Love my Korker Dark Horse boots! The Boa lacing system is what really attracted me to these boots. Advice to anybody considering these boots: If you plan on wearing a neoprene foot wader with these boots, make sure you buy your boots at least one size, maybe two, sizes larger otherwise it gets a little crowded inside. I took out the insoles to give myself a fit that was a little looser.
I had the Terror ridge. They are stiff ! I went with the river ops this time. Absolutely love them, They say they're the same weight but they're much lighter... Also, I stay away from the boa they broke on us in Iraq quite often and they're hard to repair in the field.
Are the River Ops decent for hiking to and from River? For the past 15 years been wearing the same pair of Simms guide boot but I’m thinking about upgrading to Korkers River Ops. Simms has lost their minds charging $500 for new boots
I've had my pair of Darkhorse Korkers for 2 fishing seasons now and absolutely love them. Love the multiple soles, and being able to step into them truckside and tighten them up is a real Godsend for us more husky people. I did buy mine 2 sizes bigger cause I have a really wide foot with a high instep and I'm very glad I did. I'm in Minnesota and will occasionally wear them in winter with a pair of heavy wool socks, getting double duty out of them.
The only time I've had the soles pop off is when I was wading through deep duck weed/muck. They still stayed on with the heel strap but the toes popped out a couple times from the suction. Still my go-to wading boot, I just picked up the buckskins myself.
I have a lower end Korkers boot. The laces go through a plastic cinch so you don’t have to tie the laces. The boots came with Klingon soles. They don’t have studs. I find them slippery on moss coated rocks but a good enough to hike on. I tend to wear out my hiking shoe soles in the outside heel and the Klingon soles are no exception. They are kinda thin. Im thinking of getting a set of Vibram studded soles. They are supposed to have better durability. I’ve hiked as much as six miles in these boots and they are comfortable for that purpose.
I have the Dark Horse as well. Absolutely love them! Had Sims before, which were fine, but the ability to change the soles made me switch. I recently started using the felt w/ studs and they're are an absolute game-changer! I do a lot of bushwacking and hiking, so the stiffness of the Dark Horse is much appreciated, plus a couple of rivers that I fish are extremely rocky so the ankle support is much appreciated. I only have a couple of gripes: the rubber soles that come standard are horrible and the price of replacement soles is on the high side. I used the stock rubbers once because I had a long hike to a spot and didn't switch to the felts before fishing... no grip at all in the water! Other than that, I love my Korkers. I got mine at Sportsman's Warehouse and was lucky that the manager price-matched a web-site they don't normally do that for so I got mine for less than $200.
My souls have dropped dozens of times. Both feet!! 😭😭 I’m really hard on all my gear. Willing to give these another try and glad your experiences have been 5 star 👊
Bought my first Korkers (Buckskin) 5 months ago. Love them, light weight, great support. Got the felt and klingon soles. The klingons got used once so far and do not work on the steams I fish. But otherwise Korker has a lifelong user now.
Another great Friday episode Dan. I have the dark horse boots as well. One of the soles I use have the aluminum hex disks. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they performed on slippery stream bead rocks. Nice to see a different selection of IPA's each week as well. Thank you for all of the fishing and gear episodes. Keep up the great work.
Hey Dan, how heavy are they? I've found it's very hard to find "light" wading boots. Closest I've come are the Orvis Ultralight which I've been wearing a year now and really like. Still. I'd love something even lighter, but that still offers support. I'll keep lookin.
Hello Rosie! I find them to be somewhere in the middle. They’re certainly not heavy, but made with durable materials that do add a little bit of weight. they also make Korkers specifically for women which in most cases are far lighter than the men’s boot. I hope that helps!
Thanks for the video! I'm a size 14 shoe with a fairly wide forefoot and high arches. Would you recommend sizing up with Korkers, as recommended by the manufacturer? Is the toe box roomy in the Dark Horse? Thanks!
Hello there! I would size up to a Korkers size 15 (which is there largest size). I have the River Ops and they are comfortable and fit well, even with thick socks and wader neoprene socks.
Have you ever had the tab on the back of the boot that holds the soles break off? This happened to me twice a ;few years ago (I forget the Korker's model). Also, I found it easy to snap the button closed to lock in the laces, but had a very hard time pulling it open. Have you had any similar experiences? And, btw, thanks for the video.
Did you not just have a video not long ago where you commented on the felt pulling off the sole of Korkers after about 2 months of use? I don't remember which video that was, recent or older...
Love my Korker Dark Horse boots! The Boa lacing system is what really attracted me to these boots. Advice to anybody considering these boots: If you plan on wearing a neoprene foot wader with these boots, make sure you buy your boots at least one size, maybe two, sizes larger otherwise it gets a little crowded inside. I took out the insoles to give myself a fit that was a little looser.
I have the Simms with the Boa, about 10 years now. Replaced the screw-on cleats 3 times, still going strong.
I had the Terror ridge. They are stiff !
I went with the river ops this time. Absolutely love them, They say they're the same weight but they're much lighter...
Also, I stay away from the boa they broke on us in Iraq quite often and they're hard to repair in the field.
Are the River Ops decent for hiking to and from River? For the past 15 years been wearing the same pair of Simms guide boot but I’m thinking about upgrading to Korkers River Ops. Simms has lost their minds charging $500 for new boots
I've had my pair of Darkhorse Korkers for 2 fishing seasons now and absolutely love them. Love the multiple soles, and being able to step into them truckside and tighten them up is a real Godsend for us more husky people. I did buy mine 2 sizes bigger cause I have a really wide foot with a high instep and I'm very glad I did. I'm in Minnesota and will occasionally wear them in winter with a pair of heavy wool socks, getting double duty out of them.
Good stuff
The only time I've had the soles pop off is when I was wading through deep duck weed/muck. They still stayed on with the heel strap but the toes popped out a couple times from the suction. Still my go-to wading boot, I just picked up the buckskins myself.
I have a lower end Korkers boot. The laces go through a plastic cinch so you don’t have to tie the laces. The boots came with Klingon soles. They don’t have studs. I find them slippery on moss coated rocks but a good enough to hike on. I tend to wear out my hiking shoe soles in the outside heel and the Klingon soles are no exception. They are kinda thin. Im thinking of getting a set of Vibram studded soles. They are supposed to have better durability. I’ve hiked as much as six miles in these boots and they are comfortable for that purpose.
I have the Dark Horse as well. Absolutely love them! Had Sims before, which were fine, but the ability to change the soles made me switch. I recently started using the felt w/ studs and they're are an absolute game-changer! I do a lot of bushwacking and hiking, so the stiffness of the Dark Horse is much appreciated, plus a couple of rivers that I fish are extremely rocky so the ankle support is much appreciated. I only have a couple of gripes: the rubber soles that come standard are horrible and the price of replacement soles is on the high side. I used the stock rubbers once because I had a long hike to a spot and didn't switch to the felts before fishing... no grip at all in the water! Other than that, I love my Korkers. I got mine at Sportsman's Warehouse and was lucky that the manager price-matched a web-site they don't normally do that for so I got mine for less than $200.
Great feedback - thank you for sharing!
My souls have dropped dozens of times. Both feet!! 😭😭 I’m really hard on all my gear. Willing to give these another try and glad your experiences have been 5 star 👊
Bought my first Korkers (Buckskin) 5 months ago. Love them, light weight, great support. Got the felt and klingon soles. The klingons got used once so far and do not work on the steams I fish. But otherwise Korker has a lifelong user now.
Thank you for this report Dan. At 72 years old I need the boa tie system. Glad to hear that the clip on soles are reliable.
Glad I could help - feel free to use my link in the description as well. Love my boa system, so easy!
I have had them come off in “moose muck” in Alaska. Other than that no issues at all love them
Another great Friday episode Dan. I have the dark horse boots as well. One of the soles I use have the aluminum hex disks. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they performed on slippery stream bead rocks. Nice to see a different selection of IPA's each week as well. Thank you for all of the fishing and gear episodes. Keep up the great work.
Thank you John! I appreciate you taking the time to watch as well. Cheers!
Hit the river with the new boots and I must say I am very impressed so far. Money well spent!
Nice! They are pretty awesome for sure!
Happy Friday indeed! Love the Mario Brothers look on the can… and those boots look sleek as heck! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
I'll have to check them out - thanks for the great review FFD!
Hey Dan, how heavy are they? I've found it's very hard to find "light" wading boots. Closest I've come are the Orvis Ultralight which I've been wearing a year now and really like. Still. I'd love something even lighter, but that still offers support. I'll keep lookin.
Hello Rosie! I find them to be somewhere in the middle. They’re certainly not heavy, but made with durable materials that do add a little bit of weight. they also make Korkers specifically for women which in most cases are far lighter than the men’s boot. I hope that helps!
Thanks for your time Dan new to the channel.
Welcome to the my channel, glad to have you here :))
It Friday. Dan has a brew Perfect timing. I am looking for new boots
Well done FFD!! 👊
Thanks for the video! I'm a size 14 shoe with a fairly wide forefoot and high arches. Would you recommend sizing up with Korkers, as recommended by the manufacturer? Is the toe box roomy in the Dark Horse? Thanks!
Hello there! I would size up to a Korkers size 15 (which is there largest size). I have the River Ops and they are comfortable and fit well, even with thick socks and wader neoprene socks.
@@FlyFishDan Many thanks, Dan!
Have you ever had the tab on the back of the boot that holds the soles break off? This happened to me twice a ;few years ago (I forget the Korker's model). Also, I found it easy to snap the button closed to lock in the laces, but had a very hard time pulling it open. Have you had any similar experiences? And, btw, thanks for the video.
You bet! I have not had the back tab break off - sorry to hear that happened!
Cheers 🍻 and have a great weekend.
Good recommendation.
Did you not just have a video not long ago where you commented on the felt pulling off the sole of Korkers after about 2 months of use? I don't remember which video that was, recent or older...
Yes! Good memory - to be fair...they were somewhat used and I was walking on lava rock all day. They stood behind them and sent me a new pair
I love these boots. But i hear there is no clip for waders.
Love my Korkers, I'll never buy a different brand again! The cleated felt is awesome in freestone streams here in PA.