11/27/10

 
 

KORKERS Streamborn wading boot with interchangeable Omnitrax Soles.

With a large variety of wading boots available on the market it is often hard to “wade” thru the plethora of information and choices making it tough to make a well informed decision. I hope this clear cut, fact based review on the Korkers Streamborn wading boot, with interchangeable omnitrax soles, helps make that decision easier.

If you go to KORKERS web site you will see that these are no ordinary wading boots. Actually none of their boots are. You have a couple of options to choose from when ordering. You pick out your Streamborns and then select one of the 2 sole combos offered. Which are a plain felt & a trail lug sole OR a Klingon rubber and a plain felt.

Either option is an MSRP of $139.99. Not bad at all for a pair of boots with options. My first pair of Korker Streamborns were a gift that was actually a size too small. I tried to make do but in the end I had to get a new larger pair. By the way..Korkers site clearly states to go 1 to 1&1/2 sizes larger than your shoe size. I ended up on the last size they make, a 15. So with the first pair I had the felt and lug sole and I quickly found that for SW Michigan rivers the lug sole was not an option to wade with. However, they are great for hiking down the trails to the Manistee or Pere Marquette Especially if the trail is snow covered or muddy. Nice thing is you simply swap out the soles when you get to the river. With the new pair that fit I opted to get the felt and klingon package and then ordered the studded klingon($34.99) to go with it. Love the klingon with studs. You can also get studded felt ($29.99) and studded rubber(34.99). None of the studded soles are offered as a package with the Streamborns and have to be purchased separately.

Now when you get your boots you will be excited and giddy and first thing you’ll want to do is swap out the soles. Trust me. Korkers provides a handy little tool to help put the new sole in with. DO NOT toss this tool aside thinking it useless. Second…I know this is tuff for guys, but….read the directions, watch the video on Korkers site too. OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System™  and follow along with it. Trust me…you’ll take the soles out and after a few minutes you’ll either look at the directions or go watch the video. I have found that each time you swap out the soles it gets easier and faster. It could be that the rubber and stuff is loosening up a bit, but I think it’s simply the fact that you know how to do it. Think of it like dis-assembling and re-assembling an M16. First time it takes a while, after a few times you can do it in 2 minutes blindfolded. Same thing with the omnitrax soles.

When you head out to fish it is nice to know that you can swap out the soles to go from hiking to fishing. It’s quick, easy and they stay in place. The small round mesh vents work great and when you step out of the stream you’ll see the water gush thru them for a few steps. They really drain the boot well and keep sand and grit out. A year on the water and I have yet to have a sole come loose.  They are very comfortable and I have often spent 8 to 10 hours in them.They are a fantastic boot that will last you a good long while.

From KORKERS web site:

Slip on a pair and you'll quickly discover the superior comfort and support this premium fly fishing wading boot offers.

  1. •OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System™ adapts your traction performance while responsibly preventing the spread of invasive species

  2. •High quality double layered nubuck leather repels water

  3. •Hiking inspired construction provides exceptional ankle support

  4. •Molded EVA midsole provides cushioning without adding weight for all day comfort

  5. •Keep grit out and drain water quickly with six micro-screen ports

  6. •Rust resistant speed lacing

  7. •Triple stitch reinforced construction

  8. •41.6 oz /pair

  9. •To accommodate waders, increase size from 1 to 1½ sizes