Northwest Fishing Reports

Ok, I am buying new boots and I need a little advice.

I am trying to decide between the Korker Chrome or the Rivershed II BOA felt soled wading shoes. I really like the idea of the BOA lacing system because it seems as though it would achieve tight, even pressure with very little effort. Most reviews I have read for the BOA system also insist it's very durable and carries a lifetime warranty. So, with this in mind I have narrowed it down to these two boots.

At first I only wanted the Simms Rivershed II felt bottoms but I am a little worried that before I wear them out they will ban felt bottoms in WA. Anyone know if this is a realistic possibility? The only comparable boot is the Chrome but I have read some pretty questionable (among many favorable) reviews about them. Anyways, thanks in advance.

-BC

I switched from felt to titanium studs and never looked back. They work MUCH better for me on all surfaces (but they will tear the crap out of gas/brake pedals, boat floors etc. )
Just my $0.02

I recently bought the Simms ones. I know you didn't ask about the Simms but I'll give a little input. I was first worried about buying the Simms BOA because the reviews were all 1 or 5 stars, most people love them but there was a consistent amount of complaints about them breaking so I asked around at Outdoor emporium, 3 rivers, and some fly shop in mill creek and all 3 said they had never heard of them breaking. I have used them 4 times now and have never been so comfortable and so incredibly easy to put on and take off, especially after a long cold day when your hands are numb, no problem what so ever taking them off/on

bcustom1 wrote: At first I only wanted the Simms Rivershed II felt bottoms but I am a little worried that before I wear them out they will ban felt bottoms in WA. Anyone know if this is a realistic possibility?
-BC

It doesn't look like it is going to be anytime soon or if at all.
http://www.stopans.org/Felt_Bans.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Gringo Pescador wrote:I switched from felt to titanium studs and never looked back. They work MUCH better for me on all surfaces (but they will tear the crap out of gas/brake pedals, boat floors etc. )
Just my $0.02

How many of the items described above. Have you customized with your titanium studs? Mostly interested in the boat floors......ouch!

I too, am curious about felt soled shoes, and there possible ban. Cause I have a new pair of Simms to break in. NOT the BOA style. So, no help.

I splurged last year and was looking at the similar boots. I was buying the cheap stuff and going through a pair a season, sides were splitting, felt soles were comeing off, etc. I looked at Simms BOA, my thoughts were the same as gfakkema, another mechanical piece that's exposed to harsh elements that just has a risk of breaking. I looked at the Korker and didn't have a warm feeling of interchangable soles, I didn't think it could handle the abuse.

I ended up with Simms Rivershed with metal studs.

Some great stuff here guys, thanks a ton for the advice. Seems people either love or hate the BOA system. I did notice that Simms doesn't offer the BOA lacing on their Guide boots and that the Guide boot isn't really much more money than their BOA Rivershed II. Is the Guide boot a significantly better boot than the Rivershed II?

bcustom1 wrote:Some great stuff here guys, thanks a ton for the advice. Seems people either love or hate the BOA system. I did notice that Simms doesn't offer the BOA lacing on their Guide boots and that the Guide boot isn't really much more money than their BOA Rivershed II. Is the Guide boot a significantly better boot than the Rivershed II?

The fact that the guide model does not have the BOA system. Tells me a bunch about the durability of the system, when placed in everyday use! As compared to the weekend warrior.

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Yeah, that same thought went through my head, also. Durability, support, and comfort are the most important aspects for me. I thought with a high end simms product I may be able to get all of that and the BOA system. But, since either way I'll be dropping around $200 on boots my main concern is getting enjoyable use out of them for a couple years. I fish 2 - 4x per week from the bank and enjoy hiking/wading to fishy water.

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After reading reviews on the BOA's, and talking to a few snowboarders I know, I bought a set of Rivershed boots with the Vibram soles in December when they were on sale at Sportco, and with my feet being in as bad a shape as they are (too many years in poorly fitting work boots), I am very happy with them. It's hard for me to find good footwear that doesn't cause more problems for me, and while this is my first set of wading boots, they are pretty snug with doubled up wool socks, fit excellent with one pair of heavy wool socks. Went with 1 size over my normal fit, after trying on the waders at the same time, Simms Headwaters, which I ended up buying too.

6 times out so far with them, and so far so good. Fit is great, comfortable for all day long, and while I can't compare the grip of the sole to anything else, I imagine the studs would be a huge benefit in the water on rocks/logs.

do studs work good on all or most rivers? thinking about the Cowlitz up at the dam. don't want felts so what else would be good? thanks

Outlaw

Yeah, if you dont want felt then studs are probably the next best thing

I own a pair of Korkers Metalheads and i LOVE them. They are built tough, comfortable, and will protect your feet! even from a drift boat running over your foot in shallow water! (dont ask haha). The inter-changeable soles are awesome to be able to changed from felt to rubber to studded soles is definitely a plus! Only problem I've had was sometime this year they seemed to "deteriorate". Although some of my friends with the same boots never seemed to have that problem. But after calling Korkers and telling them about my problem, I had a new pair in no time. They have awesome customer service and that is what gets my business. My advice to you would be to go out there and try them on. See which one fits comfortably and you feel you could fish in for long periods of time.

thanks guy's, I'll look into the korkers metalheads.

Outlaw