Compass 360 or Paramount Outdoors wading boots?

[jt7]

I'm looking to get a pair of wading boots to replace an old pair of cheap Magellan canvas boots i've been wearing for a few years. Anybody ever used Compass 360 Stillwater or Paramount Outdoors Stonefly wading boots? I have a pair of Compass 360 Deadfall pant waders that i really like, but not sure about their boots. And do most of you prefer felt or rubber soles? I do fish up near Smokies sometimes and some of those streams seem crazy slick to me, but i've seen comments that felt are not as comfortable when hiking any distance? And they are illegal in some areas. Only get to fish a few times a year so something like these 2 brands fit in my price range i'm trying to stay in. Thanks for any input

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear jt7,

I have a pair of Compass 360 wading boots with the rubber lug sole. I bought them a couple of years ago and I think the current model is the Ledges version. They came with studs that were easy to screw in with a nut driver and they have held up well for me.

Order a size larger to fit over wader booties and you'll be fine. One thing I like about the Compass boots that I bought is that despite them being made of synthetic material they do not shrink and shrivel when they dry. I won't mention names of the other synthetic boots I own but will tell you that if they don't stay wet, they need to be pre-soaked in water just to pry them on my feet.

That is absolutely not an issue with the Compass boots. If you take a size 13 boot off at the end of a trip, it will be a size 13 the next time you go out even if it dries up like a crusty old dog turd.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[tomgamber]

What size do you need?

 

[jt7]

What size do you need?

I wear a 10 in regular boots. I think both boots recommended sticking to normal boot size.

 

[riverwhy]

My Cabela's waders appear to have the built-in neoprene bootie? Would that work? I wouldn't need the separate bootie, would I? I had those years ago and they were a good deal thicker than what is built into my Cabela's waders.
Of course they don't have my normal size which is what they recommend. Looking for a 10 if that is the case.

 

[TimMurphy]

My Cabela's waders appear to have the built-in neoprene bootie? Would that work? I wouldn't need the separate bootie, would I? I had those years ago and they were a good deal thicker than what is built into my Cabela's waders.
Of course they don't have my normal size which is what they recommend. Looking for a 10 if that is the case.

Dear riverwhy,

I call the neoprene foot section of stocking foot waders a bootie. You do not need an additional neoprene sock since you already have that on your waders. I still believe that wading boots should be bought 1 size larger than your street shoe size. I have size 12 EEEE feet so I need size 13 in wading boots. You can always add another layer of socks to fill the space if you need to do that. There is no way to make a wading boot larger, and cramped feet are the #1 cause of cold feet when wading. You need wiggle room in your boot for air circulation. Wearing a pair of compression socks and putting a wool sock over them is a great way to do that.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[riverwhy]

Thanks Tim! They just came yesterday. They look and feel great. Surprised how cheap. Got 1/2 size up from shoe and they seem very big. Should be perfect for extra socks!

 

[riverwhy]

I should add I got the Paramount wading shoes.