Just wondering if anybody has used these boots? My cabelas boots are shot and I'm looking for some boots that will last a couple seasons. Was thinking of getting these or the freestones..

I haven't used them but I think Sierra Trading post has these marked down a lot. Especially if you have a 30% off coupon
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I think mine are the G3's or an earlier version and they're great. Ran big so check sizing...

After being sick and tired of the disposable cabelas ultra lites that fall apart within a month, this season i have gone thru the same quandry for a better option. My boots are a size 10 and usd both over LLbean waders and 5mm wetsuit socks. I wanted light weight as i walk and swim a lot and thus also did not want an overly stiff boot
This is what i found and went thru.
Korkers were not an option as they fall apart just as much as the cableas boots
The LLbean greyghost which were a good boot are no longer made
I wanted boots without that stupid Boa system. Had them on LLbean greyghost and had to cut them off as mechanism jammed with sand
So i decided to try Simms even tho they cost 2-4 times as much as the cablas
Now i ordered a pair of the Oceanteks ($140) which are designed to stand up to salt water. They came and i was completely disappointed. They were heavy as cinderblocks and stiff as ski boots. Not to mention they have no drain holes for water to come out. No deal. Sent them back.
At this point i convinced myself the cableAs ultralites would have to do again. Afterall i could buy 2 pairs for the cost of the simms. Well they changed the design and quite a few reviewers said they had problems with the boots diggin into their ankles. I thought maybe those people just had weird ankles. I have blown through 4 pairs in the past and they were alright. I got them and after usin them about 3 times i cringe at the thought of walking in them. I must have weird ankles too because they dig into the side of my ankle to the point of bruising. Last time i had to take them off and just walk back in my waders
So i decided to break the bank and ordered a pair of Simms Vapor trails ($170)
Hands down the most comfortable wading boot i have ever owned. Light and flexible. They are like wearing light weight hiking boots with excellent mobility. Will be interesting to see if they hold up for a full season. They do make a saltwater version but i just went with the regular vapor trail
Good luck
Ps- finally went with the grip studs instead of using hvac tek screws and the traction with them is amazing
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I have a friend who is trying out the Hodgman H3 . They are priced decent but I'm interested to see how they hold up.
http://www.hodgman.com/hodgman-wade-boots/hodgman-h3-wading-boot-%28felt%29/1347871.html#start=1

Working on my third season with Simms Freestone Vibram soles. Very little wear noticeable. I use them with Grip Studs but make sure to install washers with them to keep the studs from leaning.

I have a friend who is trying out the Hodgman H3 . They are priced decent but I'm interested to see how they hold up.
http://www.hodgman.com/hodgman-wade-boots/hodgman-h3-wading-boot-%28felt%29/1347871.html#start=1


Had several pair of Hodgemen, liked every pair. Lasyed several years, each pair.
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Using the G3 guide now and liking them. Extremely comfortable and built like a tank. Freestones are great for the price as well. Heavy but a solid boot.
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So i decided to break the bank and ordered a pair of Simms Vapor trails ($170)
Hands down the most comfortable wading boot i have ever owned. Light and flexible. They are like wearing light weight hiking boots with excellent mobility. Will be interesting to see if they hold up for a full season. They do make a saltwater version but i just went with the regular vapor trail
Good luck
Ps- finally went with the grip studs instead of using hvac tek screws and the traction with them is amazing
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Did you buy the felt soled version? The vibram soles appear to have a different molded pattern than the usual Simms soles and they look as if placing studs would be an issue.

Thanks for the insight guys. Definitely considering the grip studs as well (I was using sheetmetal screws in my cabelas boots) like redlite had mentioned.
From what I've read the 1800 gripstuds are the ones to get?

Did you buy the felt soled version? The vibram soles appear to have a different molded pattern than the usual Simms soles and they look as if placing studs would be an issue.

Have the vibram soles. Just put the grip studs where i wanted them to be. Issue as eskimo had warned me about is that u do need to use washers to prevent pressure pushing up studs thru sole into feet Solution is to use washers. Now the problem is that to use washers that are big enough to fit onto studs they are too big to fit in between vibram treads. Thus u need to buy smaller washers and ream/ drill them out so they fit onto studs. Or just use extra set of insoles but could bring about a size/ fit issue
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I've been using the freestones with grip studs for a couple of seasons now. These are the first boots to last me an entire season and a month into their second season they are still holding up well. I have felt soles with grip studs and the only issue I've had is with a few of the studs pushing up into the soles because I didn't use washers. Eventually I will reinstall the studs with washers but they are still working fine for me as is. They are what I would consider a heavy boot and they are not well suited for extended swims due to the weight and stiffness. Walking though the weight doesn't seem to bother me much.
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Now the problem is that to use washers that are big enough to fit onto studs they are too big to fit in between vibram treads.

washers with a 1/4" inner diameter are the ticket.

get stainless steel. I used the zinc washers from Lowes...after the
third season, they started to corrode and pop off.

I bought these and put them on my vibram bottomed freestones.

they do not fit perfectly between the tread, but they will compress it and seem to install fine.

www.albanycountyfasteners.com/MS-Flat-Washers-1-4-810-SAE-18-8-Stainless-Steel-p/1000-200011.htm

This season I started experimenting with shorter spikes. I put the
1300s in the vibram bottoms and have been using them in
freshwater. I think if I had to do it all over, my surf boots would
have the 1500s, as the 1800s are great but only necessary about
10% of the time where the bubble weed is thick. The 1800s are too
much for long walks or walks over cobble as on Cutty. Spend more
time skating than comfortably walking. I think a shorter spike may
resolve this and the tripping issues. The height of the 1500s are
roughly similar to the 1800s installed without washers. The washers
keep more of the spike head proud of the sole surface. I recently
took my 1300s out in some bubble weed. They were decent, but I
noticed some loss of contact. I think the 1500s are probably a good
middle ground to try...if the majority of you water is not covered in
bubble weed.

Good points puppet. The 1800s are long and a PIA during walks as I trip all the time. I might go with the shorter spikes next time.

FYI on the simms vibrams with stud patterns, I found a stainless metric washer (I think 6mm) fit inside of the pattern perfectly where I could not find a 1/4" one that fit. Luckily I have 'fastener warehouse' right around the corner from work and it's a gold mine for fun little projects that I enjoy.

FYI on the simms vibrams with stud patterns, I found a stainless metric washer (I think 6mm) fit inside of the pattern perfectly where I could not find a 1/4" one that fit. Luckily I have 'fastener warehouse' right around the corner from work and it's a gold mine for fun little projects that I enjoy.

Good to know. I was drilling out the 1/4 washers.

Good to know. I was drilling out the 1/4 washers.

I just did the conversion and I think it's 7mm. Plus there was very little selection of that size so I bet it was 7. Either way, it fit inside the nubs and required no drilling/grinding.

Simms G3 guide boots, as noted above a bit heavy, however they are built like a tank. I'm using felt with my own tread pattern screwed in just starting up year 2.