Simms Pursuit Shoes

salmo

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I’m looking at reducing weight on my wet wading trips. I’m considering the Simms Pursuit. Has anyone tried them? I’m particularly concerned about fit as I’m a 9-9.5 extra extra extra wide.

Are they worth it? How do they perform? Any accumulation of gravel and stones?
 
I don't know a thing about them except to say DO NOT buy before you check the fit wearing what you plan to wear fishing.

Apples to kumquats, but several years back, Chota came out with a light weight shoe (that looks similar to the Simms) that looked perfect as a back-up for me to stash in the car for unexpected wading adventures. I called them, asked all sorts of questions and was told they would fit fine on my regular D width foot...

But I wasn't buying it, so I waited and tried them on at the Lancaster Fly Fishing Show IN JUST MY STREET SOCKS and discovered they were probably better suited for someone with a B width foot.

MAYBE that's because of where they are made, but I'm glad I waited and passed.

Another thing, according to Simms when I bitched about the fit of other wet wading gear, they told me it's because a LOT of the hipster wet waders out there go sans socks...

That and the COO might explain the tight fit I encountered.

Good luck!
 
I actually planned on wearing them with my neoprene socks.
 
I actually planned on wearing them with my neoprene socks.

I wet wade with my same wading shoes all year long and all year long I have a thick wool sock on my bare foot and a neoprene neoprene guard sock over that so the neoprene doesn't slide, slip or slop around on my bare foot.

I won't compromise on this combo because it has worked for me just fine for decades.

When I tried on the Chota shoe, I just had on a thin cotton sock and they were still too tight.
 
I bought some this year and really like them. They are very light. They seem to have a pretty wide toe box. I’m size 11.5 and bought size 12 I think. I wear with a thin neoprene sock. They dry quite quickly and have surprisingly good grip on wet rocks. They are slick if there’s any mud on the rocks but that would probably be any shoe without studs. I’ve traveled with them and can double as your travel sneakers/hiking shoes if you want to cut weight. I will buy them again. I think I’ve found my wet wading and kayaking shoe for the foreseeable future.
 
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they have accumulated some fine gravel/silt but you can just blast it out with a hose after pulling out the perforated insole.
 
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Except the 2x size shirts that are made for gorillas.
Dear CRB,

OK, I'll give you that. I have a Polar Fleece Simms jacket from 1987 or so before the mill in Malden MA burnt down in 2XL that still fits perfectly. I've gained 50 pounds since then too. But the zipper broke and it needs a seamstress to put a NOS YKK zipper back on it. Time to find me one!

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂
 
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I wet wade with my same wading shoes all year long and all year long I have a thick wool sock on my bare foot and a neoprene neoprene guard sock over that so the neoprene doesn't slide, slip or slop around on my bare foot.

I won't compromise on this combo because it has worked for me just fine for decades.

When I tried on the Chota shoe, I just had on a thin cotton sock and they were still too tight.
I do exactly the same. Adding the wool or thick poly-blend socks makes a difference
 

They don't. Their website is full of hundreds of the most hideous shoes that all look the same and I've never seen anyone wearing, but yet they discontinue these perfect wet wading shoes.

Mine are almost dead, and I'm having a small crisis trying to find something to replace them with.
 
My son got Danner Rivercombers that he's very happy with. The come in wide widths. Good traction in and out of the water, plus a snug fit to keep out the pebbles.

I'm wearing Columbia Tamiami's , also in a wide width. They have more cushion and arch support, I think the traction is great. Not quite as good keeping out pebbles.
 
Dear CRB,

OK, I'll give you that. I have a Polar Fleece Simms jacket from 1987 or so before the mill in Malden MA burnt down in 2XL that still fits perfectly. I've gained 50 pounds since then too. But the zipper broke and it needs a seamstress to put a NOS YKK zipper back on it. Time to find me one!

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂
Hey Tim, do you still have your First Communion suit or did you get rid of it after you couldn’t let it out anymore?☺️
 
I been using Korker Stealth Sneakers for light wading out of a boat or kayak. They are light and work well. I have a 9.5 E width foot and 11's are roomy for me with neoprene wading socks. See link below >

 
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