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@wlllc wrote:
Brian,
GREAT tip on the Sockwa ultralight boots! Which model did you buy–the Playa Hi or G Hi? Have they proven to be durable, and do they work as shoes to wear around the campsite after float tubing? What brand of fins are you using, and what is their weight?
thanks!I got the 7 oz BRIGHT red G Hi shoe during a 50% off clearance sale in August. Last year I picked up a pair of 4 oz puke green lowtop G4s during their clearance and wear them around the property like sandals. They dont absorb much water, dry quickly and do double duty as camp shoes with adequate protection in the soles, but I prefer the new hightops. I think the fins are the Outcast backpacking model
http://www.outcastboats.com/outcast/products/accessories.aspx?cat=15&id=281
and believe they weigh about 18 oz@Brian wrote:
I picked up a pair of NOS Redball waders at an IFFF Enclave silent auction last year for $15, and have a pair of lightweight fins. The total weight for those is 24 ounces. I can throw in a 4 ounce pair of Sockwa sport shoes or 6 ounce Neoprene socks for a little extra protection for the Redballs against punctures. Add my small 4 ounce DIY Bernoulli Bag pump and my Trinity float tube kit is just under 10 lbs. The bigger issue so far is packed size, although I can get it all with rod, reel, fly kit, and bivvy essentials in my 1500 cu inch Fishpond pack for day trips. Overnighters require a pretty large backpack.
I needed to go lighter, & smaller. I checked on a custom Alpacka hybrid but they didn’t have the time for a custom order. So I sold my Trinity float tube and picked up a Wilderness Lite Backpacker Pro. My float tube kit is now just a hair over 6 lbs and that includes pump, waders, neoprene socks, 7 oz BRIGHT red Sockwa high top beach volleyball shoes, and full foot backpacking fins. The tube easily but snugly fits in a 10 liter mesh stuff sack. The other soft gear fits in a 3 liter stuff sack. I netted and released around 30 Brookies on trips over the summer to Seven Lakes Basin and the Glacier View Wilderness. I am very pleased.
I usually carry a fly rod but have an old Cabela’s Gold Label 4 piece IM6 pack rod and a Mitchell 4410. It casts 3/16 lures (Dardevels) nicely however a casting float with flies seems to catch more fish.
@Jeff Mix wrote:
Keep in mind that when considering the weight of a float tube vs a raft you also need to include waders and fins…items not needed when using a raft.
I picked up a pair of NOS Redball waders at an IFFF Enclave silent auction last year for $15, and have a pair of lightweight fins. The total weight for those is 24 ounces. I can throw in a 4 ounce pair of Sockwa sport shoes or 6 ounce Neoprene socks for a little extra protection for the Redballs against punctures. Add my small 4 ounce DIY Bernoulli Bag pump and my Trinity float tube kit is just under 10 lbs. The bigger issue so far is packed size, although I can get it all with rod, reel, fly kit, and bivvy essentials in my 1500 cu inch Fishpond pack for day trips. Overnighters require a pretty large backpack.
