Durable Wading Boot Recommendations?

[Stonedfish]

I’ve been using Patagonia / Danner River Salt boots for a while now. They are holding up fine and are one of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn.
A couple things I hope they change if they bring out new models in the future.
1. The boots don’t need to be that tall unless you are going to combat or trying to prevent high ankle sprains.
Make them a lower cut so they work well with all brands of wader. They are slightly taller than the neoprene booties on my waders. It makes the gravel guards where over the top of the boots kind of stick out due to boot height.
2. This is minor, but add a ring for the gravel guard clip to attach to rather than having to use the laces.
SF

 

[Porter2]

They have a rigid toe guard so you won’t stub your toe but if you drop something on them ….. ouch!!!

 

[clarkman]

he probably doesn't need flippers for his float tube! Or so I hear! LOL!

come to think of it, last time he and I fished for tiger muskies, I don't recall him wearing any....maybe that's how he lured them near, only to hook them on the figure 8...

it all makes sense now!

of course, he still likes to trout set on those sonsabitches....

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I’ve been using Patagonia / Danner River Salt boots for a while now. They are holding up fine and are one of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn.
A couple things I hope they change if they bring out new models in the future.
1. The boots don’t need to be that tall unless you are going to combat or trying to prevent high ankle sprains.
Make them a lower cut so they work well with all brands of wader. They are slightly taller than the neoprene booties on my waders. It makes the gravel guards where over the top of the boots kind of stick out due to boot height.
2. This is minor, but add a ring for the gravel guard clip to attach to rather than having to use the laces.
SF

I’d a love an improved connector for the gravel guard. Also, the bent metal doesn’t last long on every pair of waders I’ve ever had. I think a teardrop shaped grommet on the gravel guards, and a peg on the boots would be awesome.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

only 15? I thought that Jake was something like a size 27 special order type of thing....

He should really be reaching out to Shaq to find out where he gets his custom made shoes or something....

He can just cut the front of the boots off! Keep his toes in the water.. and oddly enough, he probably doesn't need flippers for his float tube! Or so I hear! LOL!

come to think of it, last time he and I fished for tiger muskies, I don't recall him wearing any....maybe that's how he lured them near, only to hook them on the figure 8...

it all makes sense now!

of course, he still likes to trout set on those sonsabitches....

Jeez. The shit I gotta take from a couple of Lord of the Rings extras.

 

[clarkman]

Jeez. The shit I gotta take from a couple of Lord of the Rings extras.

that's Lord of the Rings extra #17, thank you very much!

 

[flybill]

Jeez. The shit I gotta take from a couple of Lord of the Rings extras.

You shall not pass! With this comment at least!

 

[Coach Potter]

What would you guys wear if you were going to do a 35 mile backpack trip… where your plan was to fish all 35 of those miles?

 

[Zak]

What would you guys wear if you were going to do a 35 mile backpack trip… where your plan was to fish all 35 of those miles?

I have the PataDanner felts, but I'm pretty tempted by the rubber lug soles with aluminum bits for hiking and fishing. Your feet would stay wet most of the time, which might not be great.

Patagonia used to sell lightweight aluminum bar crampons. Maybe just wear regular hiking boots and put those crampons on where the wading is sketchy? Same problem with wet feet, though.

 

[Coach Potter]

I saw a picture of a guy wearing a pair of NOBULL shoes with screw in studs. Looked really light and comfortable but I have an ankle that would be pretty pissy after a day in a low top shoe.

 

[Coach Potter]

 

[Jacob Watrous]

What would you guys wear if you were going to do a 35 mile backpack trip… where your plan was to fish all 35 of those miles?

Like, I walking on the river edge the whole way, or prepared to fish at any moment?

What kind of terrain? How far you going each day?

Picturing a hike like tracing the Hoh from the start of the trail to the Blue Glacier, I’d probably go with a pair of wet wading shoes, rubber and studs. That hike is not strenuous at all.

If I were doing a few miles a day, I’d go with my current Patagonias.

 

[JimTravers¤£a!!Travers]

Need to get into a decent sized boot. Get yourself into a decent sized boot. I always advise a boot!!!!!! I advise a BIG BOOT!!! I advise to go a more STURDY BOOT STYLE. This is to ensure you're in the DECENT SIZED BOOT territory!!

None of this weak small boots type stuff.

 

[flybill]

Need to get into a decent sized boot. Get yourself into a decent sized boot. I always advise a boot!!!!!! I advise a BIG BOOT!!! I advise to go a more STURDY BOOT STYLE. This is to ensure you're in the DECENT SIZED BOOT territory!!

None of this weak small boots type stuff.

Make sure to wear your TRUCK BALLZ with your BIG boots TRAVERS!! LOL!

 

[Porter2]

Big ass 1/2” thick smart wool socks a must to go with those big ass boots. Walking tall and stiff !!!

 

[Coach Potter]

Like, I walking on the river edge the whole way, or prepared to fish at any moment?

What kind of terrain? How far you going each day?

Picturing a hike like tracing the Hoh from the start of the trail to the Blue Glacier, I’d probably go with a pair of wet wading shoes, rubber and studs. That hike is not strenuous at all.

If I were doing a few miles a day, I’d go with my current Patagonias.

We have 5 days, could stretch it to 6 to do the 35 miles. We will be following the river with camp on our backs the whole way. The section of river we're fishing is roadless with the exception of a FS road crossing around mile 14 and then again at mile 30'ish. Our packs will be at their heaviest the first couple days so we'll likely hole hop a bit more. There is no trail so we'll be walking the river/bank the whole way.

We will wet wade with backcountry skinz. I'm definitely going to wear a rubber sole with studs but I haven't settled on a boot.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

We have 5 days, could stretch it to 6 to do the 35 miles. We will be following the river with camp on our backs the whole way. The section of river we're fishing is roadless with the exception of a FS road crossing around mile 14 and then again at mile 30'ish. Our packs will be at their heaviest the first couple days so we'll likely hole hop a bit more. There is no trail so we'll be walking the river/bank the whole way.

We will wet wade with backcountry skinz. I'm definitely going to wear a rubber sole with studs but I haven't settled on a boot.

Sounds like a great trip! Would definitely prioritize a lightweight boot. As you are probably well aware, a pound off of your feet is like taking several off of your back.

 

[Zak]

Sounds like a great trip! Would definitely prioritize a lightweight boot. As you are probably well aware, a pound off of your feet is like taking several off of your back.

Yeah, the PataDanners are not light!

 

[Matt B]

Yeah, the PataDanners are not light!

Until you sprain your ankle in a light sneaker boot. Then the extra poundage is worth it.

We are lucky to have so many choices!

 

[Salmo_g]

What would you guys wear if you were going to do a 35 mile backpack trip… where your plan was to fish all 35 of those miles?

Trail runners, preferably a model that one could add studs to. Liner sock and good wool sock over. Lukotape for the places that might become hotspots. Foot care is vitally important when you're hiking with wet feet all day.