Boots or tennis shoes for waders?

[Steelheadman]

Just got a pair of 3.5 mm neoprene waders. Looking for advice on whether to get some felt bottom wading boots or just wear an old pair of waders. Also would like to know about any other fishing supply places besides GI Joe's in Portland. I also heard that there is a fisherman's supply store off the racetrack exit.

[Hammer Bob]

I don't know how others feel but I really don't care for felt soled waders. In my experience after the first one or two rises of the river there isn't any algae covered rocks so I don't see the advantage to felt. Now I have worn felt soled boots for many years and they finally wore out two years ago so I could justify (at least to my wife) the need to buy another pair...rubber soled boots! Another thing to consider is that if there is any snow on the ground or it is really really cold the felt collects snow and ice making walking a real pain. I'd vote for light-weight rubber soled wading boots.....just my $.02

[Spoons]

The first time I used waders was on the Deschutes and of course I thought I could save money by using some old shoes. After slipping in just enough water to go down my back on a early November morning (20degF) I knew what I was buying as soon as I got home. As mentioned by HammerBob snow and mud are a problem with felt soles so if you only bank fish I would suggest the felt with cleats or try the new boots from LL Bean. They are a rubber compound that is supposed to grip as well if not better than felt. I have one friend who has a pair and had no problem on the Deschutes with them this year. You can buy them on line at www.llbean.com.



Good luck

Oh yea, Fishermans Marine Supply is right next door to GI Joes at Delta Park. (Racetrack exit)

[This message has been edited by Spoons (edited 12-26-2000).]

[WheresMyBobber]

I have similar mixed feelings as others about felt soles, but they're still my sole of choice. I've found them to be very helpful in some situations, but if there's a lot of algae on the rocks, you still need to be very careful. Also, when fishing in freezing weather, I've had the felt freeze to the rocks under my feet, making for a hazardous next step!

In my opinion, you should go with some sort of wading boot, felt bottom or not. If you do any serious wading, the ankle support is a necessity. In some of my wading experiences, the ankle support provided by wading boots has not only saved me from possible breaking an ankle, but also helped to keep me upright when I've stepped on loose rocks and lost my footing.

[drifter]

Hey Steel: Try the Danner Outlet Store (near airport) for a good buy on quality wading boots. I like the 8" boots (with felt) for the ankle support. Only down side of felt is slipping on wet dirt on way to fishing hole. You can also get some good buys on ebay. Good fishing. Drifter.

[garyk]

After years of trying everything, nothing beats studded felt -- if you're wading that is. Danner used to be the guide's favorite but they seem to have taken a dive in quality since the company was purchased.

Best around now are the Simms studded boots; cost a bit less than regular retail on the Danners. Very well made, excellant support AND a cushioned insole which is a first for the high-end wading shoes.

[DanS]

I'd recommend felt soles and a boot that offers some high ankle support. As HammerBob mentioned, felts are a drawback on dirt and snow, and they're a pain in the arse when it's freezing, but you'd be a nut to try wading the rivers I fish with rubber-soled tennis shoes. As some folks mentioned, the studded felts are a good compromise. Unless you're braver than I am, I'd leave the tennis shoes at home, you'll get better footing and ankle support with wading boots. JMHO

Fish on........

[Hammer Bob]

How hard (or easy) are the studded felt soles to replace? Since most wading boots are pretty reasonably priced I might consider trying the studded felt if they can be repaired easy....and economically.

[Ramstrong]

Another vote for the danner outlet River gripper with studs for $80 I was wading across the vedder river in BC with them and they gripped large boulders in swift current incredibly, just don't take them in a boat, they will do a number on the bottom. The studs also help in mud and wet grass. I have had them less than a year Hammer, so I don't know about resurfacing yet, but I do love them, and will continue to buy danner boots and only Cabelas waders for me from now on.

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-Ryan
www.xprt.net/~ryandsar
ramstrong@hotmail.com

[SSPey]

Simms studded with aquastealth (rubber) sole. The studs provide essentially all the grip instream, but the rubber sole is nice for walking on dirt and grass. Don't get the Simms Freestone, as these have synthetic leather that will crack after a few years (trust me). The Simms studded guide is what you want. Replacing studded soles will cost about $25 - and these boots should last forever. I have the SImms studded feltsoles, because the studded aquastealth didn't exist till last year. never look back!

[Trout,myster]

FELT!! When it wears out, get a kit and replace it onto the old boots. Nothing grabs the slick rocks better. As was mentioned, it does grab snow badly, but I'll live with it. Been wet enough in frigid water and weather to respect felt and what it can do. If ever in any doubt, try the Deschutes without it!!

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Troutmyster

[chuck 'n' duck]

Steelheadman:

If I were you, I would not think twice about purchasing a pair of felt soled wading boots. It is simply a matter of safety. Rubber does not grip slick rocks worth a sh*t. If you are wading in swift, cold water, loosing your footing could lead to a perilous situation. I have owned many different makes of wading boots, and just about any will do. If you fish hard and often, you may want to look into a quality pair such as Simms guide boots. I have had them for two years and they are still going strong (except for the laces).

CnD

[Pilar]

Steelheadman, I didn't used to care, but let me tell you a story.

One day I decided to walk out to the south jetty on Tillamook bay and bottom fish about 1/2 way out the jetty. I had my new neoprenes, some hiking boots, raggy old converse and some fishing tackle and grub in a backpack. It's a long walk (5 miles ea. way) and not for the fainthearted.

We got up on the jetty and I changed into neoprenes and tennies before walking out. To get to the point all that walking netted 3 small bottom fish. The tennies worked good on the dry rocks. It started raining when we got about 2/3 of the way to the end of the jetty. We were down in the tidal area of the rocks w/ barnacles etc.. so we had no idea how much trouble we were in.

We decided to leave. I got about 10 yards from the water, took a step and went splat on my butt. I looked back to see my buddy sliding down the face of a giant rock on his hands and knees. We could not stand up on the snot slick, algea coated wet rocks. We began to crawl towards the beach, cussing and hating every icy yard.

About an hour later we had covered about half the distance and a man came down the jetty heading for the beach. He went right by us with gazelle like grace.

We were dumbfounded and looked at his feet to comprehend the miracle of traction on snot slick rock. He stopped, once he was past us and said 'Yep, felt soled boots, only $50 and the only thing to wear on slick rocks!, see you on the beach'

I decided right then to own a pair, as soon as I could. I carry them in my backpack and put them on when I've hiked to where I want to fish.

And I've never looked back.

The bend is your friend!

[Phish_on]

I do most of my wading on the Deschutes in "summer" conditions. Felt is essential. For many years I got away with gluing felt soles to old hiking boots.

I'd only wear sneakers when I don't mind SWIMMING ...

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Well since I am taking a break, I will offer advice and try not to heckle toooo much What I do, especially in muddy or icy conditions with my felt sole wading boots is this: I PUT ON BOOT CHAINS. They slip over the sole of your boots. They slip off and on with ease. I think they are around $10 and they are wonderful in the mud, climbing uphill, etc. Plus, they don't keep your felt from gripping on the rocks. www.cabelas.com or you will find them in the magazine near or on the same page as the wading boots. Ain't I great? I know I am.

[Steelheadman]

Thanks for the information. I'm going to hit the stores and look for some felt sole wading boots.

[meyersbilly]

For pleasure (boat, beach, bar fishing) I wear rubber boots, for treacherous nugget walking and wading I wear felts and for work/bushwhacking I wear caulk boots. An old pair of logger style caulk boot over a set of neoprene waders works great. Ankle support and good grip are a must when you get into serious log jumping and side hill scrambling.

Sharp pins/caulks slip a lot less than what people think even on the big rocks. If you find yourself sliding around then your pins are probably dull. Keep your caulks tight, your pins sharp and your head up. Timberman in training.

[Steelheadman]

Here's a stupid question. What do you wear under your neoprene? Underwear, long underwear, jeans, fleece pants?

[Pilar]

Polypropelene long johns and thick socks. Be ready to sweat, no matter what you wear. I'm only comfortable wearing neoprenes when I'm butt deep in cold water or in the pouring rain. That's why I pack them in and change when I get to the church of the bent rod.

Besides I tore the first pair of neoprenes I owned on some barbed wire. Jeans are cheap and I'd rather tear them then my waders.

The bend is your friend!

[Jeffhead]

I perfer the fleece pants, there real comfortable and warm too. Even have fleece socks to go with them, the thing I really like about them is even when you sweat they do not feel moist. Mine have stirrups in them to hlod the pants down, great when you are suitin' up!!!
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

[Phish_on]

Polypropelene in the cold, cotton trunks in the hot.

[zipper]

even with felt soles, watch out for wet leaves on wet rocks.... . this i know from experience... about 12 feet down a rock ledge into the Wilson River, broke my favorite reel but no bones. got lucky, got cautious, got wet, got humble, got right back out and fished the rest of the day. Cabelas is a great source as is Fisherman's Marine, which can also be located at Oregon City (better of the two locations) Just off I205 across McDonalds. good luck

[Steelheader69]

I'd have to say, if money is a concern, then go with the felt soles. They are well worth the money. I've owned a couple pairs for the last 10 years or so and wouldn't trade them for the world. But here's if money isn't that big of concern. Go with the Aquastealth soled boots from LLBean!!!! I had a gosh darned friend who was being a smartass and let me use a set of his a couple years ago when it snowed (I had complained about using my rubberpacks since all my neoprenes had feltsoles and long walks in them made one heck of a compound of snow underfoot). He told me about these miracle boots and thought I should try them. Well, sure enough, these things are awesome. Good traction in snow, ice, mud, algae covered rocks, everything. I've done some research since I borrowed them and come to find out they are made by a company that makes rockclimbing shoes. They are designed to grab rocks in all conditions. I've used them, and I'm sold. I'm hoping this tax return I'll have enough money left over to buy a set (had to pay off one of my ex's bill with last return...GRRRRRRR). I'd say either felt for low cost or aquastealths if you want the best.

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