Wading Boot Stud/Korker Mod
 

Well it finally caught up with me, after doing nothing more than just tying my laces up when I go out (not RHM duct tape style...which I should have) I lost my left korker after wading out in the surf/rocks of SoCo early this morning. I'm getting tired of strapping them on anyway and want to modify my wading shoes with studs/screws. Anyone have any suggestions/ideas for me? Trying to figure out what to use for studs/screws and how to do it so I don't feel the heads of the screws under the bottom of my feet.

Any ideas??

Also interested for my Hodgman Gladiators (that wear much better than the Korkers it seems)

I stopped into a snowmobile place to look at the studs they screw into snowmobile tracks for ice racing and the like. They could only show me what was in a catalog. There were several different types, and some looked interesting.

I didn't pursue it and just forgot about it... if you go this route let me know how they work. Here's how some dirt bikers use them:

http://www.snowmobiletrails.com/moto/index.html

After I got wading boots with studded aquastealth soles, I hav'nt put my Korkers on once, In fact I leave them at home now.
Kinda nice to wade with sneakers on, not feeling like you are wearing lead weighted diving boots.

I've used Simms studded felt boots with good result, but they've worn out after a year of hard use (I walk miles over difficult rock). Another major advantage to wading boots is the better ankle support which greatly improves your balance and lets you move much faster (increasing your fishing time). Now if they just had something for my knees.........
By the way, Simms sells the screw in carbide snowmobile studs....you can get them through most flyfishing outlets........try Kaufmanns Streamborn.....(here's a link if that is OK) http://www.kaufmannsstreamborn.com/C.../SIMSTUDSOO14/

just my 2 cents but nothings tougher screw wise than a tapcon cement screw... so i wonder how much a box of them cost ....at home depot
compared to those. :heybaby:

I also use the Simms wading boot, some kind of aqua-rubber sole, plus screw in studs, great for when you have to cover miles and miles of tough rocks. Very light and good ankle support. I'm sure there are plenty of comparable products on the market, certainly worth a try.

I have been thinkin about Tapcons, but they may be expensive, I'd have to cut them down and figure out a way to keep them secured to the sole. I saw the simms studs as well, not sure how they'll hold up...I wear Proline felt bottoms so i'm unsure of how well they will hold in the sole.

Wish they made carbide screws/bolts...

I use Korkers brand studded felts and replace them every couple of seasons. They cost about $40 and come with glue. You'll have to cut them to size with a sharp knife or a hacksaw.A bandsaw works great if you've got one.

Just before the Derby I purchased the " new and improved" Korkers brand wader boots with the interchangeable soles. There are a lot of sites with the old or 2006 models for sale cheap but the reports were always that the soles popped out in extreme conditions. The 2007 models have a totally new system for attachment of the soles and after 28 days of fishing MV I am in love with mynew boots. They came with both the felt and trail or rubber soles and I also purchased the studded Aquastealth rubber soles. The studded soles stood up to multiple trips to Squibby without issue. I wore the felts out on Wasque for many nights and no sand issues. y model is the middle boot of the three they sell. The high end is the new Guide Boot and only comes with this high tech dial tightening system that is completely new and I was not willing to be a guinea pig with this purchase. I highly reccomend these boots.