Wet wading socks for the flats

[MarkZ]

What are the best socks to prevent sores for wet wading? I still have the scars from last years Bahamian flats adventure:eek:. I've been told wool or neoprene. Looks like Simms has a sock made specifically for wet wading and I've seen neoprene from 1 to 3mm thickness.

[Swalt]

I like to wear a thin liner sock and a neoprene booty on top of that. As long as I keep the boot tight I have not had a problem.

[backwater]

I've used the Simms boots with the Simms wet wading sock and I've used neoprene booties. Now, I use the Bite Footwear Flats Boots. Its a combination of the best features of both types of boots. You get a solid toe area and bottom, and you get great arch support. More like a sneaker. And you get the benefit of a neoprene upper to prevent sand getting in and the chaffing that you get with the Simms boots. I don't wear a sock with them and I am normally prone to chaffing on my ankles.

One other thing about wearing socks. This might be just me, but after a day of wading, my socks are in really filthy, smelly, terrible condition. I used to wash them out, but that was a pain. Then I just bought a cheap package of socks from Walmart and threw them away each day. The problem is that bringing 5 or 6 pairs of sock for a week of fishing takes up space. Now, I don't even bother to pack a single pair.

I can't find a single fault with mine. They are very durable, comfortable, and I can wear them all day on the casting deck.

[MarkZ]

Backwater, I used Bite Primals last time and they chewed me up good. I was in them about 8 days and cover a lot of ground. Got blisters on top of my big toe joint and on both heels. Did you try the 1mm neoprene or the 2.5mm booties? Are the wet wading socks any good?

[backwater]

I've never tried using a neoprene sock. I have used the Simms wet wading socks and they worked pretty well. They're long enough so you double them back over to keep out sand, but you still get a little sand in the boot no matter what. I'm surprised to hear that the Bite Primals didn't work out for you. When those came along, I thought they were the best I've ever used. I really like the contoured footbed. It gives me great foot support when I'm standing on the casting deck. Barefoot or neoprene booties wouldn't work for me.

[MarkZ]

I agree that they have excellent support. I wouldn't have a prob standing on the casting deck, but I mostly love to wade and that's when I'll get sand intrusion and the subsequent chaffing. I'm hoping that the socks will help, so I think I'll order the 1mm neoprene and the wet wading socks to see what helps the most. Thx for the imput.

[Swalt]

One thing to keep in mind when using the neoprene sock is that you need to use a boot that is 1/2 or maybe a size larger. I have tried a number of boots but I still use the old style Marlwalker I. Came back to them after trying Simms and the new style Marlwalkers. My original pair still are in decent shape but I got another to put in the closet and save for later when i found some on sale. My regular shoe size is 9.5 so i use a size 10.

[Bjusbones]

I wear a pair of midweight ski socks and use Chota neoprene gravel guards over the top of the boot. I always get the boot a size larger. I did get minor chafing at the top of my Cabelas flats sneakers last trip. I'll be on Acklins doing alot of walking, trying the Bite primals this trip. Guy I was with last year loved them.

cc charlie

[Onshore]

I've had no problem with nylong socks inside the Simms Wading Shoe but, I agree that the fit has to be tight with no movement inside the boot.

[peanuts]

You can't beat simm wet wading socks with a pair of thin trainer socks inside

[Strat]

I go with white cotton tube socks inside of the simms flats boots and throw them away at the end of the trip. Never had a problem even on coral flats.

[MarkZ]

Just to report back I brought 2 pairs of Simms wet wading socks I interchanged from day to day while letting the other pair dry out. Along with the Bite Primals it worked out great with 0 chaffing for 2 weeks of heavy walking. Thx for all the contribution guys.

[Spiral]

From what I can tell Bite Primals are not being made any more?

I loved mine. After some hard used time on the flats they finally fell apart las year and I have looked all over for them, to no avail. So I had to go to a pair of Simms.


I think with any wading boot, proper size and fit has more to do with it than anything. Two people can have the same boot but if one doesn't fit right they'll hate them even though they are the best boot out there.