Which wading boot do you like?

[Bonecrusher]

I'm considering buying the Orvis Pull-on flats hiker for $49. Seems like a pretty good boot for the price comepared to the Simms and other boots in the $130 range.

I only get to flats fish once (maybe rarely twice) a year so I don't want to make too big an investment. In the past, I've purchased the cheap water shoes you can get at any Sportsmart for 7.99 and those served the purpose and I just threw them out at the end of the trip. These are also convenient if I'm going somewhere that I might get to fish but not everyday and I don't want to take too much heavy gear. The water shoes are cheap, light and easy on/off but don't provide as good of protection as a 'flats boot' but I've never had coral or anything poke through (but again, after 4-5 days of wading, their useful life is nearly up).

Comments on the Orvis boot?

BTW, heading to middle Andros in 2 weeks!

[Tarpon41]

Check out angler's pro in souderton pa...got simms old style for 69 but limited sizes...I use simms andros...I only use pull ons or bootie type last resort cannot always wade hard or sand and mud tends to pull them off...I got one size larger than regular and use a patogonia wading sock to keep the junk out. Also I broke mine in by wearing them with socks for a weekend on dry land...IMHO if you are going to M 'Pleasant Andros for DIY and lots of wading I would use Simms or Marl Walkers

[BobG]

Years ago, I bought a pair of Cabelas wading boots, and could not have been happier.:brow Short $$$ at the time (probably still are comparatively speaking), wore them countless times, loaned them to a buddy, and they're still fine. The only thing you need to maintain is the zipper on the side of the boot. It's some odd plastic /metal combination, and if left untreated will corrode. Some vegetable oil and candle wax on the zipper itself, and it's as good as new.

On a related note, DON'T be tempted to go with water shoes, sandals, or worse yet, sneakers!(#$119) Walking on sand is fine, but you're rarely walking on sand. You be in marl, mangroves, coral, mud/muck with shells in it and your feet and ankles will get cut to ribbons. Also, the sand and mud will work it's way into your sneakers of ater shoes, and wear your feet raw.
Flats boots give you protection above your ankles.

[Bonecrusher]

Years ago, I bought a pair of Cabelas wading boots, and could not have been happier.:brow Short $$$ at the time (probably still are comparatively speaking), wore them countless times, loaned them to a buddy, and they're still fine. The only thing you need to maintain is the zipper on the side of the boot. It's some odd plastic /metal combination, and if left untreated will corrode. Some vegetable oil and candle wax on the zipper itself, and it's as good as new.

On a related note, DON'T be tempted to go with water shoes, sandals, or worse yet, sneakers!(#$119) Walking on sand is fine, but you're rarely walking on sand. You be in marl, mangroves, coral, mud/muck with shells in it and your feet and ankles will get cut to ribbons. Also, the sand and mud will work it's way into your sneakers of ater shoes, and wear your feet raw.
Flats boots give you protection above your ankles.

As stated, I've used water shoes on my last 5 trips, all over the Bahamas as well as Cayman, BVI, USVI, etc. While they may not be the optimal choice, they're cheap, light, easy to pack and can be thrown out after your last day fishing. I too wear socks and while it doesn't keep out 100% of the same, they're functional. Other than normal rubbing and soreness, I've never really damaged my foot ankle wearing watershoes. The main detractor is that they come appart at the seams, don't provide any ankle support, and don't keep out debris as well as a 'flats boot' would.

[catchsteelhead]

Buy some real flats boots. You can use them for years, and even if you only fish a few times a year, the investment pays off. Your feet are the most often-overlooked resource you have on the flats! I use Simms Flats Sneakers. Watch on EBay as you can typically get them for less than $70. I heard a rumor that they are being re-designed for 2010, so there is likely inventory that shops are/will be unloading.

[sweet+salt]

I too have heard that the Simms flats shoes are being redesigned for next season as the Patagonia Marlwalkers were for this year. I use the Patagonia boots and they provide excellent support, protection and reliability. Not only have I seen anglers' flats trips painfully impacted by not being outfitted with quality wading boots but, it seems to me, that if you are spending the money to travel to a flats fishing destination, it is illogical not to invest in good footwear, rods and reels that you use over and over again on subsequent adventures.

[Swalt]

So, another design coming out. I prefer the original Marlwalkers. They may be hard to get off but you have them on all day. They fit me better than the newer ones and provide good protection and ankle support. I tried the II's and didn't like them as much and went back to the old style.
I still use the original pair I got in 2002 but I purchased a second pair last year when I found some on sale for under $50.00. Those will stay in the box till the old ones wear out. If you look you may find some still out there at a bargain price and I have seen them on ebay.