Alternative to Korkers... - Page 2 - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnR · 08-02-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanputski

We all know korkers are a must, but I hate the idea of the 2-pounds of rubber I strap on my feet to simply put a few studs under my feet. I dont like Korkers boots with interchangeable soles... the things fall off... an besides, i dont want to change the soles! I want spikes at all times, minus the extra weight... I think my winter-long quest may have ended. narrowed it down to 2 brands of screw-in carbide spikes that go directly into the sole of your boot, and stay there... (even when you walk into mobil for a coffee... sorry Dan!) The choice comes down to wearbars, or best-grip spikes... Wader Stud Info
the best grip have a super-wide thread that looks like they will stay put. Anyone use either of these? My new boots have felt soles with rubber spots for provided "stream screws" which are garbage, but will hold the ones I hope to buy. If anyone has any first hand experience, please share... I hope my days of surfcasting with Richard Simmons ankle weights will come to an end, and my mile long walks will be a bit lighter... I'll let you know how things go. Then I'm going to burn my korkers like those hippy broads burned their bras in the 60's!

These are the wearbars... the best grips look even better

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbadad

IP, my partner and I have used the same concept all last season. Block, Cutty, Squibnocket and local. Zero problems and convenient. I used the cabelas guide boot and he the Chotas. I added 7 more studs to the felt soles. total 21 spikes. These spikes are carbide and are used on snow machine tracks.Wear like iron. No signs of wear. Heck i'd be putting new studs in Korkers if they can be threaded twice ina season. I too had issues on long walks w/ 2 lb sandals. I did ss bolt route in the corkers soles also but the weight was a killer. You won't be dissappointed. I actually wrote an article for our club's newsletter this month on this concept. If you look at the cabelas Ultra-lite boots they now come with stud insert receivers. These are 1/2 the weight of the leather wading boots. I used these with the unreplaceable studs and they were very comfortable. I wish they came out b/4 I went and bought the leather ones. Either way this is a great improvement over the sandals.

Which ones did you get? I'm assuming you got the Aggressive stud but I want to be sure - thanks!

About Wader Studs | Premium Studs For Wader Boots

tattoobob · 08-02-2010, 08:12 PM

These are the ones you want

http://www.wearbars.com/ProductDetai...?productID=246

Necker1 · 06-30-2011, 01:56 PM

Don't give up on the Korker boots with the interchangeable soles. I glue in the felt ones with studs with Goop. They are light and that is important on long walks for an old timer like me. You can peel them off [carefully] because the Goop is rubbery when it cures.

KEGGER7676 · 06-30-2011, 03:53 PM

Hey Chris, I have been wearing the Cabelas boots for years with the Korkers K5000 sandal over them...very heavy combo.

This year after doing some research here I ditched the sandals and installed the wearbars....after about 15-20 trips on the gansett rocks and breachways I am not going back to the sandals anytime soon. Since I am an individual with a robust frame I installed about 21 spikes per boot and I used washers under the stud to help distrbute the load a bit more.

ivanputski · 06-30-2011, 04:23 PM

It's no surprise I'm a huge fan, since i started this thread!

I made some modifications this season, as I got a new pair of boots and spikes over the winter...

When screwing into the felt, I have noticed that using a large washer (slightly smaller than a dime) with a very small hole for the screw to go through helps them stay upright. The large surface area of the big washer prevents them from leaning over time. I also coated the threads with marine epoxy right before installing.

I love them. I will NEVER... EVER... wear korkers, or a korkers brand product until they get it right... and I make a pretty convincing argument in person to not use Korkers if you ever meet me in person. I have spoken to korkers service dept. numerous times, and I swear they are allergic to money over there, and refuse to even acknowledge the value in my idea of a boot with receiver threads built right INTO the sole so you can screw in their spikes. (Surfcasters must still be too small a niche market for them to bother)

Seems they are content with making interchangeable sole boots that do 5 different things poorly, rather than a boot that does one thing damn well.

Redsoxticket · 05-02-2010, 08:12 AM

How are the lengths measured, threads or top to bottom ?

Never mind, you answered your previous post
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

ivanputski · 05-02-2010, 08:58 AM

@PBADAD:

I actually have a pair of brand new cabelas boots that have the rubber spots on the felt bottoms meant for the cheap studs they provide with the boots... as soon as I saw these boots this winter, I knew my vision of losing the 2 pounds of heavy rubber was closer than ever... I knew they would stay put in the felt alone, but when I saw the rubber, I knew that would work even better. Did you use the wearbars?

I believe the threads are 1/2" and they are 46$ for 48 spikes... I am actually considering a bit of epoxy on the threads prior to screwing them in, but from your experience, is this necessary? Did you have any fall out entirely? This is definitely worth a shot... worst case you can always take them out and go back to the ankle weights... but I know its going to work... can non-club members view your article? Thanks for your reassuring input!

jeffsod · 05-02-2010, 08:59 AM

I have been thinking about trying this product down at the canal this season. A friend of mine discovered these and bought a couple of cases of them to share with our iceboat club (New England Ice Yacht Association Web Page) this past winter so I bought a pair.

Traditionally I use the stableicers for iceboating but you have to replace the studs at least once a season as we regularly walk back and forth from pavement to ice setting up.

Initial testing of these have proven positive for our usage. I am not sure how they would work out for surfcasting or canal use but since I already own a pair it won't hurt to try.

Thought I would share the info as they are easy on and off and reasonably priced. I think the retail we paid was around $45.00 a pair. We used the diamond grip variation.

KAKO | Ice Cleats & Winter Traction | Slip & Fall Protection

ivanputski · 05-02-2010, 09:01 AM

These are the boots I got... felt soles, rubber spots to receive threaded spikes... boots are light, flexible, and under 60 bucks... going to be so much better swimming to a rock without the k-5000's

There are many products out there that will keep you from slipping on rocks... However, I am in search of a specific set up that suits my personal preferences and conditions I fish in... *light for long walks, * long spikes to penetrate thick weed, * convenience of not having to strap on Korkers all the time, * ability to swim in them. Sometimes its a pain to search and search and try stuff and waste money on experiments, but when you finally find the perfect fit you have been looking for, its worth it...

likwid · 05-02-2010, 11:20 AM

I'm just going to ride around on Eben's back.

RIJIMMY · 05-03-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likwid

I'm just going to ride around on Eben's back.

maybe get some strap on roller skate attachments?

Thumper · 05-02-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanputski

These are the boots I got... felt soles, rubber spots to receive threaded spikes... boots are light, flexible, and under 60 bucks... going to be so much better swimming to a rock without the k-5000's

There are many products out there that will keep you from slipping on rocks... However, I am in search of a specific set up that suits my personal preferences and conditions I fish in... *light for long walks, * long spikes to penetrate thick weed, * convenience of not having to strap on Korkers all the time, * ability to swim in them. Sometimes its a pain to search and search and try stuff and waste money on experiments, but when you finally find the perfect fit you have been looking for, its worth it...

fished with those boots all last season and never had a problem with them, not even a stud missing

pbadad · 05-02-2010, 05:19 PM

IP those are the boots I mentioned. Light weight. I have those in thestream cleat. They wern't available last summer else those would of been on my foot. PM me your e-mail address. I sent you a copy of the article.

Thumper · 05-03-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbadad

IP those are the boots I mentioned. Light weight. I have those in thestream cleat. They wern't available last summer else those would of been on my foot. PM me your e-mail address. I sent you a copy of the article.

pbadad did you have any problems with with the stock studs being a different height when you are out on the rocks?

JFigliuolo · 05-03-2010, 06:06 AM

I use the above boots, with the carbide spikes. I've been very pleased. They stay light even when wet.

eskimo · 05-03-2010, 11:18 AM

Anyone have any luck finding a shoe rather then a boot that will hold these studs? Simms are a no go as they don't do the stream thread with their shoes. Something like the Korker torrent would be great but they don't make em with the interchangeable soles...

Joe · 05-03-2010, 12:33 PM

Probably the worst business plan you could present would be to come up with something that a fat guy could strap to his feet and jump up and down and walk around in two hundred hours a year and then to offer a lifetime replacement warranty to go with it. Might as well take out a loan to open a Jewish deli in Baghdad.

JFigliuolo · 05-03-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

... Might as well take out a loan to open a Jewish deli in Baghdad.

F!U! You said you'd keep it hush hush!

pbadad · 05-03-2010, 05:06 PM

I don't use the studs that came with the original boots. Just the snowmobile carbide studs.

RIROCKHOUND · 05-03-2010, 05:15 PM

3/4" SS Bolts with lock nuts.
Duct taped to my boot were the best for stability, grip and durability.

Plus, added workout. could lose 10lbs a night sweating on a long walk and build some serious calf muscles!

ivanputski · 05-03-2010, 08:26 PM

losing weight is over-rated... Obesity = status

I weigh 165... hard times

Needmore Salts · 05-04-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanputski

losing weight is over-rated... Obesity = status

I weigh 165... hard times

hahahha thanks man, u always know how to make the big guy feel good..

Thumper · 05-03-2010, 08:39 PM

pete do you have both the studs, the ones that came with the ultralights and the wearbars? just trying to fig out how much of a difference in height it would be to throw some of the wearbars in there.

ivanputski · 05-03-2010, 10:23 PM

havent done it yet. new boots, wearbars are in the mail... But intend on using only the wearbars... not the small screws that came with the boots. Since the WB's are longer, the short screws wont even touch the rocks and are just along for the ride. If you already put in the small screws, I'm certain you can remove them, and put the wearbars in their place, since they have a wider thread than the provided screws. The screws that come with the boots are good for a few outings, (or trout) but the quickly round out and become very slippery... i tried sheet metal screws last year... worked ok for a few nights... I intend on putting 20 spikes on each boot... as soon as I get them, I'll take photos of my boots before, during install, and after in this thread... should be by the weekend.

Thumper · 05-04-2010, 10:32 AM

ya i have the older model boots that came with the studs already in them, might try just pulling thoes out or just getting a new pair

Thumper · 05-04-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanputski

The screws that come with the boots are good for a few outings, (or trout) but the quickly round out and become very slippery..

just checked my boots and the studs, sure enough rounded out pretty good like you said. glad you started this thread before i learned the hard way.

Redsoxticket · 05-04-2010, 05:37 PM

ivan ski, if the only reason you don't like korkers is because the soles pop off and you want a permanent studs the is a easy solution.
Bolt down the sole and replace the interchangeable stud soles when they wear out.

I have a question, what stud types and size can you add to an existing interchangeable stud sole without piercing the main boot inner sole

Posted from my i Phone/Mobile device

ivanputski · 05-04-2010, 09:30 PM

1/2 inch wear bars... just like these, but shorter threads...

and bolting just the sole of k-5000's to my boot is a good idea, but you would need alot of bolts all the way around the boot... any gap greater than inch or two and sand will pry its way in between, creating lumps (I'm speculating here) but good idea as well. I love hearing ideas...

Redsoxticket · 05-04-2010, 10:21 PM

Sorry for the confusion but I was referring to fastening the interchangeable soles to the "korker boots" not the korker sandal K-5000 to an ordinary wading boot.

What is the depth of the interchangeable stud soles of the "korker boots", hopefully greater then 1/2 inch ?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

afterhours · 05-08-2010, 07:33 AM

just got the simms headwaters and am putting on the 1/2" wearbars-could be the answer...i hope.