Hiking/Wading Boot Question

[Dry Fly Rie]

From a shoe/boot perspective, I was just curious how you guys handle a situation where you have to do some hiking to a destination and then wade? For example, if you're going to hike for an hour or so, and then fish, do you hike in the same shoes that you wade, and then walk out wet? Or do you hike in one pair of boots, and take another with you?

Currently, if I'm going to be hiking a ways, I usually just wear a pair of my (non-wading) boots for the trek, and then take whatever shoes I'm going to wade in in a small backpack. It gets a bit annoying having to carry two pairs of boots. My wading boots are a pair of felt-soled Chotas, and I know about the Vibram sole options out there, but I guess I'm just curious if a vibram-soled shoe is something that can be hiked in to a destination, then worn to wade (usually wet-wading), and then hiked out in while they are still wet?

Thanks in advance for any tips/insight.

[silverlaker]

I can't figure this one out either. For the last year or so I've been using a pair of super lightweight Paragonia boots OR a pair of Simms wading sandals alongside hiking boots. Depending upon season, weather, or trip duration, I've packed in/out 20+ miles with the wading boots in my pack and day tripped 6+ miles in the sandals. Wish I could make some of the "hike-in" wading boots make sense. Something about wet shoes and long hikes just doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

[Artin]

I got a pair of Simms freestone wading boots. For me they didn't seem to be as good as felt while wading, they are awesomely comfortable for walking and hiking. I threw on the cleats from Simms and they turned into a suction cup on slippery rocks in the water. I now use them to hike into places when I do have the luxury to do so and find them to be really comfortable and not heavy at all. I thought about the wear and tear on the soles of the boots but then it hit me that they will wear anyway so why not. I can always replace the sole and cleats so I just use them and they have been good to me. Also let me mention that walking on dirt trails has less wear on the cleats than walking on pavement and granite.

Just my opinion

Artin

[Reyne]

I'm with you, Artin. My Freestones fit well, and it gives good support for longer hikes and boulder hopping. I wear neoprene wading booties over thin liner socks when wet wading. I can always take them off , wring out the liners and they're not so soggy. I noticed the vibram soles will need replacement soon. I also have a pair of the same with felt and they're almost brand new. While felts, IMO, provide better traction in the water, the vibram is better on the trail. Hiking boots and a good pair of sandals would be the ticket if I'm hiking rough terrain.

[Rob909]

I have the Simms Headwaters with the Vibram sole and I don't think twice about hiking in them.

Hike in, fish, hike out wet.....no issues.

But also, these are relatively short hikes. I don't know if I would want to hike out, a long distance, when wet. But dry....no problem.


Rob

[briansII]

I hike in my wading boots. I either have my waders on, or neoprene, wet wading socks/booties. I also wear a thin, synthetic socks. Feet feel a little mushy when hiking out wet, but I have never had a blister problem. I don't like hiking with wet, felt soles. They get saturated, heavy, and pick up dirt. Only time I will carry my wading boots, is if I'm carrying a backpack.

briansII

[gabe]

i use to have Korker Guides. I hiked and backpacked a lot in em. They took a good beating lasting about 2 years of monthly use. I bought em in regular size (not a size up) and wore Simms wading socks with em. I loved that when backpacking, I wouldn't have to carry two shoes for the trek - and it was nice to be able to swap from treads to felts if needed. They were also very comfortable hiking in.
I currently have a pair of Simms boots. not a big fan. I plan on getting another pair of Korkers when I can.

[Dry Fly Rie]

Thanks everyone for the advice/suggestions/insight. I really appreciate it.

[fflutterffly]

I have the Simms RiverTec Boa. These are by far the best * boots for me, great in the water and do well on the trail, though I only hike very short distances. (Not like you guys.) For Summer Wet wading I use my old low top Merrell boots and carry an extra pair of socks (light) for the final walk out.

[RichardCullip]

When it's a day trip,I'll hike and fish in my Simms Vibram-soled Rivershed boots. On overnight and longer trips, I'll leave the heavy boots at home and swap over to very lightweight trailrunners for both hiking and wading. I'm currently using Innov8 Roclite 295's which have a very sticky rubber sole that I love on the trails and find adequate (but not great) while wet wading. Since my base pack weight is sub-10lbs (w/o food) I just can't justify either the bulk or the weight of heavy wading boots just for fishing.

[flocktothewall]

I had the freestone Vibram shoes and they were wonderful for hiking but my left foot was too big for them with thicker socks so I upgraded to the Simms guide boot, way above my budget, but my wife was at the store and she said to "Stop skimping on your feet, you always complain about them!" and gave me the okay!

I have to say, they are like hiking boots, so light its hard to believe they are wading boots.