Recommendations for Backpacking Wading Boots

[Draketake]

Hey all,

Getting older/fatter. Pack seems to get heavier. Looking for recommendations of what you folks like for a decent sturdy, Wade Boot for Backpacking. Last 10 years ish, I wet waded with just wade sandals. However, nowadays, because of human intervention, my favorite Backpacking river, has become a deep, heavy water, indicator /small small nymph game, especially during the summer. My beloved dry fly fishing , the soft water, is mostly non existent due to above mentioned humans making things "better" resulting in diminished, shortened, Mayfly, Caddis hatches.

I realize, I may just have to suck it up and haul my Simms Freestones or my Patagonia Aluminum Bar Wade Boots, like I used to do but like I said, older/fatter now. So I ask...what do you folks use for Backpacking Wade Boots these days?

Thank you for any and all input.

Bob

 

[Salmo_g]

As a backpacking weight weenie, my hiking shoes are also my wading shoes. Boots of any kind are too heavy to be part of my backpacking wardrobe. I wear trail runners; however I walk, don't run, in them.

 

[Russell]

I used to be all flip flop but also have been needing more. I have switched to astral water shoes and they have worked ok so far. Very light and fairly sticky soles. I hike in boots and then change to the astrals

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

crocs. Make a set w/ glued on felt if you really feel it's necessary. But that'll make 'em heavier.

 

[Draketake]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

As a backpacking weight weenie, my hiking shoes are also my wading shoes. Boots of any kind are too heavy to be part of my backpacking wardrobe. I wear trail runners; however I walk, don't run, in them.

I have a modified take on this. Ive used a pair of old Hokas for this. Im leaning towards staying with this but I now the Hoka will disintegrate at a rapid pace.

 

[Draketake]

I used to be all flip flop but also have been needing more. I have switched to astral water shoes and they have worked ok so far. Very light and fairly sticky soles. I hike in boots and then change to the astrals

Ill check out these. Thanks.

 

[Draketake]

crocs. Make a set w/ glued on felt if you really feel it's necessary. But that'll make 'em heavier.

My Crocs dont have good Toe protection and they dont grip the rocks. Ive slipped and slid with them and broke the tip of a toe as a result of trying to make do.

Thanks though.

 

[Salmo_g]

I have an old set of Teva sandals that I glued felts to. They work quite well, but I don't carry them backpacking. They're great for day hiking or other warm weather wet wading.

 

[SurfnFish]

if not overly long distance, back when still overnight hike fishing that included wading I was using high top basketball shoes...lightweight, supportive and comfortable

 

[Draketake]

I have an old set of Teva sandals that I glued felts to. They work quite well, but I don't carry them backpacking. They're great for day hiking or other warm weather wet wading.

Stellar thinking/mod.
Nice work.

 

[Draketake]

if not overly long distance, back when still overnight hike fishing that included wading I was using high top basketball shoes...lightweight, supportive and comfortable

Lance. Another great idea. Back in the early 80;s I used my old High Top Cons for that. May do it again if I cant come up with a better idea. They take a beating. Decently grippy too.

Thanks.

Bob

 

[SurfnFish]

Lance. Another great idea. Back in the early 80;s I used my old High Top Cons for that. May do it again if I cant come up with a better idea. They take a beating. Decently grippy too.

Thanks.

Bob

 

[Peyton00]

Bob....lance ....and least ya replied.

 

[Southsound Fisher]

I have an old pair of felt bottom lightweight wading boats (Browning) which has been discontinued. They are not very durable and I only use for backpacking, also lightweight waders. Same with the waders, only used for packing. You can probably find something similar. this setup was not a lot of extra weight but worked well. For hot summer trips I have a pair of nike water shoes, and wade wet.

 

[Draketake]

Thank you @Southsound Fisher.

Ill have to check out the Nike water shoes.

 

[Wayne Kohan]

Swift™ Sandal

All-around versatility, made for summer adventures. Hike, paddle, fish, boat, camp, and travel. TRACTION // OmniTrax® Interchangeable Sole System for customized traction on the fly. FAST DRYING // Hydrophobic materials = faster dry times which lessen the chance of spreading invasive species...

korkers.com

I just got a pair of these sandals from Korkers and used them on a trip to the Teton Valley. They come with the Vibram sole but you can of course buy the felt sole. We hiked down into Bear Gulch on the Henry's Fork and I was glad to have the aggressive tread on them. Didn't do a ton of wet wading, but the Vibram-type sole was not overly slippery in the water. They make a shoe, which has mesh where the holes in the sandals are, and I kinda wish I would have gotten those to keep the gravel out.

 

[Draketake]

Thanks @Wayne Kohan. Ill check them out too.

 

[Gary Knowels]

Swift™ Sandal

All-around versatility, made for summer adventures. Hike, paddle, fish, boat, camp, and travel. TRACTION // OmniTrax® Interchangeable Sole System for customized traction on the fly. FAST DRYING // Hydrophobic materials = faster dry times which lessen the chance of spreading invasive species...

korkers.com

I just got a pair of these sandals from Korkers and used them on a trip to the Teton Valley. They come with the Vibram sole but you can of course buy the felt sole. We hiked down into Bear Gulch on the Henry's Fork and I was glad to have the aggressive tread on them. Didn't do a ton of wet wading, but the Vibram-type sole was not overly slippery in the water. They make a shoe, which has mesh where the holes in the sandals are, and I kinda wish I would have gotten those to keep the gravel out.

All Axis™ Shoe

Breathable vented side panels provide comfort for all warm weather pursuits. TRACTION // OmniTrax® Interchangeable Sole System for customized traction on the fly. FAST DRYING // Hydrophobic materials = faster dry times which lessen the chance of spreading invasive species. VENTING // Durable...

korkers.com

If these shoes are comfortable for hiking/backpacking, they could really be the ticket!

 

[Jeramey]

I’ve worn the Korkers All Axis shoe on light hikes and they were pretty good. Nice to be able to swap out the soles for felts at the river and swap back on dry land. They are pretty comfortable with and without socks due to the padding.