Let's talk Wading Boots...One brand is killing it! Simms or Orvis - the truth!
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- Опубликовано: 23 мар 2024
- Deciding on wading boots is important and expensive...so let me share my experience with Simms G4 and Featherweight / Orvis UL's and Pro Wading Boots.
Find me here:
/ looknfishy
/ looknfishy
#flyfishing #fishingtips #troutfishing
Once I skipped to Korkers boots I haven't ever looked back.
Last pair of Simms boots I purchased got about 3 uses before I bought the Patagonia Tractor boots. Nothing wrong with the Simms, I just preferred the Tractor boots. Next time I went floating I used the Simms so the felt bottoms wouldn't scratch my raft frame. First run I fished, the felt bottom on one of the Simms boots came off. They barely even had any use on them. I sent them back to Simms. It didn't matter that they had very little use. They were older than 12 months old so no warranty coverage. They told me that "they were no longer serviceable" but I could pay $50 to have them fixed. F*ck Simms. They still make decent waders, but their made in Asia stuff sucks and they won't warranty it. Buy Patagonia.
I have had my Sims ultralight waiting boots for 15 years. I tossed them in the back bed of my truck and that’s where they sit all summer. We are not all special agents like you. A.k.A fish whisperer :)
You should do a review on your XR2 Bison. Great channel on fishing and your travels. Just sub’d and enjoying your channel.
odd. I like Simms way better than Orvis. I've had terrible luck with 3 pairs of Orvis boots where the lace 'cleats' bend easily, which then results in the laces not staying tight. Orvis did send a free replacement pair when I showed them the issue...but the same thing happened. Zero issues with Simms.
You should look into Astral shoes and boots. They are legendary in the white water paddling community for their grip on wet rocks. Lugging a 50 lb kayak over wet rocks on a portage, they give complete confidence. I have talked to a couple of fishermen who have tried them and they are converts. Probably best for wet wading, but I have worn them over a dry suit with no problem when paddling, so there's that.
Patagonia’s are my favorite. I was not impressed with the Simms
We need lightweight wet wading FELT boots. I don’t care if they only last one summer. Simms had some good ones but discontinued
Great review. Just picked up some Orvis Ultralight boots. Like you I cover a lot of terrain out here in the west and will see how these hold up. Now that FarBank is the parent company for Simms and others (Sage, RIO, etc) expect quality to get worse as they push manufacturing out of the US. The $300+ boots I had from them didn't last 2 years. If these Orvis boots don't last I'll try some military grade boots and put studs in them.
I have the other version of the Simms Flyweight Boots (I believe yours are the Flyweight Access). I really wanted to love these but the durability was terrible. This version has a much better sole and had fantastic grip w/studs. They're super lightweight and were super comfortable hiking long distances. But.... After 2 seasons (~ 60 days on the water) they've done. Sole is worn down, I've had to glue sole edges, one of the cloth eyelets busted in a critical location and there's serious wear spots on the boots themselves on the sides near the toe. Next pair will either be the Orvis Flyweight (which are a tad heavier than the Simms) or Patagonia Forra (not sure I'm ready to spend that kind $$...).
Great review, Drew. Thorough, honest and as a western fisherman I appreciate the inclusion of what we have to do. Great vid!
Ditched wading specific boots and shoes a long time ago. I just look for cheap wide hiking shoes, non gore tex. I am currently on a pair of Saloman X ultra. I fish pretty regularly 3 months out of the year. Good traction, light and drain fast.
Surprised.
I had a similar experience with Simms. They were my first wading boots and they started losing the sole during my first season fishing! And I wasn’t even hiking that much. Luckily Simms gave me a replacement pair which I’m still using. That being said, I’ll be switching to Orvis or Patagonia for my next pair for sure.
Sorry you had this experience, Drew. I've had my Simms Rivertek BOAs for almost 7 years without any issues. Not even a BOA failure. I've been very happy with them. I don't use them hiking much. Basically only from the truck to the water, and then all day in the water. I still don't see any wear on the sole, and no damage whatsoever on the uppers. I thought I would need cleats with these and bought a set with the boots. They are still in the bags. I don't know if my experience is typical or not, but they've made me really happy.
Drew, I found the same things to be true. Had the Simms light weight Boots and they started falling apart fairly quickly... I also found that they would collect sand, even though I was using hip waders with guards. I got the Orvis pros... they work great and are holding up well...
I really like my Orvis Ultralights still going strong after 4 seasons. I cover a lot of ground fishing backcountry streams so they have a lot of miles in them.
I used to guide for an outfitter that was Simms sponsored. Man I tore through boots. Then I moved to the west coast, and barnacles, long river hikes etc killed my last two simms. Then I bought the Orvis Pro boots and two pairs of Orvis Lightweight, game changer! The Pros are still going strong, and the one pair of Lightweights lasted 2.5yrs of hard, hard use on barnacles and hundreds of miles of hiking. Second pair is on 6 months and still going strong.
Cool, glad you put this one out. Im in the market for a new pair of boots myself, something more than just the wet wading by the truck variety. More times than not Im opting for more of a traditional gortex hiker that can shed some water quickly for those more than a couple miles hike in and fish. Im usually in more of a militaryesque Lowa Zephyr which is great for hiking and shedding water and drying fairly quickly but the traction in stream isn't what my wading boots are. Wading boots are often too clunky to put the miles in for me. I don't really care about price or brand or flashy little this's and that's , I just want something that works and is comfortable and durable.
Just to be fair Simms is right up front about the softer soles on the Access boot on their website and recommends other soles for durability if that’s the priority - this is an excellent light weight boot especially if your not looking to cleat or spike them and are prioritizing grip without adding anything to the soles - I have a pair and I love them - thanks for All your vids - I really enjoy them