A couple of weeks before my spring journey to Michigan, a box arrived from Korkers with a pair of their new Stealth Sneaker along with the Wet Wade Conversion Kit and I-Drain Neoprene Guard Socks. I've been in these wading boots for most of the summer, with waders and without, and wanted to share a few thoughts for those who might be considering new boots or looking for ways to update their wet wading setup options.
The Stealth Sneaker is part of a two boot Wade Lite collection that also includes the Chrome Lite wading boots. I choose the Stealth Sneaker since I liked the option of a no nonsense (laces, lightweight, more shoe than boot, etc.) wading boot to demo on a handful of trips and fly fishing near the house this summer.
The Stealth Sneaker is part of a two boot Wade Lite collection that also includes the Chrome Lite wading boots. I choose the Stealth Sneaker since I liked the option of a no nonsense (laces, lightweight, more shoe than boot, etc.) wading boot to demo on a handful of trips and fly fishing near the house this summer.
KORKERS STEALTH SNEAKER
I've been able to put a lot of miles on the Stealth Sneakers on the flats around Beaver Island, on our South Carolina streams, and then up in Alaska on the Kenai River. I've been very impressed with these wading boots and as a traveling angler, where luggage weight is always a concern, these have been lightweight winners. In comparison to a mix of popular wading boots, the Stealth Sneakers weigh a pound to over two pounds less. These wading sneakers are lighter on your feet but also can save you a couple of pounds in your suitcase, too.
One of the first things that I look for in a wading boot is how much protection there is in the toe box and sides since bumping into and getting wedged into rocks happens when wading. The Stealth Sneakers have protection all around with a highly durable lower material sewn into a woven abrasion-resistant material that so far, with quite a bit of wear, these wading boots still look like new.
If you're a longtime Korkers fan, the Stealth Collection is a departure from past wading boots since they don't have interchangeable soles and instead feature their Kling-On Rock outsole, which I've found has considerable traction on all sorts of surfaces. The boots also drain water through ports in the soles which keeps them from feeling like they are constantly full of water.
The fit and feel of these wading boots is similar to a high top tennis shoe and they are very comfortable with waders and without. I've worn mine without waders more than with and it's been great to be in a supportive wading shoe than a clunky wading boot.
Lastly, at a time where the prices of some wading boots come with considerable sticker shock, the Stealth Sneaker checks in at a very reasonable $149.99, which is backed by their Rock Solid Guarantee.
KORKERS I-DRAIN NEOPRENE GUARD SOCKS
There are a handful of neoprene guard sock options out there but I've come to like these since they are offered on four form-fitting foot sizes and where some hold all the water inside of the sock, these guard socks feature a perforated footbed to drain. The 3.5 millimeters of neoprene is similar to the foot of your waders giving a very similar fit while wet wading.
WET WADE CONVERSION KIT
Don't want to mess with a neoprene socks when wet wading? I get it. South Carolina summers have me shedding any layer I can and this conversion kit is great for making my wading boots fit right with just a pair of hiking socks.
The Wet Wade Conversion Kit is a 10 millimeter insole that is easily cut with a pair of scissors or a knife. These insoles are marked with different boot sizes making sizing easy.
I slid them into the Stealth Sneakers and have worn them this way for most of the summer. The insole makes it easy to pull in and out depending on if I'm using waders or not.
So, if you're looking for a lightweight, but won't break the bank, wading boot option, the Korkers Stealth Sneaker is it and the Wet Wade Conversion Kit is an easy way to turn it into the ultimate summertime wet wading boot that you can put miles and miles on.
Visit the Korkers website to check out all the options discussed and if you have any questions that I didn't cover in this review, send me an email.
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