I am looking for some new wading boots. These will be used with breathable waders in colder conditions ie. steelhead fishing. What is your favorite? Pros/Cons… Any and all info is appreciated
My current boots, which I purchase this past spring, are the best I’ve ever had… Orvis River Guard Side Zip Brogue Boots with EcoTrax soles. I left a review on the site. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=2E0C&dir_id=758&group_id=11059&cat_id=5421&subcat_id=6047
I retired my old steelhead boots for these as well. I expect I’ll be much happier with these than with my old steelhead boots. There’s more room for extra pair of socks. They are the easiest boots to get into and with the studs I don’t expect I’ll slip on the ice like I did with my old pair or rubber bottom wading boots…and right now I can’t afford to slip on anything.
My next purchase for wading boots will be a pair of Korkers with the twist lace and interchangeable soles, I like the option of changing the soles on the fly. If you are walking down the trail to your favorite fishing hole put on the trail soles, when you get to your spot to fish put on the felts or studied soles. The best part is the cost of each sole set is only between $20 to $30 each set. I am definitely sold on them. 
FlyinCarp
I’m using Koorkers and I love them. Easiest on and off boots I ever had. Going into the third year with these. First pair were their lower end model, only lasted two seasons. Current pair were the highest end and they show no signs of stopping. I love the interchangeable sole system. I have plain felts, studded felts and rubber with cleats. These boots will make 20 - 30 steelhead outings a season, plus 15 - 20 trout outings. Very good product, one fault is they are tough on laces.
PS the first pair were not dead, I gave them to a youngster and they are still in use.
I’m now on my 4th set of boots and they are Korkers. I love them! Much easier to get on and off. Very comfortable. Being able to switch to rubber soles in the snowy months is a big plus for me.
Another vote for Korkers. Put the soles on properly & they’ll not come loose. I have lug, felt, studded felt, studded rubber, & studded aquastealth soles & have no complaints. Only issue is that mine are the previous model Konvertibles & I would love to find another set of the studded aquastealth in a size 10…If anyone knows of any available, please let me know.
Mike
anything that fits comfortably. that’s the most important thing in my book.
Carp:
If you are going to be fishing the Salmon River, all I can tell you is a buddy of mine who fishes there regularly swears by the Korker’s with the studded rubber sole. That’s the sole with the BIG carbide tipped spikes. Korker’s will be coming out with a new and DEFINITELY improved version for 2010 so either wait for the new shoe if you can or look for the current version on closeout.
Ohiotuber:
Have you checked directly with Korker’s for those soles you are after? They were still selling the old version soles as recently as a few months ago.
Another vote for Korkers. I have their low-end boot ($85-90) and they’re wrapping up their third year of pretty nasty abuse. I’m talking probably an average of 50-60 trout outings per year, roughly 5 steelhead trips per year…ridden hard and put away wet, spending long summers in the trunk of my car, frozen solid on mid-winter steelhead trips and subsequently literally beat into flexibility.
Still work just fine. They look about as ratty as you can imagine from all that, and I did replace the soles once (from felt to non-studded aquastealth…what a bad choice…gotta get some felt back on them). The new system for 2011 with the updated boa lace and ‘felt-free-felt’ has me interested. If I can find a pair on the cheap, I may go for it…I think mine are starting to pick up barnacles. 
If I were an alien, I’d give em four thumbs up, but my limited human anatomy only allows for two.
The new version Korker’s also has soles that go all the way to the edge. This improvement has piqued my interest since I never liked the having that plain rubber around the edge.
I have real wide feet with a high arch and have found the Simms Freestones to be the most comfortable (I like a size 12 boot for my size 10 feet). However they’re felt sole and since MD is banning felt come Jan 1, 2011, I’m going to have to replace them; am leaning towards the Freestones (studded Vibram) again.
Regards,
Scott
The Maryland felt ban is under consideration but NOT implemented.
The last time I checked with DNR which was about three weeks ago, the agency hadn’t yet been asked to write the proposal, let alone submit it for consideration. I was told there was essentially no chance it could all happen by Jan 1, 2010 since there would also be a 90 day review period AFTER all of the paperwork was done. In other words, you still have time to enjoy your Freestones!
[QUOTE=Mato Kuwapi;389688]My current boots, which I purchase this past spring, are the best I’ve ever had… Orvis River Guard Side Zip Brogue Boots with EcoTrax soles. I left a review on the site. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=2E0C&dir_id=758&group_id=11059&cat_id=5421&subcat_id=6047
I agree with Mato. These are great boots! My only complaint is that the laces are a bit long, which I mentioned in my review on the site.
Thanks for the heads-up although I may go ahead and replace them anyway since the boots have other issues and Simms says they’ll swap them for the studded Vibrams at 1/2 price.
Regards,
Scott
I have the studded felt version of these and I am quite happy with them.
Of my five pairs on boots, four wading and one flats / tuber. I still trust felt overall and I prefer the feel of leather over synthetic uppers. However, in rivers where I primarily find little moss, mid to small sized cobble and gravel, the studded rubber soles are fine.
Best, Dave
I use the Weinbrenner (Gary Borger model) propex boot with studs. I’m still wearing the prototype of this boot. It 's about 15 years old.
Simms guide boots with studded high density felt. Comfy, plenty of ankle support, and very stable on snot.
I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to reply.
LEAVE THE LACES ALONE!! LOL!!! They are perfectly to my liking. It’s the first pair of wading boots I’ve had where the laces are long enough. I can double knot them so they don’t come undone and they also help in pulling up the zipper. My tender fingers don’t like doing that, especially after they get all cracked from the cold dry air in Colorado or here during steelhead season.