Wading Boots
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It’s time for me to pick up a new pair of Wading Boots and I was looking for some recommendations. I’m thinking felt is out as most of the manufacturers are moving towards sticky rubber soles for environmental reasons. I know most of these haven’t come out yet, but has anyone tried these new boots? Also not sure if I need cleats or not. My last pair were just felt-bottomed and seemed to work fine most of the time although one Guide strongly recommended I get a pair of cleats. The river bottoms I fish in vary, everything from mud to slippery rock to fine gravel.
Korkers…
I was talked into mine after me hawing about the price and now it is probably the best thing since wonder bread. The fact that you can customize the sole is cool (the system really works) and sounds like a need in your case but I love them for the Boa Dial – No need to untie wet laces. You rotate the dial to tighten them on and a click of the button and they come off. I wish they made something like it for a 1 year old little girl who cannot keep her shoes on.
They are also the most comfortable boot i have worn.
I have been thinking about the non felt soles, and maybe some of you can answer a question, or concern, for me.
I had a pair (my first pair) of waders with boots built in and eventually the rubber bottoms wore down and my traction in the rivers and streams was lacking.
I am concerned that the new rubber bottom boots are going to wear out leaving a similar surface and similar results, which will mean I have to purchase boots more quickly than I normally would.
The felt boots I just had replaced had the inside tear apart before the felt even looked worn.
Has there been any discussion of this with in the industry?
Thanks
KeithI’ve worn the SIMMS rubber studded boots now for about 4 years. Same pair. No issues.
I’ve trusted my life to them-ice, snow, mud, rocks, slimy rocks etc.
Just don’t walk on tile (gas station floors, grocery stores, etc) with them or you’ll fall on yer arse
thanks Rob.
I guess the studs are protecting the rubber?
I will look into them.
I will not be in the market for a while since my others were just replaced, and GA has not outlawed felt yet.i’ve had too many bad experiences with felt:
1) i gave up on felt after walking down a flight of wooden steps in RMNP to a brookie stream and slipped on the wet logs
my wife found me at the bottom of the stairs like jim carey in dumb and dumber when he falls out of the terminal thing:
i had injured my knee in a bachelor party accident earlier that summer and that more or less sealed the deal. still hurts sometimes
bought the rubber with studs after.
2) also once got stuck on the potomac’s river bank in winter.
felt soles couldn’t get grip on the muddy bank which had the most minimal slope. i mean no grade at all. i couldn’t get any grip and kept falling and slipping, couldnt’ crawl up on my hands or elbows and knees up or down stream. good laugh now, so mad my sunglasses fogged up then.been looking around at the Simms site nd hae a question for you guys, since I probably cant afford the Guide studded boots.
What would you think about getting the stream bottom rubber boots and adding the simms studs after the fact?hmm, not sure about how well studs/hex bolts would fit into rubber, i know its done to felt
never tried the orvis rubber studded but that boot was comfortable when it was felt soled-with ample room and not very heavy. the price on them is < $100 they can take a beating, just not as solid a toe box as the simms-whole boot is sturdy
been looking around at the Simms site nd hae a question for you guys, since I probably cant afford the Guide studded boots.
What would you think about getting the stream bottom rubber boots and adding the simms studs after the fact?Check out this discussion over at stripersonline – http://stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=609175
I haven’t gone this route yet, as I’ve never had a problem in the freshwater with just sticky rubber, and I bought a new pair of korkers for the salt last year.
Just a word although its already been mentioned.
1) Simms is ceasing production of felt soled boots come 2010. So even if you bought a pair now, you might run into trouble trying to repair or replace the sole should you need to. I expect more manufactorers to follow.
2) New Zealand has or is banning felt. I suspect more countries/states/systems will follow suit in due time. While that may not impact you directly in yourlocale, it *could* create headaches if you decide to travel somewhere where felt gets banned
So while felt may still appeal to people I do think for anyone looking to purchase in 2009, should think about 2010 and beyond and what that might mean with regards to the boots bought in 2009.
I am concerned that the new rubber bottom boots are going to wear out leaving a similar surface and similar results, which will mean I have to purchase boots more quickly than I normally would.
2010 will be my 3rd season with a pair of Simms Aqua Stealth. Love them, way better than the felt soled boots I used to wear and nary a sign that they are going to start heading downhill anytime soon.
I’ve had a pair of L.L. Bean Rivertread II wading boots in the studded Aquastealth version for 4+ years now, and I love them. They are solid footed as a goat. My streams are limestone bottomed with anywhere from solid rock, to gravel, to mudy and they do great. Some limestone sections can be super smoothe and slick with algae film, and the carbide studs just cut right through to the rock. Solid traction.
You still have to be careful when wading freestone streams such as Colorado’s Eagle River, where the streambed is made of boulders the consistency of greased bowling balls, but again, I like the carbide studs which really help cut into the rock for traction.
So far, I have just had to replace the laces.
And the cleanup is so sweet….just hose them off and you’re done.
I am concerned that the new rubber bottom boots are going to wear out leaving a similar surface and similar results, which will mean I have to purchase boots more quickly than I normally would.
KeithI sent an e-mail to Simms asking about the wear on the new StreamTread wadding boots and their answer was that they expect 6 times the life out of the rubber Vibram soles as compared to felt.
Holy Moly, 6x the life of felt?
I fish north of Atlanta, and some of the places I fish I have to walk a paved path to get to, that is why I am concerned about the wear of the vibram bottoms.
After walking several miles down these paths (over many trips) I just cant see rubber outlasting asphalt and concrete.I have used the Simms Aquastealth with studs. Mine lasted about 2.5 years of hard use. I could prob squeak another 6 months out of them, but they were getting pretty slippery. I replaced them with the new Simms Vibram soles last week (no studs) and have taken them out once … Gotta say that I’m impressed so far. Snowy/Icy with no slips.
Kevin: The Boa is so cool .. I’m shocked that more companies have not picked it up. I really hoped to see it on the new Simms line.
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