Wading Boots

[aamayo]

Thanks guys, I wasn't so much looking to flog a dead horse and revisit the rubber vs. felt issue as I was looking for info on where to find lots of stock. I mentioned rubber so as not to be steered towards a shop subscribing mostly/completely to felt. Also was hoping to find out the "do not buy" experiences that come from uncomfortable, premature wearing, bad value for the money or poorly designed boots.

[Zane]

You certainly have not offended me. I think that the members posting here are speaking of their experience as to what they feel works best, and it seems that felt is the safest to use. I have no problem if you choose to use rubber, I just feel you would be safer with felt. Since you are going to be doing a lot of walking to and from the water, you could also have a pair of hikers to save wear and tear on your wading boots. A pain in the butt to have to pack an extra pair of boots I know, but an option.

[herkileez]

My wife has a pair of Korkers, which have interchangeable soles; felt and a hiking sole. She is quite happy with them, although, she hasn't found a need to change soles that often (no big hikes) Something like them might be an option.

[Len]

I have had three pairs or simms boots. The first were the studded guide boots which after hundreds or river hours ripped. Simms replaced them free of charge with the studded rivershed rubber sole boots which I have put around 100 hours on and they have been very good, still lots of life in them. I also have a pair of G3 boots with felt soles. I find the rubber soles with the studs to be the way to go as they grip everything and are decent to hike in as well especially in snow.

[aamayo]

Just the kind of response I was hoping for with this post Len. Thanks for your input. Examples of multiple pairs of boots with both felt and rubber/studded soles and an objective opinion based on using both products. It puts me to ease too regarding some problems I've heard reported with Simms stuff. They seem to be a company that stands behind their product.

[Gibbs]

I have been using the Simms freestone boots with vibram rubber soles since the fall season and I really like them. They are nice and stable to hike in on all kinds of terrain, although they take some getting used to as I find they slip a little easier than my old felts. I've been out steelhead fishing and found the icy rocks were real hazardous so I'm going to get them studded and I feel that will be a real good grip in all conditions. The snow doesn't stick to them like felts so nicer for the walk in.

[FishMachine]

My wife has a pair of Korkers, which have interchangeable soles; felt and a hiking sole. She is quite happy with them, although, she hasn't found a need to change soles that often (no big hikes) Something like them might be an option.

Herkileeze,
I also have a pair of those korker. I find the rubber sole is extremely slippery in water or around any seaweed in the beach not to mention I am too lazy to change them over. The felt stays on. A rubber bottom with stud might not be a bad idea to try in the beaches? I find the felt to be a bit slippery sometime on those seaweeds.

Fm

[MYflyshop]

I know I may be biased (M&Y ) We just received a decent supply of Simms felt and Vibram soles. The felt has gone very quickly as a decent felt soled boot has been in high demand of late...so when Simms brought them back the fisherman were waiting!

Personally I have a pair of both Vibram and felt and will concur with almost everyone else out there the Vibram is slipperier than felt! I have worn my Vibram soled Rivershed boots flat (in about the same time it takes me to wear out a pair of felt soles) and didn't do any swimming, but I definitely danced alot more than in my felts. I guess if you expect to slip a little you can compensate. I have recently added the Simms Hardbite Star Cleats to my soles and wow...awesome!! Just not very boat friendly.

My feeling is that in the cold waters of our local rivers the rubber does not stay soft enough to provide good traction. It is however a blessing on the trails and in the snow, so when I expect to be hiking lots - Vibram(with studs), if I expect to spend most of my time in the river or am in a friends boat I wear my Felts.

If you are planning on coming in please call first to make sure we have your size range in a price suitable to you.

[herkileez]

Just thinking here....I don't know if anyone makes a sandal-type lug sole that can strap over any felt sole boot for the hike in.
I used to make my own felt bottom sandals that I'd strap onto my vibrams, or caulk boots, for silent stalking down a logging road
when deer hunting. I removed them when into the timber. Worked well for me.
Anyway, someone take this idea to Dragons Den..........(...thinkin...always thinkin...)

[Jessebergen]

Has anyone used the aluminum star cleats for their Simms boots? Patagonia now has boots with aluminum bars on the bottom, or crampon style bars for any boot. The idea being that aluminum forms and sticks to rock surface better. I've found the Simms carbide cleats to be hard a slippery on rocks, but great for hiking, and ice on banks. Maybe a mix of both cleats? Thanks