Best Wading Socks For Fly Fishing

Fly fishermen who go barefoot beneath their waders or boots deserve a round of applause. The best wading socks for fly fishing are an expression of love for your feet that you must fulfill since it is physically impossible to do otherwise.

Wetsox wader socks are, hands down, the finest on the market, and we shopped around to be sure. The shoes’ incredible breathability, perfect fit, and ability to keep feet warm and cool convert our fellow anglers. That won’t cut it. Members of our crew unanimously agreed that they are the top socks for any aquatic activity.

In our search for the best wet wading wader socks, we evaluated the dependability and performance of various brands. The following are examples of works that have left an indelible mark on us:

1: Best Neoprene Wading Socks

If you’re looking for the greatest wet wading shoes, look no further than Wetsox’s frictionless wader sock’s.

Our guinea pigs have fished with these socks in the summer and winter and found them to be equally useful. These neoprene socks cover your whole leg and foot without making your feet uncomfortable. Under winter waders, they kept the feet of our testers rather toasty.

They provide a secure fit while allowing for some toe wiggle room, making it much simpler to get into and out of waders or wading boots.

The product is tough, but your feet will be protected thanks to the added reinforcements in the heels and toes. While Wetsox makes no claims about these socks being waterproof, they do an excellent job of keeping feet dry and comfortable.

2: Best Gravel Guards Wading Socks

Consider any of Simms’s offerings essential to your fly fishing arsenal. For a number of reasons, these Simms wading socks are our go to pair.

These can do the job without waders, thanks to their foldable gravel shields that protect the socks. Wading shoes are protected against sand and grit by using protectors. The sock is the appropriate length, going over the top of your shoe to provide a secure fit and protect your feet from debris.

Simms’ socks are significantly lighter than the typical neoprene socks on the market, which impressed our reviewers. Because of Neoprene’s unique molecular structure, its capacity to breathe and wick away moisture is not diminished under any circumstances, whether you’re wading in water or not.

These socks are designed to keep your feet safe. Wading socks are notorious for becoming sloppy, folded, or too tight, forcing fishermen to make concessions in terms of mobility. But Simms excels in this respect by pioneering the use of a clip to secure the sock in place.

Furthermore, Simms provides excellent customer care by changing these socks if there is a size problem.

3: Best For Winter Fishing

Professional designers created the neoprene wading socks made by Korkers. In this case, we’re working on a fly fishing vest with a novel design, predicted warmth, and comfort necessary for lengthy trips.

The pattern on these socks was the first thing that stood out to our reviewers. Wet wading is notorious for causing clumsy sock to shoe transitions. However, this one is exceptional because of the snug fit it provides around the ankle.
The cushioned heels and toes of each sock provide not just adequate protection against grime but also unbeatable durability. These socks go well with any pair of Korkers wading boots.

They’re just as good at keeping your feet toasty as the Simms and Wetsox alternatives. If you’re able to shave a few dollars off your budget, consider upgrading to Korkers’ premium 3.5mm neoprene socks.

It’s hard not to be grateful for how quickly your feet dry after getting out of the water. The perfectionists at Korkers have designed them to be easily worn and removed.

4: Best Merino Wool Socks

In their pursuit of the most coveted catch in the game, steelhead anglers are unafraid of cold, wet feet, or blisters. There is no need to go any farther than this choice from Sealskinz if you like fly fishing in the frigid water areas of Oregon or Alaska.

Waterproof socks for rainy wading are a fallacy since your feet will get wet eventually. But Sealskins has gone further by making fishing socks that will keep your feet dry.

Regardless, they do a great job of keeping your feet toasty and cozy. The merino wool lining helps maintain a comfortable and dry foot environment. Water is kept out of the sock thanks to its hydrophilic surface.

These are a no-brainer, especially when compared to the hassle that even the finest neoprene wading socks give anglers while putting them on and taking them off. They slip on and off with the same ease as a pair of regular cotton socks. They provide a snug fit by enveloping the foot and leg.
The greater price tag of this choice may be a drawback, but it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.

5: Best For Wet Wading

Sumade waterproof wading socks will serve you well whether you wet wade in the winter or go on year round fish hikes. These socks keep your feet toasty and dry while allowing your feet to breathe, making them ideal for fishing.

These have a three layer build, the same as Sealskinz. Our internal reviewers, however, unanimously agreed that they were much better than the competition. The outside layer is made of water repellent nylon, the middle layer is made of a waterproof membrane, and the inside layer is made of cutting edge Coolmax fabric. If water does get into the sock, the Coolmax liner will pull the moisture away and ensure your feet stay dry.

You won’t have to worry about your toes or heels hurting because of the increased padding. And because of its stretchiness, putting on and taking off shoes or fishing waders is a breeze. However, they may be either too snug or too loose on the calf, so finding the right size can be a challenge.

When it comes down to it, this is the ideal rig for wild freestone fisheries that are littered with pebbles.

6: The Most Comfortable Wading Socks

Wet wading in the water below 30 degrees may cause your feet to freeze and swell. Similarly, if it’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit or more, your feet will sweat even though you’re dry wading. You won’t have to worry about your feet becoming too hot or too cold while you’re wearing these socks. In a nutshell, they maintain constant breathability.

On our shopping list for fishing socks, comfort is the priority. We’ve never had an issue with Darn Tough Micro Crew socks itching or smelling bad. The cushioning from the toes to the heel contributes to this improvement in comfort.

You can find the right fit for your feet in the four available sizes. These socks are made from stretchy Merino wool so that they will mold to your unique foot.

These socks aren’t insulating enough to wear on their own in subzero conditions, so you’ll need to wear other socks over them. However, this is a minor flaw and does not exclude the product as a top pick for best wading socks for fly fishing.

7: The Coziest Wading Socks

Socks from Ducks Unlimited are ideal for wet wading thanks to their high Merino wool content (80%).

If you like fishing, you should give this sock a try. This sock is more effective at wicking away sweat since more Merino wool was used in its manufacture. Again, the extra wool means these socks will keep your feet warmer than the competition.

If you want lengthy fishing socks, this is a viable alternative to consider. You have enough support from your toes to your knees and even higher, making your time in the water worthwhile. These knee high, heavier socks are a common option for wintertime wallowing.

This also means that getting into and out of your wading boots or waders is a breeze. Compared to other styles, the pullover construction is among the simplest to don and remove.
This is an offer that stands out since it is both affordable and attractive.

8: Best For Women

Simms’ Merino socks continue the tradition of high quality workmanship that has characterised all of the company’s fishing goods.

These are the best socks for fly fishing all year, much superior to polyester or cotton options. These socks absorb more liquid without making your feet feel squishy. Similarly, if they are more breathable, your feet will stay cool even if sweat is dripping over them when wearing waders.
Fit is essential for comfort, and Simms’ sock maintains its shape for years to come. To provide a warmer and more comfortable wading experience, it is designed to protect not only the foot but also the calf. The OTC socks gently caress your feet thanks to the added cushioning at the toes, midfoot, and heel.

In addition, the special construction doesn’t sag, so it won’t rub or irritate your skin.

Those who subscribe to the adage “you get what you pay for” will have no problem shelling out more cash for this fancier pair of socks.

9: Best Wading Socks For Money

When we are wet wading in frigid northern rivers, the idea of knee-deep warmth is laughable. The odds may be turned in the favor of enthusiasts, however, by purchasing a high quality pair of Neoprene wading socks. As the wearer’s comfort and warmth are non-negotiable, this is a good offer on the finest socks for fishing waders.

To begin, they are Neoprene socks, so they are really toasty and should only be worn with a single layer of clothing below for optimal warmth. Try them out on rivers that receive water from glaciers.

This doesn’t rule out the possibility of using them for fishing in the summer. This sock has great air circulation, so your foot won’t overheat.

The popular Wetsox frictionless is the inspiration for the Neoprene sock that Riverruns sells. With their nonslip coating, these socks are the finest choice for donning and removing waders and wading boots.

Our reviewers complained mostly about the socks not fitting properly. Although they were advertised as being flexible to a certain size, they were somewhat snug around the calf. If your calves are very long or short, you should get the next size up to ensure comfortable mobility. But we really love this sock because of how well it lasts and is constructed.

10: Best Socks For Drying Feet

These neoprene socks were purchased since we had previously had success with Simms Gravel Guards wading socks. These are perfect in every way since they have all the essentials of classic neoprene socks.

We found these socks to be more comfortable than standard Neoprene socks. The pattern smooths out any wrinkles from the tip of your toes to the middle of your leg.

The construction is just as carefully considered as the design. Even though Neoprene is naturally breathable, these socks take it a step further by including an airplane wall beneath the footbed of each one. Think about this: keeping your feet cool in the heat is a top issue.

In addition to this, they are also the finest winter wading socks available. The sock offers adequate warmth to fishermen since it covers the leg up to the middle of the calf. But they aren’t watertight, unfortunately.

Despite our best efforts to remain objective, we had some difficulty locating the ideal garment in our size. These socks may necessitate moving down a size rather than up.

These are still among the top candidates for the finest wading socks.

Buying guide

Wading requires spending time in a body of water, so even with waders or wading booties, your feet are at risk of becoming wet. If you want to keep your feet dry when wading, you’ll need wading socks rather than standard cotton socks, and you’ll need to know what they are made of.

Types of wading socks

1. Neoprene wading socks

The majority of wading socks are made out of neoprene. Wading in the summer is OK with only Neoprene socks and a good pair of wading shoes if a wader seems too heavy and hot on the body.

Neoprene is a good investment for fly fishing in chilly rivers because of its water resistance and increased insulation.

2. Merino wool wading socks

For decades, outdoor athletes have recognized Merino wool for its superior moisture absorption and skin friendliness. In cold weather, you may wear them beneath your waders without worrying about losing heat.

Key Features To Look For In Wading Socks

Stopping here would be a mistake. Whether made of merino wool or neoprene, the finest fly fishing socks have the following qualities:

1. Comfort

If the wading sock irritates your feet, it serves no use. So, while shopping for socks to wear with fly fishing waders, comfort should be your first priority. Wading socks provide comfort when they are the proper size and have enough cushioning on the bottom.

The importance of a properly fitting wader sock cannot be overstated. Water isn’t the only thing that may seep into a sagging sock; dirt and stones can, too, lead to itchy feet. Socks that don’t fit properly might cause blisters, so avoid them at all costs.

Similarly, knee high wading socks are your best choice if you’re concerned about keeping your feet dry and toasty.

2. Breathability

The level of comfort you have while wearing wading socks is linked to how well they allow air to circulate. Socks made of Merino wool or Neoprene are equally airy. However, if you need your socks to breathe more, Merino wool is the way to go since its fibers absorb moisture very well, making for dry, comfortable feet.

3. Gravel guards

Even with the best wading boots, sand and grit may get into your shoes whether you’re fishing in saltwater or freshwater. However, wading socks designed with gravel shields are intended to prevent such little debris from entering your footwear.

3. Durability 

Whether you use them often or seldom, your wading socks should serve you well for a long time. Protect their longevity by storing them in a dry, clean environment when not in use.

Conclusion

Since you now have such an in depth understanding of the matter, selecting the finest wading socks should not frighten you. Socks designed specifically for fly fishing should prevent discomforts like blisters and chills. If you have a soft spot in your heart for Merino wool, you should also give serious thought to a pair of Simms OTC socks. If you’re looking for the finest wader socks for fly fishing, the Simms Grave Guards Neoprene variation is a fantastic choice.

FAQs

Are wading socks waterproof?

Despite their name, wading socks won’t keep your feet dry forever.

Merino wool socks or Neoprene: which is a better option?

What you like and how you use it are the determining factors. Merino is preferable for fly fishermen who perform their sport in the winter since it keeps feet dry and odor free. In the summer, Neoprene is a great choice for fly fishing without waders.

Do wading socks require additional layering?

Wading in chilly water requires extra layers beneath the socks to keep the feet warm.