Let's talk Wading Boots...One brand is killing it! Simms or Orvis - the truth!

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:

#flyfishing #fishingtips #troutfishing

[AnthonyCottrell-jq]

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.

[gt_outdoorexcursions]

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.

[angustroutman]

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.

[UtahWaterLog]

I put serious dry miles in my Orvis UL's. Super impressed! They are starting to show wear, but they earned their scars. I am a footwear abuser, so anything over a couple of years is very durable. These have been mine for a few years now and still hold up. Great great boots.

I was considering the Simms Featherweight, but didn't like the tread or the tread depth.

[Trailridersusa]

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.

[Trvlhnt]

This is good intel! Thanks. My Simms experience has been similar. Comfy but not lasting very long.

[jeremyvelkoff]

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...

[stonefly]

Great review, Drew. Thorough, honest and as a western fisherman I appreciate the inclusion of what we have to do. Great vid!

[danlight]

Orvis ultralight boots rock! Great recommendation Drew. I wore them on a Lookn' Fishy style trip dispersed camping and fly fishing for 9 straight weeks last summer in Wyoming. I put a lot of hiking and wading miles on them and expect to use them all summer this year too.

[bram_goes_fishing]

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.

[allendks]

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.

[easttnflyfreak]

great review this why I went to korkers boots I can change the soles for hiking then change it for fishing tight lines !

[craigborrenpohl]

Thanks for sharing your experience. More than 100 days in my basic Simms boots with only a broken lace convinced me to try them again. Went with the G4 Pro Powerlock but appreciate knowing Orvis might be a viable option if these wear quickly.

[Highrockman]

I have both the Orvis Ultralites and the Pro Boas ..I love both ..THe Boas are my go to boot for most occasions and I use the ultra lites for any hike in fishing.. both great and I'm very happy!

[scottmacdonald]

I love my Orvis Pro wading boots and have recently got the Orvis Pro Hybrid wading boot and really love them for snotty slippery rocks. Guiding many days a year on the Kings and the Sequoias in them and have not worn them out! My clients all use the ultra lights and they beat them up but they still keep going. Good review. Tight lines.

[gbold]

I’ve been running Dryft Waders and Korkers. Just closing out my 4th season of steelhead fishing and have no complaints. Waders wear like iron and the boots have been excellent. Boots are starting to look rough but I beat them mercilessly

[wawywawo]

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

[RandallW]

Surprised.
I have a pair of Simms M’s Flyweight for a couple of years. They’ve survived fishing in CO & NM. As well as hiking for many many miles including almost two weeks portaging in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Honestly, I’d buy another pair today…

[kingfisher]

I agree Drew. Those simms flyweights are comfortable but that’s where it ends. Even with grip studs, I’ve fallen too many times and the soles get eaten too fast

[MikePGuitars]

Yeah man. I got a pair of the Orvis ultralights and for the price I expected to get one, maybe two seasons out of them. I fish all seasons, all weather, and don’t take particular care of my boots. They freeze and thaw and stay wet for days on end. But I’m entering my fourth spring with them now and they are still 90%+. Only very, very minor wear. Super, super happy with them. I wish I could say the same of their low end waders.