Rambling Review – Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoes

Rambling Review – Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoes

Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoe
Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoe

Why:

Living in Arizona, I start wet wading as soon as the snow is gone. Generally that means by the end of April or early May, I am lucky enough to leave the bulky, smelly waders at home and don a pair of cargo shorts to hike the small streams in our high country. Typically, I wear my regular wading boots with a pair of sock and a wading booty, but even with all of that material in the boot, it generally is a little loose. I came across the Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoe and thought I would give them a shot. They seemed like they would fit my style small stream fishing perfectly.

Korkers Hyjack
Korkers Hyjack

First impressions:

The Changeable Soles – The new Korkers design is ingenious. The OmniTrax system is so simple to change out the different soles that they offer. Most any combination that you can think of is available for the bottom of the shoe.

The Fit – The Korker Hyjacks fit wonderfully. I am a size 10 and these shoes in a size 10 fit perfect with a 2mm booty.  Truth be told I tried them on barefoot and they felt pretty good too.

Happily fishing in my Korkers...
Happily fishing in my Korkers…

Field Use:

I have spent the past couple of months tromping around the Mogollon Rim splashing in small creeks chasing wild trout and I love the Korker Hyjacks. Typically what I have been doing is wearing the regular Kling-on soles during the hike and in the water with the felt soles in my pack just in case I get into a really slippery round rock creek. What is truly amazing about these shoes is the ease of changing the sole. It really is simple and quick and no time is lost in the process.

These boots are extremely light weight and comfortable to hike in. The Korkers site boasts 100% waterproof material which makes sure these shoes stay nice and light. Korkers added a nice touch with the “Quick Cinch” lacings which cuts down on the standard shoe laces which retain water and weight. The Hyjacks drain quickly and there is none of the heaviness when stepping out of the stream that comes with the bulky wading boot. Overall these boots are lightweight and “grippy” making them pretty much awesome.

Most of the time at the end of a long day sliding around in the stream, my feet are aching and ready for a break. The Hyjacks gave great ankle support even for a “low top” shoe and protected my ever weakening arches. There were several instances where it would have been nice to have higher ankle support, but overall these performed very well in the gnarly backcountry of Arizona.

Wear and Tear
Wear and Tear around the edges…

Pros:

Lightweight

Waterproof material

Quick and easy OmniTrax interchangeable soles

True size fitting

Cons:

Different soles sold separately.

Kling-On Sticky Soles started to wear around the edges after several hard hikes in the field.

Durability of the mesh sidewall

Prognosis: The Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoe is the ultimate small stream wet wading shoe. A must have for the creek stalking fisherman.

Korkers Hyjack Wading Boot
Here’s how much I trust my Korkers…

 

***Update 8/17/13 – The Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoes have served me well. My first pair gave up the ghost after a year of hard abuse, and because I liked them, I bought another pair. The second pair lasted about a year as well and ultimately blew out. Although I like the concept behind the Korkers model, durability seems to be a weakness.

 

Korkers
Korker Blowout

 

 

 

Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  The Korkers Hyjack shoe was purchased at the “pro” rate price for the purpose of this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

12 Responses to “Rambling Review – Korkers Hyjack Wading Shoes”

  1. Karel

    Thanks for the review, Ben. I own the Korkers Chrome and wonder if the sole of the Chrome would fit the Hyjack too.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Karel. I’m glad you found it helpful. From what I understand, all the Omnitrax Soles are interchangable with the boots that have that system. But as always, that would be a good things to check before the final purchase. Thanks again.

      Ben

      Reply
  2. Bruce

    I like your review style Ben, it always makes me want to buy the gear your talking about. This was no different, nice review and a great product.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Bruce. I usually only review gear that has seen extensive use and has performed well for me. Glad you liked it. These are a great shoe if you like the small streams and wet wade often. Thanks again.

      Ben

      Reply
  3. Chris

    Nice review and I will be interested in your thoughts after extended use. I trashed my second pair of Korkers Torrents last year on a long hike into Mogollon Creek after gila trout. I had over 300 miles of hiking in them.

    I was interested in the Torrent replacement and have had a couple of friend’s that had very little good to say about them…holes developed quickly in the uppers, Kling-on soles require a breaking in period before the traction gets decent, etc.

    After seeing the wear on your soles and other reports, I’m going with the Simms Ripraps. Good luck with your Korkers – I’ve loved my Torrents.

    Chris

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Chris,

      I really like these shoes. Wicked comfortable and I love being able to change into the felts so quickly once I get to the water. I have not been crazy about the Kling-on soles (would much rather see something with Vibram), but at the same time I am not easy on gear and have put quite a few miles on these shoes. Let me know how the Simms work out for you. I would be really interested in seeing a review on those. Thanks Chris.

      Ben

      Reply
  4. David G

    Does this mean I have to buy new Korkers again!? If I do, this will be the 3rd version. I was ok with the 1st! haha

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      It’s a great shoe and I have been real happy with them. Perfect for the wet wading here in the Southwest…

      Ben

      Reply
        • azwanderings

          Really? Things are plenty toasty on this side of the mountains. What elevation are you at?

          Reply
  5. Craig

    Hey,

    Nice review. I was looking at these shoes for an up and coming trip to New Zealand – guessing there will be some hiking involved. Quick question, will these fit okay with waders?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Craig,

      I think they are meant to be worn with socks, thin wading booties, or bare feet. For waders you will definitely want to go up a size or two. The New Zealand trip sounds like fun. Let me know how it goes.

      Ben

      Reply

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