Are you going on a fishing trip? Do you need to pack light? Can’t decide between felt and rubber sole wading boots? Then Korkers wading boots are here to rescue you. You get interchangeable soles with korkers boots that help trek comfortably without changing multiple wading boots. But before selecting your best korkers wading boots let me help you with a detailed korkers wading boots review!
My favorites are Korkers River-Ops and Korkers DarkHorse Wading boots. Both are extremely comfortable making the fly fishing and wading very easy. Check the detailed Korkers darkhorse review and River-Ops review below.
You can pick a Korkers wading boot and keep as many interchangeable soles as you want. It saves you a lot of storage space, money, and the hassle of switching between different wading boots.
Korkers boots has always been my favorite brand for fly fishing and wading boots. I am not ashamed to admit that I have tried AND bought each one of their boots. The entire collection is up for display in my backyard shed, where I store most of my fishing supplies. However, today I promise to be as unbiased as possible while presenting this Korkers wading boots review. I will be exposing the brand and its most top-rated fishing boots.
So keep reading to check out the specifications I loved the most about them and the ones that didn’t thrill me enough.
Korkers Wading Boots – Quick Overview
Before diving into the detailed reviews of korkers wading boots, here is a quick overlook:
- Korkers River Ops Wading Boots – Professional Grade
- Korkers DarkHorse Wading Boots – Functionality at its Best
- Korkers Terror Ridge Wading Boots – Unshakeable Heel
- Korkers Devil’s Canyon Wading Boots – Seamless Fit
- Korkers BuckSkin Wading Boots – Most Comfortable
- Korkers Redside Wading Boots – Best Low-Height Option
- Korkers Greenback Wading Boots – Best Value For Money
- Korkers Buckskin Mary Women’s Wading Boots -Sized for the Ladies
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Korkers Wading Boots Reviews
Now, let’s start our detailed Korkers wading boots reviews:
1. Korkers River Ops Wading Boots Review – Professional Grade
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: Vibram And felt
- Closure: Traditional lacing system
- Weight: 3lbs 6oz
- Height: 9”
In terms of support and durability, River Ops are the best Korkers wading boots. Suitable for guides and professionals, these may seem a bit too stout to some. But since the level of protection and stability is too high, the flexibility may be compromised.
When stepping on rocky shores, Vibram and felt are the highest standard soles for traction. With the River Ops, you get both. But traction is not the only good thing they offer; the material quality is unmatched too. Korkers River Ops Wading Boots are light in weight and stand tough against rocks abrading their surface. Then, the locking cleat secures the laces tightly in place.
What stood out the most for me was the extra padding around the ankle for added support and stabilization. While these are the most expensive of all Korkers wading boots I have reviewed, these are ones that I recommend splurging on if you spend most of your month’s days wading down a river.
- Best support and stabilization
- Best traction soles
- Light in weight
- Abrasion-resistant
- Locking cleats with laces
- High-end Boots
- A little too stout for beginners
2. Korkers DarkHorse Wading Boots Review – Functionality at its Best
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: Felt and rubber
- Closure: Boa M2 lacing system
- Weight: 3lbs 4oz
- Height: 9″
If you have an angler’s soul, the Korkers Darkhorse wading boots are sure to excite you. They include all the fancy features an angler dreams of. But first, let me appreciate the insanely stylish silhouette! The gunmetal black with grey detailings makes this the most elegant pair of boots I have ever owned.
You know by now that I am a “Boa-fanatic.” These Korkers fishing boots are easy to wear and tighten, thanks to this innovative lacing system. TPU reinforcements are a clumsy soul’s best friend. They shield the toes from bumping into hard rocks. But what’s most remarkable about the DarkHorse in this korkers boots review? The Achilles stabilization will give you a fit like no other.
The felt sole of this Korkers wader boots comes in a complimenting black color, even though I am not too pleased with its thickness. We know that felt is very fast to wear off; hence the thickness should have been more to make it more long-lasting.
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Boa lacing is amazing
- Lightweight and extremely comfortable
- High-quality toe protection
- Easy entry
- Heel stabilization
- None
3. Korkers Terror Ridge Wading Boots Review – Unshakeable Heel
- Dual soles: Rubber and studded
- Closure: Traditional lacing system plus heel lock strap
- Weight: 3lbs 2oz
- Height: 9”
A fly fisher knows the importance of heel stability while walking on rough terrain. If your heel is secure in place, your wading boots will never budge. Thus, these best Korkers wading boots have an additional strap across the heel for maximum stability. You can walk through mud or slippery rocks with ease.
And durability is as if they are of steel. The tougher than leather synthetic material fights off scratches from rocks and twigs in the river bed. The side panels of korkers terror ridge wading boots are an extension of the hard rubber toe caps. All of these materials are hydrophobic, too, to ensure fast drying. Moreover, the studded rubber sole is a terrific way to achieve traction in impossibly slippery surfaces when felt is not an option.
My only complaint is their hefty price tag. But let’s not forget to mention that these were worth it! I had to spend a considerable portion of whatever little savings I had to get my hands on this beauty.
- High heel stability
- Anti-abrasion synthetic material
- Rubberized toe caps and side panels
- Fast- drying
- Hefty price tag
4. Korkers Devil’s Canyon Wading Boots Review – Seamless Fit
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: Felt and rubber
- Closure: Boa M2 lacing system
- Weight: 3lbs 2oz
- Height: 9”
The Korkers Devil’s Canyon wading boots are a classic masterpiece by the brand. It embodies everything the brand stands for. Functionality, ease of use, durability, and aesthetics, all are combined in one pair of boots. They are easily one of the most well-fitting wading boots my feet have ever been in touch with, no exaggeration!
The Korkers Devil’s Canyon wading boot is ideal for use in rocky river beds to muddy shores. The boots’ fast-drying and hydrophobic upper material reduces exotic species’ spread, even with felt soles. Also, the quality of these boots is phenomenal. The abrasion-resistant material, triple stitching, and reduced seams all add to the long life of these wading boots.
But the fanciest feature is their Boa closure system. The highly innovative lacing system gives all the advantages of closure, fitting, and easy on-off without using old-school laces, velcros, buckles, and straps.
Sadly, the same Boa knob gave a few glitches and was a bit hard to come out after I used it in seawater. Not sure if it was just bad luck or the salt that messed up the otherwise perfect Korkers Devil’s Canyon review.
- Unmatchable fit
- Fast-drying material
- Durable
- Innovative lacing system
- Not recommended for saltwater fishing
5. Korkers BuckSkin Wading Boots Review – Most Comfortable
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: Felt and rubber
- Closure: Traditional laces
- Weight: 3lbs 2oz
- Height: 8″
In this Korkers wading boot review, Korkers BuckSkin wading boots are the most comfortable ones. They are lightweight and feature a midsole that gives natural support to your arches, which means no tired feet at the end of the day!
The OmniTrax bottom is compatible with all 3.0 soles and accessories Korkers provide. It is a handy feature to increase their versatility many-fold. You can use these wading boots in mud, ice, sand, and stones; there is a sole to give you a solid grip.
BuckSkin boots allow a swift flow of water and debris in and out without getting stuck in the shoes. The hydrophobic upper body ensures faster drying times. And the rubber and toe protection via rubber caps is also commendable.
The only issue I faced with the Korkers BuckSkin wading boots is with their sole lock. I lost my replaceable sole a couple of times in the river while fishing. The locks should have been more secure. But, Buckskin wading boots are the best choice for someone who prefers comfort over everything else.
- Very comfortable
- Compatible with other Korkers soles
- Swift water-drainage
- Non Slip boots
- Rubber and toe protection caps
- The sole lock should be more secure.
6. Korkers Redside Wading Boots Review – Best Low Height Option
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: Felt and rubber
- Closure: Cinch lace-up system
- Weight: 2lbs 6oz
- Height: 7″
If you are not a fan of very tall boots, the Korkers Redside wading boots should be your go-to boots. They offer a very subtle height. Lower height means better flexibility that is suitable for both amateurs and professionals.
The design of these boots is such that it fulfills the needs of every angler. And my favorite part of the Korkers Redside wading boot review is that these are exceptionally lightweight. They are easy to carry and wear while wading. Plus, the abrasion-resistant materials make them durable too. Such a great value option!
But the Korkers Redside review won’t be complete without mentioning a flaw I noticed immediately in them. The lace-up clasp is not tight as I would have liked. My boot has never come off, but I can feel the laces getting loose when I walk in the mud.
- Low height
- Versatile usage
- Most lightweight
- Abrasion-resistant material
- The laces are not as tight.
7. Korkers Greenback Wading Boots Review – Best Value For Money
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: felt and rubber
- Closure: Cinch lace-up system
- Weight: 2lbs 8oz
- Height: 7″
When it comes to price tags, Korkers are indeed costly. Most of their boots cost somewhere around 200 bucks. But if you don’t want to spend that much, the Korkers Greenback wading boots are an excellent option. They don’t cost as much and are still pretty high on the benefits.
The durable anti-scratch material and the thoughtful seam locations make this pair of boots extremely durable. You can buy them once and use them for numerous fishing trips, but these wading boots won’t complain. They are pretty lightweight and comfortable too. The EVA midsole ensures fresh feet after a tiresome day of fishing. A system of multiple drain ports works to remove water as soon as you step out of it.
The dual sole feature is excellent but needs a bit of improvement too. Locking the sole in place requires some prying of the plastic hooks. You may need to maneuver them manually, so they click into place.
- Affordable price
- Durable materials
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Internal drainage system
- Locking the sole in place needs some hard work
8. Korkers Buckskin Mary Women’s Wading Boots Review – Sized for the Ladies
Key Specifications:
- Dual soles: Felt and rubber
- Closure: Traditional laces
- Weight: 3lbs 2oz
- Height: 8″
There was a time when there were no wading boots for women. But thankfully, now there are plenty. These best korkers fishing boots for women have sizes unique to female feet. Hence, they give an excellent fit and are insanely stable on slippery rocks. The weight could be a little less, in my opinion, to make them even better suited for females.
The traditional laces have rust-proof metallic hardware that makes these Korkers boots fit for seawater. Plus, they are incredibly well-made. The scratch-resistant upper, synthetic materials make it through hundreds of fly fishing trips before finally losing their shape. The rubberized and hardened toe caps are an effective barrier against toe injuries.
I got these women’s korkers fly fishing boots as a gift for my wife, and she couldn’t be happier. Our fishing trips together as a couple has been much more fun with these! They are comfortable, do the job perfectly, and the quality is impressive.
- Sized specifically for women
- seawater friendly boots
- Scratch-resistant upper
- Hardened toe caps
- It could have been lighter.
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FAQs
Q. Can you hike in Korkers fly fishing boots?
Hiking is no problem in most Korkers’ wading boots. In my experience, the Korkers Redside wading boots reviews are best for hiking.
Q. Are Korkers felt soles compatible with my Korkers Devil’s Canyon wading boot?
Yes! The OmniTrax soles are compatible with all of the boots included in the above Korkers reviews. You can buy multiple soles from their collection and use them with any of their wading boots.
Q. Among the Korkers boots review, which is good for saltwater?
The Terror Ridge, BuckSkin, Redside, and Greenback boots are all compatible with saltwater. But due to great Korkers Greenback reviews, I think they are the best saltwater wading boots due to their affordability and efficiency.
Q. How do I change my Korkers wading boots soles?
The interchangeable soles of the Korkers wading boots have a nylon baseplate. This flexible plate has six locking pins that help in attaching the soles to the shoe base. All you have to do is:
- Clip the front two pins within their slits under the toe region of the boots.
- Now, secure the rear heel strap in place by hooking it in the screw behind the ankle cuff.
- Lastly, snap the midsole pins in place by simply pressing them against the bottom of the boots.
Q. Which Korkers wading boots have the Boa lacing system?
The Korkers DarkHorse and Devil’s Canyon use the highly innovative Boa lacing system to customize the fit and tightness of the boot according to the angler’s preference.
Conclusion
So there it is; my take on the Korkers wading boots reviews. I tried every single boot and judged it with the eyes of the most brutal critic. I’ve mentioned their positives and negatives so you could make a better choice.
I love every single Korkers wader boots by heart, but for the sake of concluding this article, I will name a favorite. The Korkers River Ops Wading Boots are attractive as well as highly functional. Their durability is to die for, and the Boa lacing system is where I was sold. Plus, they are great for hiking too. An all-in-one package!
So next time you decide to spend your hard-earned money on your wading gear, make sure it is on something worthy. The Korkers wading boots cost a bit more than many other options available in the market, but Korker boots are pretty good value. I have walked miles upon miles in these boots, and I can vouch for them. Their durability is good enough to outlive most other ordinary fishing shoes. And the changeable soles are also sure to save you some money.
So, are you a fan yet? check some other best wading boots options present out there.
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