MidCurrent Tested and Trusted: Orvis Ultralight Wading Boots

As a professional fly angler, I practically live in my waders. Outside of the summer guide season, when I prefer to wet wade in sandals, I spend almost every day awkwardly contorting beside my truck to get my waders on. Whether I’m hitting the local hatch before work or swinging flies for steelhead for weeks at a time, my waders have become part of my anatomy. Yet, the same can’t be said for my wading boots.

Over years of hard fishing, I’ve gone through wading boots quicker than Leo DiCaprio goes through girlfriends. Some boots have completely disintegrated after a single season while others had to be chucked away for being too uncomfortable or slippery. I’d resigned myself to buying a new pair every couple of months, until I stumbled upon the Orvis Ultralight Wading Boots and realized there was a better way.

Light and Comfortable

Orvis Ultralight Wading Boots find that rare slot in wading gear where they don’t make you feel like an astronaut about to walk on the moon. They aren’t heavy or clunky—they almost feel like a good pair of hiking boots, except you can get them wet. Made of quick-drying Clarino microfiber rather than traditional leather, the Ultralights are perfect for anyone who likes to spot hop or gear up before hiking to a secret spot without feeling like they’re wearing ankle weights.

With other wading boot brands, I’d often need a foot massage after a long day of fishing. My feet would get beat up and contorted, ending up sorer than a fat guy after his first yoga class. However, the Orvis Ultralight boots come with a custom Vibram EVA midsole, offering good support while the flexible Clarino material adheres to your foot like a sneaker. No matter how badly you twist and warp your feet while wading through rocks and mud, they remain comfortable with every step.

Grippingly Tough

One of my biggest issues with waders has been slippery soles. It’s especially problematic since I usually fish in cold weather, where an unexpected swim can ruin my day. The Orvis Ultralight Boots are designed with a dual durometer Vibram sole that grips the slickest rocks like good snow tires both in and out of the water. They give me confidence when climbing muddy banks or wading out to those sweet runs midriver—no matter how snotty the bottom gets, I won’t fall.

These boots are tough too. They feature ripstop inserts around the laces and abrasion-resistant rubber spray around high-wear zones that keeps them intact. I can really beat the hell out of them. From hiking over blowdowns and boulder fields to wading through sharp shale riverbeds and ankle-deep mud, my Ultralight boots take serious abuse, yet hold together. While they’ve become worn and scarred, they remain as sound and comfortable as day one.

These Boots are Made for Fishing

When buying wading boots, you usually have to compromise. Either they’ll last forever but feel like lead-lined ski boots, or they’re light and comfortable but fall apart faster than OJ’s testimony. However, the Orvis Ultralight wading boots find that sweet spot between comfort and durability, and at $198, they’re an exceptional value. They’re the type of boots that will last for years, keeping you comfortably in the water and on top of the fish no matter where your fly fishing life takes you.