Newbie question: boots

[Citysoundman]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here. My son, 13 yrs old, is a beginner and I'm looking into getting waders w/ separate boots for him. BTW I've never fly fished so I know nothing about this. But I did learn that separate boots to go over waders w/ neo socks are the way to go.

So...Can my son use Muck boots (waterproof Fieldblazers Muck™ Youth Fieldblazer™ Boots : Cabela's) instead of buying special 'wader boots'? I'm not sure what makes wader boots unique, and I'm hoping they are not necessary since my son may not use the waders that much.

Thanks in advance!
Bob

 

[dcabarle]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here. My son, 13 yrs old, is a beginner and I'm looking into getting waders w/ separate boots for him. BTW I've never fly fished so I know nothing about this. But I did learn that separate boots to go over waders w/ neo socks are the way to go.

So...Can my son use Muck boots (waterproof Fieldblazers Muck™ Youth Fieldblazer™ Boots : Cabela's) instead of buying special 'wader boots'? I'm not sure what makes wader boots unique, and I'm hoping they are not necessary since my son may not use the waders that much.

Thanks in advance!
Bob

If the water is warm enough, just wet wade. Get some Rock shoes and you're all set.

The ones you pointed out are water proof but lets face it, he's going to go knee deep and his feet will get wet anyway.

Try something like these:

Cabela's -- Korkers Swift Sandals

or these:
Cabela's Felt-Sole Zippered Wading Boot

Just keep in mind with the second pair, they are felt and depending upon where you're fishing, you might pick up some invasive algae. you'll have to dip them in bleech to get that crap out of the soles.

Maybe these are an option too.

Cabela's Ultralight 2 Wading Boots

 

[Citysoundman]

The ones you pointed out are water proof but lets face it, he's going to go knee deep and his feet will get wet anyway.

I thought that the waders with attached neoprene socks form a waterproof seal...??

Yes you're right if the water's warm than he can walk in w/ shoes.

But I'd still like to know if the special 'wader boots' are needed, or can any waterproof boot work w/ these waders?

 

[jcstikfish]

For limited use, those Muck boots will work, but they will not offer your son a few things boots specifically designed for wading will. By the way, you are also correct, with stocking foot waders your feet do stay completely dry inside of the wader itself. Just the wading boot gets wet inside and out.


Being slip-ons, they probably have somewhat of a loose fit. Once they are wet, without laces they may feel like they want to fall off when he is walking around not in the stream. Laceups wading boots would eliminate this possibility.

Also, the soles are plain rubber without spikes. Most wading boots have felt soles, felt soles with spikes, or rubber with spikes. On a slippery free stone stream, plain rubber is pretty darn slippery.

The upper on the muck boot looks fairly soft, and is probably neoprene. Real wading boots will offer the heel, (and foot in general) more protection when feet are getting lodged in and out of rocks on a stream bottom.

So....if he is going to use this setup for 1-3 days, he can probably deal, but if he is really looking to get into the sport, get some real wading boots.

Hope that helps,


~James

 

[Citysoundman]

Thanks so much James, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

 

[dcabarle]

Thanks so much James, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

I apologize... For some reason I overlooked the fact that you were getting the waders too. I saw those boots and instantly thought, wet wading.

 

[Citysoundman]

No prob. Actually your link is interesting - I might get wader boots for myself!

 

[tompg]

I currently use a pair of sport sandals casue that's all I got. they work just fine.

 

[WBDluver]

Those Muck boots will not work. They will fill up with water and they have no drains, so the will be very heavy. If he walks in soft mud they will get stuck from the weight of the water in them as well as his body weight and will come off his feet.

 

[eddavidson9]

in a pinch...if you have a ratty pair of hiking boots (with decent ankle support) or even sneakers, you can use them with sheet metal screws screwed into the soles to provide traction. another thing I've had the GF use when wet-wading is an old pair of sneakers with an oversized pair of socks over the entire sneaker. looks ridiculous and shreds the sock within a couple hours but a good short-term use.

as suggested, go with a dedicated wading boot if you can. also, make sure to have him try the boot on with the waders to make sure they fit snugly and comfortably over the neoprene booty.

 

[leadhead]

If your going to spend the money and get waders, then get boots with them. Muck boots will fill w/ water and will be slick on the bottoms. At best he could get wet. A hard fall on rocks in the water still hurts like hell(I know). Dicks or Sports Authority has canvas wader boots w/ felt soles for about $40. They will last a season or two depending on how hard you use them. I just bought those Cabelas that Dennis put up and like them alot.

lh

 

[Ryan R]

I thought that the waders with attached neoprene socks form a waterproof seal...?? Well yes they do, but you're talking about putting on Muckboots over them which are waterproof. They will fill up with water once he gets over his knee, this will not work at all. Wading shoes/boots are designed to drain water as you wade.

Yes you're right if the water's warm than he can walk in w/ shoes. That's why Dennis suggested just using wading sandals or rock shoes if he's mostly fishing during the summer, they have better traction for the slippery stream bottoms. Wading shoes/boot soles are specifically designed for traction on slippery, wet surfaces whether they have felt soles or the new siped rubber soles. Some even have the added bonus of studs for even more traction on the rocks. Wading in Muck boots or old sneakers is not fun at all on rocky, river bottoms and leads to more falls and possible injuries.

But I'd still like to know if the special 'wader boots' are needed, or can any waterproof boot work w/ these waders? Again waterproof boots have no drains built in so they are waterproof up to the tops of the boots, then the water will come in and stay inside the boot. Think about it for a minute, not a difficult concept. Muckboots over waders is not really going to work at all.

Where and when is he likely to do most of his fishing? If its summertime in the river, waders are probably not necessary. If it's in April & early May too then waders are a good idea. You can get bootfoot waders as well as stockingfoot waders, the bootfoots are waders with the boots attached already to the waders. Maybe consider getting the bootfoots a size to size and half up from his shoe size to try to get more wear out of them.

 

[golden beetle]

My advice to you is to give up fly fishing. If you can't figure out how to buy a pair of fishing boots, you are dumb. Too dumb to crowd my rivers with more dumbness.

Go away, DUMMY!

 

[CTnympher]

Who is this golden beetle guy. He always has something negative to say maybe he should leave.

 

[Trouser Trout]

Who is this golden beetle guy. He always has something negative to say maybe he should leave.

He must be trying to be sarcasticly funny, don't sweat it.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

13 is a tough age because he's growing like a weed. Don't spend the big bucks on items he'll outgrow in 2 years or less. They make fairly reasonable boot-foot breathable waders that won't break the bank until he's fully grown which is another 5 years or more. Like RyanR said, buy them on the big side now and he should get next year out of them as well.

 

[NJpatbee]

13 is a tough age because he's growing like a weed. Don't spend the big bucks on items he'll outgrow in 2 years or less. They make fairly reasonable boot-foot breathable waders that won't break the bank until he's fully grown which is another 5 years or more. Like RyanR said, buy them on the big side now and he should get next year out of them as well.

Here's a good example but they are felt soles so ad the clost of a litlle bleach solution to clean them:
www.cabelas.com/p-0023420830453a.shtml

 

[WBDluver]

My advice to you is to give up fly fishing. If you can't figure out how to buy a pair of fishing boots, you are dumb. Too dumb to crowd my rivers with more dumbness.

Go away, DUMMY!

Man it must have been hard being your mother seeing as how you came out of the womb with an eight foot fly rod in your hand. Skipped right over the learning curve did you?