Has anyone used the Korkers Stealth Sneakers....

clarkman

clarkman

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...for their wet wading purposes? inquiring minds want to know.

To me, they look incredibly interesting...provided the sole is at least as sticky as my current Simms Challenger shoes (would be nice to have a little more ankle support with an ultra light wading shoe).

interested in thoughts of folks who have actually used these for reference. grip? support? longevity?

stock photos for reference:
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They have a bunch of new stuff out that id like to try.... Saw those soles on some wading boots as well. Looks like you can ad cleats to them too... Would make a great walk in boot for float tubing...
 
I was looking at those, for ankle support, as well as they're less likely to get pulled off by deep mud and muck - which almost happened this weekend. But I figure, at that point I'll just wear my boots.
 
mcswny said:
Any reason you don’t like you regular wading boots plus neoprene socks?
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Yep. Too heavy. Too hot. Especially for lots of hiking. I like my Simms Challengers but kinda want something with a little more support that's lightweight and still has relatively sticky rubber.
 
IMG_1744.jpegCouple weeks ago I was I@ Avid Angler and saw their display of korkers and was impressed. If I had not just bought another pair of Keens (which have done well plus come in half sizes 😉). I’ve mentioned this before but an 11.5 would be ideal for me. 12’s a bit sloppy and 11’s a bit to tight on one foot. I mean when you injure your foot at work you need some room????67371513089__6D4C9E0D-BE6A-4962-8E9B-4AF117DF3064.jpeg
 
Nah this happened a bit ago. I’m all good now took 6 weeks to recover. But when someone said big foot. 😆. I was lucky. Fast recovery and no damage. Had some nerves not agreeing but that went away quickly. I was lucky, and I know it. Sometimes shit happens so fast you can’t avoid even when being safe.
 
What ratio hiking vs wading are you looking at? If you feel your day is majority hiking supplemented with some wading you may want a beefier lug on the sole. I can see those soles potentially getting chewed up when subjected to serious hiking. Smooth river rocks are one thing, trail conditions are another. There’s lots of high top hikers that drain well, that might be your ticket.
 
Porter2 said:
View attachment 122179Couple weeks ago I was I@ Avid Angler and saw their display of korkers and was impressed. If I had not just bought another pair of Keens (which have done well plus come in half sizes 😉). I’ve mentioned this before but an 11.5 would be ideal for me. 12’s a bit sloppy and 11’s a bit to tight on one foot. I mean when you injure your foot at work you need some room????View attachment 122180
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My boy is on day 30 of a mended foot that looks very similar. He injured it during our move and missed the bottom stair rung. Luckily, no surgery and he is cleared to go back to work next Monday.

I hope your situation is as fortunate. Take care.
 
Wade Rivers said:
Hey Randy,

Any update on the Stealths? Do you like them?
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Ah yes! I like them. I ordered true to size, but still need to wear the thicker neoprene wading socks to fill up the extra space. They seem to have pretty solid support (although, I never had them in situations that would truly test that). Grip-wise, they seem pretty good but haven't really tested them in super slimy waters. At some point this Spring, I'm going to wear them with waders as I think they'll fit fine. I've got some experimenting with various extra insoles/neoprene wet-wading socks to really get them dialed in for wet wading.....but that'll have to wait until Spring.
 
_WW_ said:
Wondering how long the sticky rubber stays sticky, and how quickly it wears down.
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yeah, me too. I haven't put on enough miles to really give an accurate assessment.

Sir Homey said:
What ratio hiking vs wading are you looking at? If you feel your day is majority hiking supplemented with some wading you may want a beefier lug on the sole. I can see those soles potentially getting chewed up when subjected to serious hiking. Smooth river rocks are one thing, trail conditions are another. There’s lots of high top hikers that drain well, that might be your ticket.
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I was looking for lightweight, with more support than my Simms Challengers. Much of it is for walking the big C for carp. I'm not interested in anything super heavy duty. I already have that. We'll see how long they last.

As with any "sticky" sole, I'm certainly not expecting these to last like a Vibram sole would. I'm after something that is relatively "sticky" and is comfortable for hiking. If I can get a couple of years of relatively heavy use out of them, that'd be pretty great in my book.
 
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Even thoughthe product name is their trademark, and it looks to be completely different from the original, I am a little surprised that they would use the name of a sole that was such a disaster and dangerous as a wading sole that they had to put a disclaimer in the original's product description NOT to use it for wading.
 
Brian Miller said:
Even thoughthe product name is their trademark, and it looks to be completely different from the original, I am a little surprised that they would use the name of a sole that was such a disaster and dangerous as a wading sole that they had to put a disclaimer in the original's product description NOT to use it for wading.
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right? those were/are absolutely awful!
 
clarkman said:
Yep. Too heavy. Too hot. Especially for lots of hiking. I like my Simms Challengers but kinda want something with a little more support that's lightweight and still has relatively sticky rubber.
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What size to buy??? :unsure:
Is it a good idea to size up for waders?

I did a couple of trips during summer 2024 hiking a couple of miles and wet wading in River Ops boots sized to fit over waders. I discovered these two items worked together very well to take up the extra room in my boots and prevent blisters on wet skin. BTW the RO boots provided excellent foot and ankle protection against large rocky substrate and allowed me to use lightweight Klingon soles for hiking and studded Vibram for wading.

The 10mm thick hydrophobic insoles with drain holes over the channels in the midsole took up the extra room required for neoprene wader feet nicely, and provide a little cushion. Korkers boots drain pretty well but these kept my feet up out of any residual water in the boots.
korkers.com

Wet Wade Conversion Kit™

Featuring a 10mm EVA insole designed to take up extra space when wading or fishing warm water flats. Small perforations in the EVA promote quick water drainage and faster dry times. A perfect compliment when paired with Korkers I-Drain Socks for ultimate comfort on hot days.
korkers.com korkers.com
If sizing the boots like light hikers over midweight wool socks to use the boots exclusively for hiking significant distances and wet wading, the insoles might not be needed.

These 3.5 mm neoprene socks with a snug fit over bare feet provided some cushion, kept my feet warmer, drained well after wading, and became an outer skin that prevented rubbing, chaffing, and blisters while hiking and wading.
korkers.com

3.5 MM Neoprene Draining Wet Wading Bootie Sock Bootie

Our wading socks actually drain, making a more comfortable, less foot stew-y experience. 3.5mm neoprene upper with perforated Airprene underfoot. Thicker sock.
korkers.com korkers.com
 
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