Pretentious Snobby Bastard Fly Fishing!

This Ain't Necessarily Fly Fishing => Gear Reviews => Topic started by: Transylwader on January 18, 2012, 15:26:42 PM

Poll
Question: What boots are highly durable for distance and punishment in the creek?
Option 1: Simms (incl model type please) votes: 6
Option 2: Chota (incl model type please) votes: 2
Option 3: Corkers (incl model type please) votes: 1
Option 4: Orvis (incl model type please) votes: 3
Option 5: Patagonia (incl model type please) votes: 0
Option 6: Other (please mention brand name/model type) votes: 2
Title: Boots built for distance
Post by: Transylwader on January 18, 2012, 15:26:42 PM
So after four years of solid bluelining in NC, I have gone through about 7 pairs of boots, primarily because of the terrain and distance they are subject to. I am tired of skulling out hundreds of dollars on boots and would appreciate your thoughts on what you have used or currently have that you would consider able to last a year or longer. I currently have a brand new pair of Orvis Brogue side zipper (third pair mind you) but they are dead weight and fall apart rather quickly. Was tempted to go back to felt because they are a lot lighter than Vibram but before I decide, I'd like to hear from the avid blueliners here...
The person with the best suggestion gets a 6-pack of their choice plus a visit to The Palace this spring on me.
Shot dudes ;D
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Woolly Bugger on January 18, 2012, 15:48:44 PM
these would go good with your saffa gear...

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Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: The Dude on January 18, 2012, 16:03:26 PM
Nice pull, WB.   :-*

My input based on what I've worn:

Chota Abrams Creek - great entry level boot, but won't stand up to a season of bushwacking and aren't sturdy enough for hiking while loaded down with gear.

Cloudveil 8X - I actually never owned them, but had friends who owned them and said they liked them, but they went out of biz, so who cares

Simms Freestone - pieces of shit

Simms Headwaters - My first real bluelining boot.  Good lightweight boot, but you'd get a year at best....at best.  But simms does have a good return policy, and I still keep my second free pair around for light duty trips.

Simms Rivershed Boots - Perfect blend of lightweight yet still sturdy.  I wear mine in the winter as well as summer and they do the job.  Definitely my recommendation and plan on buying another pair when the current ones are ready for retirement.  I even wore them as my hiking boots on a 4 day backpacking/fishing trip last year.

Simms Guide Boots - Good and rugged, but too heavy.

I have not tried the G4s, but from what I've seen in the stores, they seem a little bit of overkill for bluelining and may also be on the heavy side.  Simms also has a RiverTek BOA boot that looks lightweight and simple, but I've only ever seen them online and my fear is that they won't be able to stand up to the abuse.

Also, I am a proponent of the rubber soles with a combination of star cleats and studs.  The only problem is that the lugs wear out and the nearest place to get them resoled is Georgia or New York, I think.  I almost think that I am just going to buy new boots once the soles wear out, even if the uppers are still good (which should take ~2 years or possibly less).

Black Sabbath - Fairies Wear Boots - Live In Paris (Remastered) 1970 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4VzNdya6q8#)
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: snagaluffaguss on January 18, 2012, 16:15:02 PM
A boot for hiking is too heavy to be comfortable to be enjoyable on the water while fishing.

A boot for fishing is usually do lightweight for hiking long distances.

Get a pair of lightweight hiking shoes from some one like Asolo, Solomon, or Vasque.  Not something built for climbing Evrest mind you just something lightweight that is more of a really sturdy Tennis shoe with a good lug.

Wear them in and put them in your pack and put on your fishing shoes.  Again go with a lightweight shoe like a Chota STL, or most Korkers, or a light weight Simms (most are too damn heavy for blue lines). 

Be willing to buy a pair every year for the comfort rather than getting one that lasts 5 years but takes 4 years to break in because they are such Bricks.

Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: blue ridge angler on January 18, 2012, 18:01:40 PM
The dude nailed it..I rock simms head waters right now, and like them. but no matter what I have used I end up spending $100 per year..I dropped the $200 on guide boots and they lasted 2 years, but as was mentioned were a little heavy..I like vibram soles, and hike in them..I have not found the need to drop any extra money on studs of any kind, and don't care for the effect that the studs have on the mosses that cover the boulders on some of my favorite creeks..
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: FoulHook on January 18, 2012, 18:10:58 PM
Quote from: Transylwader on January 18, 2012, 15:26:42 PM
The person with the best suggestion gets a 6-pack of their choice plus a visit to The Palace this spring on me.


How about I bring you a six pack (your choice of whatever Ingles got in stock) and some old sneakers, which may or may not fit over stocking foot waders, to The Palace and we poach the shit outta them local hatcheries?


Orvis boots suck fyi.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: bullship on January 18, 2012, 19:03:13 PM
i got some of deez not too long ago. i don't expect them to hold up for long, but they are comfy and practically weightless.... I have been wearing guide boots for a few years though, so my thighs are highly conditioned.

Korkers Hyjack. One hundred dolla
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Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: dnakamoto on January 18, 2012, 19:26:33 PM
I don't have a lot of experience since I have only used two different pairs.  I purchased the Simms Rivershed Vibram a while back and they have been a good combination of boots that I can hike in and use on the water.  I still find the Vibram doesn't have all of the grip that felt had on smooth wet rock surfaces. 
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Aka on January 18, 2012, 20:12:43 PM
I've put 200+ days on my simms freestones and they're still holding up fine. I got them for 2 reasons, first they were the only size 14 in the store (kinda a make it or break it) and they were on sale for $100. I didn't expect them to last as well as they have but they've proved to be pretty damned rugged imo. The big downer for me is that they are not at all athletic, and while I carry the lightest pack I can they still don't have cushion or spring so long hikes in and out can get a bit jarring on the back.
But all said a hundo for 200 days fishing isn't a bad deal.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Big J on January 18, 2012, 21:21:14 PM
Quote from: AK Aaron on January 18, 2012, 20:12:43 PM
I've put 200+ days on my simms freestones and they're still holding up fine. I got them for 2 reasons, first they were the only size 14 in the store (kinda a make it or break it) and they were on sale for $100. I didn't expect them to last as well as they have but they've proved to be pretty damned rugged imo. The big downer for me is that they are not at all athletic, and while I carry the lightest pack I can they still don't have cushion or spring so long hikes in and out can get a bit jarring on the back.
But all said a hundo for 200 days fishing isn't a bad deal.

Ya know, I read the dudes critic on the Simms Freestones, and I don't really agree with it.  I'm no blue lining gyro like y'all and I haven't been at it for decades, so I have been quiet.  But after reading AK Aaron's post on them I guess I'll throw out my two cents.  I have had the Simms Freestone boots for a year now, and got them for the hiking/wading aspect.  I have the Simms Star Cleats in them and I love the boots.  They have held up well and I have confidence that they will make it through another year.  They are big and bulky, but if you want a hiking/wading boot that will last, it has to be bulky.  I personally love the boot, but like I said, I'm no blue lining gyro.  Just my two cents.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Woolly Bugger on January 18, 2012, 21:24:57 PM
I've also got the Simms Freestone's, they are built to last, give great support/protection, but aren't built for the hike, as they are pretty darn stiff. They are good for the tailwaters. I've hiked miles in them, but wish I had a different boot for the long distance streams. I've also had LL Bean's boots, in three different versions starting with the orginal Aquastealth model. Don't really care for the fit, and they aren't comfortable either.




Edit:

I wore them for about a year before finally putting the Star Cleats in, they add almost too much grip!



Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Grannyknot on January 19, 2012, 08:37:08 AM
I had a pair of Korkers cross currents and the toe box tore out after a year.
I sewed the toe box up with some upholstery thread and they lasted another year.
Then I got some Cloudviel 8X boots on clearance from the madison river people.
Good boots, didn't trash out too easily, and were very light, but they ran small and felt cramped with my waders on....neoprene ankle booties only for those.
This Christmas I got Korker's red sides.  So far they have pleased me, but the verdict is still out on the durability.

I've come to think that they're all just made for standing in the middle of a big river watching a strike indicator, not hiking 4 miles, scrambling over rocks and thrashing some rhodo.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: snagaluffaguss on January 19, 2012, 11:13:10 AM
Quote from: Grannyknot on January 19, 2012, 08:37:08 AM

I've come to think that they're all just made for standing in the middle of a big river watching a strike indicator, not hiking 4 miles, scrambling over rocks and thrashing some rhodo.

Exactly

Thats what hiking boots are for

Wading boots are for wading.

Hike in your hiking boots and wade in your wading boots.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: WRector on January 19, 2012, 11:40:08 AM
First pair of wading boots I ever purchased were the Cabelas Pro Guide series with felt soles.  Hiked a ton of miles out of them and probably got 6 or so years worth of abuse.  Wore the felt all the way down to bottom part of the shoe.  Not a great hiker, but did the job.  Probable could have gotten away with putting a better insole in them, but they got too tight for my feet.

I've since switched to the Simms Rivershed Boot with the Vibram Soles.  Like these as well.  Well built and have been put though some abuse.  Definitely need the studs in on the tailwaters, but could probably do without them on the smaller cricks.

For the money, the Cabelas Guide boots were a hell of a deal, but I can't speak to the newer versions.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: thamilton89 on January 20, 2012, 06:05:44 AM
I ripped the bottom off an pair of chacos and replaced them with felt bottoms great for summertime I'm thinking I should pitch the idea to chacos.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: The Dude on January 20, 2012, 09:49:10 AM
I'm still trying to figure out what a bluelining gyro is.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: troutboy_II on January 20, 2012, 09:59:37 AM
I too am not hiking great distances any more, but I'm surprised that the Chota STL's are not better represented.  I have felt version and have had very good experience with them - hold up well, fairly light in weight, grip well except in tailwaters (but I understand the cleated version does as well as possible there), and best of all in my estimation, they flex.  By that I mean the sole flex's, has some give and allows for you to feel the bottom.  Much better than the old, piece of board on the bottom, boots I experienced from other manufacturers.  That same give and flex has made them comfortable as hike in boots.  And at what I consider a reasonable price as well. 

Like many (most?) of you, I have my particular bias when it comes to manufacturers and I love my Simms waders, but for boots, I recommend Chota.

My $.02.

TB
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Grannyknot on January 20, 2012, 11:17:07 AM
Quote from: The Dude on January 20, 2012, 09:49:10 AM
I'm still trying to figure out what a bluelining gyro is.

I'm all about a bluelining gyro....

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= bluelining gyro
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Transylwader on January 20, 2012, 11:29:40 AM
Thanks for the responses gents. I am inclined to invite all of you to The Palace this spring ('cepting Foul Hook coz he poaches from my mates hatchery).My feeling is that I will give the Simms Riverguard a shot. Between now and Spring, I plan to continue my training to get back down to 180lbs. No gyros will be consumed until Cold Mountain hits the shelves once more later this year...
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bd;0
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: The Dude on January 20, 2012, 12:04:12 PM
I prefer Souvlaki, anyway.  You really never know what you are getting in a gyro.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: The Dude on January 20, 2012, 14:04:48 PM
Oh, and btw Tranny, I have found that Simms wading boots run pretty close to actual size.  I wear a Size 10.5 shoe and I get my Simms wading boots in Size 11 and it works perfectly with a neoprene booty or stocking foot wader (at least it did back in the days when I still wore waders).
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: benben reincarnated on January 20, 2012, 14:15:11 PM
Quote from: troutboy_II on January 20, 2012, 09:59:37 AM
I too am not hiking great distances any more, but I'm surprised that the Chota STL's are not better represented.  I have felt version and have had very good experience with them - hold up well, fairly light in weight, grip well except in tailwaters (but I understand the cleated version does as well as possible there), and best of all in my estimation, they flex.  By that I mean the sole flex's, has some give and allows for you to feel the bottom.  Much better than the old, piece of board on the bottom, boots I experienced from other manufacturers.  That same give and flex has made them comfortable as hike in boots.  And at what I consider a reasonable price as well. 

Like many (most?) of you, I have my particular bias when it comes to manufacturers and I love my Simms waders, but for boots, I recommend Chota.

My $.02.

TB

I like my recently purchased Chota's too although I haven't put many miles on them yet... 

Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Big J on January 20, 2012, 17:33:59 PM
Quote from: The Dude on January 20, 2012, 09:49:10 AM
I'm still trying to figure out what a bluelining gyro is.

I blame that slip up on lack of sleep.....

I do like me some gyros though.  ;D
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Woolly Bugger on January 20, 2012, 21:17:24 PM
http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww (http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww)
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: croaker on January 20, 2012, 21:58:17 PM
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on January 20, 2012, 21:17:24 PM
http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww (http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww)

  8)     'c;
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Woolly Bugger on January 20, 2012, 22:17:23 PM
Quote from: croaker on January 20, 2012, 21:58:17 PM
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on January 20, 2012, 21:17:24 PM
http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww (http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww)

  8)     'c;

I can't tell you what my 'reaction' was the first time I saw that on TV, I was 11 or 12 at the time  :;!
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Transylwader on January 20, 2012, 22:29:31 PM
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on January 20, 2012, 22:17:23 PM
Quote from: croaker on January 20, 2012, 21:58:17 PM
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on January 20, 2012, 21:17:24 PM
http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww (http://youtu.be/SbyAZQ45uww)

  8)     'c;

I can't tell you what my 'reaction' was the first time I saw that on TV, I was 11 or 12 at the time  :;!
Christ, I suppose the Tri-ASS-ic era was just beginning too right?
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: ajhock on January 21, 2012, 20:24:44 PM
Fairies wear boots
Get them, ride them, get something different.  Diversity makes the world go round.  Chuck T's with felt add on once a year.  (adjust size for fancy waders) Ride on.  $45.
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Rog 1 on January 26, 2012, 16:16:21 PM
My vote for other was for the LLBean West Branch wading boots with the Stealth rubber soles...
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: OldDominionAngler on January 30, 2012, 15:43:38 PM
If you're wet wading, I've found these to be a good solution for bluelines: http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/Riprap_shoe.html. (http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/Riprap_shoe.html.) 

I wear them with the neoprene booties and they work pretty well, for hiking and wading, but the biggest con is ankle support. There is none, so they take getting used to...but they're way less clunky than boots and provide a lot more protection than Tevas or Chacos. 

I've only spent one season in them, so I can't speak to the durability...
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: natureboy on January 30, 2012, 17:10:00 PM
I really like(d) the orvis ultra-light felt bottom boots.  Apparently they don't make them anymore.  I've had a pair for at least 8 years, the felt is about gone, the loops to pull them on are busted, and the laces are threadbare, but they keep on tickin', still use them as boat boots.  I bought them at the outlet for less than $50, found them on sale again and bought two more pair.  I feel a little guilty for not switching away from felt, but I can switch to a different pair of boots if I switch watersheds.  I know orvis gets some shit on here, but I really couldn't ask for more out of a pair of wading boots, I've put a lot of miles on them hunting, hiking, and fishing and they've taken the abuse, however you can't buy them anymore, glad I could be of assistance here. -0-
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: dnakamoto on January 30, 2012, 21:58:30 PM
I think you may be talking about the boots in the attached link.  I have a pair and they pack up small if you want to take them backpacking with you.  They don't give much for ankle support but do pretty well in every other area. 

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?adv=99656&pf_id=84CX (http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?adv=99656&pf_id=84CX)
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: natureboy on January 31, 2012, 08:13:47 AM
Negative dnakamoto, they are the older version of these: http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=92EC (http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=92EC)
Title: Re: Boots built for distance
Post by: Transylwader on January 31, 2012, 10:45:55 AM
Quote from: natureboy on January 31, 2012, 08:13:47 AM
Negative dnakamoto, they are the older version of these: http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=92EC (http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=92EC)
Dayum, that' some archived shit right there! I got a free pair of them when I bought a pair of Tailwaters XT waders back in 2008. I had them for at least 2 years before the support casing around the ankle broke. Damn good boots with traction bar none. Definitley would have been a good idea to stock up on several pairs of those. Vibram plan sucks. Cleats do too. Studs and felt were wicked...excepting in freezing conditions, they were similar to a pair of ice skates 8)