Simms bring back felt soles

[dlampert]

http://www.anglingtrade.com/2011/06/...-face-on-felt/

Maybe they will catch a wake up now and bring back the original Freestones!

[gkieser]

See what they did there? Sales must have been down? So they asked themselves what has changed? Their answer was that they weren't making felt soled boots anymore so maybe if we bring back felt we will sell more. Well they will sell more just because they took 2 years to get us all slipping and sliding around on that vibram stuff that we'll jump at the chance to get back to felt, but that isn't the answer they should have given.

The answer should have been that their boots are not as durable as they used to be and their customers are now realising this and more are considering other brands.

Korkers must be loving this...

[dlampert]

See what they did there? Sales must have been down? So they asked themselves what has changed? Their answer was that they weren't making felt soled boots anymore so maybe if we bring back felt we will sell more. Well they will sell more just because they took 2 years to get us all slipping and sliding around on that vibram stuff that we'll jump at the chance to get back to felt, but that isn't the answer they should have given.

The answer should have been that their boots are not as durable as they used to be and their customers are now realising this and more are considering other brands.

Korkers must be loving this...

Sad to say my Korkers are way less durable than any of my Simms boots. Have really not been impressed with the durability of the Korkers. I have worn them probably 8 - 10 times on short beats and they are falling to pieces. Stitching stuffed and sole coming loose.

[gkieser]

Eish! Well there goes that theory.

I actually don't know where to turn next wrt boots. I have a Pair of the Simms G4s which i was banking on as they are simms "Hardest Working Boot". They got here in october last year and they are already starting to come apart, and i have fished the rivers a maximum of 6 times in them.

[Andre]

The problem we are faced with, is the reality that there basically isn't a decent boot available on the market anymore.

[HeinZaayman]

Thanks for the news Daryl!
I just got my new pair of 2011 Simms Vibram Freestones (MADE IN CHINA) from the States. I thought the traction is better with Vibram than felt on more rocky rivers, why my decision was to opt for a pair of Vibram soles. Is it possible to fit/stick/paste felt soles to the Simms?

[Andre]

Thanks for the news Daryl!
I just got my new pair of 2011 Simms Vibram Freestones (MADE IN CHINA) from the States. I thought the traction is better with Vibram than felt on more rocky rivers, why my decision was to opt for a pair of Vibram soles. Is it possible to fit/stick/paste felt soles to the Simms?

Nothing beats felt for wading in the river, and no, you cant stick the felt to the rubber soles. You can try, but I doubt it will hold. Besides, where are you going to get the felt to stick on? as far as I know, Simms don't sell it seperately.

[dlampert]

Thanks for the news Daryl!
I just got my new pair of 2011 Simms Vibram Freestones (MADE IN CHINA) from the States. I thought the traction is better with Vibram than felt on more rocky rivers, why my decision was to opt for a pair of Vibram soles. Is it possible to fit/stick/paste felt soles to the Simms?

Hein, when your Vibram soles have worn out you can get felt resoling kits to replace them although these are best fitted by a professional resoler. Google "Simms resoling" and you should find lots of options. If you don't have any in George we have a couple in cape town like Rocksole and Durasole. Your vibram soles will typically be a lot better out of the water compared to felt but in the water the felt is normally better, especially if the rocks have a coating of slime on them. In rivers like the orange and vaal, felt has a definite advantage ito grip.

[Bryan]

Jirre okes. I dont know what you guys do with your boots but I have a pair of cheapie Chotas that have done some heavy work on the Vaal (at least 20 trips), a weekend on Sterkies on foot and two Drakensberg trips with a substantial amount of hiking and they are still going strong

[KevinC]

So who is going to be the first to fall off a mountain cliff whilst wearing the new Simms felt boots?