My readers know of my forbidden love for my Patagonia Riverwalker “sticky rubber” wading boots; they’re like glue on dry rocks (where you spend the majority of your small stream time), and hike more comfortably than anything I’ve worn.
But while I’m happy enough to wear them on the Upper Sacramento, I’d only wear them on the McCloud or Pit Rivers on a double-dog dare (and only if my health insurance was paid up).
Which is why the Patagonia Rock Grip wading boots caught my eye*.
They feature an aggressive rubber sole which (similar design to the Simms, Orvis & Korker boots I’ve tested), though they use a rubber compound which Patagonia suggests tested out better than the Riverwalker’s soft compound and the considerably harder Vibram soles found on other boots.
The new, far-more-aggressive sole design of the new Patagonia "Rock Grip" wading boot
I’d previously said that rubber-soled wading boots were OK if you waded “easy” rivers (they did well on the Rogue and Bitterroot, Ok on the Upper Sac), but offer the prospect of a compound fracture on tough rivers like the McCloud and Pit.
To make a rubber-soled boot an “all-round” wading boot, you probably need metal studs. Which eliminates some of the convenience factor of rubber.
Fortunately, the Rock Grip boots include a bag of studs, so adding steel to the mix doesn’t drive up the cost of the boot (Simms is charging upwards of an extra $40 for studs, which are admittedly more complex than Patagonia’s screws).
The boots are a bit heavier and stiffer than the Riverwalkers, which will pretty clearly remain my backcountry/small stream boot of choice.
I’ll give these a test next time out, and we’ll see how they run.
I suspect my original conclusions will remain intact, but because a broken leg is a damned small price to pay for the continued adoration of the fans who have made me Fly Fishing’s Most-Beloved Blogger**, I’m taking the risk.
See you in shiny new wading boots, Tom Chandler
(*Full disclosure: I paid for these things)
(**Technically speaking, I made this up)
Much interested, waiting on report having spiral-fracured mine fibula with Engster.
He can relate how an ankle balloons before eyes. Couldn’t see it myself, was screaming at the time.
DarrellKuni(Quote)
How’d you do that? And what were you wading in?
Tom Chandler(Quote)
True, was in my trusty full-leather Danners. W/worn felt.
Was handing 7 1/2′ Heddon to Eng to cast didn’t look down and stepped on bowling ball. Foot went right ankle went left. Fell out with a yelp, Eng thot I was kidding. Damn him. Righted the foot from 3 o’clock to 12.
He and pals carried me off river.
DarrellKuni(Quote)
I hope you smacked him a good one after he got you to the emergency room. I broke my ankle many years ago; an odd feeling watching that foot pretty much just flop around…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
– flew home to get treatment, bit of a throb. Dinner before lvng Duns @ Maddy’s. Couple of chiantis worked.
Twas the worn felt, and boots too broken-in and comfy. Now I am very careful re footwear and avoid Chinese guides.
Other trip to Duns occurred on infamous date, 9/11. Struck dumb watching CNN. Men in antique shop angry, What’s this Koran? After a few minutes I said gently as poss how the Good Book has been wrongly used too.
The flags came out to fly that afternoon in town. Was right, comforting. I didn’t feel like a fish but went anyway, fished below town where Eng directed me. In midstream in a slot I found a friendly brown on the rise. He struck my attractor, threshed and shook off. It was okay. Paused. Sun was out, Shasta was beautiful. Standing in a rushing stream. Free man. America, the beautiful.
I remembered a song I used to hear, This is my country, land of my birth. This is my country, grandest on earth.
Left Duns, had days left on the vacation but seemed right to go home. Took old 101 south, didn’t need that stupid 5 highway, boringest drive on earth. I needed to process the news, let it seep in, accept it on the drive home. In Redding I bought a newspaper, The Sacto Bee. They ran a full-page flag. I put it in the rental’s window. There were flags on the overpasses. Farmers flew them on equipment as they worked the fields. Harley rider flew his on hog.
Stopped at an old mission in a small country town and went in. Cool, dark and quiet. Alone, that was good. I am not by nature religious, but need comfort like anyone.
I’ll be back. 3rd visit will be a charming time. No broken ankles, no terrorist attacks. Rising trout for days, no other Asian faces for miles. I can say that.
DarrellKuni(Quote)
Nice boots, wish they made them in “Sasquatch” size :(
Really hard to find wading boots that fit my Sz. 15 brogues. Simms is the only folks I have found, guess I will have to pony up for some studs.
Flylink(Quote)
I’ve heard that a couple times; I’m guessing the Undergrounders outperform the bell curve in both shoe size and intellect…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I thought the “big” reason (at least that being touted by the various boot sellers who want you to buy new boots from them) for going with rubber soles is that they are the answer to all of our aquatic invasive species (AIS) worries being spread by that devil known as felt. I see enough “nooks & crannies” on that “green” rubber sole to trap the mother of all AIS’.
modelingbob(Quote)
I hear, you, but invasives aren’t my reason for switching; I went to rubber because felt wore out too damn quickly on railroad track hikes. Plus it pretty much sucked in winter, in mud, and on small streams.
Rubber soles will dry very quickly compared to felt (which can hold moisture for a long, long time), but turn that boot over and you’ve got a tongue, laces, etc — which can also stay wet for a long time (and hold New Zealand Mudsnails, which live for a long time even in a dry environment).
I think rubber’s a step in the right direction, but by itself — in the absence of a cleaning process – it’s hardly an answer.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I bought the Orvis River Guards about a year ago, and have to say that I’m very happy with them. Metal studs on the boot bottoms are very hard, and grip dry granite better than anything I’ve used. I took my worst spill on dry granite right next to the river (The Kern, not an easy river to wade). They’re also very good in the water, and provide good ankle support. Since they come with rubber soles, I feel a bit more like I’m not helping NZM, although I don’t wear them in any stream where those little critters can be found. But I haven’t walked any distance in them to see how they are for hiking.
Kentucky Jim(Quote)
The Orvis boots won my grip test (way back when — before Simms released two different kinds of aggressive metal studs), and I think those bladed metal studs were responsible. Otherwise, I think the rubber in the Orvis is the same as the rubber in the Simms boots, and in truth, the difference between all the studded rubber soles wasn’t huge to begin with…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
The interesting thing for me was that up until I got those boots I advised everyone not to wear metal studs on the Kern, because of the slippery dry granite. When I first wore these, I deliberately walked on dry boulders just to test ‘em (yes, you’ve had a bad influence on me), and they did not slip once. So, I guess what I’m saying is that the ability to hold on dry surfaces is one of the most important features of the boot.
Kentucky Jim(Quote)
Actually I think you were right to caution people about metal studs on smooth rocks — at least the straightforward pointed studs. Those seem to skate. Those Orvis studs offer what looks like a cutting edge on several sides, which accounted (I think) for their excellent performance.
I would hate to forget I had them on and then climb into somebody’s uncarpeted drift boat…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Man its nice to see they include the studs. I felt so used spending $25 on what is effectively screws for my Simms boots.
Jersey Jimmy(Quote)
The latest Simms studs are very cool, but also very pricey ($40 or thereabouts). Drives the price of the boot a considerable margin.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
“Fly Fishing’s Most-Beloved Blogger”
Is this your new marketing campaign tag line? : ) Just keep repeating it, tweet it, google it, people will believe it.
Dan(Quote)
Can’t say I never learned anything from Fox News…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I had the chance to use my new pair and loved them with one caveat. They are so “grippy” that on a cut bank when I tried to pivot like I could with my old Riverwalkers, they wouldn’t (and yes I took a nasty fall). The ridge of lugs around the sole really do make a difference, and they were great in and out of the water. I look forward to using them on some slick bottoms to see how they do there, but so far they are excellent.
Bill Brady(Quote)
Here is a tip for wearing the new rubber soles with or without studs. Don’t be timid. The only way they work is to put your weight down and push the points through the scum so they can grab the rocks.It may be scary at first, but soft steps are what will fail you. Commit your full weight and they grip much better.
Fred Telleen(Quote)
You know what they say, big hands, big feet = big gloves, big shoes!
Flylink(Quote)
I have an addiction to wading boots. I think I own 10 different pairs. I’ve never actually tried these! Thanks for the update!
Bob(Quote)