Timberland vs Simms: Put your best foot forward.
Gear Review: Timberland Motion Access Boots
Gear Review: Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Hiking 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?
Disclaimer
The good folks at Timberland sent me this gear to try out, and I’m sharing my honest take straight from the riverbank. As you’ll read, they had no input into this review.
THE BACKGROUND
It’s been six months and I’ve been reviewing the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots over the past Summer/Autumn New Zealand fly fishing season.
I should note that Timberland gifted me these boots to review, with supply by the kind folk at Outside Sports in Wānaka, New Zealand. It’s also important to state that this is not one of those influencer type gigs, with me posting a hero shot of shiny new footwear down at the local town creek for my IG.
I wanted 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.
First up, I was 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 of these Simms boots – 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
The plan was for it, loosely, to be a control experiment – so right up front, your mileage may vary. I’m hard on boots, but equally tough.
[A control experiment is a test or trial done under standard or unchanged conditions to provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group where a variable is changed. It helps isolate the effect of the variable being tested by showing what happens when everything else remains constant.]
I would switch between each boots for every fishing trip from December to May and see how each boot fared. The plan was for this trial to kick off with a November helicopter week in the South Island backcountry – but with the Timberland boots not available in time – the new Simms were first up and got a solid workout in wet conditions.
Next up, a full week in December of tramping and fishing in Central Otago’s stunning 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, regardless of the shootout results, I’d get more wear out of my Simms Flyweights. Now onto my third pair, I needed to get a full season and a half out of them to break the annual cycle of having to buy a fishing license and wading boots all in the same week. Well, more on that shortly.
SIDE BY SIDE FEATURE-SET
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. 710gms light per boot or less depending on size. 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
Not river‑specific design. They aren’t intended for actual, continual wet wading. No built‑in drainage or stud configuration typical of wading boots.
Sizing was a little tight (go up at least a half size).
Simms Flyweight Access Wading Boots
Designed for Anglers
Still light & grippy: 1.2kg (43oz) – 1.3kg per pair depending on size, with Vibram Idogrip Flex soles that conform to slippery stream beds – 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.
These boots are well known to New Zealand anglers. They’re not a full on wading boot, but great for guides and anglers who spend a lot of time tramping into our backcountry streams to fish.
I run screw-in-studs on my Simms, although thinking it wasn’t a fair fight with Timberland for traction. But surprisingly, the difference wasn’t radically different between the two soles. Timberland never felt on the back foot. The sole gave me confidence and I was just as nimble in the Timberland as in the Simms. I guess I should have screwed some studs into both to get a direct comparison, but I simply didn’t to throughout an entire season on the water.
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’ warranty or need to dial their call centres. 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, lightweight for hiking
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
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 even 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 will deliver,
For anglers prioritising function, comfort, and reliability on the move, Timberland Motion Access (Mid) is a sensible, heavy-duty workhorse and gives very good value.
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. And buy two pair for when the first set wears out.
Authors note: If you’re a die-hard angler – have a good look at Skwala Carbons or Patagonia Forra wading boots.