It’s always easier to wax eloquent when the gear is new, but what happens after six months of heavy usage?
I figured to follow up on my September post on the Hodgeman Wadewell II hip waders, as I finally managed to poke a small hole in them. Calling them “waders” is almost a misnomer, as they’ve really served as an aquatic hiking boot.
That’s exceptional considering the miles I have on them – wearing little more than standard socks. I’d guess eight or nine miles of fishing and walking would have something rubbing on something tender, but that hasn’t happened.
They’re the most comfortable and best fitting cleat foot boot I’ve worn, and I’d be hard pressed to repeat that performance in full neoprene waders and traditional wading shoes. The lack of seams in the foot area is likely the reason, coupled with a nicely molded and supportive interior.
The light Gore-tex uppers sprung a small leak last week on the Little Stinking. It may have been part of the scramble for cover on the prior adventure, as it was in an unlikely place on the back of the leg near the knee.
That could be a polite way of saying, “my backcast dropped a tad too much.” – but with my propensity to impale myself, I’d be bragging about it.
Plenty of interior wear to show for them miles, both the heel and arch areas have the liner scraped off. I’m content with the damage as I’ve athletic shoes that show far worse.
No visible signs of chemical contamination from the heavy metal, Selenium laced water of my home creek. I wondered whether I might see some degradation associated with all the warning signs posted about the fish. Nothing so far.
I figure nearly 40 trips and 150 miles of hiking equates to a couple of years for the average angler. I’m most pleased with the $45.00 investment.
A hole in “an unlikely place on the back of the leg near the knee” from a “prior adventure”…
Any chance the source was a canine puncture from the teeth of a cantankerous client you were “mis-guiding” on the Little Stinking?
No it’s them canines of yours, what were you thinking would happen if you flitted off to Baja, and forgot to feed them?
They’re credited with 2 Old ladies, a half dozen children, and ate an entire Hebrew National delivery truck.
I think DFG is out searching for them now, with helicopters and sharpshooters. I told them just set some kibble out, but they ignored me.
Yep, that’s pretty good for the waders. But that picture looking down the gaping maw of your boot is one that TC would be proud of. Good composition, the depth of field could be better, but considering the olfactory assault you undoubtedly endured for such a photo, it is understandable.
I’m hoping TC has some hints on how to keep the lens from watering – but compared to the outsides, the bouquet is roses, babe.
KB,
I noticed a lot of wear on the soles and heels of the boots. This is not necessary – if you wish these boots to last you should take some steps to improve your walking.
It’s really a matter of timing. Boots wear out because you contact the ground with them, fail to contact the ground and they will last indefinitely. To do this you must understand the rhythm of your stride. As your lead foot approaches the ground, visualize its distance. For each microsecond of your stride the boot is getting closer to actual contact with the earth. A fraction of a nanosecond before the sole strikes earth, bring your other foot forward. Thus you have overcome the abrasive wear that is so deleterious to your boots.
You might regard this as impossible, that you could never succeed; whereas it is not necessary to succeed, rather only to fail to encounter the ground. Since the beauty of this technique lies in failure, it is not difficult for most of us to acquire the art. After all, think how far you have come with your fishing. 🙂
— Reed
I’m in awe, that’s “asymptotic” walking, only Jedi Masters can do that … or a financial analyst working for Bear Stearns …
…and which art thou?
Alas, KB, I fear I have said too much. Once, a long time ago…I was attempting to teach the concept of the “Field of Recurring Concurrent Experience” – the first lesson in what you know as asymptotic living. Some arrogant young marketing rep for a Ginsu Lightsaber (“even the fruit knives can cut through frozen beryllium”) firm shouted “Hey, let’s call it ‘The Force'” and the entire class went on the rampage. I hear the Empire still hasn’t recovered.