On a fly fishing trip through Europe that traversed many countries, I needed the perfect wading boot that was lightweight, durable, and comfortable.
Enter the Simms Flyweight Wading boot. With the weather warming up, I decided what better way to test these boots than some wet wading.
Design
It wasn’t long before I choose the Simms Flyweight boot as my top choice of lightweight boot.
The design of this boot just struck a note with me instantly. I like a boot with a low profile and a sleek look, and this is just what the Simms Flyweight wading boot offered.
Many of my fishing trips can go for a few days, and I like to hike to the remotest areas. The overall look of the Simms looked more than capable for this type of fishing trip.
The tongue of the boot is nicely designed to keep as much gravel and sand out as possible, but if you are wet wading, I still suggest gravel guard socks like the Flyweight wading socks.
If appearance is something that matters to you, these boots are aesthetically pleasing and wouldn’t look out of place on a hiking trail.
The one thing I would have preferred to see in the design of the Flyweight boots is a different lacing setup.
The boot as a whole offers a sleek appearance, but the laces are clunky and cumbersome; even with the speed lacing system, I feel a boa lacing setup would be better suited.
Build
It comes as no surprise that the build quality is top-notch; I wouldn’t expect any less from Simms.
I expect it was quite a challenge for Simms to build such a light boot yet keep durability consistent with their standards.
However, it appears the Flyweight wading boot scores high on both aspects.
The Simms Flyweight wading boots weigh only 40 ounces a pair. The upper part of the boot is synthetic, which contributes to a lot of its flexibility and ultralight weight.
The grip and flexibility of these boots is superb. I was easily able to move up the river stealthily, and there wasn’t a pool I couldn’t reach.
I haven’t found the need to use studs yet as I find the Vibram sole is more than capable for most conditions. However, the Flyweight boots are compatible with the Hardbite wading studs should you find yourself needing more grip.
I found these boots to run slightly big, normally I wear one size up in a wading boot, but with the Flyweights, I wear my normal shoe size for the perfect fit.
Comfort
This is where the boot really comes into its own. I used these boots wet wading and hiking for days, and they never once floundered.
If I hadn’t known any better, I could easily believe I was wearing my hiking shoes.
While the Flyweight doesn’t off as much support as other wading boots, it hugs your feet nicely, offering just enough ankle support while keeping its flexibility which I found to be a nice trade-off.
I coupled these boots with the Simms Flyweight neoprene wet wading socks for the ultimate match-up, and I believe anyone would be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable setup.
The Simms Flyweight sock is 2.5mm neoprene, with a built-in gravel guard. The gravel guard has a silicone grip and a lace hook that connects to your Flyweight boots. I was fishing in quite fast water, and the guard didn’t lift once.
When comparing these to the Simms Tributary wading boot, the difference is night and day in terms of comfort. The Flyweights make the Tributary boots feel stiff and clunky.
Simms Flyweight wading boots pros and cons
Pros
- Super comfortable with excellent cushioning
- Low profile offers a lot of agility
- Vibram sole provides unparralelled grip
- As light as a pair of hiking boots
- Perfect for wet wading
Cons
- I would prefer a different lacing setup; not everyone might feel this way
- Doesn’t dry as fast as the Tributary Wading Boots
Final words
I almost feel like Simms made these boots for me. I like to cover ground and try out new areas regularly. If this is your style of fishing, you won’t regret buying a pair of the Simms Flyweight wading boots.
These boots have no issue doubling as a hiking boot, and they are all you need to bring for some backcountry, or in my case, mountain fishing.
However, if you like to fish the same local spots and not move much, I feel like these boots might be overkill. There are better options on the market, like the Simms Tributary.
I feel the price point of the Flyweight boots is more than reasonable given the quality of the boot and what I can only imagine the R&D cost.