Redington Skagit Wading Boots : Sticky Without the Ick
Redington’s Skagit Wading Sticky Rubber Wading Boots were designed to provide comfort, traction and reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species at a value price. Follow Andrew Borgic as he tries not to bust his tail on California’s Sacramento River.
Redington Skagit Wading Boot – Sticky Rubber, $100, www.redington.com/Skagit-Wading-Boot-Sticky-Rubber.
The Good: Stickier than I expected for a rubber boot – the name should have tipped me off. Easy to clean.
The Bad: Still slick on submerged moss laden terrain.
The Ugly: The walnuts in the sole’s may not be the needed panacea for rubber soles wading boots, but a great source of omega-3.
Out of the box and onto my wool wrapped, wader encapsulated feet I see a difference from other wading boots. Instead of the typical space-age look of wading boots covered in khaki; the Skagits have a relatively attractive look that is more typical of hiking boots. The grey honey comb-patterned mesh upper, metal eyelets and long laces are a plus.
In the breathable waders of my choice for the day, I found the Skagit’s to be a bit too roomy at the laces on top of my foot. The boots folded oddly on top of my foot when I walked. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it makes me worry about the durability of boot folding like this in repeated cycles over the long term. I feel that the toe box would fill out better and the folding would go away in thicker neoprene waders.
On the trail to my favorite wading spot on the Lower Sacramento River (LSAC) I did not hear the familiar clicks from my favorite metal studded felt wading boots. The Skagits provide the wearer with a rubber, crushed walnut infused sole to brave the rushing river. I will be honest, though I am confident in my wading skills, I was unsure of the ability of the rubber soles to keep me from busting my tailbone or filling my waders with water.
After taking the boots over dry rocks, sand, wet rocks, wet moss-covered rocks and a submerged moss-covered tree, I was pleasantly surprised by the stickiness of the boots to the moss-free elements of the environment. The moss-covered rock to boot combo reminded me twice that I have stomach, as I felt it lodged in my throat when I momentarily skated across a rock in the fast current.
Overall I feel that the Redington Sticky Rubber Skagit Wading Boots are an attractive and comfortable wading boot offering decent traction. For those tuned into the fly fishing community’s collective conscience to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species through wearing rubber soled boots, I would recommend adding metal studs for more traction. For all others, checkout Redington’s Skagit Wading Boots in felt.
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Tags: fishing, fly fishing, footwear, outdoors, redington, skagit
Author: Andrew Borgic
