Simms - Cloudveil - Patagonia
WADING BOOTs & Sandals
You come here like a moth comes to a flame. The allure isn't something readily describable. Perhaps this spot hearkens back to childhood, when the world was as big as your imagination. Emerald waters with a perfect river bottom. Moss fraught with iridescent midges, and rhyacophila caddis, and monster stoneflies. Above it all, predatory shadows cruise like passing planes of terrifying dimensions. This is the world of the trout, and you've been away for too long.
Stepping into a swift-moving aquatic environment is a joy. Cascading water around your legs is wonderful. But slipping around rocks and putting yourself in danger is anything but. Wading boots should not be overlooked when considering gear. Every season, many anglers take spills, twist ankles, and have "exciting" run-ins with swiftly running rivers. A quality pair of boots is the best way to guarantee solid footing, comfort, and an enjoyable, not too "exciting", fishing experience. Not to mention fishing your favorite places in style!
Here are a few things to think about when choosing a wading boot;
Traction (The "Sole" of a Boot)
The paramount quality to look for in a good pair of wading boots is traction. Traditionally, wading boots have relied on synthetic nylon felt soles to grip slippery rocks, and felt is widely considered the standard for boot bottoms. However, in recent years, it has been discovered that felt, due to its porous and slow drying nature, is partially responsible for the transmission of damaging invasive micro-organisms from one river system to another. The use of felt soles is already discouraged in New Zealand and will be banned there starting with the 2009/2010 season. Many other countries, and states are considering bans on felt soles, as well, and Simms, the world’s leading supplier of premium wading shoes will discontinue selling felt soled boots, starting with the 2010 season. At Leland, we will continue selling felt soled shoes for the 2009 season, but encourage our customers to CLEAN ALL OF THEIR WADING GEAR, and BOOTS, regardless of sole material, as any piece can potentially transport Invasive Species.
Several years ago, “sticky” type rubber compounds, originally designed for boots in the climbing community, started showing up as a felt substitute on wading shoes. If 
you're hiking longer distances to your destination, AquaStealth rubber composite can offer up to seven times the durability of felt, and grips well in aquatic environments, but not as effectively as felt. For the ultimate in underwater traction, look for carbide-tipped studs that bite down through moss and vegetation. Available built-in with either felt or Aquastealth, studded soles are the best choice to keep your feet solidly grounded, and add much greater durability to any boot sole material. Also, Simms Hard Bite Studs are a screw-in option for soles not originally equipped with studs. A set of these in the bottom of your boots will greatly increase your grip, and extend the life of your wading boot soles.
Most recently, for 2009, Simms has introduced their new, patented StreamTread Idrogrip Traction Sole. This is the first boot sole designed by Vibram specifically for the wading market. Extensive testing claims that this material, and its 360° lug sole design, far exceeds the performance of other aquatic rubber compounds, and approaches that of felt. In addition, the StreamTread is more durable than felt, cleans readily, and has built in receptacles for the optional Simms HardBite Vibram Studs and HardBite Star Cleats. For 2009, Cloudveil is also introducing their Vibram Idrogrip Link Sole, which should have performance characteristics similar to that of the Simms StreamTread. We expect these new Vibram Idrogrip Soles will set the new standard for wading boot soles in the very near future.
Durability
It's brutal out there. Wading boots take the most abuse of any piece of equipment in your ensemble. Rugged construction is a must. High quality full grain leather uppers still offer beefy durability, coupled with a conforming good fit, but some of the new, tech-synthetics are lighter, tough, and absorb less water. Some boots are constructed with a combination of leather/synthetic. Look for reinforcement like triple-stitching with nylon thread, injection molded midsoles, solid toe and heel boxes, protective rands and bumpers and, double stitched bottoms. Neoprene lining and Neoprene gusseted tongues, Cordura laces, and extra-thick felt soles are also characteristics that add to the life of your boots.
Immersion Performance
Carrying extra water around in your wading boots is tiresome and can make your steps unwieldy. Boots built with synthetic leathers absorb little water and reduce the saturated weight of your boots while fishing. Drainage capabilities are important as well. Look for mesh construction in the sidewall to promote quick drying when you step out of the water.
Foot Support
Whether fishing tropical flats or hiking over snow covered banks, you'll want footwear that protects you from whatever nature has in store. Boots with reinforced cuffs and stiffened toe and heel counters provide the security of a hiking boot in a wading shoe. Additional padding, rigid sidewall materials, ethyl-vinyl-acetate (EVA) midsoles for lighter boots, and polyurethane for rugged boots contribute to foot support as well.
Eco-Friendly
We don’t want to be part of the problem with the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Simms has been an industry leader with their "CleanStream” design initiative, aimed at stopping the spread of these invasive species by building their wading boots with less exposed stitching and fewer ridges and pockets that could potentially hide stowaways. To learn more about how you can take responsibility for preserving our precious fisheries, take a moment to visit the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species on the web and take the “Clean Angling Pledge”. You’ll find out how to thoroughly clean your gear to help protect your favorite waters.
Convenient Extras
Suiting up in your waders is not always an easy thing to do. Contoured lacing 
systems reduce the amount of time you need when you're getting ready to hit the water (especially when the trout are rising to a dwindling Baetis hatch!). And when you finally get into that stream, sometimes it's a bit colder than expected. Boots made with extra width to allow another layer of socks are an asset when fishing in colder conditions, and they also provide extra stability.
The heat of the day is stifling, and you're thankful for the coolness of the river as you step into the flowing waters. Finding your footing is slow in this fast current. You spot several fish moving upstream, and caution yourself to move smoothly and quietly. Beginning a series of false casts, you take one last step, and lay the line down at the perfect distance.