Wading boot question
 

I have two pairs of wading boots, but they're both too big for me. One, my
dad gave me, and his feet are bigger than mine. The other came from Cabela's
bargain cave, and they raise my question. When they assign sizes to wading
boots, do they compensate for the thickness of the waders you wear under
them, or do the sizes correspond to your regular shoe size? I may have to
order some online, but I'm not sure how to make reasonably certain I get the
right size.

TIA

--
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"Michael P. Thompson" wrote:

I have two pairs of wading boots, but they're both too big for me. One, my
dad gave me, and his feet are bigger than mine. The other came from Cabela's
bargain cave, and they raise my question. When they assign sizes to wading
boots, do they compensate for the thickness of the waders you wear under
them, or do the sizes correspond to your regular shoe size? I may have to
order some online, but I'm not sure how to make reasonably certain I get the
right size.

Boots are one of the things you should really try to buy in a shop. There
is considerable variability, from maker to maker, even taking into account
compensation for thickness of wader booties. With Simms, traditionally,
you needed to buy at least a size larger than your normal shoe size, often
two sizes. I've always had to go two sizes up.

If you do have to order from a mail-order company, call them and ask them
beforehand, concerning the specific model you're thinking of ordering, can
you order your normal shoe size or should you order larger? Talk to
someone, don't just fill an on-line shopping cart. And use a reputable
company that will allow you to return the unused boots, no questions
asked, should they prove the wrong fit.

JR

Michael P. Thompson wrote:

When they assign sizes to wading
boots, do they compensate for the thickness of the waders you wear under
them, or do the sizes correspond to your regular shoe size?

In my experience, they don't compensate for the thickness of the waders.
That makes sense. If you're wearing neoprene-foot waders you'll need a
larger size than if you're wearing stocking-foot waders.

I may have to
order some online, but I'm not sure how to make reasonably certain I get the
right size.

JR had it right. Don't buy boots online. Take your waders into a store
and try on the boots. Most shops have neoprene booties you can use to
get a fit, but your own waders would be better.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

We have thought about having an online store and if we do I don't think we
will sell waders or boots on it because of this exact problem.

We have an entire room for just waders, boots and accessories that is a big
part of our daily sales now. I think mostly because people can come in and
try it all on and get a good fit. Many will try on several different brands
and models of shoes to get a good comfortable fit.

Some boots are oversized and some are not. Some are wide and some are not.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Michael P. Thompson" wrote in message
.. .

I have two pairs of wading boots, but they're both too big for me. One, my
dad gave me, and his feet are bigger than mine. The other came from
Cabela's
bargain cave, and they raise my question. When they assign sizes to wading
boots, do they compensate for the thickness of the waders you wear under
them, or do the sizes correspond to your regular shoe size? I may have to
order some online, but I'm not sure how to make reasonably certain I get
the
right size.

TIA

--
Join the fun! Join the forum!
http://www.coloradoflyfishing.us

Michael P. Thompson wrote:
I have two pairs of wading boots, but they're both too big for me.
One, my dad gave me, and his feet are bigger than mine. The other
came from Cabela's bargain cave, and they raise my question. When
they assign sizes to wading boots, do they compensate for the
thickness of the waders you wear under them, or do the sizes
correspond to your regular shoe size? I may have to order some
online, but I'm not sure how to make reasonably certain I get the
right size.

I've purchased two size 14 boots via the Internet. One fits fine and the
others are much smaller. Short of being able to try them on first, just
make sure the place you're buying from has a good return policy and be
prepared to eat some shipping costs.
--
TL,
Tim
---------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

Bill Kiene wrote:
We have thought about having an online store and if we do I don't
think we
will sell waders or boots on it because of this exact problem.


Hi Bill, I dont understand why a fly shop would want a online store.
The reason consumers buy online is to save money, like at places where
you can get $.60 flys or brass or tungsten bead at half of what you pay
at a shop.

Dont you have to almost sign a contract with rod companies that you
wont discount their rods except when they are discontinued?

wrote:
Bill Kiene wrote:
We have thought about having an online store and if we do I don't
think we will sell waders or boots on it because of this exact
problem.


Hi Bill, I dont understand why a fly shop would want a online store.
The reason consumers buy online is to save money, like at places where
you can get $.60 flys or brass or tungsten bead at half of what you
pay at a shop.

Uh, no. I shop online for convenience, not to save money, and because
our local fly shops suck. As a matter of fact, it usually costs *more*
to shop online once you figure in the shipping. Almost everything
related to fly fishing I've purchased in the last several years has been
online. The merchants I've dealt with have been great and I've never had
a problem returning goods I don't like once received.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Tim J. wrote:
wrote:

Bill Kiene wrote:

We have thought about having an online store and if we do I don't
think we will sell waders or boots on it because of this exact
problem.


Hi Bill, I dont understand why a fly shop would want a online store.
The reason consumers buy online is to save money, like at places where
you can get $.60 flys or brass or tungsten bead at half of what you
pay at a shop.


Uh, no. I shop online for convenience, not to save money, and because
our local fly shops suck. As a matter of fact, it usually costs *more*
to shop online once you figure in the shipping. Almost everything
related to fly fishing I've purchased in the last several years has been
online. The merchants I've dealt with have been great and I've never had
a problem returning goods I don't like once received.

Ditto. I'm 60 miles away from the nearest decent fly shop, and they
usually don't have what I want. I'll often pay a huge premium in
shipping for the convenience. I also buy all my beer brewing ingredients
online, and all my DVDs, and many of my books. (beerbeerandmorebeer.com
and netflix.com are great.)

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

"rw" wrote

(beerbeerandmorebeer.com
and netflix.com are great.)

ah, at last--something in common!

wayno(well, at least the netflix part)

Most wading boot companies will tell you that they compensate for waders.
You should just order your street shoe size. However part of the problem is
that there is no standard for neopreme booties. I once changed waders, and
my boots would no longer fit. the booties were either cut more generously,
or they were of thicker material.
If you order online, you may get lucky, however, probably 30% of the time,
you will have to return them and get a different size. If you're trying to
save money, the shipping cost may get to you