Korker Modifications

[decksweeper]

Jim Sylvester and I wore them last year and had no problems...we bought the Korker boots with the insert felt bottoms. Remove the felt, drill holes right throught the insert. We put about 10 sets of 1 inch 10/24 machine screws and nuts (stainless) in each sole. Then, put the insert back on the boot and we drilled right through the boot down through the insert to basically screw the insert to the boot...otherwise it does pop off from time to time..

[JFigliuolo]

I also used the korker convertible. The upper doesn't hold up for crap where I fish. I had to have them replaced. Also, better than the screws is buying the Korker sole that is actual Korker studs. As always YMMV. Still the best wading boot/cleat I've used so far.

[Rockport24]

oh I also want to note that a buddy of mine who is too cheap to buy them fell off the rocks into the water last year and saw his life flash before his eyes...

[spinncognito]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

oh I also want to note that a buddy of mine who is too cheap to buy them fell off the rocks into the water last year and saw his life flash before his eyes...

That can work against you as well. I saw a buddy of mine get a little to "comfortable" in them and almost get washed away by a wave because of the false sense of security they offer.

Keep the advice coming, it's appreciated.

[Rockport24]

Originally Posted by spinncognito

That can work against you as well. I saw a buddy of mine get a little to "comfortable" in them and almost get washed away by a wave because of the false sense of security they offer.

Keep the advice coming, it's appreciated.

that's a really good point actually, you are not superman with these things on, you still have to go slow and watch your every step. I've also found that you don't always need them, for bolders in the water without weeds or any kind of slime on them, just felt soles can be better.

[jim sylvester]

Originally Posted by decksweeper

Jim Sylvester and I wore them last year and had no problems...we bought the Korker boots with the insert felt bottoms. Remove the felt, drill holes right throught the insert. We put about 10 sets of 1 inch 10/24 machine screws and nuts (stainless) in each sole. Then, put the insert back on the boot and we drilled right through the boot down through the insert to basically screw the insert to the boot...otherwise it does pop off from time to time..

best set-up i've used or seen yet


the key that decksweeper and I found out ( the hard way , is to lock the insert into the boot with a 1 1/4 " screw, right through the innersole and the felt as well

this setup allows the advantages of korkers with the lightweight feel of wearing just felt bottom boots

[JoeP]

Originally Posted by jim sylvester

best set-up i've used or seen yet


the key that decksweeper and I found out ( the hard way , is to lock the insert into the boot with a 1 1/4 " screw, right through the innersole and the felt as well

Jim:

I also figured that trick out mid-season this past year with my Korkers Outfitters Boots after 2 seasons of occasional sole pop-offs and after the rear locking D-ring corroded off one of the boots. Works Great now!!

[Redsoxticket]

Is the screw inserted thru the inner sole at the heel area which then goes thru the felt sole ?

Is the screw secured enough so that it will not back up into the heel of your foot if you stepped on a rock just right ?

Where does the removable soles pop off from, the front, sides or back side of the boot?

[jim sylvester]

Originally Posted by Redsoxticket

Is the screw inserted thru the inner sole at the heel area which then goes thru the felt sole ?

Is the screw secured enough so that it will not back up into the heel of your foot if you stepped on a rock just right ?

Where does the removable soles pop off from, the front, sides or back side of the boot?

drill your pilot hole for the bolt towards the middle of the shoe, if you put the bolt towards the heel the insert may still "pop out on you.

lock the bolt down woth a washer and nut...its not going anywhere

you can also put a washer on the innersole side (bolt head) if you want

they pop from the toe

[SirWinston]

I just would not go on the rocks without my korkers. Like someone mentioned above, it doesn't mean that you won't slip, but it definitely means that the likelihood of it happening is seriously reduced, and that, if you do go down, the studs are going to help you to get purchase during that all-important period of trying to stop the inexorable slide toward the water and get back out of the wave's reach !! (Been there, done that, and VERY glad to have the korkers).

I use the 1100's, which are the lace-up ones. These are a lot cheaper than the 5500's (buckle), are much lighter, and feel more secure with a double knot, IMHO. I have been told me that there have been times when waves/rocks etc have resulted in buckles self-releasing, which is not a good feeling at any point on the rocks....

The studs appear to wear down reeeeally fast, but the replacement tool and spare studs has been a great investment - I check them before each foray on the rocks, and it takes a minute or so to replace with new ones, once you have the hang of it. Last season I went through a bag of 15 or so studs. Just knowing that all of them were working well is a good feeling at dark-thirty perched on a rock!

I know it comes down to a personal choice, but my choice is that I will not go on the rocks without them!!

[Diggin Jiggin]

I did the screw thing last year. And for a while it was ok, but as soon
as the tips of the screws get rounded they are not sharp enough to dig in and on a tilted rock you start sliding around. Not good.

Last fall I bought a pair of boots that had felt soles and for bare rock they were better than my korkers with the screws, but not as good as the original korkers.

[alb31]

I always liked a workmans rubber with a dozen golf spikes in each one to be better than the korker. You use a workmans rubber one size smaller than your wader boot foot so it will fit tight. Because they have a flat wide bottom "sole"they travel well walking in the sand. They are easy to make. An outfit called walts walkers use to make them but I think they are gone now. Just my 2 cents.

[Back Beach]

I used to use corkers all the time until I got felt sole waders. They provide plenty of traction, unless you are on bubble weed. Most of the rocks I fish are just moss covered or dry, and I don't feel the corkers provide much added protection. I do keep a good set of gladiator korkers in the vehicle at all times just in case, but they seem to get less and less use as I become more comfortable with the felts. Biggest reason behind my declining corker use is that I used to trip and fall/stumble in them too often for my liking. Had many more hazardous situations with them than without. Don't take my word as gospel, though. Use your common sense and most importantly,do what works best for your situation.

[BobT]

I love my 1100's. Just replace the laces with good parachute cord. Only had to replace 1 stud last year and added a few more studs last week for good measure. I've heard of problems with the 5000's.

[vanstaal]

Originally Posted by decksweeper

Jim Sylvester and I wore them last year and had no problems...we bought the Korker boots with the insert felt bottoms. Remove the felt, drill holes right throught the insert. We put about 10 sets of 1 inch 10/24 machine screws and nuts (stainless) in each sole. Then, put the insert back on the boot and we drilled right through the boot down through the insert to basically screw the insert to the boot...otherwise it does pop off from time to time..

any pics ???

[afterhours]

got some of the older korkers and replaced the studs with 10/24 ss screws- very sticky .

[vanstaal]

i just wish Korkers had a way to keep the removable sole on the boot a couple of time this year I needed them and they let me down good thing it was just one shoe. But all in all they work well when they work

[jim sylvester]

Originally Posted by vanstaal

i just wish Korkers had a way to keep the removable sole on the boot a couple of time this year I needed them and they let me down good thing it was just one shoe. But all in all they work well when they work

woody,
just as decksweeper and i stated, drill a hole from the innersole of the boot out, and through the felt sole as well

then lock in place with screw all the way through

felt sole doesn't have a chance of moving any more

its bulletproof, i'm telling ya

[vanstaal]

Originally Posted by jim sylvester

woody,
just as decksweeper and i stated, drill a hole from the innersole of the boot out, and through the felt sole as well

then lock in place with screw all the way through

felt sole doesn't have a chance of moving any more

its bulletproof, i'm telling ya

I've seen it decksweeper let me look @ it I'm in !! thanks

[SAXATILUS]

Originally Posted by vanstaal

i just wish Korkers had a way to keep the removable sole on the boot a couple of time this year I needed them and they let me down good thing it was just one shoe. But all in all they work well when they work

Duct tape dude, I had the same problem a couple of times in some of the worst places. Duct tape takes care of the problem. Five tight wraps every time out and they never come off.

[wheresmy50]

It seems like some people are talking about the ones with the laces and some are talking about the ones with the buckles.

I have the buckle ones and the only problem I've had is the loss of a few spikes. I like the idea someone mentioned of drilling out the hole and using screws though - I have a ton of SS 10/32s for the yak that will work well for this.

BTW - McMaster is a good source for the screws & washers.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by wheresmy50

It seems like some people are talking about the ones with the laces and some are talking about the ones with the buckles.

I have the buckle ones and the only problem I've had is the loss of a few spikes. I like the idea someone mentioned of drilling out the hole and using screws though - I have a ton of SS 10/32s for the yak that will work well for this.

BTW - McMaster is a good source for the screws & washers.

I did my buckle style, 5500 I believe.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by SAXATILUS

Duct tape dude, I had the same problem a couple of times in some of the worst places. Duct tape takes care of the problem. Five tight wraps every time out and they never come off.

AMEN!!! I've done the duct tape for years and you can't beat it. Korkers stay on and a BIG roll of duct tape at Ocean Stae Job Lot is 3 bucks. I replace the tape maybe every 3 trips. As for studs falling out. I wear em out before they fall out. A bag of 60 from Korkers is $18.00 and will last you a couple of seasons