Wading boots may seem simple when put on at an edge of a river where a person intend to fish. Wading boots are purchased to promise to keep the fisherman’s feet dry and to allow them to have good footing while they focus on fishing for the days. However, the reality of wearing wading boots for extended period of time while standing in moving water can introduce frustratingly problems that undermine the experience.
A single problem can ruin the best fishing day. However, there are solutions for many of these problems, and the following text will list the most common problems with wading boots, the reasons for the problems, and the solutions to each problem. The first problem that fishermen encounter is slipping on slick rock.
Common Problems With Wading Boots To Avoid
1. Slipping on Slick Rock
Many wading boots used felt soles for good reason. Felt soles were the best at providing traction on wet river stones. However, the environmental concerns of the rubber lug sole meant that manufacturers had to change to felt soles to stop the movement of invasive species.
However, the rubber lugs created a problem for fishermen as they felt like ice skates on rocks that contain algae. Adding replaceable studs or screw-in cleats will improve the likelihood of having good traction on the water on the rocks. Fishermen can also improve their chances by choosing boots that provide better traction based off the type of river they fish in.
For example, sandstone rivers has different footing than fast streams with granite rocks. Testing the wading boots on dry land will allow a fisherman to understand their traction while wading. The second most common problem with wading boots is the seams on the boots begins to leak water.
2. Leaking Seams
This happens when a fisherman steps into the water to the knee. The seam often begins to fail at the spot where the rubber of the boot meets the upper part of the boot or where the stitching of the boot sole meet the sole of the boot. Over time, the glue that hold these spots together can break down due to the flexing of the boot while wearing these boots while standing on gravel or rocks in the river.
The best preventative measure is to fill the wading boots with water before the fishing season begins. By leaving the boots filled with water for ten minute, any leaks in the seam will begin to dry and seal themselves. Using a small tube of flexible seam sealer will ensure that the boots lasts another fishing season.
Some fisherman will apply Aquaseal to every seam when they first recieve their wading boots. Although it seems like an excessive amount of work, this will ensure that the boots will dry the first time rather than having to deal with wet feet while a companion has their socks wringing out. Wading boots can become very heavy, especially when wearing wet neoprene socks while standing in the water all day.
3. Excessive Boot Weight
Most wading boots has thick rubber soles to protect the fisherman’s feet, reinforced toes to protect them in the case of a fall, and heavy metal hardware. However, the extra weight makes it more difficult to lift the foot out of submerged logs or rocks in the riverbed. This extra weight will also make it more difficult to regain balance if a person takes a step too far into a log or rocks.
Lighter models of wading boots do exist, but the trade-off for wading boots being lighter is durability. Most fishermen will find a pair of wading boots that are of the mid-weight category will offer the best comfort and support. Wading boots with a flexible sole will allow for better comfort over long distances, and the option for studs allow for better traction on wet rocks.
By using the suggested wading boots with thinner neoprene socks or wool socks will allow for a fisherman to wade further into the river without getting tired. It will also reduce the aches that may develop in the back and knees after a long day of fishing. Many budget wading boots dont offer good support for the ankles.
4. Lack of Ankle Support
A lesser price range for wading boots will have a lower height for the collar of the boot and a less structured internal support of the boot. This can result in a sprained ankle when stepping on a rock that rolls under the foot of the fisherman. Such an injury will result in a person missing the fishing trip for several weeks.
Wading boots that has a higher collar and offer more support for the ankle will allow a fisherman to maintain their balance while in the water. These boots will have stiff heel counters and the sides of the boot reinforced. These may seem bulky when wearing them, but they will provide an added sense of support when on the move in the water.
These types of boots will allow a better stance and more confidence when casting lines into the water. Wading boot soles will eventually wear out unevenly. This can lead to thin spots in one heel that creates a problem for a fisherman.
5. Uneven Sole Wear
The uneven wear can be the result of a fisherman who stands on one leg more often than the other while standing in the river and fishing. A fisherman can even buy two pair of wading boots of the same make and model and alternate which foot wears which pair of boots. This will even out the wear on the sole of the boots.
Another way to increase the life of a pair of boots is to pay attention to the way that the fisherman stands in the river. A slight alteration in stance will double the life of the boots. When the tread on the sole of the boot wears down to the point that there is little rubber left between the sole of the boot and the water, it is time to replace the wading boots.
With such a thin sole, there is no protection of the foot from sharp rocks in the river. Fishermans feet often get cold while standing in the water, even during the summer. Although wearing neoprene socks will help to retain the heat of the fisherman’s feet and toes, the thin insulation of the wading boot can cause the blood flow in the lower extremities to decrease due to the standing in the water.
6. Cold Feet and Poor Circulation
The tight fit of the waders can also contribute to the poor circulation of the blood to the feet. To combat this problem, a fisherman can choose wading boots that allow for the wiggle of the toes inside the boot. Some neoprene socks come with a thin layer of liner socks that can be worn underneath the neoprene sock.
This layer of liner sock will allow the feet to breathe by wicking moisture away from the fisherman’s feet. These socks will also create air pockets that will retain the heat of the body. During the coldest days of the year, the insertion of chemical toe warmers into the wading boot will allow a fisherman’s toes to retain their body heat.
The chemical warmers will eventually lose their heat, so it is essential to reposition the toe warmers after lunchtime. When purchasing wading boots, the fit can be different when wearing them in the water than when walking in them. Boot manufacturers may make their boots in different sizes.
7. Improper Boot Fit
When wearing them in the water, the bulk of the boots can change the fit of the boot for the wearer. A boot that may feel good on the widest part of a fisherman’s foot will create hot spots on that part of the foot after one hour of wearing the boots. On the other hand, boots that are too loose will cause the heel to lift when walking, which will result in the development of painful blisters and socks that are destroyed from the continual rubbing against the inner part of the foot.
To avoid these problems, it is essential to try on the wading boots while wearing the same type of socks and footbed that will be worn when fishing. Walking around the store while wearing the boots will allow the fisherman to flex their ankles and walk in the same way when wading in the water. Some stores will also allow fisherman to stand on an incline when trying on the boots.
This will mimic the standing on rocks that are in the riverbeds. Taking a few extra minutes to properly try on boots will save money and the discomfort of having to buy a new pair later. Wading boots will encounter these problems because they work in one of the most challenging environments in the world.
The moving water, rocks, cold temperatures, and the flexing of the boots while standing in the water will all cause these problems. However, choosing boots that have the appropriate features will allow for comfort and safety in the water for many years. Wading boots will show a fisherman the problems that they have.
A little extra care given to the wading boots at the beginning of the fishing season will prevent most of the problems that can ruin a great fishing day. While the river will continue to test a fisherman’s patience, their wading boots will be able to stand in the water and provide them with the comfort and support they need for their fishing trips.