Best wader boots for extensive walking
Contributors to this thread:Bears
From: SDHNTR(home)
21-Oct-18
Got a Brown Bear hunt booked for next fall and know I’ll be living in waders for a lot of it. I’ve got stocking foot Cabelas Dry Plus waders with neoprene booties. The boots I have know are some cheap Cabelas jobbers and they are awful if you have to walk much. Anybody recommend something good for walking?
From: muskeg
21-Oct-18
Just get yourself some good quality wading boots … to go with the stocking foot waders you already have.
From: SDHNTR(home)
21-Oct-18
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m asking for.
From: mrelite
22-Oct-18
Simms Guide G-3 boots with Vibram soles are pretty darn good, I wore them for 15 days straight on float hunt in Alaska, at times I walked 2 to 4 miles up and down the river and never had a single issue, I actually couldn't believe how comfortable they were. My buddy had a cheap pair of boots and he was really bumming at times, especially when the temps got cold, his feet were screwed up for a month after the hunt.
From: Aubs8
22-Oct-18
I have used the Cabela's dry plus waders 2xs for AK sheep hunts and have been pleased wearing them 100% of the time. This year I wore the Cabela's boots and really liked them because they were light....not durable and probably wouldn't last multiple hunts.
My guide wears the Simms waders with Simms boots. They are more durable.
Good luck! Mike
From: altitude sick
22-Oct-18
Last Sept moose hunt I Used Goretex waders with neoprene booties. Orvis wading boots with studs screwed into sole. I also wore a light microtex type. Quick drying pants over them to quiet them down and protect them. Very comfy. I have tried rubber ankle fit hip boots, they are too heavy, do not breath and rubbed my feet.
From: MQQSE
22-Oct-18
Simms!!!! No contest. Expensive but worth it.
From: Holdout4Nice1
22-Oct-18
I used the Simms Vapor wading boot this year on a moose hunt and was happy with them. I didn't expect them to be all that comfortable compared to a nice hiking boot but they were really good.
From: ground hunter
22-Oct-18
I use a great boot, and my stocking fit Cabela Herters hip boots. they are so light and easily roll up for in the pack, when not needed..... heck I own 2 pairs, but never needed the back up,,,,, you stay dry, and your legs will thank you.....
From: LKH
22-Oct-18
I walked a lot in different ankle fit waders over about a 15 year period.
The most important thing was to have some plastic grocery sacks over my socks. Without them my feet would sweat and I couldn't get them off without help.
From: Gus
22-Oct-18
Simms with the Vibram soles.
From: Nick Muche
22-Oct-18
I'm taking Simms chest waders and a pair of Mucks this week for brown bear. Won't be walking too much though.
From: Willieboat
22-Oct-18
Another vote for Simms
From: Treeline
22-Oct-18
Waist high waders and Simms boots.
I love my Cabelas waist high breathable waders. Have over 8 hard years on them from Alaska to Argentina both fishing and hunting and they are still holding up to all day hiking and wading. Incredible value!
From: Reload
22-Oct-18
G3 Simms boot. 13 day float hunt this past Sept and couldn't believe how comfortable they were. FWIW, resale value on these boots are outstanding if you want to dump them after your hunt. Good luck!
From: SDHNTR(home)
22-Oct-18
Perfect. Exactly what I needed. Will look into Simms models.
From: TEmbry
23-Oct-18
Simms guide boots without a close second. I've spent I don't even know how many days in mine and they are still in great condition. If it wasn't for getting so hot in waders, I prefer walking in them (boot wise) 10 to 1 over rubber boots.
From: bb
23-Oct-18
bb's Link
Simms make great waders and boots. Here is another excellent option especially for doing a lot of walking.
From: Trial153
23-Oct-18
Simms g3 are what I have now. My previous version of them had probably 100 days a year fishing and guiding on the for steelhead over 4 or 5 years.
From: smarba
23-Oct-18
Haven't seen them in person, but the new Sitka waders are said to outperform Simms. And camouflaged meant for hunting.
From: 76aggie
23-Oct-18
Just one caveat on the Simms. I had an eyelet pull out on a brand new pair of Simms boots. Customer service was excellent and they replaced them with a brand new pair. However, they were not comfortable for a 14 day float. They did the job but were not comfortable. I replaced them with a much cheaper pair of White River from BPS. Extremely comfortable. I am taking them on another float in 2019. I was not completely sold on the White River brand and I really did not think they would hold a candle to the Simms. I took the Simms on a salmon trip this summer and they did the trick for me perfectly with no signs of any issues. Just my experience.
From: SDHNTR(home)
02-Nov-18
Ok so I got a pair of G3 boots. While trying them on I think I identified a problem with my Cabelas Dry Plus waders. The neoprene stockingfoot has too much excess material, so it wads up in the boot. Does Simms or anyone else make waders with better fitting stocking feet? More specific foot sizing to avoid the excess material?
From: bb
04-Nov-18
They all have a range of sizes for the foot...thus excess material. Each manufacturer is a little different, some have thicker neoprene. generally you have to buy a few sizes larger wading boot than regular boot size. for example I have the same manufacturer waders and wader boots, I normally wear a size 9 shoe, with my wading boot it's a size 11. wear heavy wool socks under the neoprene and then try on the boots with the waders you're going to use. That's the best way to make sure your wading boot will fit.
From: Surfbow
04-Nov-18
SDHNTR, Simms actually cuts 'right' and 'left' booties for the waders to better fit your feet, where many of the cheaper brands (like Cabelas) just have a universal shape that ends up leaving a bunch of excess material. Simms also has a smaller shoe size range for the neoprene booties that is stock with each wader size, however, they also have a custom shop that can sew on different size booties for a small fee if your feet run large or small, very worth it!