Timberland vs Simms: Put your best foot forward

Gear Review: Timberland Motion Access Boots

A detailed 6-month side-by-side review of Timberland Motion Access Mid waterproof hiking boots vs Simms Flyweight Access wading boots for fly anglers. Which performs best for hiking, wading, durability, and comfort?

I should note that Timberland gifted me the boots to review, and they were supplied by the folk at Outside Sports in Wānaka, New Zealand. It’s also worth stating that this is not one of those influencer type gigs, with me posting a hero shot of the boots down at the local town creek for my IG.

I decided to run a ‘side‑by‑side review’ of the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots versus my longtime favorite, Simms Flyweight Access Wading Boots.

I worried that this might be a bit unfair to Timberland. I mean Simms is tailored specifically for fly anglers – with a necessary focus on traction, durability, continual water exposure, off-track comfort. And this was my third pair so I obviously thought they were ok. Heck, this could end up looking bad for a footwear brand that’s big in the streetwear and lifestyle categories, but without the fly fishing heritage of the Bozeman, MT domiciled Simms Fishing Products company.

Well, let me give you the TL;DR up front. The Timberlands held their own and gave a little more. This is what I found over six months.

Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots vs Simms Flyweight Wading Boots.

THE PLAN

It was going to be a loosely control experiment – so right up front, your mileage may vary. I’m hard on boots, but equally tough.

The plan was I would switch between boots for each fishing trip from December to May and see how each boot fared. This included a November helicopter week in the hills – but the boots weren’t available in time for that adventure, so the new Simms went first.

Then a week in December of tramping and fishing in Queenstown’s Caples and Greenstone Valleys. The Timberland boots had arrived so the Simms stayed home. It felt like a fair fight so far.

The win for me was that I’d get more wear out of my Simms Flyweights, regardless of the shootout. Now onto my third pair, I wanted to get more than a full season out of them to break the annual cycle of having to buy a fishing license and wading boots all in the same week. More on that shortly.

FEATURES

Timberland Motion Access Mid (Waterproof Hiking Boots)

Strengths for Hiking Anglers

• Robust Waterproofing: Designed to keep feet dry during wet hikes and damp river approaches, with a reliable TimberDry* membrane.

• Solid Construction & Grip: A mid‑cut hiking boot with decent grip on wet terrain and plenty of support.

• Comfort on the Move: Ideal for longer walks to remote streams. Cushioned and supportive even under heavier loads.

• Light. Really light for tramping. 710gms per boot light. That’s 25 ounces light for those of you in the USA. Ridiculous.

• A magical step in the back of the heel that was a revelation to me – makes taking the boots off a breeze.

TimberDry is Timberland's proprietary waterproof technology. It utilises a waterproof membrane made with majority recycled plastic to help keep feet dry and provide breathability.

Trade-offs

• Less river‑specific design. They’re not intended for actual, continual wet wading. No built‑in drainage or stud configuration typical of wading boots. But actually … they work.

• Sizing: They were a little tight and we suggest going up a half size.

Simms Flyweight Access Wading Boots

Designed for Anglers

• Still light & grippy: 1.2kg (43oz) per pair, with Vibram Idogrip Flex soles that conform to slippery streambeds, arguably better traction than most alternatives.

• Welded Construction: TPU abrasion overlays and one-piece toe caps reduce seam failure.

• Comfort & Fit: Sizing runs true; built to accommodate wader socks. Pull tabs make them easy to don.

I run screw-in-studs on my Simms – so it wasn’t a fair fight with the Timberlands for traction, but the difference wasn’t radically different. I felt confident and nimble in the Timberlands. I guess I should have screwed some studs in to get a direct comparison, but they simply didn’t need them for the stream conditions I encountered last season.

Comparison with Common Issues & Durability Concerns in Simms

• Premature Wear: Many anglers report Flyweights lasting only a season, even one of the local Simms reps. For me 50-60 trips so one season.

Simms User Anecdote: “Mine ended looking heavy wear and tearing on the sides after one season… grip is horrid if you're wading anything besides gravel or sand.”

• Lace Loop & Eyelet Failures: The laces fray and those damn webbing loops are prone to breaking just when you’re at the top of the river with a long walk back to the truck.

“Eyelets starting to wear out during second season,” is a commonly heard issue.

• Warranty & Support Complaints:

Well, I didn’t test either brand's warranty, or need to dial their call centre. As a long time angler, I’ve grown tired of the complaints about Simms, or lifetime rod guarantees, It just falls on deaf ears now. I just try to buy the best I can and hope it lasts.

• Gravel/ Sand Penetration: Even with guards, sand may still work into the boot and damage neoprene sock liners but I didn’t strike this with either brand

LETS COMPARE

Timberland Motion Access Mid

Waterproofing: Full waterproof hiking boot
Weight: ~1.4kg depending on size
Traction: Excellent on land; good on gravel
Durability: Tough & long‑lasting construction
Comfort: Firm ankle support and padding
Support & Warranty: Standard hiking boot support
Expected Use: Hiking to the water, wet grassy approaches
Actual Use: Hiking & Wading – lifetime duration not reached after one season

Simms Flyweight Access Boots

Waterproofing: Not waterproof, designed for wet wading
Weight: ~1.2–1.3kg, ultralight for wading boots
Traction: Exceptional on slippery rocks, but limited grip on soft mud/sand
Durability: Reports of mid/side seam wear and lace failure within a season, lace loops failed, fast sole wear
Comfort: Highly flexible and comfortable, think trail runners!
Support & Warranty: Mixed reviews on Simms customer service
Expected Use: Wading plus Hiking. A good NZ combo boot.
Actual Use: Wading and Hiking – expect lifetime duration of one season

FINAL VERDICT (FOR FLY ANGLERS)

If your day involves long hikes, muddy trails, and wet approach zones, the Timberland Motion Access Mid is the sturdier, drier choice though you won’t have drainage or ‘stud compatibility’ if that’s a thing. They are reliable and protective.

If you're after lightweight wading boots for easy walking and exceptional traction on rocks for a short term trip, like flying into New Zealand for a few weeks and where weight is an issue, the Simms Flyweight Access can deliver,

For anglers prioritizing function, comfort, and reliability on the move, Timberland Motion Access is a sensible, heavy-duty workhorse. For those who value grip, minimal weight, and feel the need for a fly fisher brand on their feet, Simms Flyweight may work but treat them as agile and precise, not rugged.

Authors Note: Better yet, have a close look at the new Skwala Carbons or Patagonia's Forra boots for two further crossover hiking/wading boot options.