Simms G4 streamtread, Vibram sole, 7

[FLYDAD]

Thinking of getting a pair of these boots so I was wondering what you guys think of them? How is the grip on slippery rocks like we get on the Housie? I want to get away from the felt sole boots.

[FK]

Just switch away from felt will not solve the cross contamination problem.

We still must consider the shoe laces and tongue area as carriers of the microbes.


Regards,
FK

[FLYDAD]

FK I realize that but one has to start some where and for me getting rid of the felts is a start. I already clean & dry my gear as best I can.
So back to my original question what do you guys think of the new G4 boots?

[AaronJasper]

Flydad,

I have been field testing these soles for SIMMS for some time now and I really like them. They hold the bottom as good or better than felt. Walking in them is much easier than with the felt since they do not take in water. You are right it is a good first step towards helping protect waterways from invasive algaes and microbes. You will like the sole very much. I even used them on the Salmon River a few times and they did well there without spikes!

[Flyfisher]

They better work they surely are not cheap.

[jovalle]

somewhat unrelated, but in defense of rubber soles. I recently got a pair of the patagonia rubber soled shoes and was pleasantly surprised by the grip. Moreover, the first day I used them was spent hiking all around the hills of the housatonic valley with quite a bit of snow going up the feeder creeks and hiking across ridges to get to other streams - the rubber was priceless in its ability to grip the snow and not clump up like felt, plus, at the margin I like to think they are quieter so less chance of spooking brookies.

As a further aside, the reason I bought them was because I left a pair of old patagonia waders (vintage '97 or '98) in the garage and they were attacked by mice. I called up patagonia to see if they could patch them, and was told to send them in. Two weeks later I got a $300 gift card to patagonia. Not bad, use waders for ten years, have mice chew holes in them, send them in, and make money on the transaction. This experience caused me to send in my cloudveil waders which leaked - no questions asked upgraded replacement in a week, and send in some simms boots that had broken eyelets - again, no questions asked, replacement (so I got some of the streamtreads that are backordered). Not surprisingly, my shopping spree ended with Orvis. I had an old pair of bulletproof waders I use for salt that were kinda leaky. I was told, no repair possible, but we'll be nice and give you 10% off a new pair. Gotta love Orvis.

[BlackLabel]

I also just got a pair of rubber soled boots LL Bean riverkeeper with the studded aquastealth. Ive only used them once this past weekend but was very happy with them. I never felt like I had any less traction than I did with my felt soled boots. LL Bean will also stand behind anything that has their name on it. Their customer service is first rate. The first pair of boots I ordered I recieved in two days and where to small. I called them and they told me to send them back and they would mail a new pair also in two days. They did not even charge me shipping on the second pair. Just my opinion I know alot of people love simms.

[TexasChris]

Nick, as you know, i'm all about the ll bean gear. There isn't another company that comes close to the customer service these guys have. You'd be hard pressed to find another company that stands behind their products like ll bean.

[Castaline]

I too just got a pair at the exchange day at Ramsey Outdoor. I am very impressed with the grip. I think it is better than the felt soles. I am very impressed. Comfortable to walk around in too. Just a touch on the heavy side but I strongly recommend them.

[Troutastic]

Hahaha good ole Orvis. I got a funny story about them.

When I moved out here to Colorado, I was poking around some fly shops and asked the guys there if they sold Orvis or knew of a fly shop around here that did. Here's their response:

"We don't carry fly rods made by a company that also makes doggy beds." I thought it was hilarious.