How often do you replace your boots?

[DoubleHaul]

I'm thinking about the cost per year and how the high priced boots work out financially over the years vs. mid priced boots.

 

[Pete]

Went through 2 sets of "cheap" boots, and one mid priced pair from the late 1950s to the early 1980s.

Then I lucked out with a set of Red Ball "Master" waders that appear to be lasting forever (never leaked), with occasional replacement felt soles.

 

[AKSkim]

When I try to price out anything, as a general rule I usually estimate the number of times (realistically) I will use that item.

Then base the cost of the item over the number of times I will use it and any other associated costs over a five year period.

Clothing and shoes will be very hard to determine its value.

However, if the clothing keeps you cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather, you can't place a value on it.

Wading shoes if they provide support and comfort, then that is where the real value in the shoes come in to play.

What is the cost of a slip or twisted ankle?

If you have the money, go for the best there is regardless of the cost. DH as you are well aware of, the higher priced item is not always the best for you.

Like you people who fish the ADK's hike into many areas, so a hiking boot would be wise to have, wading in the stream felt bottoms to keep you from slipping, and when it turns to the fall you head out to the Salmon River cleats are a requirements.

I think I just described a pair of Korkers.

 

[millrun]

I find that I wear out felt soles well before I wear out the boots The cost of a professional replacement of felt soles is about sixty dollars and since I have not had great success replacing the soles myself, I have decided to buy less expensive boots and replace them when the soles wear out.

 

[DoubleHaul]

The reason I ask is I am retiring my Fogg Toggg HellBenders after 2 years of faithful service. They aren't spent yet but definately won't make a third season (saving them for client boots). I think I spent 65 buck.

I fish hard and get to spend my entire summer fishing- hey, I'm a school teacher. If you had 3 months off you would fish every day too.

Back to make a long story longer- my buddy (also a flyfishing school teacher) went through a pair of 179 dollar Simms boots quicker than my Toggs. We both fish about the same time & terrain and give the same care (little to none). HMMMMM??
We kept track of time on the water last year and added a small "fudge" factor. We spend between 500 to 600 hours a season in wading boots.

I would estimate that 1000 hours of normal/hard use is about it for any boot out there. I'm thinking about the Cabelas that lace up high above the ankle.

Bottom line- Are Super expensive boots really that much better? If they are, I would buy them. I'm really not into "nameplate" value, just value.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi DH,
During the summer months I fish almost everyday with out fail my first pair of cheapo's wore out reather quickly. I purchased a pair of the Cabela's guide boots and have been really pleased with them and have had them for 5 years now and can say they are in very good shape for the use they have seen. I no longer wear them for winter fishing so I am sure they will last for a long time to come. I bought a pair of Korkers this fall to fish in the winter with and they are the ticket for snow, ice , mudd and slippery rocks.

 

[Bamboozle]

I found that like street shoes, fit & comfort come with a price. Longevity is related to quality so unfortunately you will spend a bit more for longer lasting shoes.

BUT, l also find that spending even more $$$ and buying two or more pairs of shoes pays huge dividends in the longevity department. Constantly wearing the same pair of any shoes will wear them out a lot faster. I have quite a few pair of wading shoes that I rotate depending on conditions. Not only do I get more options and some invasive spreading protection, but my shoes last way longer as well because I distribute the wear. I have a few pairs that are 3 years old, one that is at least 10 years old and another that may be pushing 15 or more. Fortunately for me, all of the shoes I own can be resoled or have swappable soles so that helps a LOT with lifespan.

I know it is a hassle but a little TLC also will help your shoes last a bit longer. I clean my shoes after every trip. Getting dirt and grit out of fabric helps protect the fibers from premature wear. Leather also benefits from cleaning & treating with some type of leather compound.

 

[AKSkim]

I clean my shoes after every trip.

Bam:

He spends up to 600 hours a year in them.

At 6 hours a day / trip, that equals 100 days of fishing.

At 100 days of fishing nine months in a class room, 104 weekend days... 10 Federal holidays, 27 "teacher" days, 10 "sick" days, 20 days vacation...

Hey wait.... how many days am I up to at this point????

Oh well, in short it seems there are no hours in a day remaining to take proper care of wading boots.

 

[DoubleHaul]

oh, boy scout leader / fire dept officer / and last but not least don't forget time at the vice-

Wait, when the hell do I sleep?
Ah- I'll have plenty of time for that when I'm dead :rofl:

 

[Agust]

I am hard on wading shoes, which is to be expected when you are as large as I am. I usually buy "good" shoes used Weinbrenners for years, they seldom lasted more than 2 years and seldom endured more than one resoling. Tried and loved Chota's, the first ones failed within a year (manufacturer's defect heel fell off during the green drake hatch on the Beaverkill) but the replacements lasted three years but were really in sorry shape for the last few months (and could not be resoled). Also having to get size 12 (or 13) in an extra wide limits my selection somewhat, and I refuse to buy from a catalog.

I found Simms boots on sale at Bud Lilly's a couple years ago and bought them. They seem to be holding up much better than the Chota or Weinbrenners ever did, but only time will tell. They are however the most comfortable boots I have ever owned and for that fact alone I would by another pair. I had actually planned to buy Chota's because they too are very comfortable and the speed laces really handy, but the Simms have the speed laces and none of the shops out there had any size 12 wide Chota's. (It was September so inventory everywhere was down.)

If you fish a lot, comfort is worth a certain amount of money but only you can decide how much.

 

[charlieincambridge]

Does anyone have a comment on the Korker's newer convertibles? I had an earlier model that started shedding the soles after about 6 months. I know a flyfishing club in Ca. that had a Korker's burning party after a bunch of members bought them. Actually chucked them in a bonfire. They were good boots, comfort and convenience wise , but the soles would come off at the most inappropriate times. Downright dangerous. All the cheaper boots I've had maybe made it through one season, never more. That would include Orvis, Cabela's , Bean,Redington, Hodgman . Simms went 2, but the uppers were worth a resole. Best so far has been Patagonia which have gone 2 years and now are resoled (18.00 kit and holding great) which I expect will make the third year. I fish probably in the neighborhood of 500-600 hrs. per year. I do alot of walking and moving. Many of the spots I fish are several mile walks. This is going to require some thought as now the changeover to rubber soles is occuring. I've yet to see one that is replaceable. Over time, I have found comftorable and safe is better than saving a few bucks . I'd rather think about where that *&^%$# 20 incher is hiding than if I can make it across the tail of the pool without swimming or leavin' a bloodtrail from the blisters....

Charlie

 

[bjmiller]

Agust, I agree with you. I bought a pair of Simms last year when my Danners bit the dust after 10 years. The Simms I got are the Guide boots with the Vibram soles (no felt). They are the most comfortable wading shoes I have ever owned with lots of support and they are suprisingly good on slick rocks. Expensive but we'll see how long they last.

Bruce

 

[golden beetle]

Got nice pair of simms boots last year. Need new pair already. No grip left on the sole.

That's when you get new boots - when you be slipping in the old ones.

thanks dc, for getting me back on board. Look forward to chatting nicely with my friends.

Tomorrow I will fish in slippery boots and leaky waders. So, the answer is, better still, you get new gear whenever you can afford it.

And most trout bums are broke. So we fish in slippery boots and leaky waders.

 

[Paul N Skill]

Does anyone have a comment on the Korker's newer convertibles? I had an earlier model that started shedding the soles after about 6 months. I know a flyfishing club in Ca. that had a Korker's burning party after a bunch of members bought them. Actually chucked them in a bonfire. They were good boots, comfort and convenience wise , but the soles would come off at the most inappropriate times.

I've had the same pair of Korker convertibles for over two years, fish at least once a week and have yet to have a problem with the soles coming off.

 

[mang]

"We fish in slippery boots and leaky waders."

I couldn't agree more!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

 

[LyNcH]

I used the korkers k5000 buckled cleats on my winter bootfoot waders and all I can say is holy crap, these things grip. I do some wading in some interesting areas on slippery ledge rock with fast moving water. In the past, I have never felt stable in these situations using felt with the hard bite stubs as I would have to step and do a slight rotation to get the boot to grab throught the slime/algae layer. These korkers grip instantly and I have NEVER slipped even once with them this winter. Yes, they weigh a bit more, but I still walk miles in them and couldn't be happier.

After this experience, I decided to buy the korkers guide boots with the studded rubber soles and also the kling-on stud soles. I have yet to wear them, but anticipate the first outing to be next week now that the water is near 40 degrees. I'll let you know how they hold up, but I don't anticipate any problems. The guide I use on the SR and Ontario tribs has them (newer design) and is finishing up at least his 2nd year on them and they have lasted............and he does a ton of walking!

 

[steeliejim902]

Waders and wading boots are disposable. Every fall before steelhead season, they get replaced.

 

[NJFred]

I don't believe in replacing boots. Wading in mine is a true adventure. They are LL beans and I've had them for at least 3 years. I feel slipping all over the place adds to the challenge of fly fishing for me. I fall in as a consequence every now and then but it reminds me I'm fishing in water and it makes the experience more intimate to get wet like the fish!

 

[Trouser Trout]

I don't believe in replacing boots. Wading in mine is a true adventure. They are LL beans and I've had them for at least 3 years. I feel slipping all over the place adds to the challenge of fly fishing for me. I fall in as a consequence every now and then but it reminds me I'm fishing in water and it makes the experience more intimate to get wet like the fish!

Be the fish..... Be the fish Freddy.....

 

[LyNcH]

Sounds to me as your making excuses for being clumsy!!

I don't believe in replacing boots. Wading in mine is a true adventure. They are LL beans and I've had them for at least 3 years. I feel slipping all over the place adds to the challenge of fly fishing for me. I fall in as a consequence every now and then but it reminds me I'm fishing in water and it makes the experience more intimate to get wet like the fish!

 

[golden beetle]

I have a great pair of Simms boots that I bought last year. They are torn on the inside and worn out on the outside. Ain't got no soul left.

But I still wear em.

Need new ones.

Can't afford em.