The Freestone is Simms's everyday wading boot, in a women's fit with a felt sole. The upper is synthetic scratch leather that does not hold water, so the boot stays light instead of turning into a sponge on the walk out — which matters more on a smaller frame.
Construction
- Synthetic scratch leather upper with toe and heel reinforcements
- Partial neoprene lining; dual-density EVA midsole for comfort over a long day
- 12mm felt outsole
Check the selector for available sizes. Current pricing is on the selector above.
Felt, honestly
On slick, algae-covered rock, felt is the best footing available, and if you have ever gone down hard in fast water you know why people stay loyal to it.
The cost is biosecurity. Felt stays wet and holds mud and organisms far longer than rubber, making it a much better carrier of whirling disease spores and didymo between drainages. Several states have banned it. Colorado has not, but whirling disease has a history in these waters.
Fish one river? Felt is a good choice — just scrub, rinse, and dry your boots fully between trips. Fish several? Take the rubber version of this boot and add studs. We stock both.
Sizing — worth care in women's boots
Wading boots go on over your wader booties, so Simms says size one full size up from your street shoe, with half sizes rounding up. Women's conversions trip people up more often than men's, and a boot that is too tight compresses the neoprene and gives you cold feet within an hour.
Bring your waders to the shop and try boots on over them. Call 970-964-9991 and we will have a couple of sizes pulled and ready.
Warranty: defects in workmanship and materials covered; wear damage repaired for a reasonable fee. Simms's 60-day and one-year terms apply to waders only, not boots.
Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, downtown Montrose, Colorado.
