Any Good? Simms Flyweight & Orvis Pro Wading Boots Reviewed

A comparison and review of these two different styles of #wadingboot from two of the heavyweights in #flyfishing. I review the Simms Flyweight and Orvis Pro Wading Boots after 2 years of use and hundreds of miles of walking.
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#simmsfishing #simms #orvis #orvisflyfishing #troutfishing #nzadventurer #nzflyfishing #flyfishing #productreview #kilwell

[@glenndotter5065]

Love my Orvis Pros.

[@nzadventurer]

They're a very solid boot right

[@rudyruiz9521]

Never tried the simms. But I have the newer Orvis Pros with the BOA and the Ultralight. I weighed them both and the UL are around 4 oz difference dry. Feel wise, I by far prefer the UL but they both do the job so far. I will say the PRO boots are much more stiff and haven't loosened up a whole lot after the first day of using them. Not a huge fan of that specifically. I wear a 9.5 and got the 10s. They fit fine with Orvis waders [booties] but with thick socks were a little too snug fishing in the cold. A quick solution was to switch foot insoles with my everyday shoes which were a bit thinner. Made all the difference. In summer they are very hot, but I have some foot issues and need solid boots to wade.

[@nzadventurer]

Thanks for the input 👍🏼

[@waitakifly]

Hi, I have a lot of Scottish blood, so Pro's were of the menu. Have been using Orvis Clearwater for 3 years and can't fault them apart from some slivers of rubber coming of the toe cap - minor issue really. I mostly wet-wade, a lot of the time clambering around rocky gorges. The Clearwater are also very comfortable as a hiking boot. Thanks for the review.

[@nzadventurer]

Yes they're expensive but at least if they last as there's nothing worse than stuff that falls apart. Anyone got any Intel on an economy option like an aliexpress sub $100 boot that's been OK?

[@loontil]

I've had the Patagonia (pretentious "we're making millions - whoops - I mean saving the earrrth" company) Foot Tractors since 2020. Only just crapping out now. Real supportive, quite meaty and heavy, also had aluminium(?) cleaty things on bottom which could be unscrewed ie replaced. I was lucky to pick em up half price from overseas/on net. Heard from a coupla guys that their Simms boots sh@t themselves after one year, so I'll be swerving those babies. My dad back in the seventies used to wear either a) dodgy massive waders, or b) sandshoes n shorts in warm months

[@nzadventurer]

Thanks for the input! I've been using salomon gtx hiking boots this season and they've been ace. $280 - so much cheaper too. Will see how they are after a season!

[@loontil]

@@nzadventurer been seriously considering reverting to the old man's sandshoe trick...It's such a jip to spend hundreds on nice looking - at first - boots, only to have them sh!t themselves after a year...

[@wildbillhiccup5845]

I use the light Simms with neoprene socks and normal socks under them , biggest walk I’ve done was 27 km in them and was surprised at now comfortable they where . I think being light will mean wearing out quickly but I’m not sure I’d do those distances in my old big boot type Simms as you say they feel like moon boots rather than shoes . I have noticed they let small stones in as the tongue is low each side , very small shingle gets in sometimes. I need them to last, time will tell I guess Good video too

[@nzadventurer]

Cheers! Right that's the same set-up I used on my big walks last season. I just wonder if two pairs of woollen socks will be cheaper and just as good given the price of neoprene socks and they wear out quickly. Thanks for your input on your gear 🙏

[@buzzramsey]

Another good option is canyon boots - nice and light and good ankle support. I have the la sportive tx canyon and they have been awesome. Designed to be wet all the time and come with the vibram wet sole. They drain really well to. I don’t know that I would go back to wading boots again. Good feedback though!

[@nzadventurer]

Wow those look great. Almost half the weight of wading boots. Will have to check the out I see they are available at gearshop www.gearshop.co.nz/products/la-sportive-tx-canyon-boot

[@buzzramsey]

@@nzadventurer 👍 sizing is a bit weird - they are two sizes bigger - so I take a size 10 normally but they are sized for a 5mm wading sock. I think if you buy your normal size it’s ok - i bought pair in an 8 too because in aus it’s warm and I don’t always want to wear wearing socks.

[@mikeabel1660]

I've been using the Simms Flyweight boots the last 3 seasons. I can't get a season out of them before they are falling apart. Averaging maybe 1.5 boots per season. Also would love to hear of any light weight wading/hiking boots that have more longevity to them...

[@nzadventurer]

You must love them if you've had 3 pairs though... That's says something for the comfort of them right?

[@mikeabel1660]

@@nzadventurer Yep for sure, I like them, I just wish they would last longer :)

[@nzadventurer]

@@mikeabel1660 cake them in stormsure!

[@nzadventurer]

Wading Boots do seem to cost a lot and be a mixed bag! For this summer wet wading I'm going to try using hiking books and thick woollen socks and see if there is any downside as I'm feeling perhaps all the type about the drainage and grip with specific wading boots may be overstated, and I've certainly noticed that neoprene wading socks have very poor durability while being very costly. Watch this space and anyone out there with suggestions please speak up 🎤

[@NeilgRichardson]

Thats how I waded years ago, boots fall apart in an incredibly short time. I moved to using Buller boots, a short lace up gumboot, but had to move to wading boots when they stopped making them. The only downfall with them was traction, but using studs helped heaps

[@jamesdunlop5796]

I enjoyed your review. Wading boots rarely fit your feet well enough for long walk ins - They are too wide or loose especially when wet- having been designed for a neoprene sock. Some manufacturers have moved into wet wading boots which should be better for walking. One option depending on the terrain is to carry the wading boots and walk in using something more suitable (walking shoes)which could even be left at the hut or in the bush. There's no point in walking down a 10 plus km track with a big pack with boots that don't fit well!

[@nzadventurer]

Very valid & makes sense! Do you think that the neoprene wading sock provides benefit outside of sandy / gravely rivers?

[@jamesdunlop5796]

@@nzadventurer Hi thanks for replying. If it's warm enough I just wear thick socks in my wading shoes but I would sometimes carry waders for those early summer days in South island where it was frosty in the morning but hot in the afternoon when I would take the waders off. I would take out the insole of my water shoes to accommodate the neoprene sock. What did you do on your bike trips?

[@nzadventurer]

@@jamesdunlop5796 I'm in a similar mindset. I'm not sure neoprene socks add anything over thick woollen sock (even 2 pair sometimes). For biking I've got large platform spd (older simano xtr) and the wading boots grip them pretty well - just leave the boots loose for ankle movement. Proper mtb shoes are better but been surprise how well the wading boots go for biking! Can't bike in waders tho only wet wading setup

[@waitakifly]

Sorry, Clearwater boots, have edited my comment!

[@nzadventurer]

They do look pretty good and a much more reasonable price👍🏼

[@YTBEN1045]

Those simms are not wading boots at all! They're sneakers or more like hiking shoes...

[@nzadventurer]

$400+ in NZ!

[@georgefairweathermoonlight4]

Do not buy the new simms fly weight, there useless, they shouldnt be in NZ, fall to pieces leaving foam n plastic through our rivers.. I ran those orvis boots this year they're good, i would say they're not as rigid as the simms guide boots, theyre big n clumsy, simms gear is going to shit they have the market dominated here, keen to know who was the distributer?

[@nzadventurer]

Interesting.... Cheers 👍🏼 manic tackle are the Simms croud in NZ and Kilwell for Orvis. Maybe Guideline will have their day or maybe someone out there can point us to a nice sub $100 aliexpress option? Any input appreciated folks 👏