"jcoleman" wrote in message
oups.com...
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I'm looking at the new Simms G3 Felt Studded wading boots. Was
wondering if anyone out there has used these boots, and if so what was
their experience with them.
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If you do a lot of hiking in your wading boots (and it sounds like you do)
felt, even studed, is not the way to go if durability is important. Also if
you do any fishing in the winter and need to go through snow to get to the
stream, you definately don't want felt. Snow will stick to and build up on
the felt and you are soon walking (stumbling actually) on a 2-3" platform of
compacted snow.
I have owned many pairs of felt soled boots,both studded and unstudded, but
much prefer the studded Aquastealth, for both traction and durability. My
last pair of wading boots was the Simms Guide model with studded Aquastealth
soles. They were good, but quite heavy and the uppers cracked after 2 1/2
seasons of hard use. I much prefer my new boots which are also Simms -
Rivertek model w/ studded Aquastealth. They are lighter, use synthetic
material for the uppers ( lighter and less likely to crack than leather),
and have a shock corded lacing system ala Chota.

Bob Weinberger