Busanga Posted June 4 Report Share Posted June 4 (edited) Which to choose between the RIVER OPS™ BOA , DEVIL'S CANYON™ BOA or DARKHORSE™ BOA What are the main differences in these models mainly rock jumping on the beach (used in hot, humid weather not needed for cold weather) Edited June 4 by Busanga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDigital Posted June 4 Report Share Posted June 4 I've only used the BOA system with the DC's. I have the Terror Ridge and River Ops with laces. I did not like the RO. They felt like a ski boot and were very heavy with the Triple Threat Soles. The TR are comfortable and a good boot all around. Hands down my favorite are the DC's. They are light, flexible and durable. I have not tried the Dark Horse, they look a lot like the TR. What ever shoe you get, make sure to get the Triple Threat Soles with carbide spikes. They are a game changer when it comes to rocks. The standard sole that come with the boots are useless. Lipslicker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowEnd Posted June 4 Report Share Posted June 4 I just ordered a new pair of DC’s The pair I have are on their second season and are holding up well, I get 2 seasons out of them until they are toast. The DC’s are light in weight and have severed me well. I make my own spiked soles with the lug soles that come with them and a box of sheet metal screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busanga Posted June 5 Author Report Share Posted June 5 Thanks guys. i am leaning towards the DC as i do not like stiff boots and i need some flexibility to climb around the rocks. i like the BOA system for ease of removal but am worried how they will hold up in the saltwater. (i see there is another thread on this issue of the BOA). i have no problem servicing them after each use, i am quite OCD about that Can these boots be worn without socks or just ordinary cotton socks. weather is hot here and water is warm. I would only be putting them on at the beach and climbing around the rocks not really walking miles in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
changed Posted June 5 Report Share Posted June 5 None. The BOA system, when used in the salt, will lock up. Whether it is the corrosion of the salt, or the sand getting into the mechanism, they will fail quickly. As me how I know... I went back to the laced version for this reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busanga Posted June 5 Author Report Share Posted June 5 2 mins ago, changed said: None. The BOA system, when used in the salt, will lock up. Whether it is the corrosion of the salt, or the sand getting into the mechanism, they will fail quickly. As me how I know... I went back to the laced version for this reason. noted. sounds like the lace version would be better suited to what i do. do they still make the DC in lace ups ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
changed Posted June 5 Report Share Posted June 5 4 mins ago, Busanga said: noted. sounds like the lace version would be better suited to what i do. do they still make the DC in lace ups ? No, I'd go with the Terror Ridge, or even cheaper. I work in a fly shop and see these boots everyday-- they're all the same, basically, except for the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryHood711 Posted June 5 Report Share Posted June 5 DC’s here as well. Have had intermittent issues with the BOA, waiting on Korkers to get back to me about replacements (already initiated, service has been great). Used the carbide spike soles for the first time this weekend in Montauk, they grip great. High ankle support on those boots too, wiggle your feet around as you tighten the boa to get them a little more snug. Lipslicker 1 Where do you go when the lights go out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipslicker Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 On 6/5/2023 at 10:04 AM, Busanga said: Thanks guys. i am leaning towards the DC as i do not like stiff boots and i need some flexibility to climb around the rocks. i like the BOA system for ease of removal but am worried how they will hold up in the saltwater. (i see there is another thread on this issue of the BOA). i have no problem servicing them after each use, i am quite OCD about that Can these boots be worn without socks or just ordinary cotton socks. weather is hot here and water is warm. I would only be putting them on at the beach and climbing around the rocks not really walking miles in them. Only tried the DC’s, which are light and excellent, but as @BDigital says, the Triple Threat with carbide spikes are the soles to go for. I have tried many soles and many other boots with different studs, and these are the best by a very long distance. Deep treads cope with mud too. They are superb. Just make sure you tighten them REALLY tight with ratchet spanner, so you don’t lose any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
changed Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 Blue loctite is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camhabib Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 I have the River Ops and they are… meh. I find them incredibly stiff and pointlessly heavy. Might also just be my weird feet but they’ve started to pinch around my ankles and cause some discomfort. The Triple Threat soles are great however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdoh Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 Terror Ridge are excellent except the plastic eyelets. The ones near the top with the most pressure on them break after a while. I had already purchased stainless steel eyelets and an eyelet setter for another pair of boots and just replace the ones that fail. I also own the Buckskins but the TR's have better ankle support which for me is a requirement. As for the soles, the Triple Threats are great on bubble weed, steep muddy banks and other vegetable matter but not so great on smooth granite. I've had them slide on steep slime covered rocks. They also weight a ton and if you walk a lot make sure you don't drag your feet or the spikes will catch on something and you'll trip. For wet slimy rocks I prefer felt soles. They stick like glue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southcoastphil Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 BOAs + sand = locked on boots = NFG Late Nov., several years ago, I bought Korkers w/BOA closures because they were the only boots available that late in the season. Wore them on a 10-day trip to NJ beaches that extended into early Dec. Although I hosed them off at the end of each day, by day 4 they were getting balky. By day 6, I had to use various tools to release the BOA catches, spending from 1/2 to a full hour working to get them released. ("Dam*, am I gonna have to *sleep* in my waders tonight??") G.B.O.G.H. -- DT326 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."--M. Mead Be safe, be smart, be kind.--Gary Crocker, Maine Humorist/Philosopher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowEnd Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 I just serviced my old pair of DC’s not because they needed it but figured why not. 47 trips this season + all of last year. Opened them up, knocked the sand out (very little) , sprayed some lubricant on the gears, buttoned it up. Took 10 minutes. Experience will vary especially if you only fish Sandy beaches and rough surf. If that is the case open them up sooner then later. It also helps if you make sure your waders are always covering the dial. Keep the gravel guards hooked on the BOA wire. Each system has problems (BOA or lace up). I just got tired of broken rusted j hooks and eyelets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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