Get the Boots: mallonandgreen.co.uk/products/79206-forra-wading-boots Get the Flies: bit.ly/FlyPacks Get the Merch: bit.ly/NewFishingMerch Get The Euro Kit: bit.ly/EuroNymphKit
Great review Andy. It was between these and the Simms Freestone for me, went Freestone because I was able to get them for 150 in a sale. Wish I’d have waited for your review as it’s good to see the wear over time, the Patagucci’s really hold up!
Hi Andy , thanks for the review - very helpful. I usually fish 30 days or so a season and for years I have always been disappointed with the longevity of wading boots , you fished 100 days or so which is equivalent to 3 years for me ( or thereabouts tho I do cover quite a few miles ) and I've never had 3 seasons out of a pair of boots weather they were cheap or mid priced or only on 1 occasion expensive . 6:38
These are great boots - I love them! Just one thing for UK buyers - consider buying a size up. I wear size 8, but had to return the first pair in exchange for a size 9, which fit perfectly. Otherwise, I’d buy these again - they’re expensive, but regardl it as an investment in comfort and safety 👍
Hi Duncan, great stuff! Definitely, with regards sizing, go one up from your normal size. I think I've got so used to doing this with wading boots that I forgot to mention it!
Hi Andy, I bought a pair of these after our session in the summer when you recommended them. I have used them on the Welsh Dee once without studs - never again - lots of slippery rocks and I was all over the place. I did try them on the Teme which is closer to the Dove/Derwent in terms of terrain and they are great on steep slippery banks but again a bit slippy in the river. So will get some studs for them and try again. Interesting the comments about saltwater use - I will be doing some mullet/bass fly fishing in the summer, so will be using them then as well. Cheers.
Yeah, like I say in the video, I've just never found a rubber sole which is as good on rocks, as studs are. It's never not an option for me personally 👍👍
As an update, after some research, the ones supplied by Patagonia seem to be the BestGrip 1602 - sadly not available in the UK - although checking with Supatracks. The BestGrip 1100 is similar but shallower (felt sole type) and more readily available on a certain well known auction site at a fraction of the price which Patagonia are charging for the same kit - I hate being ripped off. Might try the 1100 on my Fora boots and Supaglue them in.
Best boots on the market. Had mine around 18months now and they hold up so much better than any I’ve had before. Don’t use studs myself so I can say from my opinion I have found these to be the grippiest boot I’ve had. Don’t think I’ve had a slip in the river since wearing these unlike my last boots I was wearing
Good review Bucko. I’ve used these boots up in Scotland the lads at twin peaks rent em out when folks fly up there. They’re exactly as you say - top notch. And for rentals that get lots of abuse they hold up really well. I’ve been wearing the leather Patagonia danners - a lot more expensive but superb quality. Also had them resoled and after three years they’re still going strong. Probably worn em about 180 times plus. Cannot fault Patagonias stuff. It lasts and is top quality.
These are the best boots I've ever owned. I have fat feet with high arches and they're fine. Definitiley need studs. The smaller profile makes you much more sure footed and the snug fit is perfect for long Dartmoor hikes.
Fantastic, glad it's not just me who likes them! They all need studs, that's for sure. How is the rubber sole on yours looking, have they worn like mine have?
Great review, ording a pair on your recommendation - no pressure there :-) - Size wise as you know these are always worn with waders that have bulky neoprene stocking feet and usually a pair of thick warmsocks inside the waders. Do you know if the way you have sized the boots has taken all this extra bulk into account - ie if i am a regular uk11 in all my dress shoes, walking boots, sports shoes etc will i be a UK11 in these or do i need to size up to account of the stocking foot? Thanks
Definitely order one size above your shoe size. Tbh I've always done this with wading boots, in fact I've had some where I've gone two sizes up in the past. These were spot on one side up for me 👍
Good review Andy. Funnily enough I've just bought a pair of Patagonia Danner felt soled wading boots and fitted studs to them - worn once last week. I hadn't seen the Forra but based on past experience of Simms Guide rubber soled boots with studs I wouldn't buy another pair of rubber soled ones as I don't think that the grip is anywhere near as good as felt+studs. Funnily enough the soles of the Simms are still in good condition but the ankles are tatty but that does not affect their performance and I keep them just incase I go where felt soles are banned. I stopped wearing the Simms due to poor grip and bought a cheap pair of Guidleline Reach felt soled ones and added studs to them. They lasted 18 months but last week I noticed the soles had started to delaminate so I swallowed hard and bought the Patagonia in the sale. As a note regarding studs and boats, the beauty of those studs - BestGrip 1605 is that they can be removed relatively easily using the same tool. I've just done this to transfer the studs to the new boots, all the studs were rusty and some had broken where they went into the midsole but they were still in the felt and providing grip, I used the best of them and added some new ones as well.
It's great that there are so many options on soles, isn't it? Very much horses for courses, too. My first set of wading boots were felt, and for the sort of fishing i do (LOTS of climbing up and down muddy banks, wading on gravel and silt, miles of walking) they were awful, neve just slightly better with studs, but compared to a good rubber sole with studs there was no comparison. I do agree with you, both sole types are made better with studs, you just can't beat being able to get through the slippery later of algae on the rocks. I'd be reluctant to screw in and unscrew the studs too often, eventually the sole will start to degrade, but yes, definitely on option 👍👍
Been using Simms Flyweight boots for the past few years, although they are light and comfortable, they suffer exactly the issues you mentioned in this review, where the TPU deteriorates and eventually the sole and virtually everything else comes apart. Just invested in these Forra boots, as I’d heard good things about them, so it was reassuring to see this review. I’ve just had a knee replacement, so I won’t be wading any time soon. See you on the river 👍🎣
Get the Boots: mallonandgreen.co.uk/products/79206-forra-wading-boots
Get the Flies: bit.ly/FlyPacks
Get the Merch: bit.ly/NewFishingMerch
Get The Euro Kit: bit.ly/EuroNymphKit
Great review Andy. It was between these and the Simms Freestone for me, went Freestone because I was able to get them for 150 in a sale. Wish I’d have waited for your review as it’s good to see the wear over time, the Patagucci’s really hold up!
Hi Andy , thanks for the review - very helpful. I usually fish 30 days or so a season and for years I have always been disappointed with the longevity of wading boots , you fished 100 days or so which is equivalent to 3 years for me ( or thereabouts tho I do cover quite a few miles ) and I've never had 3 seasons out of a pair of boots weather they were cheap or mid priced or only on 1 occasion expensive . 6:38
Thanks Jeremy! They've had plenty of hammer and stood up to it really well, they still look box fresh on the uppers 👍👍
These are great boots - I love them! Just one thing for UK buyers - consider buying a size up. I wear size 8, but had to return the first pair in exchange for a size 9, which fit perfectly. Otherwise, I’d buy these again - they’re expensive, but regardl it as an investment in comfort and safety 👍
Hi Duncan, great stuff! Definitely, with regards sizing, go one up from your normal size. I think I've got so used to doing this with wading boots that I forgot to mention it!
Hi Andy, I bought a pair of these after our session in the summer when you recommended them. I have used them on the Welsh Dee once without studs - never again - lots of slippery rocks and I was all over the place. I did try them on the Teme which is closer to the Dove/Derwent in terms of terrain and they are great on steep slippery banks but again a bit slippy in the river. So will get some studs for them and try again. Interesting the comments about saltwater use - I will be doing some mullet/bass fly fishing in the summer, so will be using them then as well. Cheers.
Yeah, like I say in the video, I've just never found a rubber sole which is as good on rocks, as studs are. It's never not an option for me personally 👍👍
As an update, after some research, the ones supplied by Patagonia seem to be the BestGrip 1602 - sadly not available in the UK - although checking with Supatracks. The BestGrip 1100 is similar but shallower (felt sole type) and more readily available on a certain well known auction site at a fraction of the price which Patagonia are charging for the same kit - I hate being ripped off. Might try the 1100 on my Fora boots and Supaglue them in.
Best boots on the market. Had mine around 18months now and they hold up so much better than any I’ve had before. Don’t use studs myself so I can say from my opinion I have found these to be the grippiest boot I’ve had. Don’t think I’ve had a slip in the river since wearing these unlike my last boots I was wearing
Very interesting about the grip, thank you for the feedback! So many positive comments about these boots, seriously impressive 👍👍
Looks like a very reliable boot
Good review Bucko. I’ve used these boots up in Scotland the lads at twin peaks rent em out when folks fly up there. They’re exactly as you say - top notch. And for rentals that get lots of abuse they hold up really well. I’ve been wearing the leather Patagonia danners - a lot more expensive but superb quality. Also had them resoled and after three years they’re still going strong. Probably worn em about 180 times plus. Cannot fault Patagonias stuff. It lasts and is top quality.
They certainly seem to be getting their boots right at the moment, these have been excellent, and the bulk of the feedback is very positive so far. 👍👍
Had mine around 19 months. Love them.
That's a fair crack for a wading boot! How are the soles looking?
@@IBandAndyFishing absolutely fine, though I don't fish as often as you guys!
Look like great boots. Would love to see a few videos of you both in the salt this year 😀
That sounds like a nice idea, we'll try to make that happen!
@@IBandAndyFishing That'd be cool. Happy New Year to you both and tight lines for 2025.
Happy new year to you too Will, tight lines!
Nice boots
Glad you like them!
@IBandAndyFishing Certainly do
These are the best boots I've ever owned. I have fat feet with high arches and they're fine. Definitiley need studs. The smaller profile makes you much more sure footed and the snug fit is perfect for long Dartmoor hikes.
Fantastic, glad it's not just me who likes them! They all need studs, that's for sure. How is the rubber sole on yours looking, have they worn like mine have?
@IBandAndyFishing they're doing great. 2 seasons in and I fish a lot of bolder bottom streams. They seem to be able to lose a lot of rubber.
Great review, ording a pair on your recommendation - no pressure there :-) - Size wise as you know these are always worn with waders that have bulky neoprene stocking feet and usually a pair of thick warmsocks inside the waders.
Do you know if the way you have sized the boots has taken all this extra bulk into account - ie if i am a regular uk11 in all my dress shoes, walking boots, sports shoes etc will i be a UK11 in these or do i need to size up to account of the stocking foot?
Thanks
Definitely order one size above your shoe size. Tbh I've always done this with wading boots, in fact I've had some where I've gone two sizes up in the past. These were spot on one side up for me 👍
Good review Andy. Funnily enough I've just bought a pair of Patagonia Danner felt soled wading boots and fitted studs to them - worn once last week. I hadn't seen the Forra but based on past experience of Simms Guide rubber soled boots with studs I wouldn't buy another pair of rubber soled ones as I don't think that the grip is anywhere near as good as felt+studs. Funnily enough the soles of the Simms are still in good condition but the ankles are tatty but that does not affect their performance and I keep them just incase I go where felt soles are banned.
I stopped wearing the Simms due to poor grip and bought a cheap pair of Guidleline Reach felt soled ones and added studs to them. They lasted 18 months but last week I noticed the soles had started to delaminate so I swallowed hard and bought the Patagonia in the sale.
As a note regarding studs and boats, the beauty of those studs - BestGrip 1605 is that they can be removed relatively easily using the same tool. I've just done this to transfer the studs to the new boots, all the studs were rusty and some had broken where they went into the midsole but they were still in the felt and providing grip, I used the best of them and added some new ones as well.
Another honest review Andy.
It's great that there are so many options on soles, isn't it? Very much horses for courses, too. My first set of wading boots were felt, and for the sort of fishing i do (LOTS of climbing up and down muddy banks, wading on gravel and silt, miles of walking) they were awful, neve just slightly better with studs, but compared to a good rubber sole with studs there was no comparison.
I do agree with you, both sole types are made better with studs, you just can't beat being able to get through the slippery later of algae on the rocks.
I'd be reluctant to screw in and unscrew the studs too often, eventually the sole will start to degrade, but yes, definitely on option 👍👍
Thank bud, happy new year! 🎣🎣
Been using Simms Flyweight boots for the past few years, although they are light and comfortable, they suffer exactly the issues you mentioned in this review, where the TPU deteriorates and eventually the sole and virtually everything else comes apart.
Just invested in these Forra boots, as I’d heard good things about them, so it was reassuring to see this review. I’ve just had a knee replacement, so I won’t be wading any time soon. See you on the river 👍🎣
@@IBandAndyFishing I use my wading staff just as much up and down banks as I do in the water, oh and retrieving flies out of the trees!
Did you go with your street shoe size, or upsize by one size?
I went up by one size bud, i always do with wading boots. I should have mentioned this in the video!