Manufacturer: Simms Fishing Products

Product: Rivertek Boa Boot

Retail Price: $169.95

Tester: Jim Bryan-Kanda

Rating: 5/5 - Comfortable boot that is easy to put on and take off.

Date Tested: 07/18/11 to present

Test Area: Fryingpan, Roaring Fork and Yampa Rivers

What They Say:

The Rivertek is the first Simms wading boot to feature a M3 Boa Lacing System providing custom comfort with smooth, even closure and no pressure points.  And the Boa system means no more traditional laces to absob water and micro-organisms, a big plus in the fight against aquatic invasive species.  Additionally, the Rivertek features Simms' award-winning StreamTread Vibram soles, providing superior traction and grip.  Like all of Simms' Vibram boots, the Rivertek Boa boot will accept cleats and studs.  The quick drying synthetic construction has minimal exposed stitching, and a rubber toe cap that provides durable protection against rocks and debris.

• Durable BOA® lacing system provides easy one-handed adjustment with secure hold
• BOA's M3 lacing system features aircraft-grade stainless wire lace system
• Rubber toe cap for durable protection against rocks & debris
• Dual-density, compression molded EVA midsole with lower density heel core for extra cushioning
• Minimum exposed stitching for increased durability and less opportunity for "hitchhikers"
• TPU heel clip for added stability
• Synthetic construction
• StreamTread™ sole accepts HardBite™ Star Cleats, Alumibite™ Star Cleats, and Hardbite™ Studs.
• Offered in men's whole sizes: 7-14 EEE
• Features CleanStream™ technology along with our StreamTread™ traction sole with Vibram® Idrogrip™ 360 traction lug sole. View available Vibram® re-solers here.

About Boa Technology:

Since their inception back in 1998, Boa Technology and their lacing systems have been found throughout the snowboarding boot, cycling shoe and outdoor footwear industries.  So have no worry, the new M3 Reel is years in the making and only uses the highest aircraft-grade stainless steel wire cable, consisting of 49 strands of redundancy.  The new M3 was designed to be easily adjusted with the use of one hand, offer the angler an extremely secure hold and provide a smooth, even, custom fit.

What We Say:

Being the naysayer that I am, my first initial thoughts regarding a Boa closure system being incorporated into a wading boot was...why?  What's wrong with laces?  My sentiments have since changed.  Who hates mimicing a "pink flamingo" when they go to put their wading boots on?  You know what I mean, standing there balancing on one leg trying to loosen the laces just a bit more so that you can quickly stuff your neoprene clad foot into the boot, oftentimes only to fail miserably, losing balance and mudding up your gear.  I hate that.  No longer will this be an issue.  These are hands down the easiest boots to put on and take off.  Simply disengage the Boa reel by pulling it outwards, loosen the tongue a bit and voila, you're sliding easily into your wading boots.  To "cinch" them up, re-engage the Boa reel by pushing it back in and give it a few spins to your desired pressure.  Gone are the days of struggling to put your wading boots on because the boot opening doesn't open wide enough.  Gone are the days of muddy or frozen laces.  Gone are the days of constantly having to untie and retie your boots to make them tighter throughout the course of a fishing day.  So Simms Fishing Products has done it again, they made a simple task, tying shoelaces, simpler.  How do they fit you ask?  Typically I wear a street shoe of 10.5, opting for wading boots that are 11.  In the Simms Rivertek Boa boot I opted for a size 10, as this fit the best once I had everything "dialed" to perfection.  More importantly how do they wade/fish?  Awesome.  These boots are amazingly supportive and comfortable.  Coming out of the Guide Boot, which I still love, was hard to do.  But these boots are right up there with them in overall support, stability and amazing comfort.  Besides they look really cool.  I imagine my "creek cred" just skyrocketed due to me sporting these new techy boots.  If you're looking for a great boot, at what I consider an amazing price point, you need not look any further than the Simms Rivertek Boa Boot. 

Last Minute Thoughts:

I've not had, nor have I seen anyone have issues with the Boa Closure system failing.  With that said, I'm not 100% confident I would make this my boot of choice if I were to head into the far reaches of the fly fishing kingdom.  If I did, I'd bring a full roll of duct tape and Leatherman just in case or pick up one of their replacement kits before I left town.  I personally like the idea of a bunch of duct tape...added "creek cred".