Wading Boots

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT WADING BOOTS

What should I look for in wading boots (a.k.a. fishing shoes, fishing boots, wader boots, wading shoes, fly fishing boots)?

Three things you should be looking for in wading boots are DURABILITY, COMFORT, and FLEXIBILITY. Our boots are built to last a long time but our interchangeable soles system gives our boots new life with each new pair of soles. Usually the soles go out first but we’ve designed our soles to be easily replaceable meaning your boots could last several lifetimes where a standard boot can only live once. We’ve worked hard over the last 60 years to build boots that last and last and don’t give up. Additionally our boots our comfortable, and let you hike and fish all day long. Last is flexibility, because of our sole system, you can change your felt sole to aggressive carbide spikes so you can get past those mossy tree trunks, you are in control to customize your footwear to go where you want to.  

Can I use felt wading boots?

Some states ban felt outright including Maryland, Alaska, Missouri, Nebraska, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park. While felt takes longer to dry than, say, rubber, all wading boot materials can transport invasive species including including the upper. In other words, the entire boot needs to be dry to eliminate the potential of spreading invasive species, not just the sole. All this said, our boots have superior hydrophobic materials so they drain and dry faster than other options on the market, and our interchangeable sole system lets you pop off any sole (in this case, felt) and pop on another sole (say, rubber or even a second pair of dry felt soles) within seconds. You could even pop off the felt sole, stick it in the freezer for a couple hours and it’s ready to go again. All of our Korkers wading boots come with two soles so you are never stuck at a river that you can’t fish in due to regulations. 

Why do I need interchangeable soles for wading boots?

Every pair of Korkers wading boots are powered by the OmniTrax® Interchangeable Sole System. Our tech allows for customized traction on the fly with the most design options to choose from in the industry. Travel without fear, mix & match, or aggressively upgrade soles to your heart’s desire. Backed by our Rock Solid Guarantee, you’ll enjoy our boots for the long run. If a sole wears out before you do, simply “resole” your boot by snapping in a new set. Watch this video and it should explain it all.

What sole should I get for my wading boots?

The sole that you decide to go with really depends on the terrain that you’re in most. That’s why interchangeable soles are such a game changer. Check out our Sole Comparison Chart to see what sole would work for your terrain. Whether moss, pebble, tree trunks, sand, shale, or boats, we have a sole that will work great for you.

Should I get BOA for my wading boots?

The BOA Fit System is ideal for anyone looking for a performance fit that is easy to use. You can tighten your laces in mere seconds without taking off your mitts (tying frozen laces with frozen fingers can be a real pain in the ass). To take em off, just pop out the BOA dial and they peel right off. The BOA system is backed by their awesome warranty, and if you want to always be prepared, grab a set our our replacement BOA Lace Kit, if anything ever happens on the water here 

What are the best wading boots?

We believe Korkers are the best wading boots on the market due to their DURABILITY, COMFORT, and FLEXIBILITY. Our boots last a long time, and with our interchangeable soles can last multiple lifetimes. We’ve worked hard over the last 60 years to build boots that last and last and don’t give up. Additionally our boots our comfortable, and let you hike and fish all day long. Last is flexibility, because of our sole system, you can change your felt sole to aggressive carbide spikes so you can get past those mossy tree trunks, you are in control to customize your footwear to go where you want to.  

How should I wash my wading boots after fishing?

It is best practice to wash your boots and soles after each session and to let them fully dry out. Because our boots are made out of hydrophobic fast drying material, and that they have integrated drainage this will happen much faster. If you fish in saltwater, with the BOA fit system, it’s good practice to rinse it out with fresh water.

How long should wading boots last?

At least 500 miles and if you have interchangeable soles, manh times more than that! The problem with other wading boots is that once the sole wears out you either have to pay lots of money to have them resoled or you have to trash them. With our system, the upper is built to last for years so when the sole wears out, simply replace them in under a minute and you have another 500 miles.

Will these wading boots save me money?

We understand that Korkers boots can be an upfront investment, but believe that you will save lots of money in the long run. One, our boot uppers are built to last for season after season. Two, when soles wear out, you can pick up a pair of replacement soles for under $50, you don’t have to take them to be resoled for over $100. Three, our studded soles are simple to thread and the studs don’t fall out unlike the $50 stud kits that you have to replace every couple months because you lost them all in the river.

How do I get traction on my wading boots? 

Getting customizable traction on your Korkers boots is incredibly easy. With our interchangeable sole system you can change from felt, to studs, to Vibram® in seconds. Use our Sole Comparison Chart to find the perfect fit for you. 

How do I drill studs in my wading boots?

Drilling studs in your boot damages the outsole (obviously) and also studs tend to fall out very easily (look up reviews on studs on Google and you'll find that most studs last for a few months before falling out, then the outsole of the boot needs a new hole). We have two types of studded soles, embedded and threaded. The embedded soles are incredibly durable with no drilling required. The threaded soles (Triple Threat) give you awesome customization to mix and match carbide studs, and aluminum hex and bars. Worried about your inflatables? Just rip off the soles before you hop in. It’s easy. 

Should I size up on my wading boot? Or stick with my street shoe size?

Yes, if you’re wearing waders or wading socks, we suggest sizing up your boots by one (1) size. Street size + 1 = Your boot size.

Can I use wading boots for hiking?

Korkers wading boots are great for hiking through miles of treacherous terrain to your favorite fishing spots. We also have some soles that excel on the hiking side of your fishing trip, check out our Sole Comparison Chart.

Can I replace my soles if they wear out?

Yes, and it’s so easy with the Korkers Omnitrax system. Once your felts (or other soles) wear out, unhook the back strap, unclip the sole, and replace it with a new Korkers sole of choice. To see the system in action go to About Omnitrax 

How do I get my wading boots resoled?

Resoling is a pain and most companies don’t offer it. The companies that do charge a lot of money and take weeks to complete the job. With our Omnitrax system, you can “resole” in the comfort of your own home in about 10 seconds. Unhook the back strap, unclip the sole, and replace it with a new Korkers sole of choice. To see the system in action go to About Omnitrax 

Can I replace my shoestrings with BOA?

Yes, Korkers and BOA have warranties and rest assured that if anything happens to your BOA laces we have you covered. If you want to be extra confident in your system you can pick up a replacement dial to have in your trunk if anything happens. To file a warranty go to korkers.com/wc

Do Korkers boots have a warranty?

We stand behind our products with our no nonsense Rock Solid Guarantee. We pride ourselves on taking care of our customers and have built our reputation for having high reliability rates compared to the rest of the industry and thousands of satisfied customers. We warrant our footwear to be free from defects (materials and Workmanship) for a minimum of one year and often are willing to work with you past that. If you have any issues, file a claim, and we'll make it right. See more: korkers.com/wc

Are Korkers boots environmentally sustainable?

Our approach to sustainability is multi-faceted but fundamentally begins with creating quality, long-lasting products. When your sole inevitably wears out, just clip on a new one and keep your uppers out of the landfill. Learn more: korkers.com/pages/ecoresole