My son and I fish the Llano River quite a bit. It's a tough river as it moves between coarse granite sand, pebbles, cobble stone rock, and slippery granite boulders. During the summer we're having a hard time finding a lightweight boot or shoe that does well in these conditions that works with shorts as waders are out of the question in the summer. Not looking to stay dry but something that isn't too heavy can handle the rough terrain and sometime long sand walks to get to the water and then wading on sand, pebbles, slipoery cobblestone, slippery boulders without filling up with sand and gravel. The only thing I can find that has a chance is the Simms Lightweight Access Wet Boot. I don't want to spend that much but I also don't want to mess with neoprene gravel guards. Any experience or recommendations?

Sounds like you need 2-3 different styles of boots to meet all of those conditions.

I'd just go with these.

https://www.academy.com/p/magellan-outdoors-mens-shoreline-front-zip-wading-boots?sku=7-d-gray

I've tried many different options for Hill Country river wade fishing, From full river wading boots w/ felt and spikes, inshore flat wading boot to Chaco's.

The best all around option I've settled on is neoprene socks with a pair of old tennis shoes (as long as the tread isn't completely worn out). Light weight, nimble, but still enough protection from stubbing toes. IF your shoe happens to get filled with sand and grit, the fix is quick and easy.

I've ran this setup on the Llano several times.

Academy Neoprene Socks

Plus - Old Tennis Shoe

Easy, Cheap and honestly probably the best.

Disadvantage - ankle support.

Also, like the comment above, there is no perfect option for the Llano as it is SO varied in terms of river bend.

This sounds like the solution, thanks

Not the Llano, but I wet wade a lot. The Simms flyweights are awesome, but you do have to mess with the booties.

Simms came out with a new product this year called the Drifter AT. It's basically a croc with a built in neoprene sock and the same outsole material as the flyweight boots. For $100, it's hard to beat for what you're describing.

https://www.simmsfishing.com/products/drifter-at-fishing-shoe?variant=45722009698494

We have a place on the Llano and I use the Simms flats bootie or Simms pursuit shoe with neoprene socks

I have a pair of old vibram 5-fingers that work great in the river. Mostly kayaking for me, and they're definitely not fashionable, but they work well to protect my foot and give better grip.

I've done some fly fishing in this but an old pair of trail running shoes.

Most trail runners have built in drains and attachment points for gaiters, and a good aggressive sole with enough flexibility to navigate different river bottom terrain. They dry quick which helps with the walk back.

Chuck Taylor Converse. Cut the plastic toe off to stay cool and evacuate pebbles! Went many a trek up and down Simms creek from the headwaters to the Lampasas river as a teen.

Crocs

Walmart $20 hiking boot have served me for many wade fishing miles.