If you have recently looked through a fishing catalogue or stopped by your local outfitter and just happened to glance at the selection of wading boots available, chances are you were caught a bit off-guard.  Did you see some things you did not recognize?  Some new fabric or material you had not seen before on a wading boot?  Wading boot manufacturers are constantly updating their designs and technologies to help anglers be safer and more comfortable in the water.

One thing quickly becoming more and more prevalent is the use of black felt on wading boots – made popular by the brand Chota.  This black felt is simply a regular felt sole infused with a rubber compound.  As a result, the soles tend to last longer than traditional white ones, and also are to be easier to clean.  Some manufacturers are even building in a layer of anti-fungal into the black soles, which can be a great boon in you fish in many different waters, helping to prevent cross-contamination.

Probably the new trend in wading boots that has been the most revolutionary has been the invention of changeable outsoles.  Who are hasn’t hiked in to a river, wincing at every step as the felt soles on your boots were chewed to pieces?  Or considered buying another pair of boots for winter, sick of gaining three inches of height as the ice built up on your felt soles?  (Been there, done that.)  Brought onto the market by Korkers, changeable-soled wading boots are the new rage.  Within minutes, one can switch from rubber to felt, then back again.  Soles with studs are available in both rubber and felt, as well as several other “non-fishing” soles, such as a boat sole and an aquastealth sole.  Truly a multi-purpose boot.

Another new development worth talking about is the use of “Boa” systems.  Simply a stainless steel cable attached to a twisting reel, Boa systems are being used more and more by manufacturers.  It is literally impossible for a Boa system to become untied while you are out fishing; you must pull out the reel to release the system.  Quick, easy, and clean- definitely look to see the Boa system more in the future.  (There’s a picture of a boa system boot with yesterday’s post.)

So, whether you are a novice or a life-long fisherman, the new advances in wading boot technology are definitely worth taking a look at.  Manufacturers are finding ways to solve many problems that have plagued fisherman for years; and the addition of these new boots may just make your time on the river that much more enjoyable.  (Although, really, when you are out on the river catching a spectacular evening rise, why would you be thinking about your feet?)

Technorati Tags:

Tags: Gear