[Dusty Miller]

I'm thinking of buying new boots this year, and want to do whatever I can to preserve the river environment. So I'm thinking of buying the new rubber-sole boots with cleats. I currently use felt with cleats, and barely manage not to go swimming. Are the new rubber soles/cleats as good as felt/cleats, or should I wait a while until the technology is perfected?

Thanks in advance for your advice,

[dooberhoopa]

I have a pair of rubber soled boots that are thick enough to screw some 3/8 inch hex head sheet metal screws into...it really makes a huge difference. My buddies are all over the place slippin and slidin with felt and im as sure footed as a mountain goat. Even on the neversink slate!

[Bamboo&Brookies]

I don't find rubber soles w/cleats (Aquastealth in my case) as good as felts with cleats.

It seems like that with good felts/studs I could walk on anything undewwater and they would stick like glue... I guess not everyone has that experience.

I'm now getting used to the rubber soles... at first, I was having a tough time slipping around all over the place.

If you get the rubber soles, make sure to screw at least 9 and even up to a dozen cleats in each boot.

The rubber itself doesn't grab slimy rocks or slick slate... it is like rollerskates on ice.

With the cleats your traction will increase tenfold.

Good luck,

Rob

[Laminarman]

I use the Simms new rubber compound with cleats. I do NOT miss felt, they're awesome, grippy as heck. By comparison I have a pair of LLBean boots with rubber soles and cleats and they are being donated to someone who can make use of them.

[nationalbar]

Don't you guys find that the studs/cleats make a lot of fish-spooking noise, more than felt, even when wading carefully?

[Catch&release]

I have been using the Korkers guide boot with the Boa lace system for the last 2 years and they are the best boot i have ever owned. I know some people have said they have problems with the soles coming out sometimes but that could be from not installing the soles properly. For me the studded rubber is the only way to go.They bite into the rock and give me total control in the stream . I can walk through a stream with a very expensive camera and still have that much confidence that i will make it to the other side with out getting wet( Knocking on wood ). I do believe that they put down fish in quiet water situations but, i would much rather have the security of knowing iam not gonna take a spill while midstream than catch a few more fish.

[upinjewett]

I have Simms rubber/cleat - they do the job nicely -

[Dusty Miller]

Thanks, guys. Looks like it's safe to move away from felt, for the most part. Have always liked Simms boots, so that probably the direction I'm headed.

[1lenny]

dooberhoopa, on 05 May 2010 - 09:24 PM, said:

I have a pair of rubber soled boots that are thick enough to screw some 3/8 inch hex head sheet metal screws into...it really makes a huge difference. My buddies are all over the place slippin and slidin with felt and im as sure footed as a mountain goat. Even on the neversink slate!

Doobs- That was exactly my plan--but now I will take advantage of you being first--did you do anything besides grab the screw gun and make sure there was enough sole? Adhesive?
Anything you wished you did differently?

[dooberhoopa]

I Screwed them in as far as i could before wearing them and made sure they werent coming through the sole. Make sure you only do this with Stockingfoot and boots, not bootfoot waders as if the bolts are too long the first time you are boned. They seem to fall out after about a half day of fishing, i carry around more in a little plastic box with a nut driver and put more in as i go, like if i know im crossing a difficult part of a river, ill make sure i have enough in. Im not sure how to fix this...maybe some kind of adhesive? but when they are in its like im walking on velcro for sure

[dapping]

I got a pair of Simms G4 Guide vibrams back in March and already the vibram sole is coming away from the boot sole. The only thing preventing it from flapping in the wind is the studs.The same thing is now starting with the other boot. I called Simms and they told me that Vibram is a partner of theirs and I would need to speak to them. So I did. They told me the boots need to be re-soled, $40 for 2 new soles plus $50 for the installation plus shipping out west, as no one on the east coast does it, and it comes to a total of $115. The boots cost $160!! What now? Find a cobbler?

[dapping]

Esopus Guy, on 27 June 2010 - 07:03 PM, said:

Mine are fine dude. I've broken studs clean off in them and I wear them ALOT! My only complaint is the tread is'nt that durable in whatever durometer their using.

I have a cheap pair of Hodgeman canvas felts that I got 3 years ago and there still fine. The stitching on the G4's is also comming undone on both boots, and they look about 10 years old after only 4 months. I thought Simms were wonderful!!

[dapping]

Whats up B,
Was at the trailor this weekend, a lot of slaughter going on in Phoenicia. Stringers full. Guys fly fishing off bridges, yuppies skinny dippin,the usual.Should have gone to the sink.

[jdaddy]

Quote

What now? Find a cobbler?

That is EXACTLY what I was told in an email from Simms regarding my 6 month old Simms Headwaters boot. Mine is not the Vibram sole coming off the foam, rather it is two sections of foam that have separated. They gave me a couple of DYI options or I could take them to a cobbler.