Fly Fishing

Fly_and_Dry

Hi,
I need a new pair of wading boots and would like to do the right thing and go non felt but don't know anyone who's used them. Also, it seems even Cabelas' product description of Simms' Streamtread design only recommends them for muddy or grassy rivers. I fish virtually all freestone water and while I'd like to do the right thing, if it means that I'm going to break my neck, then I'll stick with felt. Anyone have any experience/thoughts.

Thanks
F&D

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I have had the vibram sole simms rivershed boot for about a year now. When I first got them I was very skeptical since I owned a pair of the simms aquastealth wading boots several years ago and did not like them. They were alright on certain stream bottoms such as sand and grass but when on freestones, ledgerock, lava etc they had very limited traction. They were nice in snow and mud since they didn't cake up especially in the snow where felt builds up when walking. So after this I was skeptical but had heard from the Simms rep and others that these were extensively tested alongside several other wading boots with similar bottoms until they came up with the best overall grip. They did partner with Vibram who is a long time manufacturer of quality boot soles with a strong reptutation. Anyway, I decided if I was going to give the boots a true test I wouldn't even stud them up. I have used them since several times and they had surprisingly good grip. That said, they were not as grippy as felt especially on slick rocks. They did have much better traction than I expected, but again not quite like felt. Now again, I never studded them up because I wanted to truly tell how they would work without a felt sole. I wanted to see how the vibram sole performed on its own. Bottom line is that they are not as good as felt, but a lot better than any previous rubber soled boot. I think if you stud them up they would be better than standalone felt and have heard this from several people saying that they had very solid traction with studs added to the vibram sole. I still think that a studded felt wading boot is the best overall traction, but a studded vibram sole wading boot will give you very good traction and grip better than felt alone. Hope this helps.

Fly_and_Dry · Posted: Sat 01/02/10 12:11 am Post subject:

Thanks a lot for your thoughts - this is very helpful. I have never used studs in my boots before, just straight felt. Maybe the Simms Streamtread soled boots with their Star Cleats would be my best option. Has anyone ever used or heard anything about those cleats?

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

No problem. Studded boots are definitely the way to go in my opinion. I use them all the time except when I am fishing in a driftboat since it destroys the bottom of the driftboat. I would recommend them 100%.

As far as the star cleats go, I met the guy who invented them many years ago and he gave me a sample. I put those on a pair of simms exstream bootfoots that I have and they work awesome. I would definitely recommend them. They take studs to the next level and give you excellent grip.

joey · Location: Colorado

I have a pair of Rivershed Boots with the studded stream tread and even with the studs in the bottom they are pretty slick. They are comfortable but I wish they had better traction. Like kory mentioned the rubber soles are good in the snow and will not give you club foot. Maybe with the start studs they would get better traction.

I also have a pair of korkers which I would not recommend to anyone ever. In my opinion they are the most dangerous boots on the market. The interchangeable sole is a good idea but when the sole constantly falls out it leaves you wading on a slick rubber bottom. Maybe they have gotten better but I will never buy another pair of these boots.

Let us know what you choose and how they work out.