Fishing is one of those activities that requires a fair amount of gear if you want to get started on the right foot. There’s the rod and reel, the lures and lines, and what you need depends on where (and what) you’re fishing. However, one thing anglers often overlook is a good pair of wading boots that open up a world of inaccessible terrain. By allowing you to fish from beyond the shore for hours, you’ll have a better time in the water—and a better chance of catching fish. We relied on firsthand experience and in-depth research to identify the best wading boots of 2024, naming the Simms Flyweight Access the best overall for its durability, grip and comfort. Meanwhile, the Frogg Toggs Aransas is a standout budget-worthy boot for less than $100. These and four other boots made the final cut.
Spend hours in the water with the best wading boots of 2024.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Orvis
From ultra-lightweight boots that shed every possible ounce to knee-high boots for added protection, there are a lot of boot styles to choose from. Whether you’re saltwater fishing from the shore or wearing chest-high waders in an alpine stream, here are our picks for the best wading boots.
When it comes to buying a wading boot that will last a lifetime, the Simms Flyweight Access Boot is one of the best options on the market. This lightweight model has everything you could ask for in a solid wading boot, including durability, stability, grip and comfort that make for a great time in any body of water. The signature Vibram Idrogrip Flex outsole is a best-in-class option for slip resistance, and it’s engineered with a rubber compound that’s softer than you might expect, making it grippier than other boots on the market.
The Flyweight Access won the 2022 Best-Of-Show Wading Boot at the International Fly Tackle Dealer show, and while that was two years ago, we’re still in love with the style. Forbes Vetted contributor and the author of this guide, David Young, has used the boot to fish for carp in a local Colorado lake this summer, and they perform without pause.
The only drawback to these boots is they may not be as warm as some other heavier styles on the market, but Simms has a resoling program to extend the life of the boot, which makes it worth the money. If they ever wear out, you can send it in for far less money than you’d spend on a new pair.
Best Budget Wading Boots
Wading Boot On A Small Budget
Amazon
Frog Toggs Aransas II Wading Boot
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Sole: Rubber | Laces: No | Weight (pair): 3.3 pounds
Pros:
Lightweight
Inexpensive
Cons:
Heavy
Not as durable
For those looking to dip a toe into the wading boot world without committing to a pair of wallet-burning boots, the Frogg Toggs Aransas II is a great option that, when on sale, will run you less than $50. Designed with coastal wading in mind, this boot has a cleated outsole to provide solid traction in the sand and mud. There are no laces to fiddle with—just a full gusset heavy-duty zipper along with an adjustable hook-and-loop ankle strap. The foot is protected against rocks with a reinforced toe and heel cap.
It’s worth noting that a boot at this price point doesn’t provide a lot of protection, and while most wading boots are based on hiking boots, you wouldn’t want to hike for miles in these. But if you’re looking to pick up an inexpensive pair for the beach or the lake, it’s a great option. And to our surprise, the boot is rather lightweight at just over three pounds for the pair.
Best Lightweight Wading Boots
Fish Further And Tackle Varying Terrain
Patagonia
Patagonia Forra Wading Boots
Sizes: 5 to 14 | Sole: Vibram Mars | Laces: Yes | Weight (pair): 2.6 pounds
Pros:
Lightweight
Durable
Made for varying terrain
Cons:
Expensive
If you prefer to fish in the backcountry or often find yourself hiking to a honey hole, weight is paramount. Fortunately, the Forra wading boots from Patagonia are some of the lightest boots on the market at 2.5 pounds for the pair. Designed with versatility in mind, these boots are made for everything from hiking to saltwater flats, and they’re good for the trail or the river. They include tacky Vibram Mars sole technology for traction, and the high ankle support combines with a sturdy toe box to offer up a comfortable fit.
Living nearly a mile high in the Rocky Mountains, these are Young’s go-to wet-wading boots. He breaks them out for alpine lakes and streams because they’re so minimalistic yet easy to hike in. The design also features a self-draining system for faster drying, and they’re available with the compatible Patagonia Grip Studs Traction Kit for even more stability. While you might find a lighter wading boot on the market, you won’t find one that’s as capable across a variety of terrain.
Oftentimes the best way to find good gear is to look at what the pros use. When Young is on the river with a fishing guide, those in charge often wearing the Pro LT Wading Boots from Orvis. He recently did a float trip with the guides out of the famed Vail Valley Anglers, and these boots were in the bed of their truck, and for good reason. They’re a workhorse of a wading boot, complete with best-in-class Michelin (like the tires) wet rubber traction of the Outdoor Extreme. Now 10% lighter but just as strong, the PRO LT has an Intuition foam insole to absorb impacts on the water and mold to your foot over time.
Orvis compares this wading boot to a ski boot style because it features a single bellow one-piece 360-degree padded wrap design. Like a ski boot, it will stand up to the toughest fishing conditions with an abrasion-resistant PU-cast Kurim Mudguard and nylon uppers. The one complaint some have with this boot is that it’s slippery in the water, and Young can attest that on slick rocks or moss, the grip isn’t as reliable. However, due to the durability of these wading boots, they are never far from a pro’s fishing bag and can be found across the country.
Best Wading Boots For Wide Feet
A Roomy Style For Large Or Flat Feet
Amazon
Grundéns Crewman Tall Wading Boot
Sizes: 8 to 14 | Sole: MichelinRubber | Laces: No | Weight (pair): 4.85 pounds
Pros:
Durable
Great protection
Comfortable
Cons:
Heavy
Bulky
If you need boots that will fit almost any foot and protect you from water, weather and debris, the Grundens Crewman Tall Boot is a top choice, especially for commercial-level fishing. The new Crewman was created alongside a team of Michelin experts to improve traction without sacrificing performance—it has a Michelin-backed slip-resistant outsole that’s designed to keep you upright on slippery decks in the wettest of conditions. That means it should do just fine for the average angler, even if you prefer to drop a line in winter.
Young has wide feet and often needs wide versions of shoes or boots to find the right fit, and these are the most comfortable boots on the list when it comes to space inside the boot. The slip-on design makes it easy to get your foot in and out, and the width of the boot is very spacious. Despite its massive profile, the style is still comfortable and easy to wear all day long, and it doesn’t weigh as much as you might expect. While we can’t recommend it for hiking or walking long distances, it’s perfect for cold, wet and slippery conditions that would otherwise keep you indoors.
Astral is better-known among kayakers and boaters, but the brand designs a number of fishing-worthy shoes that are lightweight, grippy and perfect for saltwater. The Rassler 2.0 is a low-profile quick-dry shoe with a 3D air mesh upper and a built-in Microban-treated sock liner. If you’re the type of angler hopping in and out of boats on the beach all day, then these are a great option.
A drawback is that these won’t work well with waders, so we can’t recommend them for all saltwater environments, like a sandbar off the coast or an inlet. But for summer saltwater trips where you’re walking in and out of sandy flats all day, the grip and comfort is ideal. Combined with how quickly it dries and the supportive midsole, this is the ideal saltwater shoe for most anglers.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team has researched and published a variety of content on fishing gear and boots, and our experience extends to wading boots.
The author of this guide, David Young, has covered the fishing, hunting and outdoors industries for three years. As an avid angler in Colorado, he has fished and waded rivers and lakes around the world, from Alaska to Canada to Ireland and across the continental United States. This spring and summer, he put various wading boots through a variety of conditions and terrain to ensure they stand up to the elements and realities of fishing in harsh conditions.
This story and its iterations are overseen by gear editor Cam Vigliota, who has over a decade’s worth of experience spending time outdoors and an additional five-plus years of experience evaluating and reviewing outdoor gear. He regularly tests equipment up and down the West Coast, from the Cascade Mountains of Washington to the Sierras of California, and his knowledge of upper materials, rubber compounds and lacing systems lends itself to this guide.
To stay up-to-date on the best fishing gear, we regularly update this guide for accuracy and ensure all of our recommendations remain available. It was last updated in August of 2024.
How We Chose The Best Wading Boots
David Young regularly tests and fishes with a variety of wading boots to see which ones work the best in rivers and lakes. He’s also consulted with a variety of experts on wading boots and tested many of these models personally. He performed in-depth research on wading boots to understand specifics product specs, from weight to sole material to lacing setups, and he spoke with various professionals for additional insights.
What To Consider When Shopping For Wading Boots
When shopping for wading boots, there are a variety of different features to keep in mind. From weight to sole material, the number one thing to ask yourself is how you plan to use your boots. Saltwater fishing boots look and feel a bit different from high-alpine stream fishing boots. Make sure you zero in on what works for your type of fishing. Then consider these three factors that all wading boots have in common.
Comfort
Like any footwear, if a wading boot is uncomfortable, you won’t wear it. That reality is even more important here because fishing requires you to stand for hours in rocky, slippery, cold water. Make sure whatever wading boot you buy feels good on your feet for hours at a time.
Weight
This variable is technically tied to comfort, but it’s worth noting that some wading boot styles can be very heavy. If you aren’t moving around much, you might not notice the weight, but if you plan to hike a lot in your wading boots, make sure they’re lightweight and won’t slow you down. Too heavy, and they’ll zap you of your energy.
Traction
One of the primary functions of a wading boot is to keep you upright when walking through water, which directly relates to a boot’s traction. To understand traction, consider what the sole of the boot is made out of. Felt tends to offer the most traction, but some states ban felt wading boots because they can carry invasive species between bodies of water. For additional traction, consider boots with studs that you can screw in and out as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should You Buy Wading Boots A Size Bigger?
The answer to this question depends on how you plan to use your wading boot, but a good rule of thumb is to size up at least one shoe size. The additional space creates room for waders or neoprene bootie socks that you can wear between the boot and your foot for warmth.
What Are The Different Types Of Wading Boots?
The two main types of wading boots are felt and rubber. This refers to the material on the bottom of the boot that is the touchpoint in the river or lake. A felt wading boot tends to offer more traction on slick rocks and mossy logs. However, felt material can pick up invasive species and bacteria and spread them to other waterways if you don’t clean it. As a result, felt boots are banned in certain states and bodies of water. Rubber wading boots are becoming more popular and offer a more durable sole that works for all conditions. They can be slippery at times, but adding studs provides a bit more traction.
What States Have Banned Felt Wading Boots?
Felt wading boots are banned in Alaska, Maryland, Mis
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