Photo by Justin Pickett
By Louis Cahill
The Simms Intruder boot answers a lot of questions for anglers who wet wade.
You haven’t seen me review a wading boot in quite some time. My G3 guide boots just won’t wear out so I haven’t had a reason to replace them. I still haven’t, but when I started preparing for my trip to Argentina last February, I realized I need something different. I knew the weather would be warm and there was no way I was carrying waders half way around the world to not wear. I wasn’t crazy about the idea of lugging those big wading boots either. Now that I’ve spent a season in the Intruder boots, I wish I’d bought them sooner.
Like most anglers who wet wade, I generally just put my regular wading boots on over a pair of neoprene socks and go for it. It works but it’s overkill and not especially comfortable. I had seen the Intruder boots when they were still prototypes and always thought they looked cool. I ordered a pair and hoped for the best.
When I took the Intruders out of the box, I was immediately impressed by how light they are. Way lighter than the Vasque boots I wear day-to-day. I slipped them on and was equally impressed by the fit and how comfortable they are. They truly feel like a hiking boot on your feet. I was excited to try them out in some Argentine water.
The Intruder is available with either a rubber sole or a hybrid rubber and felt, which is what I chose. Of all the things I love about these boots, this sole quickly became my favorite. The felt inner sole gets excellent purchase on slick rocks, while the Vibram outer digs in when climbing banks and holds tight on trails. It’s the perfect combination of grip on any surface.
The shank is stiff enough to guard your foot from the stress of standing on regular, rocky surfaces all day. The boot not only feels like a hiking boot, it performs like one, too. A perfect choice for days when you are covering both ground and water.
The defining feature of the Intruder boot is its integrated neoprene liner.
The high cuff fits tight, but comfortably, to your leg keeping rocks and grit out. It actually is quite effective and I have waded a good bit with nothing on but the boots, although I prefer the feel of socks underneath. The boots are also effortless to get on and of with the socks.
These boots were exactly what I needed for my trip to Patagonia. Super lightweight and slim profile, so they were easy to pack and carry. They were super comfortable, in and out of the water. They are actually the most effective wading tool for all around conditions that I’ve ever used.
If you are like me, as summer comes on, you are ready to fold those waders up and store them for a bit. If you are unhappy with the boots you’ve been using, try on a pair of Intruders from Simms. It’s the best wading boot I’ve seen in a while.
Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!
By far the best piece of wading gear I have ever owned. I’m on my second pair. When my first pair was reaching their breaking point, I took a 16 mile round trip backpacking trip. They were the only footwear that I took. I hiked barefoot inside of them both ways. They were dry on the way in, wet on the hike out. Even with a 40 pound pack, there was not wear or blisters on my feet. I will own a pair as long as they are made. They’re simply bad ass.
I love mine. I do a lot of hike in and wet wading in small mountain streams. It’s hard to imagine a better boot for that purpose.
They look great . . . like alot of Simms gear I’ve been interested in.
Too bad they ignore those of us taller than 6′-6″ with feet larger than size 14.
Korkers for me.
The simms intruder boots are light weight and they don’t get heavy from wading. My issue with them is they are a little hard to get on, and they have started coming apart on the side of one boot. The felt wore out quickly, and the treads wore down making them slippery on rocks in the trout streams I fish. For what they cost they should be better quality, and I only use them during the warm weather months for wet wading. I have only had them a year! I would not recommend these boots!