Korkers has launched a new series of lightweight wading gear aimed at hot summer wet wading. What is wet wading?
Wet wading is basically wading in creeks, rivers and lakes while fishing without wearing traditional waterproof waders. On hot summer days in cold mountain streams, wet wading is cooler and a heckuva lot more fun.
The challenge to wet wading is finding and using footwear with great traction. This is where Korkers comes in.
The New All Axis Shoes & Swift Sandals
The new Korkers All Axis Shoe uses the versatile OmniTrax Interchangable Sole System, which lets you swap our your soles to match the traction you need.The key differentiator with all Korkers waders and boots is the company’s OmniTrax Interchangable Sole System. All Korkers footwear lets you swap out different soles for different kinds of traction for different conditions.
We appreciate Korkers wading boots because they’re so versatile. You can use felt soles on super slippery underwater rocks, use studded rubber soles on rough and icy terrain, or use smoother rubber soles for fishing from rafts. For a closer look at the OmniTrax system and its outstanding traction options, read our review of the Korkers Triple Threat Aluminum Hex Sole here.
Meanwhile, the new All Axis Shoe is, at its heart, a full-coverage water shoe with the Korkers OmniTrax Interchangable Sole System.
It’s designed to be worn with or without socks . . . but not with your traditional stocking foot waders (which have thick neoprene booties). If you like to wet wade — and prefer nimble footwear instead of your heavier wading boots — you’ll immediately get why the All Axis Shoe is a big deal.
“Having the flexibility and versatility to quickly change from a high friction water performance sole to a trail based sole for hiking, street use, or travel is a complete game changer,” notes Korkers CEO Brian Chaney.
Korkers says its new All Axis Shoes will go on sale in early April.
Shop the All Axis Shoe direct from Korkers:
Men’s All Axis Shoe | Women’s All Axis Shoe
The Korkers Swift Sandal is even lighter but still gives you toe and heel protection.If you want to go even lighter, particularly if you want to wade without socks at all, the new Korkers Swift Sandal is for you.
You get the same interchangeable sole system, but the shoe is, of course, a sandal (women’s version here).
Korkers Wet Wade Conversion Kit
Basically, the Wet Wade Conversion Kit gives you a set of thick, ultra-cushy insoles that you trim to fit your wading boots. The result gives you a better fit for wet wading without stockingfoot waders.We’re big fans of the relatively lightweight and agile Korkers Devils Canyon Wading Boot — which has been in our guide to the best wading boots for years — but it’s still sized for use with stockingfoot waders with thick neoprene booties. When we wear our traditional wading boots for wet wading, our feet either slop around inside the boot while we wear regular socks . . . or we use a thicker neoprene wading sock like the Korkers I-Drain Neoprene Guard Socks.
The trouble is, most every wading sock on the market today is still thinner than typical stockingfoot wader booties, which means your foot will still slop around a bit.
The new Korkers answer is its Wet Wade Conversion Kit — which is basically an extra-thick, ultra-cushioned EVA insole you can trim to fit inside your wading boot. It will take up space inside your boot, giving you a better fit . . . while providing outstanding cushion at the same time.
New Derek DeYoung I-Drain Wading Sock
A wading sock with a splash of brown trout color!Wading socks are great for keeping your feet warm, taking up space inside boots, and guarding against sand and gravel incursion.
Korkers new Derek DeYoung I-Drain Neoprene Guard Sock is a collaboration between Korkers and fish artist Derek DeYoung, who is known for his wildly colorful fish art. We’re fans and recommend his sweatshirts in our guide to the best fly fishing gifts. The collab features a Brown Trout Flank pattern on the exterior protective cuff of the sock.
Availability for all of Korkers new spring 2023 fishing gear should begin in early April.
