The Korkers Buckskin is a lightweight wading boot featuring Korkers Interchangeable Sole System. The Buckskin boot comes standard with both the rubber KlingOn soles and traditional felt soles, though other options are also available. Soles may be purchased separately as well.

GRIP
To better illustrate how the Buckskins’  faired against the rest of the boots I tested, I only field tested the basic (non-studded) KlingOn rubber soles. These performed well on the snow and in the mud but it slipped more than I liked on the slimy rocks of low-water winter conditions.

COMFORT
The high cuff is well padded and provides high ankle support and the stiff heel lock seemed to prevent twisted ankles while wading tricky river bottoms. I traipsing through deadfall-covered forest floors without problem, and in good comfort.

WET WEIGHT
A single boot went from 1.6 pounds dry to 2.2 pounds wet, but the material dried quickly and the interior drained rapidly, thus quickly dispelling weight gained while submerged. This also helps to prevent anglers from unknowingly spreading invasive and exotic species from one water to another.

DURABILITY
Constant changing of the soles may reduce the life of the boots if the clip-in pins weaken or break from repeated in-and-out use. But judicious use of the system more likely means the Buckskins will outlast many of its competitors

TREAD LIFE
The relatively soft, spongy rubber used on the KlingOn tread provides good traction in the water, but could wear more rapidly when walking on dry, abrasive rocks.

VALUE
Buckskins come with two soles and two options for the soles. Even matched with the higher priced sole options, the Buckskins are the least expensive but most versatile boot in the class.

We field tested the boots in a variety of conditions, from the pebbly beaches of Puget Sound while chasing Sea-Run Cutthroats, to the fast waters of the Salmon River in Idaho. We wore each pair of boots for multiple days, and wore mixed pairs on multiple occasions – that is, one model on our left foot, another on our right – to get direct side-by-side comparisons.