Choose the Right Wading Boot for Surf Fishing
Wading boots might be the single most important piece of gear to a surfcaster. You can compromise on rod and reel or plug bag and lures and still have a mostly enjoyable time in the surf. You can even cut costs on waders because if they fail, you only have to worry about getting wet. Boots, however, are an important piece of equipment for both your comfort and your safety. Choosing the wrong boots or soles for your surfcasting could land you in a dangerous or deadly situation. Here’s a guide to choosing a proper set of wading boots for surf fishing in the Northeast.
What do Surfcasters look for in a Wading Boot?
When it comes to choosing a wading boot, there are four main considerations, not including the price. These are ankle support, durability, comfort, and traction.
Ankle Support
Leave the ankle boots to the boat guys – surfcasters on uneven terrain need high boots with firm support, and a reliable lacing system. Look for boots with an 8-inch height and internal ankle wrap, like the Korkers Bantam Lights.
Durability
The surf is hard on gear, especially footwear. Saltwater submersion, long walks over uneven terrain, and fabric-shredding shells and barnacles cause some serious surfcasters wear out a pair of wading boots every season. That puts durability high on the list of qualities to look for in a pair of wading boots, especially when spending $200 or more for a pair.
Wading boots made with non-corrosive, or corrosion-resistant hardware generally have a longer lifespan, as fishermen don’t have to worry about tightening up their laces and ripping out a grommet.
Abrasion-resistant materials, protected stitching and reinforced toe caps help boots keep their shape, even when climbing up and sliding down rocks. Boots like the Patagonia Forra are made with an abrasion-resistant Cordura nylon mesh upper for quick-drying, durable, lightweight support.
Comfort
Surfcasters spend hours on their feet, often at awkward angles on even rocks, so a supportive midsole and cushioning throughout the interior of a wading boot is a big plus. Boots like the Simms FreeSalt have a neoprene lining for a comfortable fit, easy on and off, and added warmth.
Traction
Last, and perhaps most important, is finding a boot that gives you the proper traction for the locations where you surf fish. Choosing boots with the proper sole will keep you safer in the surf.
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What Types of Boot Soles are Best for Surf Fishing?
Just as important as sturdy ankle support is the type of sole on the bottom of your wading boot. Most wading boots come standard with either a rubber or felt sole, and anglers have the option of modifying the soles by installing metal studs to improve their boots grippiness. Here are the most common options for wading boot soles.
Rubber
Wading boots sporting rubber soles often have a specific tread designed to provide traction in wet environments. These soles are a good pick for anglers primarily fishing sandy beaches and sodbanks, and even dry rocky areas. Fisherman walking out on jetties or along rocky shorelines that may be splashed or submerged or covered in vegetation, rubber soles, on their own, are a poor choice.
Some of the more expensive wading boots use Vibram rubber soles. Vibram, a company specializing in high-end rubber soles for outdoor sports, was founded in 1937 by Italian alpinist and entrepreneur Vitale Bramani. Vibram soles are known for their durability and grip, which has made them a popular choice among wading boot manufacturers like Simms, Korkers, and Patagonia.
Felt
Another popular wading boot option is felt. These boots have a strip of dense felt attached to the bottom that, when wet, provides extra traction on submerged rocks. However, on rocks with any vegetation, felt will provide very little grip, to the point of being dangerous. However, some anglers favor felt for soles that they intend to modify by installing metal studs, because the dense, rigid layer of felt seems to hold onto the studs better than rubber.
Also, felt soles have fallen out of favor with freshwater fishermen for their tendency to transport invasive aquatic species such as didymo or “rock snot.” Some states have gone so far as banning felt soles on their fresh waters, which is something to keep in mind if you are looking for boots to do double duty between surf and stream.
Carbide Studs
Carbide is a ceramic material that is harder, more rigid, and more wear-resistant than steel. this makes studes made of carbide an ideal choice for fishermen wading over wet, seaweed or algae covered rocks. These studs bite into rocks and cut through vegetation providing the absolute best grip. They are available as individual studs that can be screwed into a wading boot.
One downside to carbide studs is the expense. The Rock Grabrz studs (pictured above) cost $80 for a pack of 50, with anglers adding between 12 and 16 studs per boot. Of course, $80 is cheaper than a trip to the emergency room and far better than missing out on part of your surf fishing season because of a sprained ankle or worse.
Also consider that installing carbide studs into a set of wading boots will require removing the boots to drive or run into your house, 7-11, or a tackle shop, in order to avoid permanently scarring the floors.
Aluminum Bars and Discs
Unlike the Carbide studs, the soft aluminum conforms to a rock’s surface, providing a sturdy grip. For a non-slip grip on dry or submerged rocks without vegetation (or with just a thin layer of algae), aluminum bars are excellent. They do, however, wear out over time, and may require one or two changes during the surf-fishing season depending on your weight and how frequently you fish.
Aluminum bars or discs can be installed onto wading boots. Because they are larger and have more surface area than carbide studs, aluminum is not as easy to install on any set of wading boots, and fit best into rubber soles designed to accommodate them. Boots like the Patagonia Foot Tractor come standard with aluminum bars, and Korkers offers soles with aluminum bars.
WATCH: Installing Metal Studs in Boots for Surf Fishing
Wading Boots for Surf Fishing in 2025
The wader-compatible FreeSalt Boot provide stability, traction, and comfort for the full range of environments that shore-based striper fishermen experience. They are built with durable, non-corrosive, saltwater-friendly materials throughout the boot, have a neoprene lining for a comfortable fit, easy on and off, and added warmth, and a dual-density EVA midsole for a comfortable ride underfoot. The outsole is non-marking, boat-friendly gum rubber compatible with Simms Hardbite cleats/studs, and Alumibite Star Cleats.
$199.95; Learn More
A lightweight, hiking-inspired boot built to withstand rugged saltwater terrain, the Bantam Light has Korkers’ OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System allowing anglers to quickly switch between studded, felt, and rubber soles. The lacing system is built with durable non-corrosive hardware, and protected stitching on the heel counter and toe offer long-lasting durability.
Starting at $169
The Bedrock Wading Boot, built with durability in mind, features corrosion-resistant hardware, a water-friendly synthetic upper combined with scratched-rubber overlays in high-wear zones keeps wear, tear, and material breakdown to a minimum, which ultimately extends the life of the boot. An ultra-comfortable, molded EVA midsole enables all-day support, while two outsole options deliver varying grip capabilities depending on the wearer’s preferences – the natural gum rubber outsole option is cleat/stud compatible and provides excellent traction in mud, wet grass.
$199.99
Built with abrasion-resistant Cordura nylon mesh upper for quick-drying, durable, lightweight support the Forra Wading Boots feature Vibram Mars sole technology for traction and grip, a high ankle, a sturdy toe box and an adjustable, noncorrosive lacing system for support and durability.
$299
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WATCH: Installing Metal Studs in Wading Boots for Surf Fishing
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Source: https://onthewater.com/choose-the-right-wading-boot-for-surf-fishing
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