I was told by a Simms rep at a fly fishing show in Asheville that the new Simms Vibram holds BETTER than felt. Everyone at the group laughed at him. I can't argue that the rubber soles hold decent. I bought a pair of Korkers with a felt sole and their Klingon rubber sole. The rubber sole holds as good in some waters, but not as well in others. Overall, felt holds much better except in mud and slick riverbanks, but I'm usually in the water when I'm wading. I had a pair of Simms Guide boots before with the Vibram and they were s-l-i-c-k in the tailwaters around here and on some of the freestone rivers. I hear they grip better on some Rocky Mountain rivers, but for me, I'm sticking with felt. I just clean all of my gear when I switch rivers.

B.