Is anyone out there using the Korkers boots that have the snap in style soles on them? They have four different options with felt, studded and that slippery s#*t everyone is trying to pass off as sticky rubber. Seems like a good concept just dunno how well they hold up.
Yeah it's a dice roll. How about the "newer" simms boots? I have been hearing bad things about their soles coming apart too. My riversheds are going on season 4 and I need to replace them. I would grab a pair of those but they only have them in rubber now.  Anyone had issues with simms not lasting as long anymore?
The new "style" of simms boots are ok at best. I'm on my second season with them and the sole on one of the boots fell off. My old simms boots lasted me for 4 seasons and held together like a champ. I had to do a wicked shoe goo job on my newer boots to keep the sole on, seems to work so far. The newer style grip tho is ok, but it will never be as good as felt and thats a fact.
Im confused as to what to get. Maybe I will check the patagonias out. Seems like the prices have gone up and quality down on lots of things. Shoe goo used to me my best friend back in the skatin' days. My buddy showed me that after you goop the stuff on the hole in your shoes you can take a piece of ice and rub the goo in place. It helped smooth out the transitions on the patch job. Maybe Vans should start making wading boots. The way they used to stick to grip tape might work on those boulders.
I've been using the korkers for 2 years and I can say they are hands down the best wading boot I have ever used, The most durable, and longest lasting. The wire lace system is totally bullet proof. If a sole comes off its your fault not the boot. I will be purchasing another pair soon.
I love my Korkers. I've only been using them for about 2 months now, but I can say that they are like wearing tennis shoes and the replaceable soles seem to attach very firmly. Since I got both rubber and felt soles I expect these to last a very long time.
I really like the Simms Rivershed boots, but you do need to buy the special hardbite studs that cost an additional $40. Boots are about $190 Out the door you are looking at about $250.... I did look at the upper end Korkers and they were about the same price if you purchased the rubber soles with metal studs. Just make sure you get the metal studs for fishing in most of the local waters.
I have the Simms Headwater boots. They may be the last pair of Simms boots I own. Not even a full season after I got them and they're falling apart (see attached image). Maybe they wore down faster because they were light, but still... less than 100 days on the water and they look like this? Too bad, because they are comfortable.
And as far as the sticky rubber? Not sticky. Oneweight had a great photo of me slipping and sliding all over the North Fork of the Yuba in these boots. I added studds and that sort of helped, but the second those touch the smooth bedrock upstream of the highway 20 bridge (East side of the river), they become ball bearings. I've owned half a dozen pairs of the stickiest rock climbing shoes made and the second they get wet they're useless too.Â
I may try the Patagonia boots next. I bought some Patagonia waders after The Fly Shop in Redding said that they see fewer issues with these waders than any other brand. I haven't owned Simms so I can't compare the two side by side, but the pair I currently own have been thrown against thickets of blackberries and still don't leak. I don't think I'll ever buy another brand of wader. And Patagonia's owner Yvon Chouinard really takes river conservation, and good evironmental and manufacturing practices seriously.Â
I've been on the so called sticky rubber from simms for awhile and was seriously sliding all over the place. I just went with it and slid around and fished. I got used to it and before I knew it made fishin more fun!!! Give it a whirl!!!
I got a pair of Korkers with "twist to tighten thingy" and had them for about a year before heading out. I loved them and they were super comfortable for when doing some hiking. A couple of thoughts:
I have a narrow foot and they are cut a little wider than Simms (PS I really liked my old G3's but they did die after too much sun drying after days on Putah) With the wire twist laces you cannot get them as tight as laces and I know this would bother some people I just added a pair of socks!?!
With the clip out soles you cannot put them fancy carbide studs in them....suppose you could but then the soles wouldn't be going anywhere.
Their "sticky" rubber is a lot less sticky than the stuff simms uses...infact in my opinion is down right dangerous so felt is a must, but that is OK because new soles are cheaper than new boots.
As to the whole lost soles of old style... the new system seems to work well for me and I always carry the spare set of soles, that they came with, with me or in my wader bag.
Anyway hope this is of some help and I am not too late!!!
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"Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn." - Anon.
 Anyone had issues with simms not lasting as long anymore?
