Korkers has introduced a whole new lightweight wading boot collection with non-interchangeable soles. Unlike all other Korkers wading boots with the company’s well-known OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System, the new Wade Lite Boot Collection features a fixed-sole design.
As of right now, Korkers is dropping two new wading boots: The Chrome Lite BOA and the Stealth Sneaker.
If you know Korkers, this is big news. So why did Korkers leave out the OmniTrax for its new Wade Lite series?
Clearly to cut weight. The new soles are made with a new Korkers proprietary rubber compound called King-On Rock. Like most rubber wading boot soles, it features siped tread patterns for traction on slick rocks. Unlike most wading boot soles, Korkers has formed the rubber sole with six larger sections to create its new Macro-Lug design. What’s with the monster lugs? Korkers says the lugs provide traction on soft terrain like mud and wet grass.
Korkers Chrome Lite BOA
The new Chrome Lite BOA blends a more traditional boot with a lighter, more agile design.The new Korkers Chrome Lite BOA uses the awesome BOA M4 lacing system that tightens with a turn of a dial. An internal drainage system drains water through the bottom of the sole. For extra traction, you can add Extra-Bite carbide screw-in cleats.
The Chrome Lite BOA boots weigh in at just 2.6 lbs per pair — just under 21 ounces per boot. For comparison, our favorite Korkers wading boot is the Devil’s Canyon, which has been in our guide to the best wading boots for multiple years, and it also uses a BOA lacing system. The Devil’s Canyon boots weigh in at a little over 3.1 lbs per pair, which is 25 ounces per boot.
The new Korkers Chrome Lite BOA boots promise to be even more agile though — the OmniTrax sole in the Devil’s Canyon is pretty stiff. Meanwhile, we can’t help but notice the inclusion of another similar feature we appreciate: The stretch wrap cuff at the rear of the boot. It appears similar to the Devil’s Canyon design, which is freakishly comfortable.
To learn more, check out additional photos, video and specifications of the Chrome Lite BOA at Korkers here.
Korkers Stealth Sneaker
The new Korkers Stealth Sneaker promises a nimble shoe-like feel.The new Korkers Stealth Sneaker shares the same sole design as the Chrome Lite BOA but its upper is shorter and lighter. Instead of the BOA, you get traditional laces. For extra traction, you can also add Extra-Bite cleats.
As for weight, Korkers has them down to 2.2 lbs per pair — so just under 18 ounces per boot!
To learn more, check out additional photos, video and specifications of the Stealth Sneaker at Korkers here.
How to Buy?
The new Wade Lite Collection is just starting to rollout across the country now at your local fly shop, with some online retail options coming soon, too. Korkers will prioritize its partners first with this new wading boot drop . . . but will start selling the new boots on Korkers.com in late April.
For now, you can also buy them online at Scheels:
