Rather than take the thread about drying out one's wading boots off topic, I thought I'd start a new one.

Having just recently come back to fly fishing after a 30 year break, I'm curious as to what are the advantages of wading boots over traditional waders?

Up to now, since returning back to fly fishing, I have managed to successfully fish my local slow moving, rather deep river/waters with just a pair of Hunter wellies and an extending handled net to lift out my catches and without the need to wade.
However, all that will change later in the month when I fish some of my old haunts up on the North Eastern rivers I fished in my younger days with thigh waders and undoubtedly I will have to wade again so, will have to kit myself out with wading kit.

I confess to knowing very little about wading boots and whatever else you wear with them to keep dry so, what are the benefits ( if any ) of wading boots over traditional waders?

Tony

I use wading boots. They are more time-consuming to put on and take off. The reason that I use them is that they provide my ankles with more support than the standard boot-foot waders. I went over on my ankle wading a rocky river around 8 years ago. I must have done damage as I have an annoying click in my ankle when walking.

Hope this helps.

Brennan

Hi Tony, it's a personal thing I suppose, some prefer seperate boots for the reasons mentioned above, ankle supprt, others like myself, choose them because you have a wider range of soles available on wading boots these days.
My first ever chest waders were Barbour with attached boots and studs, but in rubber, great waders but a tad warm in summer.
Next a pair of Daiwa neoprene waders with attached boots, then the fashion for stocking foot waders came about in a big way, and I followed suit.
Both have their good and bad points I suppose, one thing I am sure of, boot foot waders are a damned sight quicker to put on and take off.
I was recently fishing with a friend who had the Vision Extreme boot foots with the zip in the front for the times nature calls.
With me it's getting more often as I age, so I may try a pair in the future, also he was in his third season with them, and had no leaks, and they looked like NEW.
The waterproof zips seem to be holding up well, very clever, I was dubious at first.
S.

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Thanks for your replies Brennan and Mr T and taking the time to explain - I can now see why you personally prefer the boots over conventional waders though these wading boots etc don't seem too user friendly to me LOL.

I suppose I've stepped back into the time-warp I left when I ceased fishing all those years ago and I'm drawn to old fashioned thigh waders but I guess I will eventually catch up with the 21st Century at some point


Tony

I have both(or had both)

I have neoprene waders for salmon fishing in colder rivers with wading boots

I also have(had) bootfoot breathable waders for general use

I have now binned them as the felt sole has torn off for the second time so I've ordered a pair of stocking foot breathables. I already have the boots

As said before, I find they give great support for your ankles and are extremely comfortable. The ones I have are Vision and they're as comfy as my hiking boots