Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: tburns on February 28, 2014, 11:09:35 AM
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Hey Fly guys,
So with the treacherous recent weather I've decided to up my vibram soles to studs. I know someone before posted a set of studs that are cheap... What would you guys recommend I rig up my Simms Guide boots with? I'm not too enthused about spending 45 bucks on screws!
Edit: hopefully this is fine in the fly forum, I've found everyone quite helpful and knowledgeable here so hence the location...
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How worn are they ?
You can just buy regular HEX head screws at Home Depot and screw those into your boots. make sure you get them short enough you don't go in past the sole thickness.
If you can find aluminum screws they will work even better because the softness grabs better.
These are you cheapest options and available locally
You could also order some Sole Spikes online
http://www.solespikes.com/our-product/
link showing their cost
http://www.solespikes.com/sole-spikes/
Sole Spikes is what I'll be buying when I need to get new boots
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How worn are they ?
You can just buy regular HEX head screws at Home Depot and screw those into your boots. make sure you get them short enough you don't go in past the sole thickness.
If you can find aluminum screws they will work even better because the softness grabs better.
These are you cheapest options and available locally
You could also order some Sole Spikes online
http://www.solespikes.com/our-product/
link showing their cost
http://www.solespikes.com/sole-spikes/
Sole Spikes is what I'll be buying when I need to get new boots
They are very new, only used them a handful of times. I've read some excellent things about using aluminum, so I think I'll try to pick up a bunch of those.
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aluminum is soft so it breaks or wears quickly. I had a pair of boots with aluminum studded felt soles. The studs all broke off within 6 months. Something to think about .
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aluminum is soft so it breaks or wears quickly. I had a pair of boots with aluminum studded felt soles. The studs all broke off within 6 months. Something to think about .
the simms cleats are made of carbide, would you think that it would be a better material choice?
EDIT: I found the cleats that I had seen recommended on this forum before. Apparently these "Kold Kutters" are used for dirt bike tires on ice and they come at a fraction of the price of simms cleats. I saw them online at $16 for 250 screws.
(https://koldkutter.com/catalog/images/icescrewsizechart3.gif)
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I bought some felt soles with added carbide studs. Just about broke my neck using them. There are some hard black rocks in our streams that weather to a smooth surface. The studs don't hold. It is like standing on ball bearings! I have wondered about aluminum studs.
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buy an aluminum bar kit from patagonia or simply build your own, there suppose to grip amazingly well on wet slippery rocks.
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Hey Fly guys,
So with the treacherous recent weather I've decided to up my vibram soles to studs. I know someone before posted a set of studs that are cheap... What would you guys recommend I rig up my Simms Guide boots with? I'm not too enthused about spending 45 bucks on screws!
Edit: hopefully this is fine in the fly forum, I've found everyone quite helpful and knowledgeable here so hence the location...
Over the years I was taught that a poor man can not afford to buy anything cheap. Especially when the subject could cost you your life or at the very least badly hurt. Two examples are a cheap inflatable boat that leaks after a couple of scrapes on a rock or a snag in the river. Last but not least-boot stud's-buy the very best that the top end company's recommend-never anything less. Watching a angler slip and fall into the river in the winter-is not really fun to watch, and even less if its you.
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buy an aluminum bar kit from patagonia or simply build your own, there suppose to grip amazingly well on wet slippery rocks.
agreed... I posted this link on one of the threads before.
http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/staff-articles/slick-to-stick-add-aluminum-bars-to-your-wading-boots
The thing is my guide boots are fresh and I feel that sticking the bars on right now would just be a waste. As well, I had a knee surgery in which I had my acl repaired along with my meniscus in two places... The stickiness of the aluminum bars could in my case be just as much of a danger as a benefit.
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I only have one stud, and he is already in my boots. ;)
The Thompson is one place I really insist on wearing cleats or studs. One time a buddy didn't have a pair and I loaned him one of my boots. I wore the left one and he wore the right one. It wasn't perfect, but at least with a bit of care we were both able to get around. Usually I just wade wet with metal screws in my lug sole hiking boots. Doesn't help much in winter on a snowy day, though.
I've got a pair of logger sandals that you can wear over boots. They are not the best solution, but they do work.
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I must have called every fastener store in vancouver and was unable to find aluminum screws in packs of less than 100 pieces for $60. Would anyone want to split a pack?
Here are the specific ones that I am considering... Would anyone know if 1/2 inch is too long for Simms guide boots? I was thinking I would clip off some of the tips potentially
https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AGIPortalWeb/WebSource/ProductDisplay/globalProductDetailDisplay.do?item_code=PPC5875-189
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I think most boot screws are 3/8" in length
You want to make damn sure you aren't going to feel them while walking.
Why don't you just order or hit a store for these and quit playing around. Hands down the best
http://www.patagonia.com/ca/product/aluminum-bar-replacement-kit?p=81690-0
When I get a set of vibram boots I will be buying this kit once they have worn out or if I find the Simms starbites suck
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I think most boot screws are 3/8" in length
You want to make damn sure you aren't going to feel them while walking.
Why don't you just order or hit a store for these and quit playing around. Hands down the best
http://www.patagonia.com/ca/product/aluminum-bar-replacement-kit?p=81690-0
When I get a set of vibram boots I will be buying this kit once they have worn out or if I find the Simms starbites suck
I like the idea of the added traction provided by the vibram soles and aluminum hex screws when hiking around on side hills (when at the Cap, seymour etc...). Not much of a benefit for the vedder or squamish but hey.