Educate me on stockingfoot vs bootfoot

[patyer]

I have a pair of neoprene bootfoot waders but I want some lighter weight and more breathable for the summer months. What are the pros and cons of stocking foot over bootfoot? I see the majority of waders seem to be stocking foot so I'm guessing they are the better of the two. Thanks for any help.

[Hardyreels]

The short side of the long story is that a stocking foot with a good light (high top) wading shoe will give you a great feel for what is going on with your feet in relation to the bottom. They make you more nimble. They take a little longer to put on and take off but the trade off in agility is worth the time.

Ard

[patyer]

Are the booties on stocking foots pretty durable as far as not ripping when putting on boots?

[Hardyreels]

This comes down to the quality of the wader itself. I have never had a problem like the one you hypothesize. I have worn the neoprene feet out but that took 8 years. In stocking foot waders I have had Seal Dri (1970s all rubber) Red Ball (1980s coated nylon) Orvis (80s -90s neoprene) LL Bean Wicked Tough Waders (2002 - 2010) and now use Simms' G3 wader and have no problem with the new ones.

I know that getting a deal is sweet but I have always went the top shelf route when it comes to the waders. It will be important to try the wader and shoe on! Fit is crucial when it comes to both. I mail ordered the LL Bean but all others I bought on site where I could ensure a perfect fit. Using the extra tuff guide weights pays off when you come to brush and crossing logs, most leaks associated with punctures and tears happen in the leg areas of the waders. There are people who get waders regardless of brand name and experience seam leaks. This is a luck of the draw situation and if bought at a local shop you will have support on hand. When choosing the boot be thinking rubber with cleats for a sole. I use Korkers brand with interchangeable soles because cleats are not always acceptable when entering a fly shop, dinner, etc. Soon felt bottom shoes will be banned all over the place.

Also if buying new waders in preparation for a trip go try them out in the water to ensure the fit, feel and that the seams are solid. No one wants to get to their destination only to find that one of the most important parts of the gear is faulty.

Hope that helps,

Ard

[Rip Tide]

Originally Posted by patyer

Are the booties on stocking foots pretty durable as far as not ripping when putting on boots?

I wear a pair of boot socks over my wader bootie
Gives extra some extra protection from grit and a little more cushioning from stream rocks.
I'm always surprised to see that not everyone does this
To me the socks are more important than the gaiters most people wear

Ard, I had a pair of those Seal Dri waders. They were very comfortable and lasted a long time (with patching of course )
Most of my waders since then have been from Cabela's..... not exactly top end and the neoprenes and flyweights are 15 and 14 years old
IMO all waders are going to leak eventually, high end or not. If you're going to buy "the best" I wouldn't count on they lasting much longer than some "lesser" brand.

I have a pair of breathable bootfoots (Cabela's Dry Plus, 4 years old) and my biggest complaint with those light weight boots is the thin sole rather than a lack of ankle support. Walking on rocks all day make for some sore feet.
I wear the bootfoots mostly in the surf however as separate wading boots quickly fill with beach sand. Very annoying.

[jpbfly]

I wore bootfoot waders for years... like Ard said they're easier to put on and take offbut less comfortable and you'll have a steadier foot with stocking foot waders...last thing :if you buy a top quality breathable wader you'll keep it for years and only change the boots....worn out four pairs before buying a new wader
....Hart wading boots

[Vans]

I like the ability to change out the soles of my boots as different wading conditions demand.

[MacFly55]

Originally Posted by Rip Tide

I wear a pair of boot socks over my wader bootie
Gives extra some extra protection from grit and a little more cushioning from stream rocks.
I'm always surprised to see that not everyone does this
To me the socks are more important than the gaiters most people wear

Ard, I had a pair of those Seal Dri waders. They were very comfortable and lasted a long time (with patching of course )
Most of my waders since then have been from Cabela's..... not exactly top end and the neoprenes and flyweights are 15 and 14 years old
IMO all waders are going to leak eventually, high end or not. If you're going to buy "the best" I wouldn't count on they lasting much longer than some "lesser" brand.

I have a pair of breathable bootfoots (Cabela's Dry Plus, 4 years old) and my biggest complaint with those light weight boots is the thin sole rather than a lack of ankle support. Walking on rocks all day make for some sore feet.
I wear the bootfoots mostly in the surf however as separate wading boots quickly fill with beach sand. Very annoying.

just a curious question here... what do you mean by a boot sock... it that like a diving boot ?

[Jackster]

I use both boot and stockingfoot waders. Back when times were good and I was a consumer who was able to put money in American manufacturers pockets I was happily able to afford stuff like waders (and rods, and reels, and...)
I wear the breathable bootfoots in the cold of winter because I'm able to cram a lot of insulating socks into the boots and they are way easier to take off and put on. No frozen laces to deal with.
I also carried them in the car when I used to work for quick on-the-spot fishing. They go over suit pants easily and quickly!
I also use them when floating in cold water and weather in my 'toon. Again, easy off and on and no need to hastle with boots as I'm not doing any technical hiking or wading. I love them for 'tooning.
I also use them for surf/beach fishing when ankle and foot support isn't that critical.
One more thing I used to use them for was ice fishing. Got tired of working up a sweat walking to a spot only to freeze my butt off sitting in the cold in wet and clammy clothes.

The stocking foot waders and pants I use are my main waders for fly fishing. They are the most comfortable and provide way better foot and ankle support than my old Simms bootfoots. Plus, chicks dig 'em!

[Rip Tide]

just a curious question here... what do you mean by a boot sock... it that like a diving boot ?

Nope, just regular socks
I wear them between the stocking foot and the wader shoe.
Not instead