Studs in felt waders

[Chris Bracey]

Just bought a pair of snowbee waders - the botoms are part felt/cleated heel. Some of the banks (before entering the river) will be leathel on the felt sole so I was thinking of adding the wading studs to the felt bottom.

The waders have now arrived and a friend says he has read that studs are for the cleated part only - i do not doubt him - and now i have seen the felt sole I am guessing the studs will pull out of the felt after my body weight has walked on them a few times.

Does anybody use wading studs in felt soles or have other ideas?

We had thought about buying a pair of these "snow/ice grip" things you can buy that stretch over the sole of your boot (we could take them off when in the river if we need to) i think they are elasticated

Something like these bad boys.....

 

[Pete Marshall]

Studs are useful on some slippy rocky bottoms, but also clatter and spook fish. I haven't bothered for many a year. Felt soles are pretty useless on muddy banks, so not much point when using waders for most coarse fishing situations. They also spread diseases between river systems so are no banned in many countries and are increasingly being banned in this one on some rivers. They are OK if you always fish a single catchment.

Personally I find a pair of trainers or walking boots with Vibram soles to offer the best all round grip on mixed surfaces....also cheaper than buying special wading boots which are overpriced and fall apart after five minutes. I use waist and chest waders (waist waders are fine for most coarse situations and easier to get in and out of) for the vast majority of my fishing and a pair of trainers I got from TK Maxx for £25 two years ago are still going fine, which is more than I can say for my old felt soled boots.

 

[Brian Willson]

Hi Chris,
what Peter said is correct, but you have got your felt soles now and have to use them, i have some felt soled boots and have put the studs in the felt, they are no problem at all and do not fall out, my boots have a half rubber heel, i did try the studs in the rubber part but they kept falling out, so give it a try and dont bang your feet and spook all the fish....warning....be careful when walking on very hard surfaces such as tiles or very smooth concrete, they can be very slippery.
good luck.
Brian.

 

[Chris Bracey]

Hi Chris,
what Peter said is correct, but you have got your felt soles now and have to use them, i have some felt soled boots and have put the studs in the felt, they are no problem at all and do not fall out, my boots have a half rubber heel, i did try the studs in the rubber part but they kept falling out, so give it a try and dont bang your feet and spook all the fish....warning....be careful when walking on very hard surfaces such as tiles or very smooth concrete, they can be very slippery.
good luck.
Brian.

Thanks Brian - Snowbees?? by any chance

 

[Brian Willson]

Hi Chris,
my boots are Greys, but to be honest, as some of the lads have already stated buy some cheap ones from the various high street shops, dont forget to get the proper size to accommodate your neoprene.
Brian.