Boots

[RubiKinda]

I told you not to buy the cheap ones! My Bite Steelheaders are going on 5 years and still strong.

[flybob]

I would send that pic to the Orvis Product Support, and ask what gives! You never know, my wife sent a pair of expensive walkers back due to a de-lam after a year's use, and they sent her a new pair Gratis!

It does not cost them anything to do it, and they avoid the negative, word of mouth advertising!

JMO,
fb

[fflutterffly]

I own the Brough (sp) by Orvis and found them to be of quality. I fished 100 days last year and am up to about at 55 for this year. I had another pair of Brough and complained about the sizing. The sent me a new pair even though I had worn them about 6 months. My travel bag is by Orvis as well as my rain jacket. I've had no problems with any of them.
I'd purchase the new boots and send the old ones back to orvis for a new pair. How old are those things?

[gabe]

those Simms are beefy man...
I need to consider some new boots soon as well. My Korkers are just about done with. They lasted me about a year half now; and considering how long they lasted with the amount of punishment I put them through, I may just go with another pair.
The other boots I've seen have usually been to heavy for what I want. I like my Korkers because of their versatility. However, they do lack ankle support. I was considering going with the Korker Torrent shoes for the local creeks and a heavier duty boot for bigger rivers. but... I don't think the Torrents will hold up to the amount of punishment I put my shoes through when I hike around the local. I also considered sandals, but don't really like em, and I surely don't want to carry two pairs of shoes, or hike in felts.
I'll probably stick with the same Korker model, and maybe just pick up a Simms pair for the easier access rivers like Kern and such.

Any of you have the Aqua Stealth soles? How are they compared to felts?

thanks,

[midger]

I agree with Bob. I'd send the picture to Orvis and see what they say. Of course, if you got 2 years from them.............

I have used many types of boots--Cabelas, Orvis, Simms, Patagonia, Proline, Weinbrenner, and several others. Best boots for long term wear are the Weinbrenners. I have them in both studded and plain felts. The studs are going on 10 years old. Problem with them is that they are heavier than the normal boots so they aren't what I'd class as back packable, so they are my main "car" fishing boots.

[Justin]

those Simms are beefy man...
I need to consider some new boots soon as well. My Korkers are just about done with. They lasted me about a year half now; and considering how long they lasted with the amount of punishment I put them through, I may just go with another pair.
The other boots I've seen have usually been to heavy for what I want. I like my Korkers because of their versatility. However, they do lack ankle support. I was considering going with the Korker Torrent shoes for the local creeks and a heavier duty boot for bigger rivers. but... I don't think the Torrents will hold up to the amount of punishment I put my shoes through when I hike around the local. I also considered sandals, but don't really like em, and I surely don't want to carry two pairs of shoes, or hike in felts.
I'll probably stick with the same Korker model, and maybe just pick up a Simms pair for the easier access rivers like Kern and such.

Any of you have the Aqua Stealth soles? How are they compared to felts?

thanks,

Hey Gabe,
My first pair of Boots were lightweight Simms with aquastealth soles and I thought they were fine and I liked them a lot. I like them better than my new boots with felt soles. The Aquastealth soles were good for hiking and wading which I liked, the felt are pretty slippery when just hiking on rocks and such.
Just my 2c

Justin

[dna]

I am interested in the Korkers' Ultra-Lite Boots. They seem to possibly be the best mix between a hiking/wading boot. Anyone have these?

[RiverRat]

I have 15 YEARS in my original LL Bean Aquastealths and just last month they finaly busted a seam. Snow, mud, hiking, salt, deserts. However they are slippery on the slime in boulder rivers like the kern and the pit. You can climb right up the side of dry boulders no problem but they are slippery in the river. Felt soles are just the opposite. I nearly broke my arm falling a couple times in my felt Korkers climbing big rocks on the Kern. Everywhere else the Aquastealth have been great, WA, Idaho, Montana, small streams and such.

Riverrat

[Benny]

I've had the 2 pairs of Chota's very comfortable and light when dry but once they get saturated with with water they take long to dry and that sucks big time when you pack them in on a long trek. I tried the Korkers but did not like the feel off the rack. I think it's time for a new pair as well. I may go with Simms Rivershed 100% synthetic upper construction should be better than the leather Chota's which soak up the water like a sponge.

[briansII]

Today the left boot burst at the front, separating like a mouth with my toes sticking out. I waded half the day like that, then David and I gracefully "retired" them in the trash can outside Amigo's in Bishop. Now I'm forced to get new ones (or wear my Columbia wet wading shoes).

I have a couple pairs like that. Not sure why, but I wear out wading boots a lot faster than waders. I recently bought a pair of Simms Headwaters, with Aquastealth. This is one of the few wading boots(or boots in general), that are wide enough for my feet. In fact, they are extra wide. Anyway, i'm very happy with the fit, comfort, and weight(very light)of the boots. One problem I did encounter, was after installing the Simms carbide studs, I had sharp, pressure points in the sole. I double check to see if I could feel the stud points through the sole, but could not. Only when I step with all my weight located directly on 1 stud, did I feel some pain. I thought of taking out the offending studs and grinding them down a bit, but instead, installed a pair of Superfeet insoles, and no more problems. I use Superfeet in my hiking boots, so why not my wading boots. I have no idea how long these boots will last me, but i'd buy the same boots when these wear out.

briansII

[darrin terry]

Good call on the Superfeet, Brian. I've been using them in all my shoes for a few years now, and from day one with my wading boots. Makes a huge difference. Now, if someone would just make a 'Superback'. maybe that pain would be gone.