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Wading Boots - Interchangeable soles or traditional felt?

emoussa

emoussa

New member
So I just splurged on a new pair of Simms g3 waders. My cabelas brand waders have served me fine with no leaks going on 6 years now but I figured I'll catch more fish with the Simms. The problem now is that I cant wear my shitty cabelas wading boots with my high end douche waders..

I was leaning towards and interchangeable sole boot and was hoping for some suggestions on which to go with. The only reason I'm leaning this way is because felt sucks in the snow and the ban in a few places. 90% of my fishing will take place in NY/NJ and not in the snow so is it even worth it to get interchangeable sole boots?
 
Just get yourself felt, and a pair of those strap-on carbide tipped Korkers (I think that who makes them) for the 10% of the time you're not fishing in NY/NJ. You can even use them with your un-cool old boots. Also, get yourself one of those wide-brimmed River-Runs-Through-It I'm a fly fisherman hats, and maybe a sling pack or expensive vest to complete the douche look.
 
I like Korker boots but the interchangeable soles I've had always break on that front lip that slips into the boot by the toe. It's a good idea just executed poorly imo.
 
emoussa said:
So I just splurged on a new pair of Simms g3 waders. My cabelas brand waders have served me fine with no leaks going on 6 years now but I figured I'll catch more fish with the Simms. The problem now is that I cant wear my shitty cabelas wading boots with my high end douche waders..

I was leaning towards and interchangeable sole boot and was hoping for some suggestions on which to go with. The only reason I'm leaning this way is because felt sucks in the snow and the ban in a few places. 90% of my fishing will take place in NY/NJ and not in the snow so is it even worth it to get interchangeable sole boots?
Click to expand...

I bought the korkers chrome boot when it first came out. The interchangeable soles are a great selling point if you fish a wide variety of water. My experience is the felt soles wear a little faster in the korkers. I swamp put the studded felt with the plain Sticky grip bottoms when im floating. When I purchased them it was recommended I go a size bigger then me shoe size. I regret doing that because with the boa lace system I never feel like my boots are on tight enough. It's probably personal preference but try them on with the waders if you can. I have an older pair of simms felt boots in my shoe size that have a more snug fit. Finally the price of the soles is a bit of an issue but you can definitely find deals end of season. One other plus is that when new soles come out like the aluminum bar soles you can just buy them as opposed to a whole new boot. I'm not a big fan of the boa system but that is probably because of the boot size more then anything else.
 
After 3 consecutive pairs of rubber soles (2 Chotas and 1 Hardy), I went back to felt soles with a new pair of Simms guide boots and it was the best decision I've made. Snow sucks, yes, but what % of your fishing will include walking in the snow? If a lot, go with replaceable soles or a second pair of rubber soled boots.

I went to rubber when there were widespread fears that anglers were spreading Didymo in our felt soles. About a year or more ago on a TU staff call, one of the science team mentioned that TU and others were going to make a statement that rubber was no longer seen as the answer to stopping the spread of rock snot, but I don't recall that ever being formerly announced. Either way, rubber soles, even with studs, is way too slippery for my likes.

A note on Korkers: I see lost soles from this brand all over our rivers and streams.....just something to think about.
 
Yeah I think the interchangeable sole is a cool idea but in practice it may not be as durable, like you guys are suggesting. Guess I'll be sticking with felt. Like TN mentioned, I could just throw a pair of korker studded sandals on if snow is an issue.

I never bought into the felt soles spreading invasives or whatever from place to place. What about the rest of the boot? There is plenty of fabric other than the felt bottoms that could carry things.
 
emoussa said:
Yeah I think the interchangeable sole is a cool idea but in practice it may not be as durable, like you guys are suggesting. Guess I'll be sticking with felt. Like TN mentioned, I could just throw a pair of korker studded sandals on if snow is an issue.

I never bought into the felt soles spreading invasives or whatever from place to place. What about the rest of the boot? There is plenty of fabric other than the felt bottoms that could carry things.
Click to expand...

Thats what I have, the studded sandals. I originally bought them to walk out on slippery jetties so I don't fall, crack my head, and become crab food. Work well when ice fishing too.
 
Check out the Simms Vapor felt, they should be in the fly shops now. They look like a good boot for people that like to cover some river walking. Light but with enough rigidity for support and protection.
The other boot I was looking at was the Patagonia Foot Tractor with aluminum bars. Although that boot is about another hundred bucks.
The interchangeable soles always looked like a potential face plant waiting to happen.
 
I've had Korkers with the changeable soles for five years...bought new felt once, the rubber soles suck and you slip and slide...go felt!!!! The back strap on one of the soles broke but it still works fine.....although the redsides offer minimal foot and ankle support, they are super comfortable.......I'm also in the market for new boots, let me know what you decide and how they work.....


A word of caution about SIMMS waders.....if you fish with Moosekid, be carefull, his dog is "into" or wants to get into, SIMMS waders....
 
Rusty Spinner said:
After 3 consecutive pairs of rubber soles (2 Chotas and 1 Hardy), I went back to felt soles with a new pair of Simms guide boots and it was the best decision I've made. Snow sucks, yes, but what % of your fishing will include walking in the snow? If a lot, go with replaceable soles or a second pair of rubber soled boots.

I went to rubber when there were widespread fears that anglers were spreading Didymo in our felt soles. About a year or more ago on a TU staff call, one of the science team mentioned that TU and others were going to make a statement that rubber was no longer seen as the answer to stopping the spread of rock snot, but I don't recall that ever being formerly announced. Either way, rubber soles, even with studs, is way too slippery for my likes.

A note on Korkers: I see lost soles from this brand all over our rivers and streams.....just something to think about.
Click to expand...

I can see the soles coming off with the older style but never had that issue with the latest version though. It's actually one of the things I liked about them. They were way to change out but they felt pretty tight when attached
 
Last edited:
I have been using Patagonia Aluminum Bar Rock Grip Wading Shoes for 2 years now. The they perform I will never us a boot with a felt sole or stud on them again.
 
tomfly said:
I have been using Patagonia Aluminum Bar Rock Grip Wading Shoes for 2 years now. The they perform I will never us a boot with a felt sole or stud on them again.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about these. Would you they they grip as well as felt? What about hiking? I feel like the aluminum strips on the bottom of the shoes would make them clunky.
 
I have had no problem with them. They are not an encumbrance at all while hiking. The only flaw I have found with them is; Unlike felt if you slide your feet on the rocks they do not slide they will grab the rock. So you have to take actual steps when you are wading and not the felt slide I was accustomed to.
 
MACFLY said:
I bought the korkers chrome boot when it first came out. The interchangeable soles are a great selling point if you fish a wide variety of water. My experience is the felt soles wear a little faster in the korkers. I swamp put the studded felt with the plain Sticky grip bottoms when im floating. When I purchased them it was recommended I go a size bigger then me shoe size. I regret doing that because with the boa lace system I never feel like my boots are on tight enough. It's probably personal preference but try them on with the waders if you can. I have an older pair of simms felt boots in my shoe size that have a more snug fit. Finally the price of the soles is a bit of an issue but you can definitely find deals end of season. One other plus is that when new soles come out like the aluminum bar soles you can just buy them as opposed to a whole new boot. I'm not a big fan of the boa system but that is probably because of the boot size more then anything else.
Click to expand...

As much as it pains me, i have to agree. My korkers never seem to feel tight with the boa lacing. I got them for steelhead fishing when the snow clumps under your felt i could change them to the studs. I never had a problem with the soles just have to keep tightening them fromtime to time.
 
MACFLY said:
Fyi these arw on sale right now at Simms Waders | Patagonia Jackets | Sitka Gear | Kryptek Camo for 119.00
Click to expand...

Thanks Mac. I just bought them from that site. Free shipping too!

tomfly said:
I have had no problem with them. They are not an encumbrance at all while hiking. The only flaw I have found with them is; Unlike felt if you slide your feet on the rocks they do not slide they will grab the rock. So you have to take actual steps when you are wading and not the felt slide I was accustomed to.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion im going to give them a try. From the reviews I read they seem to fit to size and are made a little larger to accomodate waders, no need to buy a size up. Do you find this to be the case? I bought them in my regular shoe size.
 
emoussa said:
Thanks Mac. I just bought them from that site. Free shipping too!



Thanks for the suggestion im going to give them a try. From the reviews I read they seem to fit to size and are made a little larger to accomodate waders, no need to buy a size up. Do you find this to be the case? I bought them in my regular shoe size.
Click to expand...

I usually buy wading shoes a half size bigger to accommodate extra layers of socks. What I have fit perfect. Just a note I purchased an additional set of replacement bars. They are soft aluminum and do become worn. That is why the perform so well. I have had them for 2 seasons and have not needed to replace them and I fish 2 to 4 times a week during the spring.
 
Cool Tom didn't realize you could buy the aluminum bars separately. Where did you buy them btw?
tomfly said:
I usually buy wading shoes a half size bigger to accommodate extra layers of socks. What I have fit perfect. Just a note I purchased an additional set of replacement bars. They are soft aluminum and do become worn. That is why the perform so well. I have had them for 2 seasons and have not needed to replace them and I fish 2 to 4 times a week during the spring.
Click to expand...
 
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