Product Review: The Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II

The do-it-all wading boot

The team at Westbank Anglers can be pretty particular about fly fishing gear, especially
when many of us travel great distances to pursue fish with a fly. And while anglers might
first think about rods, reels, and line first, boots are undoubtedly essential gear —
especially for anglers who need to comfortably wade for hours on end, day after day.

We are fortunate to have access to some of the best testing grounds for new gear with
the Snake River in our backyard (so to speak). And recently, when Westbank’s Colin Ah
had a trip planned to fish the saltwater flats of the Seychelles, we recognized it was the
perfect opportunity to test the new Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II in somewhat
harsh conditions.
While the flats of Cosmoledo Atoll might look calm, picturesque, and just plain delightful,
saltwater can quickly reveal any design flaws with gear. Saltwater plus heat and hours
of direct sunlight can corrode materials, weaken glues, and crack a variety of products.
Add in sand and coral, and anglers can will certainly see how their gear holds up. For
the new Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II, we couldn’t have been more impressed.

Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II

Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II

$349.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
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The River Salt Wading Boots II are built from the soles up to meet the unique demands of both freshwater and saltwater angling. These wading boots feature comfortable Vibram® Megagrip anti-slip, nonmarking soles for traction on everything from boat decks to slippery rocks. Abrasion-resistant Cordura® nylon mesh uppers are quick-drying, durable, lightweight and can withstand sharp coral and rocks. The high collar and adjustable ankle strap bolster stability and help keep sand out of the boots.

  • Fabric Details

    Cordura® nylon mesh upper for quick-drying, lightweight support is paired with a rubber rand for durability and resistance to breakdown in fresh and saltwater

  • Design Details

    A high-collar design and a stiff upper bolster ankle protection and stability; reinforced rubber heel and toe caps provide durability and abrasion resistance

  • Construction Details

    An adjustable ankle strap ensures a snug closure at the top collar and helps prevent sand, pebbles and sediment from entering the boot

  • Adjustable Lacing System

    The adjustable lacing system provides low-profile lace protection, prevents line snags and features a fast-action lace toggle for quick on and off

  • Anticorrosive Hardware

    All hardware, including shoelaces and toggles, is anticorrosive and abrasion-resistant; laces tuck into a small pocket at the tongue for tidy storage

  • Sole Details

    Durable Vibram® Megagrip soles are designed for grip and slip resistance on wet and dry surfaces; nonmarking sole won’t scuff boat decks; sole accepts studs

  • Country of Origin

    Made in Italy.

Years in the works, these boots are designed to help anglers cut down on gear needs
and consumption by enabling anglers to have one pair of boots for both fresh and
saltwater. They could be worn over waders on the South Fork, or they could be worn
with wading socks on the flats of Ascension Bay, Mexico. They feature a Vibram®
Megagrip sole that offers outstanding traction on rivers, and when on boats, this sole is
anti-slip and nonmarking. Cordura® nylon is an essential material for the toughness of
the River Salt Wading Boots II, and they are impressively tough against abrasion and
wear on trails, through brush, on rocks, and on coral.


Key aspects for Colin included comfort and accessibility. A drawstring tightens the boots
and can then be tucked to avoid the frustrations of lacing systems and laces catching
line on the bow of boats. And the adjustable ankle adds to the accessibility for easy on
and off while also helping keep sand, rocks, and debris from getting into the boots. After
all, it doesn’t matter how comfortable your boots are if there’s a pebble in them.

On the flats, this accessibility made the River Salt Wading Boots II the boot of choice for
Colin. He could easily hunt fish from the bow then quickly slip on the boots if he needed
to pursue a fish on foot while avoiding coral, shells, rocks, and other sharp objects in the
water.

We currently have the Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II available at Westbank
Anglers. Stop by the shop to check them out.