- I’m old-I use felt with studs.
- Diabetic-a bit unstable.
- What’s the very best nonfelt boot–to keep me upright?
Thank you!
McManus
I have been using the LL Bean “aquastealth” soles with studs for several years with no problems.
Steve
I love my Korkers Chromes. Very lightweight and comfortable.
I have the Korkers Chromes and really like the boots, but don’t count on the rubber soles to keep you upright. They are about as good as roller skates. I have read that the new Korker Svelte soles are better than felt. These are made of something like scotchbrite scrubber pads and are supposed to provide great grip. The soles alone are $50, so I am continuing to slip around on the rubber soles until next spring…
Ted
I have the Orvis River Guards with EcoTrax soles. They work very well. They range in price from $79 (on sale now) to $179 for the ultra lights.
I also have Aquastealth with studs. Unfortunately, mine are the older Korker’s Konvertibles in a size 10 & I am unable to find a spare pair or I would buy them.
I highly recommend Aquastealth with studs, & keep in mind that LL Bean often has sales, ALWAYS free shipping, & that guarantee is ironclad. ANY mistake, theirs OR yours, is immediately corrected. Also, a call to their customer service is always helpful.
Mike
I use Simms Aquastealth and they work great. I have studs, but haven’t ever felt the need to put them in. I have fished, freestone and tailwaters and never had an issue. Plus in the snow they work even better than felts!
Good luck.
Paul
I do OK with the rubber soles on my Korkers, but I also always use a wading staff and move very cautiously when I wade.
I am sure this will sound dumb, but I have not been in the fly fishing loop other than doing some warm water fishing for a few years. Why the ban on felt, and can that be removed and replaced or am I stuck with having to buy a new boot
oh and sorry for the mini hijacking
MO, like a number of states is outlawing felt because it too easily carries a problem originating in one stream, to next one you fish. In Missouri’s case it’s the didymo (rock snot) from the tailwater fisheries in Arkansas that worries them. Lotsa back and forth; often in the same day.
I switched to Simms vibram w/studs and have been pretty much upright although I still don’t think they grip as well as studded felt; with 3 knee surgeries and no desire for a 4th, positive traction is important.
Regards,
Scott
I use the Orvis River Guard Easy-On Brogue and my buddy has a pair of the River Guard Ultralight Wading Boots with EcoTrax Soles. Both of us are pleased with our purchases.
I’ve been wearing LL Bean wading boots with Aquastealth soles for quite a few years, and these boots have kept me on my feet while fishing in a variety of conditions. I would think that some of the newer Vibram soles boots with studs and more aggressive soles would work even better.
You can get your boots resoled at a Simms authorized repair center I think its 70 bucks. Check the Simms web site for a center near you.
I have worn both the LL Bean studded Aquastealth and the Simms studded Vibram soles. After a couple pairs and seasons, I had to sell the Beans because the toe box wasn’t as roomy as I needed after a toe injury and have worn the Simms for two seasons or so since. I don’t know why it would be, but I still think the studded Aquastealth were the best sole I’ve worn. I felt VERY secure in terms of traction in the water and when it came to walking up and down banks in various conditions, they were infinitely better than felt soles. One caveat, I get the impression there’s a huge difference between AS soles without studs and the same soles with studs. I wouldn’t even consider getting them without.
WHAT?!?!?! Now I have to go buy new boots too! Dangit!
I think just about any good quality boot with the new soles will do you. But, I think oldfrat hit the nail on the head when he mentioned that he uses a wading staff. If you don’t have one, it may not be a bad idea to pick one up.
Dave
I have a pair of the Simms with the vibrum soles with studs installed, no problems in the two years I have had them. I would recommend whatever you get to install the studs and use a wading staff, also not sure if its the studs or the tread on the bottom of the vibrum soles but I don’t slip and slide on the river banks before I make it to the water like I did with the felt soles.
Rodney
I’ve been very happy with my Orvis River Guard boots. (Easy-On Brogue with studs) I’ve had them for two years now. They are holding up very well. I have used them out west on the Snake, Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Yellowstone, Lamar, Soda Butte, Slough Creek etc…They have also seen a lot of wade time in Michigan and Ontario. I have not experienced any problems with them. They probably have over 300 wading days on them so far and they still look new. I love them.
They fit very roomy. I had to order down a full size from my previous wader boots.
PS…YES to the wading staff. I don’t wade without on any more. I slipped on a rock and fall on the Grand River here in Ontario and separated my collar bone a few years ago. That was what got me to move to studded boots and keep a staff handy.
thanks for the info on why the boot bottom needs to be banned. I am a bio guy and never gave that a thought. While I don’t get to many different creeks, the ones I do get lucky enough to get out to are not naturally connected save me dragging crub stuck in that felt.
Great catch to whom ever realized what was going on with those bottoms