Review: Korkers Chrome Lite Wading Boots

My first thought when I received the box of Chrome Lite Wading Boots from Korkers was that they must have forgotten to put the other boot in because the package was insanely light. After realizing there were indeed two boots inside, my focus turned to the sporty construction. These things could take me from the riverbank to the trails, since they look as much like sneakers as they do a wading boot.

Besides the lightweight construction, the standout feature on these boots is the Boa lace system. Getting geared up for the water always takes ages, especially when the bugs are out and I’m eager to wet my line. Now, my boots are on in a jiffy, so I can get onto other things much more quickly, like fiddling with flies and tying clinch knots.

Like all good products, the little details are also important. The Exo-Tec pattern on the outside makes the boots more durable and abrasion resistant. The internal drainage channels in the sole combined with hydrophobic materials make sure that water gets out of the boots fast, and that they dry quickly at the end of the day. My favorite detail, though, is the lip on the heel to help kick them off when I’m ready to call it quits. $180; korkers.com.