Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Noahs Arc on December 27, 2012, 02:44:19 PM
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Does anyone have a review on the Simms treaded wading boots?
Mostly concerned at how well they grip on greasy wet rocks and logs compared to the old felt.
Not so much concerned with trail walking or bushwhacking as I seem to spend more time on my arse sliding then walking.
Thanks in advance
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I too am thinking about moving away from felt. Maybe if rod is gracious to start a product review/preview forum we could channel such topics there. ;D
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I bought some today trying them tomarrow I will let you know . I have insatllled some hard bite studs in mine
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I know that I have been using the korker boot vibram sole since the felt one wore out.
Have never falllen in the past 4 years, up until using these. Started using them and have gone down hard 3 times now while in some sketchy water.
I wouldn't recommend vibram to anyone unless it has studs, and I know I'm getting a new felted pair asap...
Have heard that some vibram is "stickier" than others, but I can't really see much of a difference from one "tread patter" to the next.
Cheers,
Dan
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I had the same problem as Dan and after my first fall that was it. I put the felts back on and have never had a troublem since.
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The screw in metal studs are the ticket....will keep you off your butt.
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I know that I have been using the korker boot vibram sole since the felt one wore out.
Have never falllen in the past 4 years, up until using these. Started using them and have gone down hard 3 times now while in some sketchy water.
I wouldn't recommend vibram to anyone unless it has studs, and I know I'm getting a new felted pair asap...
Have heard that some vibram is "stickier" than others, but I can't really see much of a difference from one "tread patter" to the next.
Cheers,
Dan
Thanks for the info. My boots are blown out at the seams and I'm in need of a new pair. Been on the fence about felt soles again or vibram.
Will definitely go for felt again but with some studs for muddy trails and banks
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The star studs or what ever Simms calls them are the best to get. Placement is critical, just think of what areas of the boot is touching the surface that you're walking on. I have 9 or 10 in each boot, with a couple in the arch area for when climbing on tree roots and downed trees.
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I wouldn't wear Vibrams without studs or cleats.
But once you put them on and maintain them well, they hold well in all terrain.
Star cleats are the best, but expensive.
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I have 2 pairs of boots. They are both Simms; one has vibram, and the other has felt. I have never had a problem falling or slipping with the vibram. However, I am more cautious when wearing the vibram compared to the felt. If I am doing a lot of walking and hiking, the vobram is the ticket. I find I wear the felt soles more in the winter when steelheading.
I don't think you can get anything as good as felt for it's "stickyness", but the Simms vibrams are a close second.
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I have a pair of the Vibram's as well and are my only pair of boots. I find I just have to be cautious with my footing this time of year
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I'm on my 3rd pair of Simms guide boots in the last 3 years (plus 2 resoles).
I originally had the felt, then was forced to go to vibrum once Simms discontinued their felt boots. The vibrum when paired up with starbites worked well for the first months or so but after the vibrum got worn in they quickly lost their stickiness. As others have said, they work well for hiking, not so well for wading. I bought a new pair of simms felt soles the second I heard they started making them again.
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Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'm going to go with what I know and stick with the felt. I can get around hiking with felt no problem but I dont want to compromise when it comes to wading.
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I have the Korkers Redside with the interchangeable soles and they work great for me. Put on the rubbers when I'm trekking in the bush and then change them out for the felts once I get to the river. Quick and easy, and convenient.
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I had heard that felt soles can be a bugger in the snow.
They get loaded up with snow and you lose traction.
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I find that only new felt is a bugger in the snow cause the snow sticks to it, once they are broken in a little (worn down) this isnt an issue anymore. It is really weird to be walking along and in a few minutes be 6 inches taller lol ;D
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Just bought a pair of vibram and put in the hard bit studs and after 3 day with them I agree that the vibram is not even close to as sticky as felt but once you add enough studs like 9-10 per boot for all type of wading I prefer them over my old felts
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Thanks for reporting back kalex, I ended up buying the freestones with felt soles.
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Can u get studs anywhere they sell Simms??
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I got mine at BerrysBait and tackle .
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Berrys, thanks tyee. Working right by there at the moment.
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Here's an important fact, vibram boots take a different length of screw for the stud than the felt boots! Felt boots require a longer screw than the vibram soled boots, so if you used felt screws on vibram soled boots you could potentially damage your neoprene booties on your waders.
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A fella at a local shop was telling me most manufacturers are steering away from the felt soled boots. Something to do with felt, if not completely dried out, could possibly carry micro organisms between different boddies of water.
Don't know how much truth there is in it, but if it is true I would more than likely grab a new felt pair and replacement soles as well.
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Simms steered away from felt for a couple years and then brought them back because their customers demanded it.
There are a couple states that have banned felt, but as it is still okay here, I will be wearing felt. There is no comparison in traction while wading, felt wins hands down.
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I have a pair of Simms boots with the vibram bottom that I put a full pack of the starbite cleats on each boot, pricey but sticky grabby on most surfaces. I also own a pair of felts for hiking rocky areas and rip rap. I also own a pair of the super light weight Simms boots for the boat, these have no cleats and are perfect for this application.
While it seems like a pricey endeavor, having to replace your boots every season is just as pricey and I like matching my boots to conditions I will be fishing.
Nothing worse than only having felts when it's snowing, or only having rubber and cleats when you will be walking rip rap all day.
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That's a pretty logical way of looking at it. If 1 pair lasts 1 year, then 3 at the same time should last 3 years.
I had a hard time swallowing the price of cleats + the 30+ for Vibram when I went in.
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If you plan on fishing one region like the lower mainland felt is fine but if you fish lots of different places go with the vibram. The reason for that is like electroman said you can and will transfer "river snot" . Anyone that has fished our north country and the bow knows what I'm talking about
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If you plan on fishing one region like the lower mainland felt is fine but if you fish lots of different places go with the vibram. The reason for that is like electroman said you can and will transfer "river snot" . Anyone that has fished our north country and the bow knows what I'm talking about
Won't the fabric in the boots, neoprene feet on the waders and the insoles in the boots transfer rock snot or is it just the felt?
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Well I rinse every thing when I know I'm going somewhere different. Its really hard to get out of felt.
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I love my Bare felt sole boots, even in the snow and ice, only draw back is when its so cold, the rocks start sticking to the bottom of them ;D
You lift your foot on that first step and take 5 lbs in rock with you
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Have your feet actually frozen to the ground yet? Hate it :-) watch out for those boots falling apart on you , it happened to my bro after 8 trips wrecked his waders