The Science of Felt - 2009

Marc LaMouche · Post by **Marc LaMouche** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:42 pm

The Science of Felt - 2009

A look at the science driving the move to eliminate the use of felt soled waders

Bob Wiltshire
Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species

joesnuffy · Post by **joesnuffy** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:59 pm

That was a pretty good read and I'm forwarding it on.

I switched to rubber soles this last spring..... :p

mattklara · Post by **mattklara** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:48 pm

Time to start really putting the pressure on all the wading boot manufacturers...

Dear Patagonia,

When are you going to come out with studded sticky rubber boots? I want rubber soles and your boots fit my feet perfectly, but sticky rubber alone doesn't cut it on my rivers.

Thanks for your time,

Matt

PS - When I asked at the store if I could just screw some Simms studs into your sticky rubber boots they said it would void the warranty. Wassup with that?

ennio · Post by **ennio** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:16 am

When I asked Simms Europe if I could screw Simms HardBite studs (the only type of Simms stud available in Europe) into Simms Rivershed StreamTread boots, they said:

We will not officially guarantee that using regular Hardbite studs on Streamtread soles will never cause problems

The same is true for any Simms StreamTread-soled boot in Europe ... until Simms Europe decide to import Simms HardBite studs for Vibram soles.

Retailers will happily sell you (and me) Simms StreamTread boots with Simms studs ignorant of the fact that you could void the warranty by using the studs

Paul Arden · Post by **Paul Arden** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:32 am

I haven't worn felt for a couple of years - and I sure do miss them! I dislike studs - too noisy and can cause you to slide off boulders. This year I've been wearing trail running shoes, and apart from a couple of knocks they've actually been surprisingly good. I've certainly fallen in a lot less this year.

Cheers, Paul

scottrods · Post by **scottrods** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:27 am

I have just replaced my aqua stealth studded soles with new vibram stud-free aqua stealh soles. So here's hoping the cope well on my tiki tour next 2 weeks.

Marc LaMouche · Post by **Marc LaMouche** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:43 am

ennio wrote:Simms HardBite studs (the only type of Simms stud available in Europe)

hi ennio,

i just got a french catalogue which sells all three types of Simms studs.
Hardbite Felt
Hardbite for rubber
and Hardbite Star for Vibram soles

this is in France where hardly anyone knows or gives a flying 'f about invasive species...
look around, i'm sure you'll find them.

cheers,
marc

Aitor · Post by **Aitor** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:54 am

Paul Arden wrote:I dislike studs - too noisy and can cause you to slide off boulders.

Agree!
And there is one more problem: when you feel it's time to have a beer studs are'nt very friendly to bar floors, so bartenders aren't very friendly to you.

ennio · Post by **ennio** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:40 pm

Marc LaMouche wrote:look around, i'm sure you'll find them.

cheers,
marc

Thank you Marc, but I have tried, and the statement that there aren't any in Europe comes from Jon Anders Walle at Simms Europe.
I have now ordered a set from the USA.

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