Want an alternative to traditional wading boots? Richard Fieldhouse, river fisherman and owner of Barbless Flies, puts FIVE TEN’s Water Tennie boot through its paces.
I had been after a new pair of wading boots for a few months and nothing had really caught my fancy. I wasn't really sure what I wanted except that they must be light and not have felt soles.
My son is an ardent cyclist and a few years ago introduced me to a brand called “FIVE TEN” - amongst other things, they make shoes for mountain bikers with especially super sticky soles.
On the back of a mailshot FIVE TEN recently sent me, they were advertising their Water Tennie boot: in their words, “… a super technical water shoe for rafting, canyoning, creekers, kayakers and anglers!” and “…the best amphibious shoe available.”
At just under £67, I thought it would be interesting to give them a try as I embarked on my grayling fishing this autumn.
The Water Tennie has a contemporary styling, which I like. Granted, to some they will look more at home in a skate park than on a traditional trout stream, but don’t let that put you off; they are a technically-capable piece of kit.
The uppers are a combination of synthetic mesh and neoprene. They have drainage holes and a rubber toecap for protection against rocks, sticks and other sharp objects. The soles of the boots are made from FIVE TEN’s “Stealth® C4™ Sole Rubber”, which is, apparently, at the pinnacle of performance for climbing shoes.
I take a size 9 in a normal shoe, so I ordered a size 10.5 (EU 45) and they fitted perfectly with a pair of thick socks and my waders on. Indeed, the fit is really very comfy, the neoprene uppers and laces spread the tightness across the whole of the foot.
On grass the boots are sturdy and there is no hint of sliding. In water, they inspire confidence.
I have used them on a chalk stream, where the worst I’ve come across is submerged weed and the odd large stone, which they handled with no problems at all. I have also fished a more challenging river, with small rocks and muddy banks to contend with. Again, the boots performed very well, especially when moving over slime-covered rocks the stability under foot was excellent.
On every occasion I have worn the boots all day (about 8 hours), and the comfort was equal to - if not better than - my previous wading boots.
I have not tried the Water Tennie boots on the slate bedded rivers of Wales, which would be the next test for them, but there is ample depth in the soles should you wish to add some screw-in studs.
Thus far, I have been impressed with these boots. They are ultra-light (only 600g for the pair), very comfortable, have super sticky soles and dry very quickly.
If I had to find a fault it would be laces need to be loosened quite a way down the boot to get your foot in and out easily, but there I am being really picky.
Assuming that you don’t mind the modern styling - and it will not be to the taste of many – the Water Tennie is a competent boot for wading in. And at £67 a pair, it is a serious challenger on price to traditional wading boots, particularly if you’re not in the river day-in day-out.
Note:
A general search of the internet will get you to a company selling FIVE TEN Water Tennies. They are not too readily available in the UK, but there are a number of online shops in Europe which will deliver them quickly and at a good price.
Richard Fieldhouse runs Barbless Flies. Click here to visit his site