Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Spawn Sack on November 04, 2025, 01:28:15 PM
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I have two pairs of Simms boots that are still in pretty good condition, but the felts are worn pretty thin. They need new felt or I'll unfortunately have to toss them. Does anyone know a shop or cobbler that still does this kind of thing?
A year or so ago I posted the same question on this site and had a good answer from Dan, or Daniel. Forget his last name. Krentz maybe? He used to post a lot on this site and also sold roe flies on this site and maybe also Facebook. Anyway, he mentioned that he posted a video on Instagram showing how he re-felts his wading boots. Unfortunately, I can't locate this past discussion on this site (I did do a key word search), nor can I find the video on Instagram.
I do have a pair of Korkers with replaceable soles. I find they are fine for summer/fall, but for steelhead when I'm walking a lot, the Simms boots (esp the G3s) are just WAY more comfortable. So I'd really like to re-felt them rather that buy new boots.
I would rather pay someone to do this for me. Seems like a bit of an iffy job getting the new sole glued and clamped well to get proper adhesion. Would suck to buy the adhesive and felt and have the sole peel off prematurely.
Does anyone known a guy or business that still does this? Express Reel did back in the day (he has been closed for several years).
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Perhaps Langley Shoe Renew?
In the dark recesses of my memory I recall an ancient FWR thread (that I cannot find!) about a shoe repair/cobbler in Langley that re-felted wading boots. I seem to recall the business was located in Langley Mall, but the closest shoe repair place to the mall is Langley Shoe Renew just a block or two down the road on 56th.
Edit: did a bit of extra curricular digging...10 yrs ago Quick Cobbler in Vancouver re-felted wading boots and was (is?) an approved Simms boot repair centre
https://forum.flybc.ca/index.php?/topic/51254-wading-boots/
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New West Cobbler used to do this kind of work though I don't think they are in business anymore. Sometimes tackle shops have a good idea where it's possible to get this kind of work done.
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Whatever happened to Daniel Krentz? He used to post on here all the time. His wife Kitty was Rods video fishing partner.
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Whatever happened to Daniel Krentz? He used to post on here all the time. His wife Kitty was Rods video fishing partner.
Dan's website outdoor addictions is still online at wordpress. There is a link to his instagram account there as well.
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I asked the guys at PA this question and they said at this point just buy new shoes. Seems like its pretty tough to re-felt your shoes without it ruining the integrity of the shoe.
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I think the point is, that getting it done at a cobbler costs about as much as getting a new pair. And that's just the labour cost. I have done it myself, but even just finding replacement felts is hard these days... or was the last time i checked.
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I’m in the same position. My current boots are a pair of Korkers with interchangeable soles that are fine but have a pair of Simms G3 boots that I much prefer and are still in great shape but felt soles are completely worn.
I have read a few diy tutorials but would prefer to have them done by a cobbler or someone that has refelted them regularly to reduce the risks of being hiked in somewhere a long ways from the truck and dealing with a delaminated sole.
Any recommendations appreciated
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Since there's been no specific recommendations it might be an idea to check out website and phone some repair shops
This one in Langley feature sole replacements so I don't think it would be much different for them to do felts on wading shoes.
https://www.facebook.com/shoerepairbypark
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It is not a very difficult job to do it yourself. I find the biggest issue is the tiny amount of contact cement provided with replacements, barely enough for one boot. I get a can of heavy duty contact cement and lay it on. Trimming the sole after gluing can be done with any decent box cutter.
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I used marine grade Goop in the past. Worked great. I bought the big tube (for a caulking gun) from Canadian Tire, and used the whole thing for a pair of boots.
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Thanks for the replies guys.
I contacted the company from the facebook link provided by Ralph H (Shoe repair by Park). They replied saying they do not do felt/wading boots.
Have not looked into Langley Shoe renew yet.
Message Dan K. on instagram and asked him for a link to his video where he showed how to DYI (I can't find the vid on his Insta, for whatever reason).
May just have to give up, toss the Simms boots, and buy a new pair. Which SUCKS as they are still in really good condition.
I've had like 5 pairs of Korkers in the last 5-7 years. IMO they are crap. One pair inevitably has a failure somewhere and Korkers keeps warrantying them with a new pair. I will say their warranty is good!
I'd just stick with Korkers but IMO every pair I have tried is just not that comfortable. They are fine for the boat or fall coho where there is little walking. But I find for a day steelheading the Simms G3s I have are HANDS DOWN WAY MORE COMFORTABLE. I wish they'd make a removable sole like Korkers. Such a piss off.....
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If you like your Simms with felts try searching Amazon for crampons, they have an excellent selection of slip on grips with all types of cleats from aluminum to carbide and they are pretty reasonable. I tried to link to the page but.... technical difficulties.
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If you like your Simms with felts try searching Amazon for crampons, they have an excellent selection of slip on grips with all types of cleats from aluminum to carbide and they are pretty reasonable. I tried to link to the page but.... technical difficulties.
I wonder Gord, or anyone else for that matter, have you tried such crampons on your wading boots? I've seen purpose made for wading boots that look something like galoshes, I did own a pair, may have them still, they worked ok. These had tread like aluminum bars and cost about as much as new boots. The crampons for hiking boots look like a great value though I wonder how long they will stand up to rocks etc - at least the ones that use bungee cord.
I do still have them. Photos:
(https://i.imgur.com/Lm28SuG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/58Lt9B6.jpg)
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I have not actually tried these on the river yet because they were bought to try and get around the Dewdney Slough, hence the aggressive studs, but I wasn't ambitious enough to attack the mud after they arrived. There is an ankle strap that I didn't do up for the pic. I used the carbide tipped ones on the ice in Ontario and Quebec after their Ice Storm and they were great. I would have gotten the carbide ones for river banks but these were specifically for the mud. There are lots on Amazon and they are cheap. (https://i.imgur.com/yg4t7bj.jpeg)