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Korkers Whitehorse Wading Boots Review By Dan Munger |
Early in the summer, our Korkers rep James Buice was in town and showed us the new and improved Korkers lineup. I was immediately impressed. Their new slogan is “more durable, more technical, more effective”, and I can’t say that I disagree. I got my hands on a pair of the Korkers Whitehorse boots, and I haven’t looked back. These boots, along with all Korkers boots, come out of the box with 2 sets of soles: one pair of felt soles and one pair of “Kling-on” Rubber soles. The soles are extremely quick to change and I can change both boots in just a couple minutes. There’s no tool to keep up with and no complicated system. Just pop the sturdy rubber tab on the back of the boot, and the soles pop off with a little elbow grease. Slide the new ones on, click them into place, and off you go. Now, let’s talk about durability. For starters, these boots just feel sturdy. In order to prevent damage from abrasion on rocks, Korkers extended the molded toe cap to come way up the boot. Everything is triple stitched, and the stiches on the upper are recessed down into the material to keep them hidden from sharp rocks and sticks. They have also reinforced the “crease line” on the front of the boot that seems to be the source of so many issues on any type of shoe. Should something go wrong with your boots, Korkers will fix them for free for any reason within one year of purchase. After a year has passed, they handle each repair issue on a case by case basis. As far as comfort goes, these boots feel much more like an agile hiking boot than a clunky wading boot. They are light, comfortable, supportive, and sturdy. The Whitehorse boots also feature the innovative M2 Boa Lacing System. This is a dependable alternative to shoe laces and is extremely quick when putting the boots on or off. Just a few quick turns of the knob and your boots are snug. Once you walk a bit, if the fabric settles, turn the reel a few more times and your boots will stay snug all day long, without the hassle of tangling your fly line in your laces or your boots coming untied. A few other features to note: All Korkers boots have a draining system that allows almost immediate drainage out of the sole once you step out of the water. This keeps the weight of the boot light so that you don’t exhaust yourself by carrying around heavy, water-logged boots all day. The boot materials are also hydrophobic, allowing for much quicker drying times. Quicker drying times are thought to help prevent the spread of invasive species. Dryer boots also make it easier and lighter to travel once you are headed back home, whether that involves a quick ride in the truck or a long plane ride. I’ve used the felt for slick Smallmouth streams on the Plateau and for trout streams in both East Tennessee and British Columbia. For added traction, I bought a pair of the studded felt that works great in the slickest streams in the Smokies. I’ve popped the studded felt off, put the rubber soles on, and hiked long distances for a day of fishing in the backcountry. I’ve worn them in my boat when the water is a little too chilly to launch in flip flops. Heck, I even slapped the rubber soles on and wore them and my waders to a rainy game at Neyland Stadium. I got some weird looks, but I stayed dry in my waders and had a comfortable shoe to walk around in all evening. These boots are the definition of versatility. Though I’ve only worn them for 6 months, I have used them hard and often and can honestly say that some boots would’ve already kicked the bucket. These boots show no signs of failure and I feel like I will get quite a bit more time out of them. As I mentioned earlier, the boots come out of the box with both felt and rubber soles. Other options available for purchase include 3 different studded rubber options and studded felt, among others. We carry 3 styles of boots in the shop for all price ranges. Stop by on your way to the mountains to take a look at these boots! |
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