The One

These Wading Boots Are Part Sneaker, Part Michelin Tire

The latest fisherman’s gear from Orvis is light, watertight, and looks just right.

The Orvis Pro wading boots.

Photographer: Joanna McClure for Bloomberg Businessweek

Blame Brad Pitt. Ever since the tow-headed actor splashed across the screen in A River Runs Through It, it’s been increasingly difficult to find an angler-free stretch of water. In the U.S. at least 6 million people this year will rig up a fly rod. The easy antidote to crowding? A long walk. Thanks to breathable fabrics, the $230 Orvis Pro wading boot is 50 ounces (just over 3 pounds), which makes it both lightweight and comfortable—and it’s “stickier” than ever, whether you’re casting from steep trails or slippery river rocks.

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