My first pair of wading boots weren’t even wading boots. They were an old pair of Lowa hiking boots I “borrowed” from my uncle. They lasted surprisingly long, but eventually fell apart. When I found myself at a local big-box store looking at boots, I had no clue what I needed.
I settled on a pair of Korkers, which kicked off a lifelong appreciation for that brand. Since then, however, I’ve had the chance to wear a few different boots. Wading boot comfort and design has come a long way since that first pair, but the best boots all share a few common themes:
- They’re durable
- They’re relatively light
- They’re comfortable for longer walks/hikes between fishing spots
The boots in this roundup hit those points, albeit to varying degrees. While your choice will likely come down to fit and personal preference, you should be able to find something on this list that’ll meet your needs.
Best Wading Boots of 2025
- Best Overall: Skwala RS
- Runner-Up: Korkers River Ops
- Best For Hiking: Skwala Carbon
- Best for Casual Anglers: Korkers Stealth Sneaker
- Best Value: Simms Freestone
- Honorable Mention: Orvis PRO Wading Boots
Testing Process
I’ve been lucky enough to use almost all the boots on this list. The two I haven’t used—Simms Freestone and Skwala Carbon—have received rave reviews from anglers I personally know and respect. They’ve definitely earned their place on this list.
I do quite a bit of walking and hiking in my boots, so comfort on long walks matters a lot to me. So does ankle support, since mine are made of glass. I put around 150 days a year on the water, so I’m also able to gauge durability in most of these boots, as well.
Best Overall: Skwala RS
Best Overall
Skwala RS Wading Boots
Key Features
- Bomb-proof construction
- Incredible ankle support
- MSRP: $329.00
Pros
- The most comfortable boot I’ve ever worn
- New design process to increase stability while wading
- Durable
Cons
- A bit heavy for longer hikes
The RS Boots from Skwala are new, but they’re already my favorites. These are easily the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn, and that’s thanks to Skwala using a higher midsole, like you find on traditional hiking boots.
The RS Boots are built to survive a nuclear blast, with minimal stitching and double-lasting in all the places where most boot blowouts occur. They do sit higher than most boots, giving you great ankle support. This makes them ideal for scrambling over rocks, wading slippery freestones, or trekking across scree fields in the high country.
Speaking of the high country—I had the chance to hike a few miles in these boots the other day. They’re plenty comfortable for that long of a walk, but they are a bit heavy. If you’re doing a lot of walking, you might be happier with Skwala’s Carbon Boots. But it’s hard to beat the durability, comfort, and stability of the RS Boot.
That stability is achieved through a new design of the sole. Most wading boots utilize a metal plate through the sole, which is supposed to give you more stability when walking across constantly shifting environments. It works, but it also lessens the sensory input you receive while walking. So, Skwala uses a smaller plate that allows you to feel the riverbed while wading, so you can better adjust to changing conditions.
These are fantastic boots that have held up well to a lot of abuse in the short time I’ve had them.
Runner-Up: Korkers River Ops
Runner Up
Korkers River Ops Wading Boots
Key Features
- Comes in lace-up or BOA option
- Interchangeable soles
- MSRP: $259.99
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Wide range of sole options
- Zero exposed stitching
Cons
- Soles don’t do well in mud
The River Ops are an impressive boot. They were my go-to until Skwala showed up with the RS. I’ve put more miles on the River Ops than I have any other wading boot I’ve ever owned or reviewed, and they haven’t failed. That’s thanks, in large part, to the complete lack of exposed stitching. Between Korkers’ Exo-Tec material and molded toe caps, every stitch is protected behind something durable, which means these boots are very unlikely to blow out.
Korkers also went to great lengths to up the comfort, with extra foam padding around the ankles. These boots also feature a raised midsole. I wouldn’t hesitate to strap these on for long days of treks through the backcountry. In fact, last summer, I put nearly a dozen miles on these boots in just a few days, and my feet felt fine.
Korkers offers a ton of different sole options. You can swap out the included rubber soles for studded rubber, ones with aluminum bars, or felt. But this is also the boot’s only real problem. While interchangeable soles are fantastic (and extend the lifespan of the boot), I’ve had issues with them popping off if I get stuck in deep, nasty mud. It’s not a huge problem, but something to think about if you spend a lot of time in silty environments.
Best For Hiking: Skwala Carbon
Best for hiking
Skwala Carbon Wading Boots
Key Features
- Unique “burrito-tongue” for solid fit
- Combines elements of wading and hiking boots
- MSRP: $289.00
Pros
- Uses the same sole as the RS Boots for superior stability and comfort
- Purpose-built for hiking between fishing spots
- Bonded and double-lasted construction for durability
Cons
- Shorter, so less ankle support for those who need it
The Carbon Boots are the favorite of one of my longtime fishing buddies. While these boots aren’t as light as other “lightweight boots,” they’re light enough (3.6lbs/pair) to maintain durability. In general, when you go with lightweight gear, you sacrifice durability. That’s not the case with the Carbon boots. They’ll last through a good deal of abuse, but still be light enough for long hikes.
These are a true mix between a trail hiking boot and a wading boot, which was Skwala’s goal. They wanted a boot that helps you go anywhere, and the Carbon delivers. The only drawback I can point out is that these are shorter, so there’s a bit less ankle support if you have glass ankles like I do. That said, for the rank-and-file angler, I reckon these boots will be plenty.
They do feature a unique “burrito tongue”, where the tongue of the boot only opens on one side. This allows you to really cinch down the fit and keep your feet stable as you’re traversing long distances, or wading across a river to drift a fly through that eddy you’ve always been curious about.
Best for Casual Anglers: Korkers Stealth Sneaker
Best for casual anglers
Korkers Stealth Sneaker
Key Features
- Lightest boot in the roundup at 2.2lbs/pair
- Athletic fit for sneaker-like feel
- MSRP: $149.99
Pros
- Wallet-friendly
- Legitimate sneaker-like feel
- Comes with red and black laces to customize your look
Cons
- Durability
- Not much ankle support
These are the lightest boots in the roundup, at just 2.2lbs/pair. When you lace these up and head out from the truck, it’ll feel like you’re wearing your sneakers. They’re comfortable and have an athletic feel to them.
The Stealth Sneaker doesn’t come with interchangeable soles, like other Korkers products, but the sole will accommodate smaller studs. I studded mine with the available kit from Korkers, and it significantly helped with the traction. These boots are just flat-out fun to wear because they’re so light, and they fit differently than any other boot I’ve worn. Korkers knocked it out of the park from a fit and comfort standpoint.
If you don’t get out much and want a pair of boots that won’t break the bank, but still work well, it’s hard to beat what the Stealth Sneaker offers. Unfortunately, I’ve run into some durability problems with my pair. I wouldn’t recommend these to anglers who are consistently fishing hard, long days. The soles on mine started wearing away, and the stitching along the bottom of the boot has pulled away from the upper material. If you need a lot of ankle support, you also might want to look elsewhere.
Best Value: Simms Freestone
Best Value
Simms Freestone Wading Boot
Key Features
- Synthetic leather upper construction
- Reinforced toe and heel cap for durability
- MSRP: $199.99
Pros
- Wide range of cleat compatibility
- Light, at 3.3lbs/pair
- Wide range of sizes (5-16)
Cons
- Exposed stitching
If you want more functionality than the Stealth Sneaker, but you’re not ready to drop close to $300 on the Carbon boots, the Simms Freestone is probably for you. This isn’t Simms’ top-of-the-line boot, so it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. I’m most worried about the exposed stitching being a potential failure point.
I bought the women’s version of these boots for my mother-in-law, and she’s loved them so far. They’re comfortable, stable in the water, and offer enough ankle support for someone like me to feel plenty stable in them.
I love that Simms cut down on the weight of these boots, too. Heavy boots are great for stability in a river, but they’re awful if you’re walking more than a few hundred yards all day.
Honorable Mention: Orvis PRO Wading Boots
Honorable Mention
Orvis Pro wading boot
Key Features
- Michelin Outdoor Extreme Outsole
- Absolutely bomb-proof construction
- MSRP: $279
Pros
- Great traction
- Seam-free upper construction
- Extremely stable
Cons
- Can feel stiff
- Laces aren’t great
The Orvis PRO boots are fantastic. These things are solid, stable boots that’ll have you feeling comfortable in even the most demanding of wading environments. They’re also light, at 3.1lbs/pair, which is surprising with how much tech Orvis jammed in here.
They partnered with Michelin (yes, the tire company) to produce an outsole that they say is 43% better at wet traction over “the competition.” That’s extremely hard for me to quantify in my own reviews, but they’re definitely a stable boot.
They can feel a bit stiff, so they’re not the greatest for longer hikes. But once you’ve broken them in a bit, they feel just fine. The one big problem I’ve had is the laces. I’ve blown through both pairs of laces in a relatively short amount of time. That’s hardly a dealbreaker, but I’d make sure to buy a spare pair if these are the boots you opt for.
FAQS
Q: Do I really need wading boots?
Yes, wading boots are an essential piece of gear. They’re designed specifically for use in the water and in demanding wading environments. Other boots aren’t meant to constantly be wet, and will deteriorate quickly when exposed to that sort of abuse.
Q: Should I stud my wading boots?
It’s getting more and more popular to add aluminum studs to the bottom of your boots for added traction. Some folks think the extra noise scares the fish, but I’m not sure I buy that argument. Studding your boots can certainly add some extra bite, especially in tough wading situations. But it’s not necessary.
Q: Can I just buy the cheap wading boots from my big-box store?
You certainly can. But I blew through two cheap pairs of boots like that in one summer. As with most things in fly fishing, you get what you pay for, and it’s worth spending at least $150 to get something of quality. You’ll have a better experience if you’re not constantly stumbling around because you opted for cheap wading boots.
Final Thoughts
Wading boots are probably more personal than waders. You need ones with the right fit and style for your specific fishing situations. Regardless of what you pick, I highly recommend spending the most you can. Wading boots are literally the foundation of your day on the water. Bad boots that don’t fit right, that don’t grip worth a darn, and wear out quickly, will just leave you frustrated.