Simms Rivershed Boots

[Ian]

Where are you seeing the different choices for wearbars? When I go to their site, they have boot lugs... and they are only one size

[tlapinski]

Give the Simms Ocean Tek boots a look too. I just received a pair to demo from Simms and have been happy so far. They are supposed to be "better" in saltwater environments. I did have an issue with the Wearbars staying in the soles though. They stay fine in the heel but the ones on the outside under my toes popped out. Did a mix of Wearbars and sheetmetal screws. Spikes aside, after 4 trips in the salt (I know, still VERY early) they have been very comfortable. My first night in them was out at M, second trip was a 2+ mile back and forth walk to a spot.

[numbskull]

Vibram soles are vibram soles. I use wearbars in the cheaper/lighter (Freestone?) Simms boot and have had some stud loss but not enough to be dis-satisfied. The ball of the foot and toe area is the problem. Supposedly studs hold better in felt and I plan to try option that the next time I buy boots.

Also, be careful with the higher end Simms Boots. I have the G4's and when they get wet they pick up a LOT of weight. The Freestones are bare minimum boots but weigh much less and offer enough support without a lot of padding.

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Also, be careful with the higher end Simms Boots. I have the G4's and when they get wet they pick up a LOT of weight. The Freestones are bare minimum boots but weigh much less and offer enough support without a lot of padding.

I did not notice that the OceanTek's picked up any water. For a large boot, they are surprisingly light.

[GattaFish]

Toby. Those boots are roughly the same weight as the other Simms boots in the 50+ ounce range. The headwaters were about 38 oz which was why I went with then for swimming.

Originally Posted by tlapinski

I did not notice that the OceanTek's picked up any water. For a large boot, they are surprisingly light.

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[puppet]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Vibram soles are vibram soles. I use wearbars in the cheaper/lighter (Freestone?) Simms boot and have had some stud loss but not enough to be dis-satisfied. The ball of the foot and toe area is the problem. Supposedly studs hold better in felt and I plan to try option that the next time I buy boots.

Also, be careful with the higher end Simms Boots. I have the G4's and when they get wet they pick up a LOT of weight. The Freestones are bare minimum boots but weigh much less and offer enough support without a lot of padding.

I really like the freestones. Good to know that the felt holds the wearbars better than the vibram....it saves me for wasting time on
them. I have both the felt and a pair of the vibram.

I experimented with the felt freestones last fall and part of this
season. The first outing I lost 4 spike on each boot. Pretty much
followed the instructions on that thread that was bouncing
around....on the how to install wearbars....except instead of the
cabelas boots I was using and older pair of the freestones.


Went back to the drawing board. It seemed as if, once the felt was
getting wet it would soften up and eventually the wearbars would
work their way out. So...instead of epoxy...I started using gorilla
glue. Which is sort of convenient if there is any residual moisture in
the felt. I screw the suckers in...then back them out...fill the hole
with the gorilla glue then drive them back in and stop when they
stop making progress. I use 3/4" washers that have a hole the same
diameter as the screw...seemed to be much more stable. This setup
seemed to last the longest. The glue seems to make the felt a bit
more rigid...the felt sort of drinks it up...and the expanding nature
of the glue make everything snug up.

I have used this setup for about a dozen trips. I weigh 210. Some
of those wearbars have popped the carbides and have nearly
flattened out. Thats a bit of force..and they stayed screwed in. I
have had one or two loosen and go missing in the heals, but I have
replaced them with the long shank wearbars....hopefully those will
stay put.

Its not a perfect system by any means...not cheap either....but it
sure beats the sandals and if you have the money...I think its the
way to go.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by puppet

I really like the freestones. Good to know that the felt holds the wearbars better than the vibram....it saves me for wasting time on
them. I have both the felt and a pair of the vibram.

I experimented with the felt freestones last fall and part of this
season. The first outing I lost 4 spike on each boot. Pretty much
followed the instructions on that thread that was bouncing
around....on the how to install wearbars....except instead of the
cabelas boots I was using and older pair of the freestones.


Went back to the drawing board. It seemed as if, once the felt was
getting wet it would soften up and eventually the wearbars would
work their way out. So...instead of epoxy...I started using gorilla
glue. Which is sort of convenient if there is any residual moisture in
the felt. I screw the suckers in...then back them out...fill the hole
with the gorilla glue then drive them back in and stop when they
stop making progress. I use 3/4" washers that have a hole the same
diameter as the screw...seemed to be much more stable. This setup
seemed to last the longest. The glue seems to make the felt a bit
more rigid...the felt sort of drinks it up...and the expanding nature
of the glue make everything snug up.

I have used this setup for about a dozen trips. I weigh 210. Some
of those wearbars have popped the carbides and have nearly
flattened out. Thats a bit of force..and they stayed screwed in. I
have had one or two loosen and go missing in the heals, but I have
replaced them with the long shank wearbars....hopefully those will
stay put.

Its not a perfect system by any means...not cheap either....but it
sure beats the sandals and if you have the money...I think its the
way to go.

Hello and welcome