I have a pair of unstudded Simms wading boots that are on their last legs, so I'm putting a new pair of wading boots on my Christmas list. All I've ever owned were the unstudded boots, but am considering trying something else.

I know that studded boots can destroy the inside of a boat, but my Simms have enough life left in them to use for those times when I am in a boat. For the most part though...I'm bank bound. Anything else I should be aware of if going with the studded boots? I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, but I'm not having any luck with the search function.

i have a pair of the studded aquastealth simms guide boots and love them for bank fishing..they work esp well in the snow (doesnt stick)

Rubber.

Vibram Streamtread as seen on Simms, and Patagonia's new version of the rubber sole both seam pretty solid. The rubber sole is very versatile. Not perfect for many applications, but pretty darn good for most. Good choice for a "one boot to rule them all" sorta guy.

I just received my third pair of Patagonia Riverwalkers, second with the rubber sole (Aquastealth?) My only complaint is that the tread is a little shallow, providing less than awesome traction in deeper snow and soft mud, and it wears out a bit sooner than I would like. Granted, although my use should be measured more in days on the water rather than duration of ownership.

Good luck.

All of the above ...seriously I don't know why every person who wears wading boots over their stocking foot waders does not have a pair of the new Korkers with interchangable soles. Three Rivers Marine is now carrying them and I have had them for about a year now. They are amazing. Studded with felt for wading, rubber vibram sole for long hikes, and straight felt for in and out of the boat wading where the studs would tear up the bottom of the boat. Takes about two minutes to change out the soles and off you go. Just my 2 cents.

CM

Good thing you didn't mention Korker's around AP this past weekend. He would have likely had some choice golfing words for you, perhaps with a side of assault and battery

+1 on the Korkers, I have had mine for about a year now and I really like them, I have 3 different soles for them, studded felt, rubber and felt.

Another vote for Korkers... 200+ days on them and there still kicking. Felt is in semi bad shape, but that should be expected for them being 2 years old.

Has anyone tried those Korker slip on/over ice studs? Are they worth the $20?

I really like the Aquastealth with studs, but they're getting hard to find, since a lot of boot-makers are switching over to vibram and other rubbery surfaces. You might be able to find a set in somebody's inventory, from last years models. Regardless, to answer the question, since you already have a set of boots that can limp through a few boat rides, I would say go with something that has studs. . .they really make a difference. Just choose the surface onto which the studs are fixed according to how much mileage you wanna put on them and what kind of surfaces you'll encounter,

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Just be careful with studs. Dry rocks on shore, can put you on your ass.

Some rivers are slicker than others. Double knot the laces.

[censored] Korkers, [censored] Korkers, [censored] Korkers.

The boots I bought sucked, almost killed me more than once, and after all that, Korkers accused me of lying of when/where I bought the boots. Their idea of customer service was calling me a liar and then offering me a "deal" that was equivilent of sticking a pair of their crappy boots up my ass.

Seriously, [censored] them!

As for studs, I've never tried them but I'm glad you've figured out not to wear them in boats because no one is ever doing that in my boat again.

Korker's suck more than Larry Craig at a Rest Area...and that goes not just for the "old" style ones, but the new technology ones are just as bad...if you plan on standing in a boat with them, they're fine...if you plan on walking around and actually needing wading boots, I'd recommend never wearing any pair of Korker's, ever.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Also to echo AP to the K's assessment, I can't tell if their customer service is good or bad, since they just completely ignored any emails or phone calls that I made to them...which was several tries at each. Luckily I was able to convince Sportco to just give me money back after trying several pairs.

Still have no complaints with the SIMM's G4 Guide Boots and the additional HardBite boot studs.

They come off in about 1 minute using a drill.

I'm finding that the studs were essential up North, but have yet to find a river slick enough in Washington to warrant the studs.

The traction on the stock boot is pretty damn good. I like the new StreamTread sole.

Studs. No reason not to if you can use your existing pair for the boat. I have always used studs and they have saved my butt from falling in on more than one occasion...

Studs all the way... Some people just have to learn how to walk in them...

Keith

I've never had studded felt soles before, but just bought a pair of Patagonias on sale a week or so ago. The main reason I avoided them is because I don't want to tear up the floor in my boat, not to mention wearing them in the raft. For ultra-slick rivers like the Thompson I wear Bailey's stream cleats over my wading boots and carry a wading staff. I don't think I want to bother with the screw them in, screw them out alternative. Besides I'm not sure how that works out as the felts wear down.

Sg

This is how I roll.....

Plain felt for the boat rides, & then felt & HardBite's on my walking Simms. I like the extra traction w/ the studs on the mixed terrain, the studs can be a bit skittish on grapefruit sized river cobble. I hate that stuff anyway, hurts my ankles I just walk around that crap it if possible.


Mixed reports on the traction of the Simms/Virbram soles bucked me off the bandwagon come boot buying time.



c/22

Studs are the only way to go banking it. I have 2 pair of boots. The cheap staight felt hodgeman for the boat and studded Danner River Grippers for the bank. The Danners are the best I have ever owned. Snug tight fit to the toe with awesome support. Too bad Danner quit making/selling them a number of years ago. I bought two more pair when I heard that and I am on the last pair. Some good info hear on what to buy next ? Thanks.

i often like to compare my simms guide boots to my danner hunting boots. in a few ways they're more comfortable(i've got really wide feet and danners are kind of snug).

they're kind of pricey and it's a good idea to get them soaking wet before putting them on, but they're awesome.