Beginners Guide to Fly Fishing Wading Boots

What we wish we knew about purchasing Wading Boots. Chris Niccolls from Bow River Troutfitters shows you the ins-and-outs of wading boots. Whether you are looking for your first pair or wanting to upgrade we have what you need at bowrivertroutfitters.com

[@JoelSzymczyk]

I appreciate your common sense and real world approach to your videos.

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

I appreciate that! Thanks for the encouragement.

[@andrewmcdowell1291]

Thanks for sharing Chris. I definitely learned a few new things to keep in mind.

[@idahocartel]

Miss your camera reviews 😮

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Great video!

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

Thanks! We appreciate it.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Nice review. I have had fhe fly weight access boots for a season now and they are still holding up well with only cosmetic wear so far. The grip on the soles is pretty good. Hopefully they will last another season. I'm yet to find a mid range boot that can last more than two seasons of heavy wade fishing. The volcanic rocks in NZ seem to just wear anything down. Maybe I'll try a pair G3 or G4s one day.

[@niccollsvideo]

I’m not a huge fan of the G3 boots only because they are quite heavy. I have the older G4 which I like but they’ve suffered some minor damage. Stilling holding solid though. I imagine your flyweights will last you at least a couple more seasons

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

@niccollsvideo I'm hoping so. I fish a lot more than the average angler so also understand I'm a bit extreme on gear. Did two solid days up and down rivers just last week and before the end of the season I'll have probably have put a couple of hundred river kms on them. Good to know the G3s are heavy, that will be good for winter here but I do too much walking for summer. Probably better off with a pair of flyweights for the more hiking heavy trips.

[@dudekiwi]

Can you make a video of fitting Hard Bite Studs to a pair of Tributary Wading boots please. signed sore body from to may slips and falls NZ.

[@williamparker6649]

Very informative video. My greatest problem is my 6e extra wide feet. Unless I go up 3 sizes I have not found a boot comfortable to wade and hike in. Any suggestions?

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

Hi William. That's a tough situation. Simms boots are made EEE sized so I think you'd be in the same boat unfortunately, but they are some of the widest on the market. I hear Patagonia boots are quite slender.

[@williamparker6649]

Thank you very much for your reply!

[@aln6242]

On the Simms G3, is that plastic piece on the back ankle used for anything? Thanks.

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

It's used as a rugged pull tab to help you seat your foot down in the boot. Most of the new boots have gone to a fabric loop instead.

[@zacharyduncan914]

Fishing the bow river would you recomend studs?

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

It's not the most slippery river ever but it has it's moments, especially in spring time before run-off. Most people get by without studs in the Bow, but it can be useful and certainly doesn't hurt. I'd just make sure you have some studless boots for drift boat use.

[@thomaskong5]

What about felt vs rubber soles?

[@niccollsvideo]

We generally choose not to carry felt in the shop. Although they do offer excellent grip on wet rocks, they are slippery on grass, don’t handle trails and hiking particularly well, and easily transfer viruses and parasites from one watershed to another. In many areas like national parks they are outright banned.

[@danwesson2485]

Are the G3 & G4 Guide boot waterproof?

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

Waterproof, obviously in that they don't degrade from the water but they are intended to be fully immersed and let all the water in, they are to be used with either waterproof waders or as a wet wading boot with neoprene socks. They do not keep your feet dry in any way.

[@hondafication]

CHRIS NicColls? THE CHRIS NICCOLLS FROM DP REVIEWS?

[@BowRiverTroutfittersCalgary]

Thatsa Me!

[@rickmorse9884]

My first and only experience with a rubber-soled wading boot (Simms G3 Vibram Idrogrip sole) almost cost me my life. If I hadn't been wearing an inflatable life vest, I would have drowned. Rubber soles of any kind are NO WHERE NEAR as slip resistant as a felt sole. What a waste of $450 ... I put my life ahead of concerns about transferring invasive species.

[@olivertwist4407]

Question your local flyshop who sold you the rubber soled wafing boots. Rubber soles are slippery without studs they are not safe

[@springteen3743]

If Ian paying 200 dollars for a pair of boots then should have all of the features of 300 dollars. Cause 200 usd is already big money for a pair of boots. I think this is all scam from simms companies 🤪

[@riverwalker2173]

I bought a pair of felt sole Freestone's 5 years ago on a closeout deal for a C note. Haven't had any problems with them. They're comfy & durable & I put my boots through hell on slick bouldery tributary streams.