Thread: Korker Wading Boots

Anybody out there using the Korker Guide wading boots? I've got three seasons in on my old boots and I'm in need of a new pair. I just wanted to know if anyone out here has these boots and has any feedback on them? I'm fishing mostly upper Great Lakes tribs so a good, solid boot is necessary when you're wading heavy currents and boulder strewn rivers.

I'm rocking these and the streamborns.
I LOVE them to death.

Haven't had any issues with the soles since they redesigned them (other than completely DESTROYING the studded felts but thats from using them on a nightly basis on granite)

I think Korkers will be my next boots.

Edit - I am also considering the sandals for wet wading and such.

I have the Korkers Cross Current boots and really like them. They have become my do-everything go-to boot. I've got no complaints, really, other than I wish that they came in half sizes (but I don't think any wading boots do.)

Getting ready to pull the trigger on the Guide boots. Can anybody comment on the sizing of these? I'm normally a size 10 street shoe and I was thinking about going with a size 11. I spend most of the spring in heavy socks in my waders so I was wondering if an 11 have enough volume.

They size big.

Two year bumpage!

Any additional thoughts on the Korkers Guide boot?

HFB - did you ever pull the trigger on them? Likwid - any other thoughts on them?

They are pricey, but if I can get a few years out of them and they as comfy and grippy as people say, they seem to be worth it.

I got almost 5 years out some patagucci boots that I loved, but all the seams have now exploded. I've heard some really great things about their new boot (Rock Grip), but want to explore options before I spend that much on boots.

I also wear the cross current boot with the aqua stealth sole. Comfy boot that and the AS sole grips pretty well. I might add the studded version for the really slick stuff.

The new korkers boots with the redone soles are kicking ass sales wise. Much more solid than the previous iteration.

I've been thinking of switching over myself. A few guys around here that guide in them swear by Korkers.

I did end up getting a pair of the Korkers guide boots. Three soles: Felt, studded felt, and the rubber/vibram. Absolutely love them!! No issues at all after a solid year(+) on them. Soles are easy to change. I was a little concerned about the Boa lace system on them, but so far so good.

Good info guys. Many thanks. Now if I can just find 'em for under $179.

If you can live without the BOA the Redside is a nice deal for 99 bucks.

Do all Korkers soles fit the same or are there different systems? See a bunch of places closing out soles, if you have that system are you SOL or is it just a cosmetic change

igband - mrfc.com and sierratradingpost have models on closeout.

after some brief checking on some of the retail sites it looks like there is no option to match a sole with a specific boot when you order. So i think that at least for their newer boots the soles would be interchangeable between models.

Originally Posted by snapt

If you can live without the BOA the Redside is a nice deal for 99 bucks.

There have been 2 iterations of soles I believe prior to the current lineup. Those are what are being blown out all over. The new boots are all cross compatible with each other but not with the old soles.

Originally Posted by snapt

There have been 2 iterations of soles I believe prior to the current lineup. Those are what are being blown out all over. The new boots are all cross compatible with each other but not with the old soles.

thanks, that's what I was wondering when they wrote OmniTrax 3.0. guess that's kinda understandable, but still a bummer

Sorry to be a downer, but it doesn't matter how many times they have been redesigned, I still see lots of lonely Korkers soles washed up near shore. I would never buy them.

hey, it's even better to lose a sole when they've been redesigned and are no longer available.

Hugh - thanks for the tip on MRFC. Pretty solid deal there.

Korkers are garbage. I've tried korkers even after hearing the poor reports of durability and functionality but I can now personally praise how much these things suck.

I had a pair of Korkers Streamborn, cost me over 250 bucks cdn for them. They run small so youll need two sizes bigger than normal. In mine the drainage port covers popped out allowing sand into my boots leading to the failure of my wader booties. Next to fail was the inserts. The rubber "Klingon" inserts are absolutely useless on any algae covered rocks. It's truly suicide to trust these things on anything other than a sand covered bottom. The felt bottoms consistently popped out after less than two weeks use. If you buy Korkers ensure you live near to a korkers dealer because your going to be buying new inserts every two or three weeks.

All in all, I've tested them here in Newfoundland's rugged terrain and rivers and they don't get my approval. Take your money and buy a pair of Simms.

Originally Posted by snapt

If you can live without the BOA the Redside is a nice deal for 99 bucks.

Is the BOA system worth the extra $80?

Looking to replace my old Simms felt boots and want a studded rubber and regular rubber (when floating) sole, but don't want to buy two pairs of boots. Are there any other manufactures that give you the option to change out soles?

Originally Posted by ColMan

Is the BOA system worth the extra $80?

Looking to replace my old Simms felt boots and want a studded rubber and regular rubber (when floating) sole, but don't want to buy two pairs of boots. Are there any other manufactures that give you the option to change out soles?

If you don't mind tying your shoes, the material really isn't that different. They key to decent grip with rubber soles is aggressive tread which the korkers have stepped up to. Lot's of people happy with the new soles.