Anyone who has ever waded while they were out fishing (and let’s face it, that includes probably all of us) has, at one point or another, worn wading boots.  You know – whatever your nonfishing friends call those funny-looking boots with the felt soles on the bottom and the mesh or canvas sides?  Chances are there is a pair sitting with your fishing gear right now.

So why do fisherman, especially fly fisherman, even bother with these strange-looking boots?  For a couple of very legitimate reasons.  Wading boots provide us with far better traction in the rivers than we could ever hope to have in simply our tennis shoes or flip-flops.  (Though, yes, I confess to wading in Tevas much of the summer!)  Felt soles, especially, give superior grip and hold on slick, mud and algae-covered rocks.  A good wading boot will also possess a fairly stiff sole, providing better support and protection than we would have otherwise.  Wading boots typically have a hard rubber or gum toe cap.  The further this toe cap reaches back, the better – it provides valuable protection when wading.  Ask anyone who has ever stubbed their toe on a sharp rock and they will concur.  Some boots also will feature supportive, contoured protection over the Achilles Heel area.  This is a good thing – just more support when you are wading across that rocky streambed.

Over the next few days, we’ll be looking at all aspects of wading boots.  From the basic structural parts, to exciting new technologies, to alternative shoes and boot styles that keep cropping up more and more.  We’ll take a look at the main brands of boots on the market today; what makes each brand unique and why.  Because, hey, an excuse to buy new gear is never a bad thing!

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