Deciding on wading boots is important and expensive...so let me share my experience with Simms G4 and Featherweight / Orvis UL's and Pro Wading Boots. Find me here: / looknfishy / looknfishy #flyfishing #fishingtips #troutfishing
Cool, glad you put this one out. Im in the market for a new pair of boots myself, something more than just the wet wading by the truck variety. More times than not Im opting for more of a traditional gortex hiker that can shed some water quickly for those more than a couple miles hike in and fish. Im usually in more of a militaryesque Lowa Zephyr which is great for hiking and shedding water and drying fairly quickly but the traction in stream isn't what my wading boots are. Wading boots are often too clunky to put the miles in for me. I don't really care about price or brand or flashy little this's and that's , I just want something that works and is comfortable and durable.
Sorry you had this experience, Drew. I've had my Simms Rivertek BOAs for almost 7 years without any issues. Not even a BOA failure. I've been very happy with them. I don't use them hiking much. Basically only from the truck to the water, and then all day in the water. I still don't see any wear on the sole, and no damage whatsoever on the uppers. I thought I would need cleats with these and bought a set with the boots. They are still in the bags. I don't know if my experience is typical or not, but they've made me really happy.
Thanks for sharing your experience. More than 100 days in my basic Simms boots with only a broken lace convinced me to try them again. Went with the G4 Pro Powerlock but appreciate knowing Orvis might be a viable option if these wear quickly.
Great review. Just picked up some Orvis Ultralight boots. Like you I cover a lot of terrain out here in the west and will see how these hold up. Now that FarBank is the parent company for Simms and others (Sage, RIO, etc) expect quality to get worse as they push manufacturing out of the US. The $300+ boots I had from them didn't last 2 years. If these Orvis boots don't last I'll try some military grade boots and put studs in them.
Drew, I found the same things to be true. Had the Simms light weight Boots and they started falling apart fairly quickly... I also found that they would collect sand, even though I was using hip waders with guards. I got the Orvis pros... they work great and are holding up well...
I really like my Orvis Ultralights still going strong after 4 seasons. I cover a lot of ground fishing backcountry streams so they have a lot of miles in them.
I had a similar experience with Simms. They were my first wading boots and they started losing the sole during my first season fishing! And I wasn’t even hiking that much. Luckily Simms gave me a replacement pair which I’m still using. That being said, I’ll be switching to Orvis or Patagonia for my next pair for sure.
I love my Orvis Pro wading boots and have recently got the Orvis Pro Hybrid wading boot and really love them for snotty slippery rocks. Guiding many days a year on the Kings and the Sequoias in them and have not worn them out! My clients all use the ultra lights and they beat them up but they still keep going. Good review. Tight lines.
Orvis ultralight boots rock! Great recommendation Drew. I wore them on a Lookn' Fishy style trip dispersed camping and fly fishing for 9 straight weeks last summer in Wyoming. I put a lot of hiking and wading miles on them and expect to use them all summer this year too.
Surprised. I have a pair of Simms M’s Flyweight for a couple of years. They’ve survived fishing in CO & NM. As well as hiking for many many miles including almost two weeks portaging in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Honestly, I’d buy another pair today…
Just to be fair Simms is right up front about the softer soles on the Access boot on their website and recommends other soles for durability if that’s the priority - this is an excellent light weight boot especially if your not looking to cleat or spike them and are prioritizing grip without adding anything to the soles - I have a pair and I love them - thanks for All your vids - I really enjoy them
I agree Drew. Those simms flyweights are comfortable but that’s where it ends. Even with grip studs, I’ve fallen too many times and the soles get eaten too fast
I’ve been running Dryft Waders and Korkers. Just closing out my 4th season of steelhead fishing and have no complaints. Waders wear like iron and the boots have been excellent. Boots are starting to look rough but I beat them mercilessly
Man maybe I’m just lucky! I have simms g3 boots that are 5 or 6 years old and I have a lot of miles on them. I feel like I’m pretty rough on them too. Always stabbing my foot into cracks in the rocks and stuff. They have held up really well! I picked up a pair of the simms flyweights last year for a trip to WY. Hiked a lot of miles in them out there and was pleased on the trail. I agree they aren’t the best with traction on slick rock though. Have used them back east on several day trips in remote streams and same thing, I like them on the trail but not on slick rock so much. No damage or signs of premature wear. Might try the studs!
Into my third season in my Orvis ultra lites and they're holding up really well. I'm out 50 days a year and I've only had to replace the laces. My son had a pair of Simms boots and the soles were separated after 3 seasons.
Ditched wading specific boots and shoes a long time ago. I just look for cheap wide hiking shoes, non gore tex. I am currently on a pair of Saloman X ultra. I fish pretty regularly 3 months out of the year. Good traction, light and drain fast.
You should look into Astral shoes and boots. They are legendary in the white water paddling community for their grip on wet rocks. Lugging a 50 lb kayak over wet rocks on a portage, they give complete confidence. I have talked to a couple of fishermen who have tried them and they are converts. Probably best for wet wading, but I have worn them over a dry suit with no problem when paddling, so there's that.
Great review Drew! I have the simms flywieght and im happy with them. But im only on the river once a week with light hikes. I will keep the orvis on my list along side korkers as a future investment. Thanks for sharing and tight lines! Steve @blackflycreations ✌️
I always wore felt sole, then tried Simms Flyweights, love them , just ready to start 3rd season. Most wear has been on surface from granite rocks Vibram rubber great and boot is super light. They have a new updated version I will go to next season.
Yeah man. I got a pair of the Orvis ultralights and for the price I expected to get one, maybe two seasons out of them. I fish all seasons, all weather, and don’t take particular care of my boots. They freeze and thaw and stay wet for days on end. But I’m entering my fourth spring with them now and they are still 90%+. Only very, very minor wear. Super, super happy with them. I wish I could say the same of their low end waders.
Never used the Simms Flyweight Access Vibram shoe, but I have put 3 hard seasons on my Simms Flyweight Vibram and Felt sole show. I picked up both for $169 instead of the $229 I see on the website. For algae, the Felt with studs is perfect. For hiking, I like the Vibram sole. No issues so far and honestly I have ignored my G4 Guide Boots.
Had 2 pairs of Simms shrink so much I couldnt wear them. I think it was the G4 boots (the high end ones). Simms actually sent me another pair which I was grateful for but they shrank also. Use the Patagonia/Danner ones now. I like those Orvis ones might have to give them a shot.
@@davidhalesmith2491 I disagree. Not only do they perform extraordinarily well, I've never had a problem with them coming apart. Every pair I have bought have lasted me several years of hard use without needing to replace the lacing system, soles, or had any issues with stitching or glue failing.
@@davidhalesmith2491 the current pair of Darkhorse boots I am using now I bought in April of 2019. The pair of Whitehorse boots I was using before that lasted me four years.
@@davidhalesmith2491 you based your reply and opinion on a single bad experience? Over a decade using them and I have never had anything negative to say about any aspect of Korkers. For the simple reason that I have never had to replace a set of laces or soles they are the only wading boots I will buy.
I have not tried the Orvis boots that you have but the Sims that I have have been holding up not the ones you have up in the video they have been working for me for about 2 1/2 years now willing to try the ones you have the Orvis ones
My Simms BOAs have been amazing for a few years now. All my Simms gear has been incredible. I just make sure to clean and dry everything out after use. That's the most crucial thing to keep them going strong.
I have the other version of the Simms Flyweight Boots (I believe yours are the Flyweight Access). I really wanted to love these but the durability was terrible. This version has a much better sole and had fantastic grip w/studs. They're super lightweight and were super comfortable hiking long distances. But.... After 2 seasons (~ 60 days on the water) they've done. Sole is worn down, I've had to glue sole edges, one of the cloth eyelets busted in a critical location and there's serious wear spots on the boots themselves on the sides near the toe. Next pair will either be the Orvis Flyweight (which are a tad heavier than the Simms) or Patagonia Forra (not sure I'm ready to spend that kind $$...).
Quick update. Went into my local fly shop and the Forra's just didn't fit well and I wasn't too keep how high the ankle support was and how that'd be for hiking. I then checked out the Orviis Ultralight boots and was quite surprised by how relatively heavy they felt. The guy at the store pointed me to the Orvis Pro and new Pro Orvis LT and ended up buying the Orvis Pro LT. They fit well and I especially like the protection on the lower sides of the boot - an area that got totally destroyed on my Simms Flyweights (assume it was from stepping between rocks). I have one trip under my belt with them and so far so good.
I used to guide for an outfitter that was Simms sponsored. Man I tore through boots. Then I moved to the west coast, and barnacles, long river hikes etc killed my last two simms. Then I bought the Orvis Pro boots and two pairs of Orvis Lightweight, game changer! The Pros are still going strong, and the one pair of Lightweights lasted 2.5yrs of hard, hard use on barnacles and hundreds of miles of hiking. Second pair is on 6 months and still going strong.
How about the Orvis Pro waders? Any experience with Orvis waders vs Simms waders? I’m in the market for a new pair of waders and was looking at simms & Orvis. Can’t make my mind up
@@jsf8145 I have simms g3 and Freestones. Along with a pair of Orvis Pros that are 6 yrs old. My take is the new Simms waders got lighter and thinner. They’ll tell you that the technology improved and yata yata but my new g3s are thinner then the ones I used to have. Same goes with the new Freestone model I have compared to the old. My Orvis Pros are beat up, but I love them. They’re way thicker than the two simms options I have, and have gone through a lot of abuse. My biggest annoyance is the amount of seams. Seams fail, and I’ve had a couple leaks in my Pros. I have fixed every leak with Aquaseal, and about one year ago decided just to aqua seal every seam on the inner leg/crotch where they tend to rub against the other when walking. The Orvis pros fit a little looser, which I like. I can squat, kneel etc without any bunching. If I had to buy another pair right now, which come winter I probably will it’ll be the Dryft waders. At $400 they’re still a good deal and from the friends that have them they all love them. I’d like to put my hands on a pair and feel the thickness and if they’re like the Pros I’d be all over the Dryfts. The Orvis Pros are the thickest wader I’ve ever felt or had but they don’t feel hot and can take some abuse bushwhacking.
@@jsf8145 I part time guide now after being a full time guide for a couple years. I wish Simms kept making their gear like they did a few years back. I do worry that the new acquisition has cut some costs. That being said they have been extremely nice on warranty service along with Orvis. Both brands do well in that aspect. Haven’t seen how Dryft handles their customers.
I also with the Confluence pair from simms didn’t have the stupid neoprene knee. Those would be perfect waders, they’re fairly thick and comfortable. But the neoprene knee is a cutout on the fabric and not over the top of the Toray. The neoprene will inevitably get pricked and start leaking. It seems to be a common failure on that model. If I had to pick right now it’d be Dryft -> Pros -> G3.
Drew you wade , hike more aggressively than anyone I know!!! You talked me into the orvis ultra lights and I don’t have anything bad to say about them except they aren’t felts!!!! Im very surprised you’re orvis outlasted the simms, they look cheaper in the store.. I’m a big korkers fan for a lot of reasons but light they are not.. Can’t beat changing the soles..
Hello, dear friend, I would be grateful if you could give a brief explanation about the fishing technique and the choice and type of thread and fly used.
My Simms, in my opinion, also didn't hold up that well. Customer service said it was normal wear and tear. My Danner RAT summer boots with drainage holes are doing great. $60 overstock is great too. Just put studs in them.
odd. I like Simms way better than Orvis. I've had terrible luck with 3 pairs of Orvis boots where the lace 'cleats' bend easily, which then results in the laces not staying tight. Orvis did send a free replacement pair when I showed them the issue...but the same thing happened. Zero issues with Simms.
Thanks for the review. It’s challenging to find something light enough for long backcountry hikes that is also durable. I’ve tried Simms and my observations are the same. I don’t buy Orvis any longer for other reasons.
I have had my Sims ultralight waiting boots for 15 years. I tossed them in the back bed of my truck and that’s where they sit all summer. We are not all special agents like you. A.k.A fish whisperer :)
Last pair of Simms boots I purchased got about 3 uses before I bought the Patagonia Tractor boots. Nothing wrong with the Simms, I just preferred the Tractor boots. Next time I went floating I used the Simms so the felt bottoms wouldn't scratch my raft frame. First run I fished, the felt bottom on one of the Simms boots came off. They barely even had any use on them. I sent them back to Simms. It didn't matter that they had very little use. They were older than 12 months old so no warranty coverage. They told me that "they were no longer serviceable" but I could pay $50 to have them fixed. F*ck Simms. They still make decent waders, but their made in Asia stuff sucks and they won't warranty it. Buy Patagonia.
I had a pair of Simms boots, but not very long .. they were horribly uncomfortable, slippery as shit, and half the cleats were missing at the end of one day. I ended up wearing them maybe only 5 days and got rid of them. They were so bad I probably won't ever buy Simms gear again, moved on.
Have you tried the Patagonia boots that were made by Danner? I know they are pricey but the nice thing is you can have the soles redone. All the boots you showed are garbage once the sole is chewed up and gone.
I’ve taken mine to hell and back multiple times and they’re still in excellent shape. I got them on sale and then a discount applied. I’ve worn throw a lot of gear but these boots keep going.
I have returned 2 pair of Orvis Pro wading boots as the soles came off. The last returned resulted in a full refund. Now wearing Simms G3's. So far so good
