Skwala Fishing: Wading Boots

These are some of the most heavily tested and design-engineered wading boots I have seen in my 25 years of experience in the fly fishing industry. I’ve seen the prototypes, heard about their rejections, and watched the team continually tweak and modify their original design until they eventually built the best wading boots for fly fishing cold water rivers and streams. As with everything Skwala builds and designs, the emphasis has been to make our lives, as anglers, more comfortable through badass design and cutting-edge technology.

RS Wading Boot

This is Skwala’s heavy-duty, long-lasting wading boot made for comfort and grip where it matters most. Think mid-river crossings on the Gallatin River in early July followed by a couple of miles of bouldering up along the west bank while plopping salmonfly dries along the soft edges. Maximum durability, foot protection, and confident wading were just a few of the themes that inspired the RS Wading Boot.

Key Features

Comfort

• proprietary stair-step lug pattern Vibram soles
• dual-layered, figure 8 ESS rock plate
• high-density EVA midsole
• removable OrthoLite insoles

Durability

• fully molded Vibram toe caps
• double lasting and TPU reinfoced uppers
• bonded seams rather than stitching
• glass-impregnated D-ring lacing system

Carbon Wading Boot

I would have loved having these boots on my feet during all those miles that I tramped around New Zealand from 2004 – 2014. Lightweight support built for long hikes across variable terrain with reliable traction is exactly what I always wanted – but never found. The Carbon Wading Boots check all those boxes, fully. These are the perfect summertime wading/hiking boots for all types of cold water fisheries – think Black Canyon of the Yellowstone or fishing your way up from $3 Bridge to Raynolds Pass on an August morning.

Key Features

Comfort

• Vibram IDROGRIP soles with proprietary stair-step lug pattern
• rockered, dual density midsole
• “burrito wrap” tongue ensures a solid and snug feel and fit
• dual-layered, figure 8 ESS rock plate
• removable OrthoLite insoles

Durability

• fully molded Vibram toe caps
• double lasting and TPU reinforced uppers
• bonded seams rather than stitching

Proven Gear

Skwala fishing products have spoken for themselves. From their functional and durable waders to the most comfortable pants and shirts for walking the flats, they “get it right” by relying on innovative tech and intelligent design. These wading boots are no different. They took time to develop – more time than Skwala would have liked – but they simply did not settle.

Skwala fishing gear is available at fly shops around the USA and can be ordered directly from Skwala online.

Skwala Wading Boot Size Aids

Wading boots are sized to accommodate neoprene booties, so the standard practice is to pick the same size boot as you would when purchasing your favorite pair of street shoes. Typically built using a hiking boot last, wading boots are built wider with voluminous toe boxes.

Proper fitting wading boots are essential to comfort and support, so please make sure that your pair is right for you before taking them outside on your first adventure. Try them on with your waders or heavy neoprene booties and walk around indoors to get a good sense of the feel and fit.

Wading boots generally soften up and become more flexible when wet, so it's usually fine if they feel too snug around the ankles or feet as long as your toes aren't pushing up against the toe cap of the boot. Check out the size chart and watch the Skwala sizing video to help you select the correct size.

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