[Fly2Fish]

Originally Posted by MikeG

Frank,

If you are interested in a good lasting boot where the lace system (meaning eyelets and laces will fail) look into Korkers. They make a specific wading boot called Korkers - Guide Wading Boot It uses a steel lacing system. It would probably last longer than most lacing systems as long as you would not use it in saltwater. I actually own a pair of korkers wading sandals. I love the interchangeable soles. One week I could be in the boundary waters canoeing and portaging with rubber sole sandals. The next week I could be in the streams of Wisconsin with a felt sole going after smallies and muskies. The following week I could be in the Bahamas sailing on a boat with friends, with non skid boat shoe soles. Korkers really make versatile wading shoes.

I really endorse what MikeG says. As is probably obvious from my previous posting, the easy interchangeability of Korkers soles makes them a slam-dunk winner when it comes to wading shoe choices.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Mike,

I am not looking for a boot right now. Just trying to get as much information in this thread as we can.

Comments to all,

I think that all fly fishers should be thinking about boots with out a felt sole. It is just too easy to pass organisms with them. Felt soles provide a real danger to any body of water that is not contaminated with whirling or other organism. The same goes for boat trailers that use carpet on the bunks. The bunk carpet may even be more dangerous than felt soles. Nylon nets or any woven net material may also be a problem.

Guys and Gals, this is my opinion with no scientific back up.

Frank

[Fly2Fish]

Originally Posted by Frank Whiton

I think that all fly fishers should be thinking about boots without a felt sole. It is just too easy to pass organisms with them. Felt soles provide a real danger to any body of water that is not contaminated with whirling or other organism.

Hi Frank,

Further to your comment, on my trip last July to the San Juan/NM, I used the studded Aquastealth soles on my Korkers. As a comparison, on my previous trip there a year ago, I had used their studded felt soles instead. It seemed to me that the studded Aquastealth had just as good a grip on those mossy slick boulders as did the studded felt. With that being the case, Acquastealth seems to be a better choice than felt, not only for the reason you mention (transmission of organisms) but for better wear as well.

Neil

[yatesd]

I received an e-mail from Simms this week that stated they were going to sell no more felt shoes and use Vibram soles for their 2010 line. I just bought their Aquastealth boots this year, but it looks like Vibram will be Simms choice for tread going forward.

"Simms to Stop Using Felt by 2010:
Vibram to be "Sole Sole" of Wading Boot Line

DENVER, Colorado (Sept. 14, 2008) – Simms® president K.C. Walsh announced that Simms would stop using felt as a material for soles on its wading boots effective with the launch of the 2010 line.


Walsh made the announcement at a news conference held at the Flyfishing Retailer Expo. He said Simms’ decision to do away with felt is a result of the material being implicated in the spread of aquatic nuisance species and fish-killing disease. Walsh noted that anglers have always been among the nation’s first wave of conservationists, and with options to felt now on the market, anglers had a responsibility to both the resource and the tradition of angling to cease their use of felt.

“We know felt is not the only material that has spread invasive species and disease,” Walsh said, “but felt is surely part of the problem. At Simms, we’ve decided to be part of the solution.”

Late last week, national conservation leader Trout Unlimited asked at its annual meeting that wading boot manufacturers phase out felt by 2011. Simms is eager to lead the charge.


Walsh’s announcement comes as Simms unveils the world’s first fishing-specific Vibram-soled wading boots. For 2009, Simms will offer six boot models, a wading sandal and a wading shoe with soles featuring Vibram® Streamtread™ soles. Additionally, Simms boots and waders are designed with “CleanStream™ technology,” a design philosophy that uses materials and production techniques making it more difficult for microorganisms to attach and makes wading gear easier to properly clean.

Simms and Vibram have worked together to produce an ultra-grippy, super-sticky rubber sole that works as well as felt in virtually all wet and aquatic conditions. The partnership between Vibram and Simms has resulted in a boot that combines the best performance features of felt with the environmental benefits of rubber. The new soles have been field tested extensively.

New Zealand has placed a ban on felt boots for the upcoming 2008 season. A number of U.S. states where aquatic nuisance species are found have reportedly discussed the possibility of outlawing felt-soles.

Additionally, Simms has agreed to work with conservation organizations and other companies within the fishing industry to develop a certification process to highlight gear designed to help prevent the spread of ANS and disease."
Simms Fishing Products : : News

--
Doug

[tie one on]

I started out with a pair of Ultralights from Cabelas. Fairly inexpensive,
but very light on the feet.

I used them for about two+ years & while I Salmon was fishing I stepped
into a silty area & my feet sank. Pulling my feet out pulled the sole off of
one of the boots.

I did some research on shoes & purchased a pair of Simms Freestones.
Best boots I have ever had. They maybe a little heavier of my feet than the others, but from what I'm seeing they wear like iron.

Tie One On-----------------------<*))))))))))))><

[MikeG]

Originally Posted by tie one on

I started out with a pair of Ultralights from Cabelas. Fairly inexpensive,
but very light on the feet.

I used them for about two+ years & while I Salmon was fishing I stepped
into a silty area & my feet sank. Pulling my feet out pulled the sole off of
one of the boots.

I did some research on shoes & purchased a pair of Simms Freestones.
Best boots I have ever had. They maybe a little heavier of my feet than the others, but from what I'm seeing they wear like iron.

Tie One On-----------------------<*))))))))))))><

Do your Simms Freestones seem as though they give you more support than your Cabela's Ultralights? I currently own a pair of Ultralights, they are great for short excursions, a couple hours, but after fishing 8 hours they really start hurting my feet. I was looking to buy a pair of the Freestones.