Which booties for lightweight float tube hiking?

[Josh]

I know that some of you guys use neoprene booties over your wader feet as a lightweight option for flippers instead of hiking in wading boots or carrying both boots and hiking shoes.

Which booties do you like and how far past your normal shoe size do you have to upsize so that stockingfoot wader feet fit in there?

 

[Porter2]

Have some old hodgeman booties I use at times. Sizing is a personal thing. At least one but maybe two sizes up. I’m a size 10.5 for most shoes. But a couple brands I go 10 and others I go 11 especially red wing. I have size 12 booties. I went with these years ago because they have the front zip/ rear strap for adjusting ankle pressure, but mainly I had a friend recommend them. Very durable and were about 30.00 bucks back then. Purchased at the old Eds Surplus in Lynnwood shortly before they closed.

 

[Buzzy]

Like everything else these days, prices are increasing and you may well find this boot cheaper at someplace other than Adamsbuilt but these boots are the real thing. In years past, I've hiked my float tube in a mile plus wearing these (anymore, a long hike and my waders are in the backpack and I change up lakeside), good stuff: https://adamsbuiltfishing.com/product/knott-creek-neoprene-booties/

One size up from my foot size.

 

[jeradjames]

https://www.rei.com/product/C05749/nrs-paddle-wetshoes-mens

I bought these last year and like them but looks like they were $69.95 when I bought them in May of 2025 which is nuts. I wear leather boots everyday and went two full sizes up from that.

 

[BigSplashTom]

Most of the time I use neoprene booties but they are a pain in the Butte Montana to remove after 8 hours of fishing. Not fun to walk in too.
Recently started using an old pair of Crocs. 1 size larger than normal shoe size fits over waders and slides in easily in Force fins. Crocs also provide a little better foot protection than neoprene booties.

 

[Porter2]

They still make them.

https://www.sportsmans.com/clothing-outdoor-casual-men-women-youth/fishing-waders/caddis-mens-35mm-thick-neoprene-extra-thick-ripple-sole-wading-boots/p/1239549?channel=shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23093483423&gbraid=0AAAAADvVAnVzrJDFsNf33vlJsSOhAKnmT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr__9xKKhlgMVZSGtBh2TkRbiEAQYASABEgIOE_D_BwE

 

[Wayne Kohan]

https://www.academy.com/p/magellan-outdoors-mens-shoreline-front-zip-wading-boots?sku=7-d-gray

These if I’m carrying in my waders and boots which is most of time. If hiking in waders, I wear my wading boots for support.

 

[Eastside]

Have some old hodgeman booties I use at times. Sizing is a personal thing. At least one but maybe two sizes up. I’m a size 10.5 for most shoes. But a couple brands I go 10 and others I go 11 especially red wing. I have size 12 booties. I went with these years ago because they have the front zip/ rear strap for adjusting ankle pressure, but mainly I had a friend recommend them. Very durable and were about 30.00 bucks back then. Purchased at the old Eds Surplus in Lynnwood shortly before they closed.

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I use these as well. For me, two sizes over my normal shoe size works so that my toes aren’t pinched in the waders.