I was introduced to these boots by good friend Tony Riley during a trek up North to fish the Eden. Tony said "they were ultra light & super comfortable, like wearing slippers"...
... now Tony's not one to just throw praise about with gay abandon, I reckoned they'd certainly be that and nothing less coming from him. Unfortunately Tony has normal feet, mine are somewhat more reminiscent of someone from the 'Shire' so I was unable to experience fishing in these so called 'slippers' at the time. I did however decide to invest in some to replace an old stalwart pair of boots that were well worn and held together by nothing more than eyelets and laces.
So to some techy stuff of sorts... for one they're boot shaped so nothing revolutionary there, the main part of the shoe is strong nylon with an all round rubber type bumper finish, the construction of which offers good overall ankle support without any uncomfortable rigidity.
They also have modern heavy duty nylon lace loops as opposed to eyelet rings which I find tend to rust if not rot the material in the immediate surrounding area.
The laces... why mention laces? - it's because they're of a length only long enough to tie a shoelace knot unlike many where you've enough to string a guitar with.
The sole has Vibram's latest Idrogrip compound with embedded tungsten studs. Used on grass, mud, loose gravel and rocks I've yet to experience any 'Torville & Dean' moments thankfully. I write this prior to a jaunt across to Wales and the slate beds of the Irfon so that'll be interesting.
Assume therefore all has gone well unless I've broken a leg and this gets an edit.
As for getting them on and off, the mouth on these boots is generous... even for those with the broadest of feet, slipping in and out of these is with nothing less than total ease, darn it... just like a slipper - Tony you're right!
I can't as yet comment on longevity, I'm out most days throughout the year so they'll be tested extremely well... the feel is of excellent quality so I'm sure there'll be no issues in this department.
They are for me the lightest and most comfortable wading boot I've ever worn, available in sizes 6 - 13 (US) they'll set you back around £100 or less, or more perhaps depending on who you shop with. For any advice and help give the guys at Guide Fly Fishing a ring.
Now I just need to find a matching flask and blanket to go with my new slippers... enjoy!
Jim is our ESF in house fly casting contributor and AAPGAI Master level instructor teaching full time in the Cotswold, Wiltshire & Hampshire area... visit his website.