wifishpro wrote on Mar 25^th, 2014 at 2:22am:

Thanks for the tips, everyone!  The Kokatat Nomad paddling boots look made-to-order for this type of thing, so I may just have to try a pair and leave the hip waders at home.  Much appreciated.

I used to use these with whatever low cut water type shoe could pick-up at a discount place like Sierra Trading post. I'm partial to the TEVA Spider sole, and ankle support isn't a issue, so low cut works for me.

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I liked the set-up until I read a story by Jimbo one of our QJ guys, about pulling someone out of the water when their rubber boots filled with water, they couldn't get them off and were in real danger of drowning.

I realized then, my hip wader choice had a fatal flaw, that being the lack of a cinch strap like my Brookie Knee Highs do as well as brands.

However if your handy with needle and thread, you could easily make some cinch straps with say elastic straps of some type or maybe that with a Velcro type fastener of some sort.

I plan on re-visting my original set-up when my Brookies need replacing.

In the spring with high water, it was nice to be able to wade/portage with water way above my knee and still stay warm and dry.

Might get a little warm if the temp rise too much, but you could always roll them down like fireman's boots, as long as they don't become anchors if you capsize.