I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of wading sneakers or sandals. I’ve tried a number of pairs through the years, and none of them made a ok case for use over my wading boots, even for wet-wading small water that’s barely shin-deep. They by no means felt snug, or sturdy, sufficient to advantage the price of one more piece of substances. I’ve embarrassingly unhealthy ankles that roll over faster than a politician.
Then I attempted the All Axis wading sneakers from Korkers, and I’m singing a unique tune.
These sneakers confirmed up a number of months in the past, and whereas my dainty ankles nonetheless want the rigidity of a wading boot, I’ve been impressed with how snug and purposeful the All Axis sneakers are.
The All Axis sneakers include the Korkers OmniTrax system, which lets you swap the soles out to every other choices Korkers presents. These sneakers with a studded rubber sole offered tons of traction, even on the slippery rocks in my native creek. And after I inevitably burn by way of a pair of soles, I can maintain the sneakers going as an alternative of throwing the entire setup away.
The sneakers themselves are exceptionally well-built, which shouldn’t be a shock to anybody conversant in Korkers. The laces cinch down tight, and my toes felt a lot safe in these sneakers, greater than I anticipated. All Axis sneakers have mesh aspect panels to assist drain water and block out sediment, though I’d nonetheless warning towards sporting these with out some sort of wading sock. I beat my toes up fairly good on trapped rocks and particles someday after I opted to skip the wading socks. A skinny neoprene sock, like those Korkers sells, is a good choice right here.
The place these sneakers actually shine, nevertheless, is for the angler who likes to enterprise off the overwhelmed path. Wading boots aren’t probably the most snug choice for mountaineering lengthy distances (that’s not a knock on wading boots – it’s simply not what they’re constructed for) and their further weight is rapidly noticeable after a number of miles. The All Axis sneakers are as gentle as some mountaineering sneakers (1lb, 14oz per pair) and completely suited to treks within the backcountry, or scrambling down steep banks.
My native tailwater isn’t simply accessible from the financial institution, and requires a deadly hike down a steep ridge to succeed in the water. It’s a recipe for slipping, falling, and inventing new mixture of curse phrases, which I totally anticipated to expertise the primary time I laced up the All Axis sneakers. These sneakers have been rock strong, didn’t slip greater than the rest I’ve worn to stroll down that financial institution, and might need even made the operation simpler because of their lighter weight.
Whereas I beloved the concept of the All Axis sneakers, I used to be skeptical I’d truly get pleasure from them once they confirmed up a number of months in the past. They’ve since turn out to be my go-to selection every time I’m not on greater rivers. They’re good for a day of mountaineering and fishing, whether or not that’s within the excessive nation or alongside your native canal.
I spent a while sporting these whereas wading an enormous, fast river, and with my glass-like ankles, they weren’t the best choice. In case your joints aren’t porcelain, nevertheless, I count on the All Axis sneakers can be a beautiful selection for wet-wading anglers on any piece of water, particularly this time of 12 months.
The All Axis sneakers retail for $129.99.
