Simms RIVERSHED™ BOOT Cleats/ Studs or ???? New boots?????

[garypullings]

Ok I have had these boots for some time now. I am not really pleased with them at all. Now I am not sure if this is due to vibram soles on them. I am wondering does the cleats make that much of a difference? I purchased some from bass pro shops and have to do a return because not all the cleats where in the package but I will get an even exchange though. Should I also get the studs?

Or should I just get a felt boot again?

[fly addict]

You might want to read this before you decide what to do.
http://www.troutpredator.com/community/thread2773.html
Mark

[Rasputinj]

Great link, nice to find so much info in 1 post. I am realizing I need a pair of felt boots again, there are a lot of situations where the Vibram soles do not cut it.

[Sasha]

Have em with the star cleats and after two years I'm still alive. I fish a ton of different types of places and I fish often. They seem to do ok. Then again I still like my felt boots too

[flyster]

I have three pairs of wading boot with one being Krokers. All have cleats for better traction on all kinds of river bottoms. I use my felt soles with cleats the most followed by my Acqua stealth with cleats lastly Krokers with what I call football cleats. More boots mean longer boot life if you spread the usage. Long hikes can really cut the boots life in half. With three pair of boots I have the option using one pair on the same water without spreading things that don't belong there. With all the manufactures changing to rubber bottoms I'm going to buy another pair of cleated felts before they stop making them.

[NorcalBob]

If you have a pair of the Vibram rubber soled boots, I highly recommend putting cleats on them if you don't like falling whilst in the water. Rubber without studs is a recipe for disaster for these old bones! I have two pairs of the new Vibram soles, and I intended to keep one pair stud free for use in my inflatables/boats, but both pairs are now fully studded since the unstudded soles were so slippery in the water as to be useless.

[flybob]

Kinda, sorta review on MY Simms Boots.

Don't really remember which model they are, but I bought them 2 years ago for 149.00.
I went to their website and did not see them?

As many of you know, I do a lot of scrambling and boulder hopping.
So after 2 years of what I would consider all around general usage here is what they look like:

Overall condition today, I think it is time for a new pair.


After the first few trips, I noticed the vibram was peeling away from the toes.


A little while later the same thing was happening to the heel.


And then that little metal logo tag they put the laces through ended up cutting the laces! Nothing a square knot couldn't fix!


And in the last couple of months, the stitching on the uppers is starting to bust.


Here is the wear of the Vibram after two years of dirt and rocks.


I think I am due for a new pair, but I don't know if I want to spend the money for another pair of SIMMS!
My original cheapo Cabela's lasted about 2 1/2 years but were 1/3 the cost, and as I remember, worked just as well!

Hope the pictures help.

if you still use felt soles, or are considering going back to it, Does that make you and Eco-Terrorist?

Cheers, and Hoppy New Year!
Bob

[briansII]

Bob, that's the same pair(mine have the older Aquastealth soles) I have. Those are Headwater boots. You trout fish a lot more than I do. Mine are over 2 years old and still look good.

Gary, I would definitely put the star cleats on your boots. I'd be shocked if you didn't think they gripped more with them, while you are wading. Downside to cleats/studs, is they can act like ice skates on certain types of rocks/surfaces. It won't take long for your brain to imprint which rocks mean danger with the cleats.

In my experience with felt, studded felt, rubber, and studded rubber soles, none are perfect. Each one has a tradeoff. Long before all the hub bub about felt transferring invasives, I made the switch to rubber soled boots, and haven't looked back. I do own, and regularly use, a wading staff now that I'm older.

briansII

[DubL HauL]

Flybob

you might send those to SIMMS on the pretext of having them re-soled. I sent in a pair of Guide Boots w/ vibram that had no tread. SIMMS called and said no can do sold me a new pair for 1/2 price. Twice as much as re-sole but 1/2 price of new shoe.

Andy

[flybob]

Flybob

you might send those to SIMMS on the pretext of having them re-soled. I sent in a pair of Guide Boots w/ vibram that had no tread. SIMMS called and said no can do sold me a new pair for 1/2 price. Twice as much as re-sole but 1/2 price of new shoe.

Andy

Thanks for the suggestion Andy, I just might do that.

[mike.s]

i have the new riversheds (got em this june and really like them, i also wore out a older simms headwater( w/aquastelth soles)..
but the riversheds seem to be a lot tougher...i also put the star studs in the vibram...AS THAT REVIEW SAID NO SHOE IS PERFECT FOR ALL CONDITIONS.. thats why i still have my old simms guide boots in felt...