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Patagonia Rock Grip Wading Boots

By Editor 09/09/2011 15:38:00

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Patagonia's Rock Grip Wading Boot - good for mossy riverbanks too.

Patagonia's latest wading boots are solidly built and utilise the latest 'sticky rubber' technology on the soles. We have given them a few dunkings over the last several months to see how they measure up.

They Say

Stepping onto a slab of slick bedrock under heavy spring runoff takes a lot of confidence in your wading ability and your boots. We can help with the boots.

Our burly new Rock Grips are built for the most extreme wading conditions with a proprietary sticky rubber sole compound, aggressive star tread pattern with multiple gripping zones, and removable studs. A compression-molded EVA midsole and polypropylene insole/shank combination provide the rigidity and support you need to stay vertical and reduce fatigue.

For maximum comfort and protection in boulder gardens, the Rock Grip features heavily padded ankle support and a reinforced toebox and heel counter. The full-coverage, glued rubber rand and abrasion-resistant toe bumper mean bomber durability. Synthetic leather uppers and the padded nylon/spandex neoprene tongue cradle your feet, dry quickly, and stay flexible. The rest, as they say, is up to you.

Details

Synthetic leather is quick-drying and comfortable
Proprietary sticky rubber sole compound; aggressive outsole design with multiple gripping zones provide superior stability; easily identifiable plug receptacles for removable studs
Compression molded EVA midsole and polypropylene insole/shank combination provide rigidity, support and foot protection
Padded ankle and insole provide comfort and arch support
Full coverage, glued rubber rand for excellent abrasion resistance; highly abrasion resistant toe bumper; reinforced toebox and heel counter protect foot
Wide last accommodates a neoprene foot wader; sole is designed to hold fin straps
Stainless steel lacing loops
Synthetic leather upper, with nylon/spandex neoprene in the tongue and a polypropylene insole board. Full-length molded EVA midsole
1309 g (2 lbs 14.2 oz)
Made in Thailand.

We Say

Out of the box the Rock Grips were pretty comfortable and not overly stiff as some new boots can be. This is probably largely thanks to the ample padding used for protection in the rough and tough environment for which they were designed.

Trekking over rough ground to get to the fishing was also not a problem (other boots I have had can sometimes be quite unforgiving if you have any distance to travel to the water).

"As tough as, well..., erm..., old boots!"

The boots are made to be durable and the high rubber rand certainly fended off the attacks of hidden tree roots and rocks that they were forced to endure the last few months. In fact there is hardly a scratch to be seen. The 'soft' southern rivers they have been tested in so far seemed to pose no problems for them and testing will continue this autumn with a northern sojourn to rockier climes. I have no reason to believe they will perform anything other than brilliantly there also as it is more the environment they were designed to live with day in, day out. Removable studs can be added easily also if you like the extra assurance.

They look the part, act the part and are as tough as, well..., erm..., old boots! Priced at £160 they are not the cheapest boots you can buy but then that would be missing the point. They are quality and will last several seasons and are also not the most expensive boots you can buy either so represent very good value in their class.

Available from Sportfish

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Comments (8 posted):

Mrtrout on 09/09/2011 15:52:55

I fished with guy on here, who had a brand new pair of these a few months ago on the Clyde. They were in his words, dangerous and rubbish. He was hardly able to remain upright in the river, and was slipping all over the place. On day two he added the studs in the hope it would make a difference, they were Patagonia studs made for these boots. Most if not all came out within a few hours, and he had added glue when fitting them, it made not the slightest difference to the grip he had. I wont name him, as he works within the tackle industry, and I don't wish to compromise him, however he may see it differently, and hopefully come on and tell you about them. As for being worth the �160 price tag, IMO they looked like a cheap pair of chopped off wellington boots, NO wading boots are "worth" that money and more, simply rediculous. S.

flyfishwithme on 09/09/2011 16:33:24

And on the contrary I have two pairs, both with studs (not Patagonia but these :

) and they have been nothing but brilliant over the last two seasons fishing the Wharfe which is much more stony than the Clyde.

dutchy1978 on 09/09/2011 16:42:13

Steven i was a bit reluctant to post, but on the other hand wanted to reply but i was at work.. The boots were indeed bl00dy dangerous without the studs.. With the studs they were a lot better the only problem was the original studs came loose within a couple of steps.. Patagonia have recognized there mistake and changed the studs to ones that look more like flyfishwithme is showing.. And from what i been hearing they are changing a lot more, i don't know the names yet but they are bars of steel that are screwed into place.. One thing i must say is that they were the best walking wading shoes i have ever owned, they are also very light.. Don't worry that Steven thought they looked cheap i think thats mainly me:whistle:.. Jerry

flyfishwithme on 09/09/2011 16:54:15

dutchy1978 on 09/09/2011 17:13:32

Jerry, these are used for ice in tyres and I recommended them to Patagonia (I must confess that I am a Patagonia Pro member but these comments are not in defence of the product just simply what I have experienced).. I place them in using Lochtite 400 (a rubber to metal adhesive) and I use it on all studs irrespective what type it is and what boot, sorry i didn't know that, i just browsed trough our inbox but i'm chasing my tail lately so didn't really read the whole thing.. I have been wearing Patagonia for a long time now and have nothing but praise for them, especially the rio gallegos waders they are brilliant, still i think they should have made these boots right the first time.. I didn't know about the lochtite 400, so thanks for the tip.. Jerry

Mrtrout on 09/09/2011 17:14:33

And on the contrary I have two pairs, both with studs (not Patagonia but these :

) and they have been nothing but brilliant over the last two seasons fishing the Wharfe which is much more stony than the Clyde. They can't have had much use Phil, you have been in the desert for two years. :p Those things look like dry wall fixings. :eek: S.

flyfishwithme on 09/09/2011 17:39:57

And I am rolling in camel sh1te Steven. they are and I can climb all over your back to fish for those that are rising and you are mucking it all up. lol They can't have had much use Phil, you have been in the desert for two years. :p Those things look like dry wall fixings. :eek: S.

Scratch on 10/09/2011 00:33:27

Marketing must be one of the most fun jobs there is.... ''Proprietary''........................... Experimental, and nobody else is interested. ''Synthetic Leather''.................. PLASTIC. :rolleyes:

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