cleated vs. felt soles on hip waders

mountainboy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2002
Messages
216
I'm looking at getting a pair of hip waders with the boot foot. I need advice on cleated and felt soles. Thanks!!
 

Barlow

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 11, 2003
Messages
1,794
Re: cleated vs. felt soles on hip waders

get felt if your in streams and rivers where you've got slippery footing ... rock and such.<br /><br />being in New Mexico I'm guessing this is what you'll be looking at.<br /><br />on the other hand if you're looking and mud and silt .. lug/cleat is the way to go.<br /><br />You can get away with either .. but one is more optimal over the other in different types of bottom material. Felt being the more specialised - it doesn't do very good at all in muck and silt plus it retains matter in that situation that will cause it to break-down faster... especially if you need to walk in and out any distance.<br /><br />Love NM btw ... been a few years since I've been but the Enchanted circle area and from Taos south to Sante Fe is a beutiful area!!<br /><br />hope this helps- Good Luck.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: cleated vs. felt soles on hip waders

Ditto Barlow.
 

mountainboy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2002
Messages
216
Re: cleated vs. felt soles on hip waders

Thanks for the advice!! The enchanted circle is a beautiful place. I love to fish at Eagle Nest Lake. Great lake with kokanee, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Have a great weekend!
 

miloman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 3, 2002
Messages
1,181
Re: cleated vs. felt soles on hip waders

hey there ditto with what was said Although I have boots that have dial in pins by that I mean they are felt soled but I can screw in cleats when i need them
 

Capn Mike

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2001
Messages
561
Re: cleated vs. felt soles on hip waders

I prefer Cabela's boots & waders (rubber boot feet w/lug sole, the rest cordura). I agree: felt soles are just not satisfactory in sand, mud or vegetation. But try walking on mossy rocks with lug soles! In a pinch, you can pull a pair of wool socks over your boots, but it pretty well trashes the socks....<br /><br /> I found some felt sandals with aluminum pins inserted (think I got them @ Orvis or some other over-priced fly shop) intended to fit over my wader feet. They work very well and sort of give you the best of both worlds. I've also used them in Alaska where you live in your hip boots, but need traction when wading in mossy-rocked rivers.<br /><br />Can't remember what I paid for them which in my world means I've been satisfied enough with their performance so that I quit fussing about the cost... :rolleyes: <br /><br />Here's some: http://www.orvis.com/store/product_...up_id=777&cat_id=5140&subcat_id=6052&shop_id= <br /><br />These look stronger than mine...my felt is about ripped apart.
 
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