This could possibly be a ridiculous question, but I just bought a pair of Scierra CC3 stocking foot waders.

Are wading boots necessary or will a good pair of hiking boots suffice?

Cheers

Hiking boots will be fine, just got to let the water out of them.

Awesome, that's the answer I was looking for - I'm hoping the stocking foot waders are alot more comfortable than my boot foots.

I have a pair of scierra stocking foot waders, had them for 3 seasons now. It's a case of getting boots a size or two sizes bigger than you would normally buy or boots that are a large size, ie some boots can be bigger than other makes of same size. As long as the stocking foot doesn't get folded inside your boots, you should be okay.

wading boots have holes in them to let the water out when you leave the water.
i`m currently looking for a pair just now as i lost the entire sole ( not just the felt ) the last time i fished harray , lucky it was my second last day.

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it`s nice to catch fish , but not essential !

I have seen anglers use old trainers, and scuba shops sell rock boots, for dive suits. Similar idea but last very well.

Ok, they are fine for lightweight summer use but will do the job fine

I think it depends where you'll be using them ... the above advice could result in anything from a 'ducking' to a funeral.

Still water, if you don't want the boots to last too long then yes, hiking boots will be fine.

If you're going to be wading rivers with anything other than nice, gentle gravel beds then I'd suggest you need proper boots with felt and studs.

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[I]"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel."[/I] Roderick L Haig-Brown

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Previous to buying the new waders, I had a pair of boot foots, with rubber soles, I never fitted felt or studs, yes I did take a dive or two, but that was down to my own stupidity.

It will be for small stream use, where wading past your thigh is rare.. Not to sure if that has an impact.

Last year I fished using boot foot waders, this year I got some stocking foot waders and boots. They are much better, I dont use a felt sole as I fish a few different rivers and dont want to carry any diseases between them but I do have studs. I honestly dont think theres a difference between the sole on my wading boots and the soles on most hiking boots. If you need extra grip just add some studs. You will also notice the extra ankle support you get with stocking foot waders.

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

Exactly, after having several pairs of "proper wading boots" which all fell apart in no time, I have now purchased a pair of real leather hiking boots with Vibram soles.
£29.99 stick three studs in the toe and the heel, if you need them and get a bradawl, heat it up and put two drain holes in the sides on each boot.
They will outlast any "proper wading boots" and cost you less than half the price.
S.

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"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.