Benefits to a wading boot?

[Thess87]

Gonna buy a pair of waist waders for a upcoming moose hunt. I only need waders about every 4-5 years. So I thought about using a pair of regular hiking boots for wading boots that way afterwards I can get some more good outa them. Will they hold up? I also don’t want to get half way through the trip and lose a sole.

 

[adamm88]

Iv never hunted that way but fish all the time, wading boots to me are a size bigger to fit the neoprene bootie on the wader. I have a size 10 in regular boot and wading boot, when i wet wade in the summer the wading boot is super loose with wool socks on.

If your going to wear hiking boots on waders id think you need 1-2 sizes up to get them to fit which would make them not usable afterwards for bad fit. I would think a good wading boot like a simms would be the way to go. If your not going to use them later sell them here or ebay.

 

[*zap*]

Your planning to get stockingfoot waist waders?

A boot with a removable liner would work without the liner. I use a old pair of ll bean boots the liner comes out of.

 

[Thess87]

Your planning to get stockingfoot waist waders?

A boot with a removable liner would work without the liner. I use a old pair of ll bean boots the liner comes out of.

Yeah stocking foot waist waders thanks

Iv never hunted that way but fish all the time, wading boots to me are a size bigger to fit the neoprene bootie on the wader. I have a size 10 in regular boot and wading boot, when i wet wade in the summer the wading boot is super loose with wool socks on.

If your going to wear hiking boots on waders id think you need 1-2 sizes up to get them to fit which would make them not usable afterwards for bad fit. I would think a good wading boot like a simms would be the way to go. If your not going to use them later sell them here or ebay.

Thanks only problem with sizing up is I wear a size 16 lol

 

[freediver111]

I have been doing AK moose hunts for 8 years now, and we generally spend all day in waders. Pretty much a must where we hunt.
I’m also in waders a lot for work and have to hike in them all the time. Wading specific boots tend to be a lot wider and larger toe box compared to regular boots. Plus you’ll have to go up at least a 1/2 to 1 full size to accommodate the neoprene foot.
Being a size 16 makes it tough. Might be able to get by with a muck/lacrosse type boot since they tend to be larger in the foot box.

Rubber sole Simms wading boots is what we use. I did a 3 day survey a month ago and had zero foot issues hiking 30 miles on trail and through rivers with Simms waders and boots. They work.


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[grantonean]

I know you’re asking specifically about using traditional boots, but there’s at least one option in the wading boot category worth mentioning. I’ve been through too many pairs of wading boots to list. My favorite brand by a mile is Korkers. Earlier this summer, I bought their new Chrome Lite wading boots. I don’t know that I’d recommend them to wear for an entire moose hunt, but I bet you could. They’re the first wading boots I’ve ever used that wear and feel like a traditional hiking boot but function as a fantastic wading boot. Very durable construction, extremely light, and surprisingly affordable. They put Simms and anything else to shame. May be worth checking them out.