felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
guys/gals are the felt sole waders any better for grip on the slippery rocks and other stuff that can cause you to bust your butt and get a little wet,, LOL :)
right now i have just the regular rubber sole waders and i find myself sliding around alot. are the felt ones any better ??
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
I'm not gonna lie...In my experiences in wading felt soled boots/waders are 10 times above and beyond typical rubber soled waders even the ones with rubber cleat like studs on them. The felt has amazing grip WHEN WET, if they are dry on grass or something as your gettin into the water they are SLICK! and you can bust your butt out of the water!..but once you get in and get the felt wet they are like super glue very very good grip!...for me its no question I use felt soles now and always.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
[QUOTE=MagikSmallie;387035]I'm not gonna lie...In my experiences in wading felt soled boots/waders are 10 times above and beyond typical rubber soled waders even the ones with rubber cleat like studs on them. The felt has amazing grip WHEN WET, if they are dry on grass or something as your gettin into the water they are SLICK! and you can bust your butt out of the water!..but once you get in and get the felt wet they are like super glue very very good grip!...for me its no question I use felt soles now and always.[/QUOTE]
Agree 100%. Bought my first pair of felt boots last year. ;)
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
Felt is by far the way to go. It doesn't mean you cannot fall in them, but it sure lowers the odds.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
As said above, felt rules in the water but they can be treacherous getting in or out in the mud! Just remember to use your heels getting in and out of the creek if there is any mud around.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
The above posts are right on, Felt sole is the only way to go for wading on slick rocks. I have even put a felt replacement kit onto my old lug soles, when I use that pair.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
I'd suggest neoprene-sock waders, with a felt-soled wading boot. Simms products are top-notch. Many felt wading boots come with cleats (some are just philips-head screws) that can be inserted into the felt sole. Best of both worlds if your fishing near, on, or in ice.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
I have used felt sole wading boots over stocking foot waders for the past several years. Although I've come close, I've not had the first fall in the drink since I've gone to felt.
Also, if you're in the market, check out the wading boots at [url]www.sierratradingpost.com[/url]. They runs some great deals on waders and boots from time to time. I've seen $150 Simms boots on this site for half the price before.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
thanks for the info on the felt. looks like i will be buying a pair of them in the next weekor so. may even try the replacement kit for my rubber sole until i get enough extra to buy a pair. i have had my spill in the water and dont want to do it again :)
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
[QUOTE=BASSKING;387096]thanks for the info on the felt. looks like i will be buying a pair of them in the next weekor so. may even try the replacement kit for my rubber sole until i get enough extra to buy a pair. i have had my spill in the water and dont want to do it again :)[/QUOTE]
Good decision. They can prevent alot of slips. The have some you can put some metal studs in too if you are fishing extremely mossy rocks - never used those. Of course my favorite are felt soled wading shoes. I got a pair from orvis - but I was mainly using them in warm weather or shallower water where I didn't want to wear waders. I used to wade the elkhorn several times a week in these, during he summer and a pair of swim trunks. I was fly fishing, and would only use a chest pack. When I got to the deeper areas I would hold the chest pack and rod up with one hand and past the deeper areas until I was in shallower water again - quite the adventure, but I knew those areas extremely well.
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
[QUOTE=BASSKING;387033]guys/gals are the felt sole waders any better for grip on the slippery rocks and other stuff that can cause you to bust your butt and get a little wet,, LOL :)
right now i have just the regular rubber sole waders and i find myself sliding around alot. are the felt ones any better ??[/QUOTE]
Felt w/studs...never slip again.
-Rich
Re: felt sole waders vs rubber lug sole waders
when you guys are talking about studs what exactly do you mean by that ??
are they made like that or is it something you have to do yourself