Rubber-soled wading shoes?

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Scuddler	Rubber-soled wading shoes?		Lead	[-]
Posts: 47 08/20/2008 12:28	Tags : None Has anybody out there tried any of the current crop of "siped" rubber-soled wading shoes? As one who occasionally fishes the upper Connecticut, infected branches of the Delaware and other Catskill streams thought of now as likely to hold didymo cells, I want to do my part to help prevent further spreading. Obviously felt soles--porous and clinging to whatever's in them--are one major carrier of this algae from one water to another, and I'm thinking of switching over. But I'm also an old fart who no longer thrives on falling into the river 4 or 5 times a trip, and would be really grateful for any reliable information from people who have used the rubber-soled shoes concerning how efficiently they keep waders standing and walking rather than flailing and drifting. Thanks much, Frank
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steeldog94		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 73 08/20/2008 15:10	Haven't tried them yet, but the idea of rubber soled wading shoes frighten me. I slip enough on cleated felt.
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Kai		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 141 08/20/2008 16:39	I've used the siped, studded soles from LL Bean. Best rubber soles by far. Not as good as felt, but noticably better than the regular studded aquastealth. These are the ones I've been using: LL Bean Ultralight II Last Edited By: Kai 08/22/2008 15:43. Edited 1 time.
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Marshall8		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 752 08/20/2008 20:17	I have used two without studs and unless you have non-slippery bottoms to wade the ones I tried were super slick. I think its mandatory to get the studded versions. Marshall
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retrotrout		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 70 08/20/2008 22:55	LL Bean's River Treads soles are rubber. They wear forever, and are quite sure-footed on both algae covered rocks and western bowling ball rocks. I love them, and have used them for about 10 years.
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pafisherman1		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 68 08/21/2008 07:38	I have not tried the rubber studs but agree 100% with Marshall. I have the non studded Korkers version and they are slick as #@**. Wore them only once and it was like being on ice. Fortunatley these shoes have changeable soles. Bill A
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creakycane		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1788 08/21/2008 08:47	Get a box of number 8 hex head sheet metal screws 1/2 inch long. Screw them scattered in the bottom and that will made any boot a passable wading shoe. I have done with felt, and even a couple of old Danner logging boots that I have used for wet wading. Just don't drive the screws too deep into the sole for obvious reasons! Siped deck shoes, sticky rubber soles etc are great on smooth regular surfaces and grip like heck - and can be great on some trout streams. On others, they can be quite dangerous without studs (plain felt is generally quite a bit better). Last Edited By: creakycane 08/21/2008 13:36. Edited 1 time.
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Joe Arguello	Studded rubber	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 119 08/21/2008 09:34	I have been using a pair of Simms studded rubber sole shoes (aquastealth) I was very reluctant to changing from my studded felt, but was convinced by a friend that this was the way to go. I know this guy fishes a lot more than I do and he said they were great and last a long time. So I bought them and I'm glad to say that he didn't lead me astray! Anyway I'm not buying the idea that the screws are anything special and since I have all but worn the old ones out, I decided to replace them. Rather than buying 2 dozen 'special' screws from Simms for $14.95 I went to ACE and bought a box of 100 1/2" hex head sheet metal screws that look suspiciously like the ones I got with the boots when I bought them, even if they only last 1/2 as long I can replace them several times for half the cost (appox $6.00/box) I also don't think that Simms are the only option, the next ones I buy will 'look' the same and probably be purchased at Sportsmans Warehouse or Cabellas There is my .02 worth. Joe When it's all said and done, there's always more said than done! www.jea-bamboo-flyrods.com
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Scuddler	Thanks to all.	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 48 08/21/2008 10:31	Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the input. Not sure yet what I'll do but at the moment I am inclined to try a pair of the studded ones. I'm wondering, though, whether anyone has had significantly BAD experiences with these--understanding, of coure, that anyone who wades enough trout streams is going to have some bad dousings from time to time, no matter what's on his feet. Frank
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tiptop		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 08/21/2008 12:44	My experience is exactly that of Joe Arguello and his friend. I was apprehensive about the Simms studded aquastealth but after 2 seasons have found the traction to be far better than plain felt. On Penn's Creek in PA, which has large, rounded, algae covered boulders and is the most slippery river I've ever fished, they were solid. I've never tried studded felt, but I can't imagine they would be any better than these Simms.
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creakycane		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1790 08/21/2008 13:35	The only advantage of studded felt over studded rubber is if you happen to plant a foot in a way that the stud doesn't grip, the felt might - where as the rubber is less likely to.
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Marshall8	comment	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 753 08/21/2008 21:36	Another comment I will add is that I prefer a boot that has a distinct heel with a sharp normal drop edge on it like most boots and shoes have. I think that ledge helps catch on some small surface to bring you to a STOP when the sliding begins. Most of the boots have either a flat or slightly curved design going from front to heel. The Weinbrenner has a heel! The smooth bottom boots may have served you well over the years but I figure some's good, more's got to be better! I also have a couple of boot retreading felts in strips. When I install them I like to leave a 1/2" gap between them so they will grip irregular slick surfaces better than a straight piece. Once you get to slippin on something flat, it keeps going pretty easily till you are down. This is an interesting concern so after looking into the main subject a little further: [edit] Preventing the spread The following methods have been recommended to prevent the spread of didymo: Check: Before leaving the river, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find clumps later don't wash them down the drain, treat them with the approved methods below, dry them and put them in a rubbish bin. Clean: Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot (60°C) water, a 2% solution of household bleach or a 5% solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Dry: If cleaning is not practical (e.g. livestock, pets), after the item is completely dry wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway. I am sure it will be very important for each of us to learn the problems and cures for each local problem to prevent this along with the snails and other varmits yet to be tackled in each of our locales. I had not thought about washing my boots in the sink drain yet and this was an eye opener for sure! Marshall Last Edited By: Marshall8 08/21/2008 22:38. Edited 2 times.
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flyty		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 65 08/22/2008 00:04	Scuddler wrote: Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the input. Not sure yet what I'll do but at the moment I am inclined to try a pair of the studded ones. I'm wondering, though, whether anyone has had significantly BAD experiences with these Frank Watch out for mud! If you step up on a wet muddy bank, you will fall down. Aquastealths have zero grip in mud.
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Scuddler		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 50 08/22/2008 10:33	Well, the information just keeps getting better and more pertinent. Thanks again, very much. Note to Marshal: Another method I've seen recommended is to soak the boots, overnight or for a similar time, in a bleach dilution. Hope that does work, since it's what I've been doing. Frank
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16 pmd		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 568 08/22/2008 13:41	I've had nothing but good experiences with studded sticky rubber soles from Simms. A friend, however tried the L2 model that require you to install the studs yourself.. He did it per instructions, but many of them came out in a week's use. Only other reservation is that you also need a pair of non-studded boots if you fish much from a boat.
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HexaMaineiac	SIPES	#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 509 08/23/2008 09:32	I am concerned that people think that because the soles are rubber they don't need to worry. Is there any evidence that says that rubber soles with sipes don't carry around didymo? The sipes are fine cuts that open when flexed to allow better traction, but they may not get rinsed out when cleaning. I think Marshall is right and that you need to treat them pretty much like you'd treat felt soles. Another didymo option is to freeze the boots, not always available at the river. Henry.
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Rubber-soled wading shoes?

Rubber-soled wading shoes?

[edit] Preventing the spread

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