Wading boot selection problem

Peter I've dealt with a similar problem hiking in and out of the
Peter Niagara River gorge. I've been using studded Weinbrenners (you
Peter might want to dispense with the studs) and I used them as
Peter hiking boots when dry and wet. I'd keep a pair of dry Bare 2mm
Peter neoprene socks. Hike down in them, remove the neoprene socks,
Peter and then suit up in my waders. When the day is done, remove
Peter the waders and put back on the dry neoprene socks and hike back
Peter up in my wet wading boots while my feet stay dry and warm.

Yep, that's the kind of use I am thinking of. And like you assumed, I
don't want studs. And I'd like to avoid felt too, if possible, if the
sole is non-changeable: felt gathers unnecessary dirt and water for
the return travel.

But I did just notice that Weinbrenner has a boot model with a
synthetic, probably rubber-like sole:

http://www.wadingshoes.com/wading/8617015.html

The question remains: how much water do these boots absorb and how
quickly do they dry?

--
Jarmo Hurri

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On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 16:10:17 +0200, Jarmo Hurri
wrote:


Peter I've dealt with a similar problem hiking in and out of the
Peter Niagara River gorge. I've been using studded Weinbrenners (you
Peter might want to dispense with the studs) and I used them as
Peter hiking boots when dry and wet. I'd keep a pair of dry Bare 2mm
Peter neoprene socks. Hike down in them, remove the neoprene socks,
Peter and then suit up in my waders. When the day is done, remove
Peter the waders and put back on the dry neoprene socks and hike back
Peter up in my wet wading boots while my feet stay dry and warm.

Yep, that's the kind of use I am thinking of. And like you assumed, I
don't want studs. And I'd like to avoid felt too, if possible, if the
sole is non-changeable: felt gathers unnecessary dirt and water for
the return travel.

But I did just notice that Weinbrenner has a boot model with a
synthetic, probably rubber-like sole:

http://www.wadingshoes.com/wading/8617015.html

The question remains: how much water do these boots absorb and how
quickly do they dry?


The uppers dry fairly quickly, but not quickly enough that you could
use them without the neoprene socks and still have dry feet. I drive
in my studded Weinbrenners. The Grand is less than 15 minutes from my
house so in cold weather, I get geared up in the garage. I've found
that the felts don't pick up much dirt after they've been walked on
dry land for a short. A trip over some grass they're almost clean.

Peter

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On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 16:10:17 +0200, Jarmo Hurri
wrote:


Peter I've dealt with a similar problem hiking in and out of the
Peter Niagara River gorge. I've been using studded Weinbrenners (you
Peter might want to dispense with the studs) and I used them as
Peter hiking boots when dry and wet. I'd keep a pair of dry Bare 2mm
Peter neoprene socks. Hike down in them, remove the neoprene socks,
Peter and then suit up in my waders. When the day is done, remove
Peter the waders and put back on the dry neoprene socks and hike back
Peter up in my wet wading boots while my feet stay dry and warm.

Yep, that's the kind of use I am thinking of. And like you assumed, I
don't want studs. And I'd like to avoid felt too, if possible, if the
sole is non-changeable: felt gathers unnecessary dirt and water for
the return travel.

But I did just notice that Weinbrenner has a boot model with a
synthetic, probably rubber-like sole:

http://www.wadingshoes.com/wading/8617015.html

The question remains: how much water do these boots absorb and how
quickly do they dry?


The uppers dry fairly quickly, but not quickly enough that you could
use them without the neoprene socks and still have dry feet. I drive
in my studded Weinbrenners. The Grand is less than 15 minutes from my
house so in cold weather, I get geared up in the garage. I've found
that the felts don't pick up much dirt after they've been walked on
dry land for a short. A trip over some grass they're almost clean.

Peter

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Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharl...ers/index.html

"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...
My current candidates are Korkers Outfitter convertible boots, since I
could use hiking soles on my way to a stream and felt soles on the
stream.

http://www.korkers.com/product%20page/7500wkg.html


I own these boots, and can recommend them only if you are careful to inspect
the spiked felt soles. I've had two of their felt spiked soles come apart
after one or two days of fishing. The idea is workable, but they cannot
seem to get the gluing process to last. I noticed the carbide rubber soles
now are riveted to the harder plastic. Perhaps they will do that with the
felt soles as well. Both soles were replaced without cost, but at a loss of
valuable fishing time.

I have changed soles on the river to save a friends drift boot from cleat
damage, and have not had the felt come lose from the hard plastic. I do
think their felt clogs more easily, and so does not have the same grip as my
Chotas. I've been told to rinse off the felt to help sustain the
stickiness.

There are trade offs with this changeable sole model.

bugcaster I own these boots, and can recommend them only if you are
bugcaster careful to inspect the spiked felt soles. I've had two of
bugcaster their felt spiked soles come apart after one or two days of
bugcaster fishing.

I don't think that's a problem, since spiked felt soles are not on the
menu. My ordinary wading boots are Simms boots with studs, and I think
that the studs make too much noise in small-stream fishing.

bugcaster I have changed soles on the river to save a friends drift
bugcaster boot from cleat damage, and have not had the felt come lose
bugcaster from the hard plastic. I do think their felt clogs more
bugcaster easily, and so does not have the same grip as my Chotas.

Which Chotas do you have? Maybe the "STL" Plus boots might be an
option if I just used them without the cleats. I would also need to
know how much water they absorb / how quickly they dry.


--
Jarmo Hurri

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"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...
Which Chotas do you have? Maybe the "STL" Plus boots might be an
option if I just used them without the cleats. I would also need to
know how much water they absorb / how quickly they dry.


--
Jarmo Hurri

Yes, I use the STL Plus. The only comment is that the heel is made of two
pieces of felt, one glued to the first. The heel came off on stream (I'm
hard on boots) and the factory replaced them, but the shipping was a drag.
I do not have the cleats in them and the felt seems to stick better than the
Korkers, and they are made with a fake leather that dries fairly quickly.
They might be stitching the heels now, I'm not sure.

"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...
Which Chotas do you have? Maybe the "STL" Plus boots might be an
option if I just used them without the cleats. I would also need to
know how much water they absorb / how quickly they dry.


--
Jarmo Hurri

Yes, I use the STL Plus. The only comment is that the heel is made of two
pieces of felt, one glued to the first. The heel came off on stream (I'm
hard on boots) and the factory replaced them, but the shipping was a drag.
I do not have the cleats in them and the felt seems to stick better than the
Korkers, and they are made with a fake leather that dries fairly quickly.
They might be stitching the heels now, I'm not sure.

bugcaster I own these boots, and can recommend them only if you are
bugcaster careful to inspect the spiked felt soles. I've had two of
bugcaster their felt spiked soles come apart after one or two days of
bugcaster fishing.

I don't think that's a problem, since spiked felt soles are not on the
menu. My ordinary wading boots are Simms boots with studs, and I think
that the studs make too much noise in small-stream fishing.

bugcaster I have changed soles on the river to save a friends drift
bugcaster boot from cleat damage, and have not had the felt come lose
bugcaster from the hard plastic. I do think their felt clogs more
bugcaster easily, and so does not have the same grip as my Chotas.

Which Chotas do you have? Maybe the "STL" Plus boots might be an
option if I just used them without the cleats. I would also need to
know how much water they absorb / how quickly they dry.


--
Jarmo Hurri

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Jarmo Hurri wrote:


I have a somewhat specialized boot selection problem, perhaps you can
help me out.

For me, traveling to a small stream often involves public
transportation. This means that I have to carry all my gear with me,
during transportation and during fishing. Having two sets of boots is
too much bulk. I need to find a pair of boots which I can use both on
my way to the stream, on the stream, and on my way back.

My working plan is to find a pair of lightweight wading boots that do
not absorb a lot of water, and therefore are as close to ordinary
boots as possible after a day of fishing. Wearing the boots on the way
to a stream, and on the stream with hip waders is of course no
problem. What may turn out to be cumbersome is using the same boots on
my way back home. The plan is to use the boots with waterproof,
breathable socks (Sealskinz).

What I need to make sure is that the new wading boots
- are faily good wading boots, naturally
- are comfortable hiking boots
- do not absorb a lot of water.

I think that the local dealers carry the products from some major
manufacturers - like Simms, Weinbrenner and Orvis - but not from all
the manufacturers that you have. However, I can of course order
anything on the net.

My current candidates are Korkers Outfitter convertible boots, since I
could use hiking soles on my way to a stream and felt soles on the
stream.

http://www.korkers.com/product%20page/7500wkg.html

However, I would have to order these boots without seeing them, so I
don't know whether they're good for what I'm looking for. There might
also be other boots out there that I'm not aware of. Or maybe my
approach is wrong - or doomed. I would really appreciate your input on
this.

Jarmo,

I've not tried the Korkers, but have the Orvis boots which might be
equivalent, the Henry's Fork Convertibles. They have been very good for
me, and I do a lot of hiking in wearing just these boots, then putting
on the waders at the stream, and then the shoes again coming back.
The other method, which a cheapo relative of mine uses is what Pat
McManus called "Tenner shoes" - high top tennis shoes. The idea is to
get a very cheap (the word disposable comes to mind, except for my
environmental bent) pair of waders - and then wear sneakers over the
top while in the water...Cheap, but I have been entertained by some
neat action - sneakers don't have good "non-slip" capabilities. Maybe
he'll work out a removable studded pair of rubbers for his tenners
someday.

Bill C


--
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Bill I've not tried the Korkers, but have the Orvis boots which might
Bill be equivalent, the Henry's Fork Convertibles. They have been
Bill very good for me, and I do a lot of hiking in wearing just these
Bill boots, then putting on the waders at the stream, and then the
Bill shoes again coming back.

Hi Bill,

These look like nice boots. I have one question though: can these be
used without any of the listed soles? I am asking this because the
boots seem to have felt soles, studded felt soles and studded rubber
soles, but for getting to the stream (using public transportation)
ordinary rubber soles without studs would be preferred.

--
Jarmo Hurri

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