Cold Waters 115g Trainer File
We put the Cold Waters 115g Trainer through three months of abuse on the Deschutes River, the San Juan, and a muddy carp pond. Here is everything you need to know about the lightest wading boot on the planet. Let’s start with the obvious: the name. The "115g" in the title is not a model number; it is the actual weight. Clocking in at just 115 grams (4.05 ounces) per boot, the Cold Waters Trainer is lighter than most running shoes. For context, a standard felt-soled wading boot often weighs between 750g and 1,100g.
When the Cold Waters 115g Trainer first launched, traditionalists scoffed. A sneaker? For a trout stream? Ridiculous. But after using them, the physics become undeniable. Lighter boots mean less fatigue. Less fatigue means better balance. Better balance means fewer falls. Fewer falls means more time with your fly in the water.
Incredible. You forget you are wearing boots. Long hikes into the canyon that used to require a break every mile are now easy. Your legs fatigue less because you aren't lifting a pound of lead with every step. 2. Traction on Slippery Rock We tested the Cold Waters 115g against the standard industry heavyweights. On dry rock, all boots are equal. On wet, bowling-ball-smooth basalt, the HydroGrip-7 rubber performed at 90% of traditional felt. cold waters 115g trainer
The Cold Waters 115g Trainer is not the perfect boot for every scenario—it lacks the bombproof armor of a Korkers or the ankle brace of a Patagonia Foot Tractor. But for the vast majority of fly anglers who walk, stalk, and cast, this is the future.
A: Yes. Rubber soles are legal everywhere felt is banned (Maryland, Missouri, New Zealand, etc.). We put the Cold Waters 115g Trainer through
If you wear a size 10 Nike, buy the 11 Cold Waters. Why? Because you will wear a 3mm or 5mm neoprene sock underneath. The boot has no thermal barrier, so your sock is your insulation. If the boot is too tight, blood flow cuts off and your feet freeze.
A: Hose them off. Leave them in the sun. Do not use a dryer. Do not use waterproofing spray (it clogs the drainage). About the Author: [Name] has been a fly fishing guide for 12 years and has tested over 40 pairs of wading boots. He keeps his Cold Waters 115g Trainers in his truck for every after-work hike-n-fish session. The "115g" in the title is not a
The HydroGrip-7 rubber is soft. If you are used to hard Vibram soles, this feels almost gummy. That is intentional. Soft rubber deforms to the microscopic texture of algae-covered rock, providing friction where hard soles slip. Performance Testing: The Good, The Bad, and The Rocky 1. The Wading Experience (The "Wet Sock" Factor) Because these boots are 115g, they do not have thick liners. You must wear a neoprene wading sock or thick merino crew sock with them. If you try to wear them barefoot, the drainage mesh will feel like sandpaper.