Gripstuds all the way....and you can use washers with them.
The shanks on the wearbars corrode and snap after a season.
When I was using wearbars, i constantly had to replace and tighten
them. The gripstuds...set em and forget em. I did not have to replace one.
This is the washer, gripstud, and combo after the washer is twisted up the
auger. The head of the spike is about 1/16 or 1/32 bigger than the opening or
the washer. The washer hole diameter is about 1/4"...the outer diameter is
about 11/16".
the boots...simms freestones. Great boots.
My last pair are still functional but are backups now...over 5 years old.
Other than the felt on these...the uppers show nearly no wear at all.
when i set my spikes...I did not predrill.
I soak the felt in water.
Place a drop of gorilla glue on the spot I want to place the spike.
let it soak in a little.
drill in the spike.
The gorilla glue expands into the fibers of the felt and makes a much more rigid anchor than just the felt alone. I think the felt fibers may stretch a little when wet, so the glue makes it a little more stable.