Wading boots

[RaginRoman]

In the process of looking for new wading boots, I currently have felt with corker bottoms. I am looking for an all season boots with a corker bottom...the 2 Im looking at is the Simms Aqua Stealths w/ goodyear & corker and the Chota SLT plus. Is the Rubber w/corker better than the felt with corker? Then, does anyone know of boots that are better than these for less the price???? :confused: :confused: :confused: :fish:

[Craydaddy]

Chota STL Plus rule!!!

[forgiven1]

Chota STL Plus rule!!!

I second that motion.......

[czardog]

I've never used Korkers (i.e. rubber & studs) , but from what I can determine, rubber is more slippery than felt. It sounds like adding Korkers to a boot makes it a pretty heavy set up, which can be tiring over the course of a day if you move around alot, so I think it makes more sense to use the boot with the studs built into the sole.

I've waded with Teva sandals-very slippery, Simms G3 felt sole - moderately slippery and Simms Freestone ($100 +/- new) felt w/ studs, which are the best of these options. I think the felt will wear out quicker than the rubber, so you may have to replace them, but I think the felt & studs is the way to go for better traction.

[Junkyard Gypsy]

went to cabela's to buy ''Chota STL pluses''. looked them over and tried the on. they were too narrow for my wide feet. tried the ONLY rubber soled boot they had which was I believe the ''Hodgeman's featherlite'', beacuse I was concerned with snow build up. I went to Lowes got some 1/2 sheet metal screws and ''filled'' the sole with them ~12 or so. used them for the weekend and had great traction. Though i did lose 2 screws, but still had enuf for traction. I will figure a better way to install the screws for sure. Less than half the price of Chotas STL Pluses. Just another option.

I have used korkers and loved them til i realised i was completely exhausted at the end of the day and others weren't. Its not that they were to heavy, just too much drag luggin them through the water.

[fishheadbob]

I'm happy with the Aquastealths with rubber treads and studs. They've kept a firm grip on some pretty slippery creek bottoms. I did take a dive on a bank but I had so much mud caked on the bottom that it was probably inevitable.

[Rod n Reel]

I would stay away from the rubber stealth which is extremely slippery. If you do not want the extra weight of korkers, go with studded felt. Simms, LL Bean, Cabela's all have great studded felts. Some like the pointed studs compared to Chotas' "flat" studs.

[TOPGUN]

The STL's are the most comfortable and versatile boot I've ever worn. Some will say the felt sole with studs still collects snow on the bottoms in the winter. May be true but you can always knock it off. Also I will use my old korkers with them if I feel it's too icy.

[Salmonfan]

I switched to the chotas last year and I love the STL cleats, plus it's so much lighter than draggin' around korkers - espescially when chasing energetic steel!

[MrFishingToughGuy]

I have Chota Citico's (essentially a studded version of the Abrams Creek boot) and they've been excellent. Lightweight and they're relatively inexpensive - I paid about $75 or $80 for them 2 years ago.

Marty

[RaginRoman]

Honestly, I was leaning the way of Chota Slt's...EBAY...baby!!!!!!

thanks!!

[RickW]

Beware of felt in cold snowy weather. Even with the studs, you will build up snow and ice on the bottoms. It's like walking around w/ coke bottles strapped to your feet.

Rubber soles w/ tungsten cleats is the way to go.