REVIEW: Simms Rivertek BOA Wading Boots after 150 days...UPDATE

[Steel_ED]

PRODUCT DETAILS

http://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/footwear/rivertek-boa-boot.html

Purchased Date: September 2011
Review Date: April 2013
Price: $180 USD / $210 CAD (before taxes)

Length of Ownership: 18 months

Number of days used (approx): 150+ days

Frequency of Use: Avid Salmon (Chinook/Coho) and Steelheader fishing from September to May and throughout the winter months or roughly 8 months of year.

Product Care: Simms Rivertek boots and waders rinsed after each fishing day and properly cleaned at end of season prior to storage.

REVIEW

When I was looking at replacing my torn up old wading boots, I thought I would spend the money for a pair of Simms.
I saw the Rivertek BOA in the store and decided to give these a try since Simms has a reputation for quality.
Also, everyone who I have spoken too also recommended the Simms wading boots based on their experience with the Guide boots.

What attracted me to the Rivertek were a couple of features that I was looking for in a wading boot:

1. Lightweight and comfortable since I do a lot of hiking to get to my steelheading holes.
2. Fast draining and fast drying.
3. Ankle and lateral support for times when wading in rocky and uneven riverbeds.
4. Quick, easy, and simple BOA lacing system.
5. Vibram sole which has a reputation of quality and durability.

LIKES

1. BOA lacing system: great for adjusting when fingers are cold and wet. Easy on/off even with gloves or mitts.
2. Good ankle and lateral support.
3. Drains reasonable fast.
4. Dries fairly fast as long as the boots are not left in the car overnight when it's below zero degrees.
5. Light weight and very comfortable.
6. Vibram sole gives good traction but only when the ground is dry. Studs/cleats are mandatory when wading in rivers that have have high presence of algae and rocks/boulders. Also, studs are required when fishing during the cold months when there is a presence of ice on the ground and river.
7. The flexibility to vary the stud/cleat pattern and usage with the different types available from Simms.

DISLIKES

1. BOA lacing system: not durable and the stainless steel wire needs to be replaced at least once per year. (TIP: carry spares)
2. Trim material near the toe cap is poor quality and cracks which affects the performance of the boot (see pics).
3. Stitching of the trim near toe cap prematurely wears out and is of poor quality and workmanship which severely affects the use of the boot (see pics).
4. Vibram sole is not as durable as what I was expecting and is showing considerable wear after 150+ days of use. There are signs of separation from the upper boot and the stitching that holds the sole to the boot has been worn through (see pics).

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Always carry spare BOA laces and dials with you while on the river. I had a BOA blow-out while steelheading and it was not fun having my day end early and having to hike back to the car with one loose boot. I had to wait 2 weeks for my free replacement BOA laces in the middle of peak season so I decided to used zip-ties to secure the boot so I could continue to fish.
2. For Rivertek BOA owners, order a set of replacement laces NOW and carry them with you while fishing. Also, carry several zip-ties in a small thickness since this is what I had to use until my replacement laces arrived from BOA. ALWAYS replace the dials the same time you replace the laces.
3. BUY your replacement laces directly from BOA since they are FREE and have a Lifetime Warranty (link below). Also, I recommend order a new set every time you replace the laces/dials on your BOA boots as a backup on the river.

https://www2.boatechnology.com/warranty.php

CONCLUSION:
Would I recommend this boot to my friends? NO because most of them are avid steelheaders and they will eventually have the same quality/material issues that I have experienced. However, if you are a casual steelheader and do less than 30 days a year, this boot will serve you well and should give you several years of use and enjoyment.

Now in the early 2013 spring season of steelheading, I will have to use my defective Rivertek BOA boots until I can find a replacement.

If anyone has suggestions for a good quality and durable boot that meets my usage requirements, please advise since I will definitely need a replacement for this fall's start of the season.

Steel'ED

 

[Brian]

Nice honest review Steel_ED...
I was wondering how the lacing system would hold out after some time and abuse...

 

[mn134]

Have somewhat similar experience with their Freestone boots (Vibram sole). Bought them in September 2012, wore probably just 25 - 30 times and to my suprise this past March after one of outings discovered that the inner heal seam in one boot had given up already. IMHO, too soon for a $150 pair of boots.

 

[Steel_ED]

Nice honest review Steel_ED...
I was wondering how the lacing system would hold out after some time and abuse...

I love the BOA lace system because of its ease of on/off/adjustments particularly when it's cold and you have gloves/mitts on.

I strongly recommend that if you have the BOA to immediately order a free replacement set directly from BOA and keep this as a spare in the event of a lace/dial blow-up while on the water.

Also recommend that the entire lace/dials are replaced either at the end or beginning of each season so you're not stuck during peak mid-season for 2 weeks without a replacement like I experienced. This is where I discovered that several thin zip-ties comes in handy to not miss any good days of fishing while waiting for the replacements.

 

[Steel_ED]

Have somewhat similar experience with their Freestone boots (Vibram sole). Bought them in September 2012, wore probably just 25 - 30 times and to my suprise this past March after one of outings discovered that the inner heal seam in one boot had given up already. IMHO, too soon for a $150 pair of boots.

Inner heal seam? Since your boots are still under 12 months old, send a request to Simms for a warranty replacement or repair. Post some pics because I never heard of a blow-out at the inner heal seam area.

If you look at my last pic, I have worn my soles down past the stitching which holds the Vibram to the upper boot area. I guess after 150 days use wading in tough riverbed conditions this was to be expected but, yes agree the Vibrams should have held up despite the number of days used.

 

[remyboy1]

that boa system seems to work great on my korkers---however 150 days on the water is a lot for me--but I am kinda nervous as I really like the th system...

 

[Steel_ED]

that boa system seems to work great on my korkers---however 150 days on the water is a lot for me--but I am kinda nervous as I really like the th system...

Hey remyboy1, don't be nervous of the BOA lace system on your Korkers. Just follow my recommendations and tips.

1. Replace all laces plus dials at the beginning or end of each season.
2. Immediately order a FREE replacement set from BOA everytime you replace them on your boots.
3. After each fishing trip, completely rinse out the boots both outside and inside and around the laces/dials area to remove any gravel, grit, or stone that may have lodged into the system.

Follow these tips and you will have nothing to worry about. Just like regular cloth laces or the BOA system, it's about being prepared and have a backup in the event of a blow-out.

 

[ChaseChrome]

Off shore production now...everything we buy has a built in obsolescence...consume and ye shall be set free...
I've been wearing some older Freestones for probably 10 years now...

Anyway Steel_ED those boots have miles logged and stories to tell brother!!!

cc

 

[Steel_ED]

Anyway Steel_ED those boots have miles logged and stories to tell brother!!!

cc

Indeed but you forgot one thing...plus hundreds of fish, steelies, 'nooks, and 'hos.

Thanks bro' ...

 

[ChaseChrome]

Indeed but you forgot one thing...plus hundreds of fish, steelies, 'nooks, and 'hos.

Thanks bro' ...

​

​

indeed​

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cc​

 

[Steel_ED]

I've been wearing some older Freestones for probably 10 years now...

Hey CC, how many days of in river fishing do you have on your Freestones? So far, the most suggestions for replacements I am getting are Korkers.

 

[ChaseChrome]

Hey CC, how many days of in river fishing do you have on your Freestones? So far, the most suggestions for replacements I am getting are Korkers.

Can't count the days...but yeah, many love their Korkers...my next pair will be W. Josephs

 

[Steel_ED]

W. Josephs? Now there's I brand I have vaguely heard of but more for their waders.

So far, I have more recommendations for Korkers so will definitely have to check them out.

I would, though, like to see a long term use Review to see how they hold up after 100 or 150+ days in 1 to 2 years usage on the water.

 

[mn134]

Inner heal seam? Since your boots are still under 12 months old, send a request to Simms for a warranty replacement or repair. Post some pics because I never heard of a blow-out at the inner heal seam area.

I know, beats me too, looks good on the outside:



But toast on the inside:

 

[ChaseChrome]

Yeah that inner seam will go on many boots from the force of jamming your neoprene booties into them...perhaps it is what it is...
On another note I think the general design of the wading boot needs to be rethought...it doesn't do what I need it to do, and perhaps tries to do too much and be too many things...I'm not hiking K2 or anything

 

[Steel_ED]

I know, beats me too, looks good on the outside:

But toast on the inside:

You should be able to get those warrantied by Simms since you're under 12 months. I suggest waiting till after the spring steelie runs though unless you have a spare pair of wading boots.

 

[Steel_ED]

On another note I think the general design of the wading boot needs to be rethought...it doesn't do what I need it to do, and perhaps tries to do too much and be too many things...I'm not hiking K2 or anything

Agree but the toughest demands on our wading boots is treading in rivers that have boulders, rocks, gravel, and uneven riverbed structures that puts a lot of stress on the boots.

Oh yeah, and don't forget about having to traverse around those shopping carts too! (shout-out to the east tribs) :razz:

 

[ChaseChrome]

Oh yeah, and don't forget about having to traverse around those shopping carts too! (shout-out to the east tribs) :razz:

BAHAhaha...yup

 

[[email protected]]

i have a pair of korkers redside boots, i like, not a boa system, but a quick lace system, my only complaint, is the ring to attach the clip of your gravel guards is too close and the clip comes free all the time, thats with all korkers boots

 

[Steel_ED]

i have a pair of korkers redside boots, i like, not a boa system, but a quick lace system, my only complaint, is the ring to attach the clip of your gravel guards is too close and the clip comes free all the time, thats with all korkers boots

Thanks for the input. Yep it would appear the Korkers are getting the most recommendation! Will be definitely checking them out. :mrgreen: