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Post by Mike on Jan 15, 2014 12:43:40 GMT -6
If you wade Apple River, using the bedrock argument, you will need felt soled boots. I prefer the rubber soles.
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Post by steve on Jan 15, 2014 12:47:36 GMT -6
And knowing Pat he isn't going to be walking down any ice covered paths to go wading.
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Post by Mike on Jan 15, 2014 12:48:21 GMT -6
And knowing Pat he isn't going to be walking down any ice covered paths to go wading. Snow covered paths are slippery.
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Post by steve on Jan 15, 2014 12:49:46 GMT -6
Or snow.
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Post by heysambennett on Jan 15, 2014 13:07:56 GMT -6
Sure. I wouldn't even worry about felts in Illinois. Those studded felts are nice for walking on ice.
Out on the Fox I only wear the standard sole.
-SB
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JustinCarf
Bass
Saltwater fish, beware. I'm on my way!
Posts: 165
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Post by JustinCarf on Jan 15, 2014 14:19:02 GMT -6
I have had zero issues with the studs on the bottom of my boots. I have even tried to slip on rocks 'n stuff purposely, with no luck. Everyone has their opinions.
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Post by plunc on Jan 15, 2014 16:18:49 GMT -6
Well, I guess I got what I wanted. Seems that no 1 has had issues with the soles falling off.
BFA- I for surely have snapped the soles in/out in the store, and while they do feel very secure, you can still see how it's possible for sediment to collect between the sole and boot. Seems that making sure the soles are "properly" fastened is the main concern in regards to this causing the sole to fall off.
While the felt is as useless as can be on mud, snow, ice, I do feel that its the only way to go on algae covered rocks and shoals.The rubber just doesnt compare in that environment. My attraction to the korkers is the ability to swap-out soles when you have a long walk on shore back to the entry point, and the ease of replacing worn felt. Seems I get 2yrs + - out of a pair of felt soles before they need replacing, which is a major p.i.t.a., and not possible to do correctly in less than 3 days(drying time for the cement). I also agree with sam b here, I hated studded-felt the few times I used it, and, nothing will piss off a store, gas station, car owner faster than walking on their floors with studded boots. Generally for me, the boots go on in the morning and dont come off til I'm done fishing for the day.
As far as the Boa system, its slick indeed, provides easier in/out, snugs securely & easily. However, it does appear far from bullet-proof. In my repair kit, I have learned to pack an extra pair of shoelaces for the occurrences of breaking 1, which has helped me on a few occasions over the last 25 years. Not sure how I'd address a failure in the boa system in the middle of a remote wading scenario. In most of my wading situations, having to replace gear would probably involve 150-200miles and a 1/2 day minimum of driving to find replacement gear to finish out a trip. I have no doubt the boa system is better, but I dont like the prospects of being able to repair it on the fly, should I need to. Sometimes low-tech has its advantages. Its a shame, too, because I really do prefer the boot material on the chrome's & metalheads better than the non-boa boots(redsides & buckskins).
Steve, you are indeed correct. My days of winter wading pretty much ended in the late 80s- early 90s, after John Husar had written just enough articles to draw every immigrant between Chicago and Warsaw to the tributary streams of southern WI. to hone their highly specialized techniques for harvesting steelhead from the creeks with 1oz spoons and silver spiders.
Soon as I can find a retailer that actually has my size in stock(more difficult than I thought it would be), I will bring my waders in and try sizing them to purchase a pair of redsides or buckskins.
Again, thanks for all of you's inputs.
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Post by Mike on Jan 15, 2014 16:35:27 GMT -6
A few points: - Boa system is tough, if you snap the "lace" then you must be wading with wire cutters.
- Also they do sell repair kits for the Boa system.
- I do not own felt soles but I do own Korkers Svelte II soles.
- Finally, Korkers fit true to size. You should not need to buy a size up. I wear a size 14 shoe and the size 14 wading boot fits perfectly.
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Post by steve on Jan 15, 2014 16:40:19 GMT -6
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Post by plunc on Jan 15, 2014 17:26:02 GMT -6
A few points: - Boa system is tough, if you snap the "lace" then you must be wading with wire cutters.
- Also they do sell repair kits for the Boa system.
- I do not own felt soles but I do own Korkers Svelte II soles.
- Finally, Korkers fit true to size. You should not need to buy a size up. I wear a size 14 shoe and the size 14 wading boot fits perfectly.
Thank you, Mike for your valued input. I dont doubt that the boa system IS fairly tough, and I dont see a scenario of actually breaking the wire lace, but when I did crank down on them in the store, I did come to a point where I felt that I could easily over-tighten and possibly strip out the knob. Would it happen? probably not, but I cant say that I have been troubled enough by conventional laces to warrant a change. I have a history of finding ways to break things that are unbreakable, I guess its 1 of my special talents . I suppose if I was in/out of my boots a few times a day, it might be more of a gain, but for me this is rarely the case. A better way to state this may have been: "I question MY prospects of being able to repair/replace the boa system on the fly." Someone with a reasonable mechanical inclination would probably not have an issue. Unfortunately, Im not sure I fit that category. On the + side, I am pretty confident in my abilities to change out a shoelace (without a manual, too!). Besides, the spare shoelace has come in handy for a lot of other things besides re-stringing boots . I saw those svelte soles, but I didnt look much after seeing the cost of them . I sort of gathered that they were made for felt-like performance in places where felt is banned? Again, not an issue for me(as of yet, anyway). I wear 11.5's, and have yet to find 12's on a shelf anywhere.I tried on 13s last yr, and while they were big, I wasnt sure they wouldnt be better for wearing 2 heavy socks in colder water. Would like to try it side by side vs a 12. In any case, not in a huge hurry as I wont be putting waders on for another 3-4 months, I would just as soon get it right the 1st time. They told me same thing regarding sizing on my last pair of Guideline(awesome), Simms(good-very good),&hodgman(complete crap) boots, and I havent always found it to be exactly accurate. Again thanks for the input
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