Comments on: Felt Soles vs. Sticky Rubber

By: Collin Hays

Collin Hays — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:27:07 +0000

The studs are as harmful as helpful. Just look to the local golf courses that have gone spikeless.

Beforehand, everywhere there was wood that was knee level or below, the spike “termites” had found their way there.

Felt is still the best.

By: Ron Gaddy

Ron Gaddy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:19:42 +0000

The problem I have with using rubber soles is I can’t stand up long enough to fish.

By: David Knapp

David Knapp — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:53:52 +0000

Ian,

I agree with you that the motivating reasons behind rubber soles are admirable but also agree that rubber won’t completely fix the issue by any stretch of the imagination. The only way to avoid spreading invasive species is to thoroughly clean and dry your gear between trips or have separate wading gear for each stream you fish.

About the grip of the rubber, I tried some out and was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were much better than I had anticipated (Chota Roc Locs). Still, I believe rubber has a ways to go to equal or surpass felt for grip on those slick rocks in the mountain streams. Until the rubber improves, I’ll still buy felt…

By: Hal Irick

Hal Irick — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:31:10 +0000

I bought a pair with walnut shell in them, they work good on Clinch. I have not tried them in
the Smoky yet. What I like the most was going up the steep bank of the clinch, I can’t count the time I fell with felt boots gong down the bank. They light for hike up the trails too. thanks hal

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:06:15 +0000

Good stuff, Caleb. One thing I forgot to mention regarding studs is that drift boat ownership also biases me against them. A buddy wore studded boots in my first drift boat and I was horrified to see those tracks for years afterwards. I’ve also contemplated the noise from cleats and can imagine it would put you at a disadvantage in some spots but not be a problem in others.

By: Caleb Boyle

Caleb Boyle — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:59:23 +0000

Hi Ian,
Check out this link on installing your own studs. I think this secret is not adding to many studs. I only put in 12 to 14 per boot. You don’t want so many as to reduce the rubber surface touching the rock. I have used this system for about a year and a half now, much of it in the Smokies and have found it quite acceptable.

http://www.questoutdoors.net/gear/articles/diy_studs

The main reason I find the studded rubber to the superior than felt is because rubber soles weigh much less than wet felt. This comes in handy when hiking in the backcountry. Also, when moving from spot to spot, the puddle of water in the floorboard of your vehicle is much smaller with rubber sole boots than wet felt boots.

One downside that I have thought of rubber with cleats: cleats tapping on streambed rocks could possibly spook fish especially in the Smokies. But I don’t have an accurate way to judge this effect.

I am not saying that rubber is superior to felt, but you might want to try adding a few small studs on your rubber soles.

Caleb