I agree, they are not as good as felt. They are pretty good. I got the freestones last spring and fished them all year with no studs. I had a wading staff on every trip and it was needed on a few mud and moss covered rocks. Where they really shine is coming out of the water up a muddy bank, and hiking, they grip very well. I will have studs in them this year and I think they will have all the grip I will need.

I will suggest to put the studs and be done with it. I just wanted to see how they grip without them.