Fly Fishing

jeremy · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:44 am Post subject: Studded Boots

what are your thoughts on studded boots? here are mine - anytime i am around water - i like studs. i hae yet to find a flyfishing spot that is not wet. And wet = studs.

With that said - i have been wearing studded boots full time - but here is the problem - the studs eventually break off or wear down - and if you flyfish alot, like i do, this can happen in 3 months or so...

so - i am ready for a new pair - of course i have LLBEAN boots and i will return them - and i could get a new pair - but i will find myself in the same situation.

any thoughts? suggestions?

gilly09 · Newbie Joined: Oct 10, 2004 Posts: 37

I have a pair of Chota's.

I put in close to 5 days of fishing a week in the salt. Rocks and sand alike, can't wear them in the boat of course Laughing

The studs on the bottom of these are replacable and surprisingly not after two seasons of abuse I wear them down sooner than the studs corrode. They are just a threaded screw with a hex nut head. They work a lot like a football cleat or golf shoe.

I love them and would recommend them. Very comfortable as well which is also important for the long hours you put in.

here's a peak at them. I think Dana carries them as well.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?rid=&indexId=cat20616&navAction=push&navCount=3&cmCat=MainCatcat20431&parentType=index&parentId=cat20616&id=0023425

jeremy · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:32 am Post subject: hmmm

hmm - checked them out - i like the replacable sole - but the shoe itself looks a little soft - i like something very hard and stable like a ski boot - just my preference - i like to have total ankle support and a stiff boot provides that for me - i just feel more confident when wading sketchy water or climbing over kelp etc...

i wonder if there is something out there with the benefits of the sturdy soles on a harder boot?

mike-c · Newbie Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 17

Hi Jeremy,

I have the Weinbrenner Ultimate studded - I bought mine used and they have held up very well, but I don't fish as much as you (I wish, though!). I think it is about $25 (plus shipping?) to re-sole them. They are very tough - I like that they don't have those cordura seams that come undone on other boots. They dry out slowly, though. Also, they are heavier, especially compared to the "ultralights"out there. I don't get that, though - really, leg muscles are among the strongest in the body - it's not like we climb everest, and even serious hikers swear by a heavier boot. I think lightweight is mostly marketing, plus it gets you to have to buy new boots sooner Rolling Eyes

(just my opinion!) Here's a link for ya:
http://www.wadingshoes.com/wading/8614027.html

Good luck,

Mike

jeremy · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:19 am Post subject: light weight

hey mike-c --- i agree - light weight is good in some respects = but not for me. i burned up a pair in 3 weeks - literally i returned them at bean's and they could not believe i only had them for 3 weeks - the seems were all busted up - the studs were all chipped off - they said, "well, how much do you fly fish?"

i thought to myself, " oh i see, they market these boots to people who fly fish a couple times per year . there should be a big surgeon generals warning or something on the box that says """"" WARNING: NOT TO BE USED BY PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY FLY FISH""""""

Surprised

- i would like to have a pair of Steel boots or something - maybe iron ---- imagine how durable --- however those might be a little toooo heavy. but boy would they last

jeremy · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:21 am Post subject: strap on

maybe i should just go with the strap on heavy duty bear claw type cleats - the only problem then --- is that i am already tooo lazy and actually putting on my puts is just sometimes way too time consuming and labor intensive - so that would add just one more element.

mike-c · Newbie Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 17

Jeremy,

Another week or so and I will be fishing the P-scot fairly regularly (but not often enough Laughing

), - you are welcome to check out my boots if you want.

Mike

jeremy · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:28 am Post subject: yeah

hmmm - yeah i got a report that there was a bunch of peopple there the other day - its probably got some fish in it. pm me when you go.

NHtrouthunter · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:40 am Post subject:

If you want a serious pair of felt studded, get patgonia River Walkers! At the fly shop I work at we have sold soo many of these and many come back and thank us, they last forever and are the lighest boot on the market. When I say light I mean you could go for a run in these, check them out!

kranefly · Newbie Joined: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 20

Yo jeremy,

I have a pair of the Simms aquastealth/studded. I don't know what model they are, but they have lasted for over a year. Up untill now I had yet to find a pair that lasted more than 9-10 mos. I was blowing through a pair of lightweight wading shoes in about 6 months. I would try to hold out, but after 3-4 months I would be walking around with floppy soles hanging off the toe of my shoe catching on everthing in my way. Whippa would usually be in the same situation, so we would look like a pair of clowns high stepping through the brush to our favorite spots. Laughing

So I had had enough of that scene, and I started buying respectable boots. I had a pair of the beefy Patagonia (Pata-Gucci Laughing

) which I liked, but I hated the felt soles while winter fishing. The snow/slush/ice would always build up making traversing through the woods in NY difficult, and frustrating.

So far, the Simms seem to be doing well. The front of the sole has peeled a bit, and the studs on the toe region have loosened up a bit, but I try not to expect much more than a year before things start to get worn. All in all, I am very pleased. If they last through the year on the SR, I will be more than happy.

jhicks · Newbie Joined: Jan 17, 2006 Posts: 4

I use Simms L2's and love them. I do not use studded though, although this summer I really wish I had. that slimy moss can get slick. I have heard though that studded are very noisy and can scare fish. Does anyone know if this is true?