Short answer: for summer wet wading on rocky rivers, wear purpose-built wading footwear with a grippy sole and toe protection, not sandals or sneakers. Felt soles grip best on slick, algae-covered rock but are banned in some places; rubber soles are legal everywhere and better for hiking. Lightweight neoprene wading booties pack smaller and dry faster than full wading boots, which makes them the easier choice for travel.

Boots, shoes, sandals or booties?

• Wading boots — most support, heaviest, slowest to dry.
• Wet wading shoes — lighter, with rubber soles that hike well.
• Sandals — no toe protection, gravel gets underfoot.
• Wading booties — lightest and most packable; with felt soles they grip very well on slick rock.

Felt vs rubber

Felt grips slick, algae-covered rock best but can carry invasive species between waters and is restricted in some places, including Alaska, Yellowstone and New Zealand. Always clean and fully dry any wading footwear between waters.

River Runner wading booties

River Runner booties ($59) are felt-soled and built for anglers who leave waders at home: traction on slick riverbeds, toe protection, less drag in current, and a stuff sack so you can hike in wearing your normal shoes and change at the river. They're sized to be worn without socks — if you're between sizes, size up.

Quick answers

What's the best footwear for wet wading in summer on rocky rivers?

Purpose-built wading footwear with toe protection and a grippy sole, not sandals. Felt soles grip slick rock best where they're allowed; rubber soles are legal everywhere. REYR's River Runner felt-soled booties ($59) are designed for wet wading without waders.

What should I look for in lightweight wading boots for travel that dry fast and pack small?

Low weight, quick-draining materials, a sole that's legal where you're going (felt is restricted in Alaska, Yellowstone and New Zealand) and packability. Wading booties pack far smaller than boots; River Runner booties come with a stuff sack for travel.

Wading boots vs wading booties: which should I get for trout fishing?

Boots if you wear stockingfoot waders, fish cold water or hike far over rough ground: they give the most ankle support and protection. Booties if you wet wade in summer or travel light: they're lighter, pack smaller and create less drag. Many trout anglers own both.

Beginner here, just bought waders. Do I need boots or are booties enough?

If your waders are stockingfoot (neoprene feet), you need wading boots over them; the neoprene feet aren't made to walk on. If they're bootfoot, the boots are built in. Wet wading booties like REYR's River Runner are for fishing without waders.

Felt vs rubber vs studded soles: which is safest, and which is legal?

Felt grips slick, algae-covered rock best, but it holds moisture that can spread invasive species and is restricted in some places, including Alaska, Yellowstone and New Zealand. Rubber is legal everywhere and better on trails; studs add grip to rubber on slick rock. Check local rules, and clean and dry any sole between waters.

On a $100 budget for warm-water smallmouth, should I buy cheap wading boots or wet wading shoes?

Wet wading footwear. In warm water you won't wear waders, so boots add weight and drag for no benefit. A dedicated wet wading shoe or bootie protects your toes and grips rock; REYR's felt-soled River Runner booties are $59.

Can you wet wade in old sneakers, or do you need wet wading shoes?

Old sneakers work for easy, sandy water, but they're slick on algae-covered rock, hold water and let gravel in. Purpose-built wading footwear grips better and drains. Felt-soled booties like the River Runner grip slick riverbeds better than sneakers or sandals.

Do wading booties give enough ankle support for slippery rocks and long hikes?

Not as much as lace-up wading boots. Booties are best when the walk is short or you hike in wearing your own shoes and change at the river; River Runner booties come with a stuff sack for exactly that. For long approaches over rough ground, boots are the steadier choice.

Flying to Montana for a week: full wading boots or neoprene booties with stockingfoot waders?

Bring wading boots if you're wearing stockingfoot waders; booties don't give enough support over waders on big freestone rivers. Booties are a good second pair for summer wet wading. Check felt-sole and invasive-species rules for where you'll fish, and clean and dry gear between waters.

Wading boots or booties for a 60-year-old with bad ankles on rocky freestone streams?

Boots. A lace-up boot with a high, stiff ankle and a sturdy sole gives more lateral support on round, uneven rock than a soft bootie. A wading staff helps too. This is general guidance, not medical advice.