Støvler til fiskeri: oplevelse af valg

In this article I will try to talk about such, seemingly simple and familiar to everyone who is engaged in fishing, things like boots for this very fishing. This is to this day the most popular footwear for all kinds of outdoor recreation, including our favorite fishing. And this is understandable, because the boots do not get wet, they are high, do not require special care and in the mass of their inexpensive. I intentionally did not write – cheap, because among fishing boots are found as incredibly cheap, and unrealistically expensive. Let’s try here to take a closer look at the different options, from different materials and make some kind of manual for those who are not really yet aware of all the nuances of choosing this simple looking shoes, in order to bring an understanding of what type of boots will be better or worse for certain conditions.

Boots made of rubber and PVC

Of course, we will start with the most common and familiar boots made of rubber and PVC. The materials are, of course, different, but in terms of their properties, capabilities and price, both rubber and PVC boots are very close.

In the most budget segment is definitely leading our domestic manufacturer, and it is good to see that at least in this area we are doing well. For example, on the basis of our ancient “Red Triangle” in St. Petersburg, a huge number of different types of rubber shoes and PVC shoes are still produced. And several other large companies from different regions of the country offer a lot of their variants of all kinds of boots, booties and booties of any height, from overshoes to wading boots and zabrodnye fishing overalls.

But also imported products made of rubber and PVC are very widely represented. I will try to give a brief review and describe my subjective attitude to a number of devices that have passed through my hands, or rather on my feet, in order to explain my modern choice, which I came to, based solely on my own experience.

I will start, perhaps, with the most famous European brand AIGLE. These are some of the best examples of rubber shoes on this planet. The assortment of this French company is very wide, you can find boots of any height, different colors and with different soles. And since their shoes are based on natural rubber, plus European high-paid production, the price for such shoes is very high. All their models are very comfortable, well thought out and durable, it is silly to argue with this, but when the price of rubber shoes is close to trekking boots made of genuine leather and gortex, people mostly choose the second. But, I repeat, AIGLE boots are very durable and very comfortable, although over time any rubber and PVC boots come into disrepair, just with rubber Frenchmen it happens a little later than others.

Comfortable and durable boots

I would like to note another European brand – Nokian. This Finnish company has been producing shoes made of rubber for a long time, and the boots of this brand are much cheaper than the French ones that I mentioned above. And although the Finnish manufacturer is far from the French one in terms of design and assortment, they are definitely even more interesting in terms of the quality of their soles and treads. The overall quality of this brand’s boots is very high. As for durability, the season for three or four of the most active use of them is enough, then the rubber begins to simply crack, the boots have to be replaced.

The quality of the tread is good, although the design is not the best

Of the other European brands can no longer distinguish anything special, most often it is similar in its characteristics shoes, produced in fact in China, with a fairly average or even low resource. Except that I can still scold such a brand as Lemigo, whose wading boots on the first fishing trip began to literally spread on my feet, the seams began to split, high wading shins separated from the boots, and cold river water flowed inside.

Unfortunately, not all footwear has the right life span

Now for the rubber ones from another part of the world. Canadian-made boots are quite popular with us. They do not shine European design, but in terms of strength and durability can surprise. For example, such popular boots, such as Baffin model Trapper I have lived for many years. This is a very durable shoe with one of the most slip-resistant soles among rubber boots. But they are terribly heavy and therefore are not suitable for long hiking trips, Canadians and Americans in such shoes move more on snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles than on foot. After I got rid of such heavy boots, I still have their warm high-tech stocking liners, which I’ll talk more about a little later.

The sole is one of the most durable

Boots from another Canadian brand, Kamik, the Icebreaker model have served me well so far, back in 2014. They are cheaper than the Baffin Trapper boots and lighter than them. Cheaper mainly because of the simpler thermal liners. Due to their lightness and durability, these boots have been with me both hunting and fishing.

I take rubber boots two sizes larger to fit the liner

As a result of my experiments with different rubber and PVC-boots, I came to a curious conclusion. And it comes down to the fact that choosing just high rubber or PVC-boots (including swamp boots), I buy today exclusively boots of domestic brands, choosing models of good tread, which does not stick mud and snow. Such footwear today is enough, for example, now I have such bog boots Woodline 179-75, they just this season were the first to turn up. The main thing is that I take such boots a couple of sizes bigger, it’s so that they freely put on the legs with the same thermal liners from Baffin Trapper boots. By the way, warm liners Baffin can be bought separately and different models, which you more suitable for the temperature regime.

Such a combination of inexpensive domestic boots and quite expensive stockings-thermal liners I get an excellent not very expensive set for any spinning fishing, both in summer and winter thaw. Taking into account that Baffin liners are very durable, only the first such set will not be cheap, after a season or two boots will be replaced by a new pair, and then the next, it will be a different story, already quite inexpensive. Comfort in such a “sandwich” of domestic and Canadian is very high, and costs are small. The longevity of boots in this case is not great, more important is the durability of the thermal liner, and cheap boots can even change every season.

Inexpensive boots plus thermal liner – a favorable kit

Boots made of neoprene from technological materials

Now let’s move on to more high-tech footwear. And let’s start with the boots of the American brand, that’s me about Muck Boot Company. Sometimes their boots are called neoprene boots, but in fact there is a somewhat more complex technological pie, of which the stuffing of the boots of this brand consists. Of those Muck Boot models that I remember the most, I would name the Woody Max boot model. These are such high camouflaged boots, whose shins rather resemble thick soft stockings, from below glued into boots made of EVA and rubber, with a complex multilayer sole and a powerful aggressive tread. The tread is very hard-wearing, high on the back of the boot for better stability when descending hills and ravines, and also acts as a stop when removing the boots and a stop for straps on ski and snowshoe bindings. The sole on these boots is very strong, I have never managed to pierce it in hiking neither with glass nor metal sharp objects.

For long hikes Muck Boot boots are one of the most comfortable, they are almost as comfortable as trekking boots, and the weight is not heavier than them. It is impossible to rub or chafe your feet in them, and you will be warm and dry in these boots for about six to eight hours of hiking. After that McBoots must be dried and that is their only disadvantage – they take a long time to dry. Since all the moisture from the vapors of our feet during walking is partly absorbed into the fabrics of multi-layer shanks, and partly outwardly, you will have to dry these shanks. And do it this way – turn out the soft shanks, and inside the boots tightly stuffed with paper, you can newspaper, and after a couple or three hours to replace the damp paper dry or just leave the boots for a few more hours to dry at room temperature. In no case using drying on the stove or other heating devices!

In terms of comfort are not inferior to trekking boots

By the way, the company Muck Boot has very decent and even beautiful boots for the beautiful half of humanity. For example, Muck Boot HAW 4RAP Womens Hale boots on a hike will not yield to the comfort of men’s boots, but how bright and cute they are.

There are also women’s models, more colorful

EVA boots

Next, let’s move on to the very popular today boots from EVA class materials. First of all, the popularity of this shoe is due to its properties to retain heat, here these boots approached almost to valenki, because fishermen-winter in them literally do not have a soul. And this shoe is also very light, almost weightless, in it the legs are less tired. A significant disadvantage is poor resistance to EVA punctures from twigs and even hard stubble. Therefore, it is best for reasons of safety and comfort to purchase such boots with reinforced rubber soles, and for winter is better with soles made of TEP, this material and slip resistance better than others. Recommend from myself personally can again domestic brands, such as Torvi. Among their range there are men’s and very nice women’s models, they are completed with very decent fur stockings-thermovouplashimi.

EVA poorly resists punctures

From warm winter boots there are curious things from the Swedish brand Polyver. Their boots are quite sensible, practical and quite nice. They are made of polyurethane foam, equipped with artificial fur lining and are quite suitable for frosts up to -10-15 degrees. By their properties are stronger and somewhat heavier than EVA boots. This is quite simple in the production of shoes, so the price for it is definitely overpriced, so you can choose whether to overpay for European production or not.

A little bit about the studded sole. Sometimes steel studs are very helpful, especially on polished ice. I and in winter spinning sometimes had to use studded shoes, on days when even from home is difficult to go outside, where solid ice. On such a skating rink is not long to flip, and there and the fifth point to beat off, and break the gear. That’s why for such days , to go fishing safely, I got myself boots with studded soles. These are high boots from our company “Rocks”, for some reason they are called hunting boots and are equipped with very good thermal liners. They are not the most comfortable shoes, but they are durable and very long-lasting, I have a couple of such boots for several seasons, helping me to save myself and my gear in the worst ice.

Steel studs help on ice

Briefly about the main thing

From all of the above, I will try to offer my more or less slender model of the choice of different boots for fishing.

For fishing in warm weather, fall and early winter I consider the most practical high (including swamp) boots from among the inexpensive models of domestic production, combined with thermal liners, stockings of high quality, for example from the company Baffin. Such boots can be easily changed once every one or two seasons or less often, depending on the intensity of wear and tear on the frequency of your fishing trips.

In cold frosty times it is better to have for fishing boots made of EVA, with soles reinforced TEP or rubber.

For walking fishing, hunting and mushrooming in the summer and fall period is very good to get yourself advanced boots such as those produced by Muck Boot, such shoes are not inferior to trekking, and in long hikes you will be able to appreciate it.

Insulated boots with studded soles will definitely be useful in heavy ice, they will protect you from possible injuries and save your precious gear.

Here are such good tips before the beginning of the next fishing season. Take care of your health, your feet are more important than money, choose the right and comfortable shoes for them.

Different shoes are optimal for different conditions