Vibram soles

[Striper_Haven_03]

I had the studs and star cleats attached. I had a pair (and just bought a new pair) of Simms Freestones that lasted 4 years,used exclusively to fish the rocks....comfortable The bottom felts are still in good shape but busted off 2 eyes so I cant tie them anymore, and the toes where pretty and missing material from climbing onto rocks. The felt seems to hold traction better where their might not be contact from the studs. Tell me more about these "wear bars", never heard of them.

[JohnR]

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...e-korkers.html

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Striper_Haven_03

I The felt seems to hold traction better where their might not be contact from the studs. Tell me more about these "wear bars", never heard of them.

Absolutely felt has better traction than rubber and if you got 4 years out of felt soles then that is the way to go. Felt is also more comfortable than rubber and probably less prone to transmit stud pressure which can be an issue with vibram particularly if you skimp on studs. I can't speak for how well screw in studs hold in felt, the felt boots I wore out came with built in studs (and they fell out).

This thread has a link to the wearbars site http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ing-boots.html

The wearbar studs are long and strong. You need a lot in each boot (think 15 -20) to distribute the pressure, which makes them more comfortable but also helps limit stud loss. It seems expensive paying for so many studs (they run about a buck each) but an extra $20 is money well spent to avoid a broken bone or head injury wading in rocks. Set up properly I don't think the felt will touch the rock very much with wearbars so sole composition becomes less critical.

Remember, long studs are great for thick weed, but if you wade on smooth slimy rocks they can skate off. Felt, smaller studs, or supposedly best of all aluminum cleats are probably better options for that type of rock.

[numbskull]

Here is another option the DavidNH on SOL posted (former castingZ's on this site.....our loss). They look even better and he says he uses them in felt.

New Product Engineering

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Here is another option the DavidNH on SOL posted (former castingZ's on this site.....our loss). They look even better and he says he uses them in felt.

Perfect example of how to screw up a digital rapport - on BOTH sides. His way in approaching to schill for Z and ours as a site to it.

If you see / talk to him, please pass along that there was never hard feelings. Just a trainwreck of opinion

[afterhours]

^^^^^^^
that's too bad....david's a good guy.