New style of wading boot sole

[Andrew]

Has anyone tried the new style of wading boot sole that helps to stop the transfer of disease from one stream to another? Do they slip on rocks?

I fish many different streams. One of which, the Battenkill, is known to have that frog snot stuff or whatever it's called. The next day I might fish a small mountain stream.

I do rinse my boots but apparently the diseases get into the felt sole and are very hard to kill/remove.

I feel we should all do our part to reduce the spread of infections but.... taking a spill because your boots don't grip really isn't an option either.

There is an article in this months TU magazine about the subject.

[Panfisha]

If you do use felt sole, you should dip your felt soles in salt water for 60 seconds each and step in it to get the salt water all in there. That kills it. That or bleach, but that may be extreme.
The lower gunpowder has salt water stations like that.

[CaseyP]

if all we need is salt water, life just got a whole lot simpler! up to now it's been 409 cleaner and bleach and sunshine--really hard on the boots...

the new soles are not as yet available on boots which will fit milady's dainty feet (sorry, Simms, yours are just too wide! and Bean had to pull theirs because they were sized like hiking boots with no room for wader booties.). loose boots are not a good idea, so i went with felt again. (thank you, Dan Bailey, for a true lady's boot)

[Bamboozle]

Andrew:

I have heard both good and so-so reviews on the latest Vibram sole offering. I also heard screw-in studs help but studs aren't always the best option either. Aquastealth has been available for many years and is pretty good with studs but tricky in many places without studs.

So unfortunately the end result is it will depend on where you fish which may mean you could be delighted or disappointed.

Multiple pairs of shoes while an expensive option, is really the best way to have multiple sole options AND a clean shoe to use when one pair has just been used elsewhere.

[RoyC]

I have had a pair of the new Simms StreamTread boots for about a month. I have worn them twice and I am pretty pleased so far. If I had studs in them, I sure I could wade about anywhere. Also they provide a heck of a lot better traction on wet grass and mud around the stream than felt.

Roy

[flybinder]

Although felt soles, because of their material, (very few, are "real felt" anymore), are of course a great place for Dymethalgradue to hide and be transported from one body of water to the next.
But, while "basting your boots in salt water", don't forget that your waders, (cuffs, gators, neoprene booties, etc.), as well as your net fabric, the cuffs on your shirt/coat (if you got either wet, perhaps landing a fish), even something as simple and small as a braided loop connector................. can ALL carry unwanted debris from one stream/lake to the next.
It's not only the felt soles, that are transporting these water problems. The "crud" can hide and adhere to almost any surface so while salt dipping, or bleaching, your felt soles also don't forget to give the same treatment to the "last" on your boots, the tongues, the laces and if you have "vents" on your boots as most of us do, also include the INsoles as well.