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Best Wading Boots for Fishing in Every Season

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You wouldn’t wear the same shoes for hiking trails, walking on slippery rocks, in the sand, in the mud, in a boat, standing all day in the hot sun, or in water barely above freezing.

But that’s exactly what anglers want from wading boots, and we want them to be comfortable as well.

The best wading boots will perform in a wide variety of conditions, but how can you know which pair will fit your needs and your feet?

Best Wading Boots for Fishing on The Market

Korkers Greenback Wading Boots

Korkers Greenback Wading Boots
  • Traction: OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System adapts your...
  • Hydrophobic Materials: Faster dry times which lessen the...
  • Durability: Designed with abrasion-resistant materials and...
  • Available Sizes: 7-15 M, 8-12 W
  • Material: Rubberized abrasion-resistant Synthetic
  • Sole Material: Rubber
  • Weight: 5.75 lbs

Like other Korkers boots, Korkers Greenbacks provide you with the great option to swap between rubber or felt soles on the fly. The OmniTrax 3.0 interchangeable sole system boasts several sole options in addition to rubber and felt.

Korkers also offers studded felt, studded Vibram soles, and their Triple Threat sole can be fitted with studs, aluminum hex discs, or even full-width aluminum bars. The upper is made from durable synthetics that stand up very well to rough wading and abrasive rocks.

The synthetics prevent water absorption, which reduces weight and allows for faster drying. Weight is also reduced further by internal channels within the boot that allow faster drainage. For the best fit, Korkers recommends ordering a full shoe size larger than your normal footwear.

This is exactly what you are looking for in a high-quality wading boot. The ability to swap soles is really like having multiple pairs of boots, which can save you some serious coin while offering versatility.

Moreover, if you want to be extra sure that you aren’t carrying any invasive species, the removable soles allow you to bleach the felt soles separately from the boots.

Redington Skagit River Wading Boots

Redington Skagit River Wading Boots
  • Color: Bark
  • Used for fishing
  • Manufactured by Far banks
  • Available Sizes: 8-13
  • Material: Mesh panel with Rubber toe
  • Sole Material: Sticky Walnut Rubber or Felt
  • Weight: 4.7 lbs

Redington’s Skagit River is a great choice if you are a fly fisher in need of a rugged pair of boots at a reasonable price. The Skagit boot is available in both sticky rubber or felt soles.

The rubber soles are very grippy on their own, but they are also compatible with studs if you want additional gripping power. Skagit wading boots feature a reinforced toe and heel for support and protection.

Also, for extra protection and rugged abrasion resistance, Redington wrapped the Skagit boots with a high-sided rubber rand. One of the features that you usually won’t find in fishing boots in this price range is good ankle support.

Thankfully, Redington designed the Skagit to provide good, rigid ankle support to protect your ankles from twisting when you’re wading in bigger rocks. The ankle and collar have ample padding for additional protection and support.

Mesh panels on the upper part facilitate faster drainage, and the quick-draw lacing and speed loops made of anti-corrosive metals make it more durable for long days in saltwater.

Anglers recommend ordering a full shoe size larger than your normal footwear, particularly if you winter wade and use warm socks. We prefer rubber soles, and Redington recommends Goat Head Spikes if you want to add extra traction to the sticky rubber sole.

Sometimes that extra traction can save you a headache in slippery conditions. The Redington Skagit River is a durable and comfortable choice if you are in the market for affordable boots for your fishing trips.

Korkers Buckskin Mary Wading Boots

Korkers Buckskin Mary Wading Boots
  • Fast Drying: Hydrophobic materials = faster dry times which...
  • Durability: Enhanced midsole, scratch rubber toe cap...
  • Internal Drainage: Water flows thru internal channels then...
  • Available Sizes: 8-12 W
  • Material: Hydrophobic
  • Sole Material: OmniTrax Interchangeable
  • Weight: 4.5 lbs

Korkers Buckskin Mary offers more than just contemporary looks. They’re also comfortable and capable for serious women anglers. They come with interchangeable sole system which allows you to swap soles when needed.

In addition to rubber and felt, Korkers offers studded felt, studded Vibram soles, and their Triple Threat sole can be fitted with studs, aluminum hex discs, or full-width aluminum bars. And the rubber toe cap and side panels increase durability.

The noncorrosive lacing hardware and heel lock provide a secure fit that reduces heel lift while walking. Korkers is really smart about incorporating hydrophobic materials into their design to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Another benefit of the use of synthetic materials is faster dry times. Korkers doesn’t insulate their boots as heavily as some other manufacturers do, which is no big deal. You’ll just want some extra room for warm socks or neoprene booties while cold water wading.

Since Korkers recommends sizing up one whole size larger than your normal shoe size, you may want to consider a full size and a half if you fish a lot of cold water. It’s definitely better to have a boot that fits you a little big on occasion rather than have super cold and uncomfortable feet.

We really like that Korkers boots can swap soles. That feature alone can save you some cash because it is really like having multiple pairs of boots, and the removable soles provide the ability to clean your felt thoroughly to fend off invasive species.

With a fashionable look, innovative design, and great price, we gladly give Korkers Buckskin Mary our stamp of approval.

Redington Willow River Wading Boots

Redington Willow River Wading Boots
  • Supportive, lightweight, and quick drying
  • Rubber toe cap for added abrasion resistance
  • Deep draw lacing with molded, non-corrosive metal hardware
  • Available Sizes: 6-10 W
  • Material: Mesh panel with Rubber toe
  • Sole Material: Sticky Walnut Rubber or Felt
  • Weight: 3.8 lbs

The Willow has a sharp look and offers a huge value in a tremendously capable boot. Redington offers the Willow in both sticky rubber or felt soles and their rubber soles are very grippy, but they are also stud compatible if you know you are going to face particularly slippery surfaces.

Redington wrapped the Willow boots with high-sided rubber rand for rugged abrasion resistance and additional protection. Willow boots also feature a reinforced toe and heel for support and protection.

They offer a lot of comfort compared to other boots in this price range. Redington designed the Willow with a padded collar around the ankle to protect your ankles from bumps and scrapes.

The upper also has good rigidity to support your ankle, which reduces the chance of twisted ankles. The lacing system features speed loops and deep-draw lacing with anti-corrosive metal hardware.

The upper panels are made from synthetic mesh to facilitate fast drainage. Women also comment that they recommend purchasing a size or even a size and a half larger than your normal shoe size.

If you fish in cold water for steelhead or salmon during the spring melt then you really need that extra room for warm socks.

We recommend rubber soles whenever possible, and for extra grip,neoprene-lined Redington recommends Goat Head Spikes. That extra grip can save you from ripped waders or even a broken rod in slippery conditions.

We don’t hesitate to recommend the Redington Willow River Wading Boots as a fashionable and comfortable option that comes in at a terrific price.

Redington Crosswater Youth Wading Boots

  • Available Sizes: 2-6
  • Material: Mesh panel with Rubber toe
  • Sole Material: Sticky Walnut Rubber
  • Weight: 1.32 lbs

Young anglers need to be comfortable on the water, so they can enjoy themselves and hopefully reel in a lot of fish. Redington produced the Crosswater specifically with the comfort of young anglers in mind.

The upper is stitched from a high denier rugged nylon to withstand the scrapes and abrasion that goes hand in hand with kids wading. And the high coverage rubber rand wraps the boot with a layer of durability that is ready to take on the harshest conditions.

We really like that the Crosswater has a neoprene-lined collar and that the interior is neoprene lined as well. That adds a huge comfort factor to these wading boots.

The deep-draw lacing also helps to hold your child’s foot securely. The great lacing system and speed loops help to prevent heel lift and discomfort from friction or blisters.

Like all boots in the Redington line, Crosswater wading boots feature a sticky rubber sole that is also stud compatible. Even though these boots provide excellent grip, we highly recommend the addition of studs with youth wading boots.

It is really worthwhile to give your kids that extra level of traction to avoid trips and falls that might cause water to accidentally enter their waders.

The beneficial and comfortable designs combined with an attractive price make the Crosswaters from Redington our choice for the best youth wading boots.

Features to Look For

Proper Fit

Trout fishing and cold water go hand-in-hand. When the fish are smashing streamers or rising for dry flies, the last thing you want is to have your day cut short because your feet are uncomfortable.

Keeping your feet warm in cold water is dependent on maintaining good circulation. Cold water fishing can be especially taxing if you have boots that fit too tightly.

The stocking foot on your waders will take up some space in your wading boots. But you also want some additional room for warm socks. And even with additional socks, you’ll want to be sure your boots provide enough extra room to avoid compressing your feet.

Good Grip

We recommend rubber-soled wading boots. Felt-soled boots provide excellent grip on really slick rocks, but they have a terrible grip on most of the other surfaces.

More than one angler has punctured their waders because they slipped on dry pine needles or a muddy hillside. Most manufacturers produce stud-compatible rubber soles which give a distinct advantage to rubber-soled boots in and out of the water.

If you are doing even a little hike-in fishing, rubber soles make much more sense. Rubber soles can save you from damaging your expensive gear, or worse.

Unwelcome Hitchhikers

The other reason we recommend rubber-soled boots is due to invasive species. Invasive plant life like didymosphenia geminata destroys entire trout streams and hides within the tiny cavities of felt-soled boots.

In fact, some states have banned felt-soled boots completely in an attempt to stop the spread of invasives.

With that in mind, rubber-soled boots may allow you to fish more water that might be off-limits by purchasing felt-soled boots. However, there are some wading conditions where felt soles provide unmatched traction.

FAQs

What size wading boots should you get?

When buying wading boots, always choose a size larger than your regular street shoes to ensure comfort and safety. If you wear a half size, go up one and a half sizes. It’s better to have a slightly larger boot than one that’s too tight, but make sure your foot doesn’t slide around too much.

Are all wading boots waterproof?

Not all wading boots are waterproof, and water will likely get in when you’re in a stream for hours. Instead, prioritize boots with a good drainage system to let water out quickly, making them lighter and reducing your energy use.

Can you wear wading boots without waders?

Yes, you can wear them without waders. Some people prefer to avoid the trouble of putting on waders. They may be fishing in water that doesn’t come up very high on their legs. Or it may be an especially hot day, and they just don’t feel like the uncomfortable sweat-soaked experience of wearing waders with the sun beating down on them.

What socks with wading boots?

It’s best to wear neoprene wading socks with stocking foot waders to keep your feet warm and secure. Regular street socks get wet and sloppy, making you less steady. Neoprene socks keep your feet dry and properly fill out your wading boots for better stability.

Conclusion

Anglers who are just getting started in the sport of fly fishing need entry-level gear.

Even the most experienced fly anglers usually start with inexpensive fishing gear and upgrade as needed.