lucky, but impressed with these for salt. I will say they look like crap After a season, but still function.
 
Buzzy said:
@castsN2trees provided a superb review of his Simms Flyweight boots and began a review of Patagonia's Forra wading boots: https://www.pnwflyfishing.com/forum...lyweight-access-wading-boot-photo-heavy.6295/ (Jason - how did the Forra's perform?)

I too have been using Simms Flyweight (vibram soled) wading boots. I was tightening the laces on my Simms Flyweight boots a couple days ago - the top, inside lace eyelet tore open on both boots and it's only a matter of a short time before more of them tear as the upper ones show signs of tearing. The boots aren't new but they have always been rinsed, air dried and stored in the factory box in my garage. I can't put a number on how many times I've worn these boots: 50 - 60? For the most part, I wear them wet wading for carp. They're lightweight and that's really nice for a senior citizen who covers a couple to several miles.

The Simms Flyweights are $280.00 (before sales tax), jeez!. Any suggestions for a better boot?

View attachment 180518

The laces look almost brand new: aren't laces supposed to be the first thing that fails?
Click to expand...
Thnks Buzzy… I’m now on my 3rd pair of Patagonia Forra boots. I only waded about 50 days last year in the second pair (about half the days as the previous 2 years), but I have a hard time getting more than a years use out of a pair of wading boots. The 2nd pair still had some life on them and I use them with studs… mainly for carp fishing.

That said, I am very happy with these boots. And when the time has come to replace them, I didn’t even look at any other boot. I generally walk 6-9 miles each trip out, so it’s fair say I’ve got way over 900 miles of walking/wading in the first 2 pair. As with all flyfishing gear, there are trade offs, but for me, these are the best wading boots I’ve ever owned.

I’m currently experimenting with adding crampons for added traction. These boots are sturdy enough to work with crampons, and I’ve got a new aggressive pair that I’m going to test out for the first time, tomorrow.

Hope this helps.


IMG_2044.jpeg
 
castsN2trees said:
Thnks Buzzy… I’m now on my 3rd pair of Patagonia Forra boots. I only waded about 50 days last year in the second pair (about half the days as the previous 2 years), but I have a hard time getting more than a years use out of a pair of wading boots. The 2nd pair still had some life on them and I use them with studs… mainly for carp fishing.

That said, I am very happy with these boots. And when the time has come to replace them, I didn’t even look at any other boot. I generally walk 6-9 miles each trip out, so it’s fair say I’ve got way over 900 miles of walking/wading in the first 2 pair. As with all flyfishing gear, there are trade offs, but for me, these are the best wading boots I’ve ever owned.

I’m currently experimenting with adding crampons for added traction. These boots are sturdy enough to work with crampons, and I’ve got a new aggressive pair that I’m going to test out for the first time, tomorrow.

Hope this helps.


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Good luck, Jason!
 
I'm running the Simms Flyweight Wading Boots - Vibram Sole. Mine have the stud kit installed.

Picked them up a few years ago at the Spawn fly shop world headquarters down in ilwaco. Maybe 2020?

I've only worn them on a handful of outings but the grip is good IMO.

Mine have this style of hooks and lace loops, don't know if mine are the newer style or not?
IMG_20260406_093356003.jpg
 

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Possibly an unpopular opinion, but if you pay a bit more for some Patagonia boots you’ll never need to buy another pair—even if you destroy or wear them out. Free repairs and replacements for the rest of your life. Ditto their waders.

I hesitated for years because they’re more than I prefer to spend and I tend to go through a pair every year or two. Bought and started using a pair of the foot tractors 1 January 2025 and have put a little over 300 days on them, mostly saltwater. I clean and treat them every few months and they look like this:

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I’ve replaced the bars twice and the laces twice.

Edit: Oh, and the zinc wire. I replace that every few months.
 
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