Simms Rivershed Boots
Christopher Bassano wears-in a durable pair of fishing boots.
The rigours of guiding place a large strain on equipment. Unlike most anglers, we are on the water almost every day, and in Tasmania the conditions are harsh. When selecting rods, reels, lines, waders, etc there are many factors that need to be considered and durability is high on the list.
I have had trouble with wading boots for many years and tried all sorts of styles and brands. They are too slippery on rocks or don’t have enough support, wear too quickly, or generally just come apart. Until this season, they have all fallen well short of the mark. Remembering that, as a guide, my boots never dry out, it would seem only reasonable that I go through two or three pairs of them every season—until this season.
I have been wearing a pair of Simms Rivershed boots since September and they have been nothing short of a revelation for me. Simms has always had a reputation as being a manufacturer of the finest fly fishing apparel, so I was not surprised at the quality of craftsmanship that has clearly gone into making these boots. An added difficulty I have always had with boots is that I have an extremely narrow foot and it moves around inside my shoe. Knowing that these boots have been designed for a wide foot, I was pleased to find that they fit me better than any I have owned.
One of my fellow guides has a very wide foot and also wears a pair of these boots with just as much comfort. How they have managed to design a boot like that is beyond me, but they have.
I have never been interested in the fancy terms used by manufacturers to describe their equipment, and boots are no exception. Complex words mean nothing when you lose your balance, perched on a slippery rock in the middle of a raging river.
The Rivershed boot has been designed for hiking as well as for wading and many trips into the Western Lakes this season have found them to be a very worthy adversary for the rough terrain. They are certainly the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and provide fantastic support to the ankles on undulating ground.
They are equally at home when wading slippery rivers. It is hard to beat felt soles in this situation and the rubber Vibram ‘StreamTread’ soles do run a second to felt until you add the removable studs. The soles actually have small holes drilled into them in which you can insert studs for walking on slippery surfaces. It is a great idea and provides better traction than I have ever had. The fact that the studs are removable means that I can take them out of the boots when I am on my boat so as not to harm the carpet in any way—good thinking!
Apart from their obvious good looks, other Rivershed features include the speed at which the water drains out of them and the ease with which they can be put on and taken off (thanks to a well placed loop at the back).
For me, they tick all of the boxes. They are durable, reliable and comfortable in all of our harshest climatic conditions. I had another pair pre-ordered before Christmas, expecting these to fall apart in the New Year, as they all do. Needless to say I have cancelled that order as they almost look as good today as they did when I got them out of the box, without a sign of any wear to stitching or materials. Maybe I have only just worn them in?
Simms Rivershed Boots are available in sizes #7 through to #14. Retail Price $329.95. Simms HardBite™ Boot Studs are $39.95 per packet.
Contact Mayfly Tackle on 03 9899 0034 for your nearest stockist