Hi, ever since I got new wading boots with rubber soles and screw in studs I've taken a few falls. I seemed to have better traction with felt soles. Is this true with anyone else? Are felt soles being phased out?
Yeah, the move to rubber is mostly about invasives.
The other threads cover it I'm sure, but it comes down to what substrate, as rubber is better on some and felt better on others. Also note that each brand has different rubber compositions and tread patterns, and it makes a big difference. Though there are trade-offs, as the softer rubber tends to be grippier but the tread flattens out more quickly. The same is true on felt as well (some better than others), but to a lesser degree.
My own take is rubber is better on mud and snow. Felt is better on big rocks. Both are fine on dirt and finer gravel. Studs help both.
My Simms Guide boots are of the soft rubber variety, and were pretty good when new. 2-3 years of light fishing, and this'll be their last year. Soles nearing "flat" and losing grip. 2-3 years of heavy fishing I'd be happy with, but we're talking a total of only 20-30 outings here, as I haven't been fishing much. Ashame, because the rest of the boot is well made and still in good shape.
I guess I could re-sole them? But there's only 1 dang place in the east that Simms lets do that? It's in Philly and costs $80. Lets see, a day trip to the city, 1 hr commute each way, plus $80? I'd be more likely to just get new boots.
