Patagonia Riverwalkers w/ Sticky Soles

[Dr. Gonzo]

I picked these up at a price that was too good to pass up once I realized that my Orvis Pack and Travels were probably going to leave me with a sprained ankle somewhere deep in the Smoky Mountain backcountry. I'm not sure how the sticky soles will be, I've heard good things but I am starting to think that the opinion on non-felt soles are just as subjective as rod action and everything else in fly fishing. So we'll see - if I feel like I am standing on a greased bowling ball I'll probably just add some of those Simms studs. Hopefully that won't be necessary.

My girlfriend will be very happy that we're no longer going to have midges hatching off the bottoms of my felt boots when I dry them out in the bathroom :rofl::rofl:

Initial Impressions:

Aesthetically, I really like the look of these boots. They're very Comfortable around the house and provide great ankle support. I find them surprisingly lightweight, though the pack and travels are most certainly lighter. I'll report back as soon as I get a chance to take them out on the stream.

 

[jamiep]

Dude its bad luck to put shoes or boots on the table as mt grandmother used to tell me

How much did you pay?

 

[AKSkim]

Dude its bad luck to put shoes or boots on the table as mt grandmother used to tell me

... or a hat placed upon the kitchen table...

and something that to this day drives me up a wall....

Someone eating with a hat on...... improper up bringing is all I have to say.

 

[AKSkim]

I had a pair of LL Bean wading boots almost just like those, except they had a valcro strap... UGLY.. I pitched them not too long ago. Now I wish I still had them so I could photograph them to show just how close they look to the Patagonia's.

However, if Dr. BusToken's contacted me before he spent his money, I would have pointed out it might be in his best interest to review a number of articles out there reviewing the new generation of boot soles.

 

[jlajoie]

Add some studs. They make a neat crunching noise when you walk on the rocks. As far as grip, well, I think they might help there as well.
And AK, I have to agree with you on the eating with a hat on. Just bad form, along with chewing with your mouth open.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

$100 Shipped. I read plenty of articles about the new soles but if you have some to send my way I'd definitely be interested to check them out. Based on the reviews I read these seemed to fare pretty well. I got a chance to try them on at the Somerset show but I couldn't find them in my size, so I had to wait but this ended up being a good enough deal to to make it worth the wait.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

So I took these things for a test drive on the KLG this weekend and they performed very well. I only took one spill and that was due to me running full speed into the water to net jlajoie's fish and had nothing whatsoever to do with the boots.

 

[The Royal Coachman]

I have the same boots and I think they are a piece of crap!!! I have to wear my ice fishing studs to make them safe on waters like the South Branch. But I have sworn off felt soled wading shoes so I'll wait for better technology to come along and wear the studs in the mean time.

 

[AKSkim]

NEFF a sneeky NJCrap?

You know.. I was just reading this thread when it hit me I responded to Dr. Gonzo's #7 post back then.

I thought it was not only timely, but funny as well.

Looks like DenisF was here.

Sometimes I wonder if DenisF has Admin authorization.

So much for taking the HIGH ROAD NEFF............

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

By the way, I've noticed that these boots seem to get better over time. Now that the rubber has been scuffed up a bit they seem to grip better than when I first started using them. I definitely don't miss felt at all in them. They're are very comfortable for hiking once broken in.

 

[AKSkim]

I am actually considering a pair of non-felt pair of wading boots.

Thanks for the up date

 

[McRiffle]

Picked up these and used them for the first time on a float / wade trip on the upper D Saturday. At first I thought they felt a little slippery and was worried they were a mistake but slowly their feel improved (I probably adjusted too). By the end of the day wading wasn't a problem and I was happy with them. However I don't consider the D a tough river to wade. I'm planning to hit the Neversink gorge next. There I'll probably pack in a pair of felt bottom boots as well since that river can be tough to wade IMO. Also, they are extremely light as well.

Cloudveil 8x Grippy Rubber Boot Men's

 

[jamiep]

Ak
I got the new simms vibram soles they were 200 squid.

First off they are the best wading boots ive ever worn.Great fit and imo great grip i have fished with them on the lower end of the gorge and i have to say i have never felt so sure of my footing like that before.That place is really slick ihave fallen a few times in my felts.

I have only worn them twice so Thats all i can give for now they were well worth the 200 bucks forsure.

Simms: Guide Boot, Vibram Sole, 7

Thats the model Above.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

Those look really nice. My friend who came to the Smokies had the Simms G4s with the vibram soles. Those things were friggin' moonboots with massive thick soles. Super stable in the water but they're really heavy and tough to hike in.