Here I am shy of 2 years with a pair of Simms Freestones. Seams are busted out in multiple locations. Felt is worn so badly that it's just hard and not "felty" at all any longer. Plans to purchase another pair are in the works. I'm unsure of the durability and ease of replacement of the boa type systems. My gut tells me to pick up another pair of boots with the normal laces, but I'm interested in the newer version of lacing up as well.
Experiences?
I'm leaning toward one of the more pricey pairs of boots this time in hopes that it'll last longer than the other two pairs that I've killed in 1-2 years each. I'm also thinking of rubber soles this go around versus felt for hiking ability.
Send your Simms boots back to Simms. I just sent my vapor boots back to them a week ago for the seam separation issue. Good timing, you all can thank me for this cold snap.
Ahhh, the endless boot thread/search.
I probably am the king of killing boots.
May 2015:
(http://i.imgur.com/NJTjJnz.jpg)
Dead Freestones. About a year. Seams split, felt jettisoned.
Their cheap Cabelas replacement.
Dead by April 2016.
Replaced by new Sims Freestones.
Stiff uppers kill my ankles, but they are going to make it past one year.
Rubber? I'd die. BOA? No fucking clue. But I'm sure I'd break it.
Good luck.
Got a pair of Simms G3 Guides. Made of actual leather so they aren't to stiff. Going on 3 years. Rubber sole to boot.
With the kind of fishing you do I would go rubber. I only wear felt for big water that gets lots of sunlight. And don't go BOA, if that shit breaks 3 miles in, you're fucked. You can splice a shoe string.
I may send them back to Simms. I won't have any boot to fish in if I do this. I may purchase a new pair to use, and then have my other older pair also, if they replace or repair them for me.
I know this is an ongoing discussion. A decent pair of boots is all I'm after. Something that'll last.....over a year or two.
Driver - The G3 is what I'm considering mostly as it looks to be the best without going boa. The backcountry is no place for broken shit, and that's why I'm afraid of that boa system. I know the G3 is heavier, but I think I'm willing to take the added weight. I've contemplated hiking in using a pair of regular non-wading boots, but then there is just something more to carry in and out and keep up with in my pack.
You can use a weavers knot or reef knot (square) to deal with broken laces. Broken BOA = FUBAR
Pro-tip:
I usually don't in tie my laces, just put them in the lugs pulling and twisting to get them in place no need to tie and untie then.
http://www.animatedknots.com/images/weavers_knot.gif
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These are the most expensive that I've found. Wonder if they're better for the more money? Unique bottom on these.
http://www.patagonia.com/product/foot-tractor-wading-boots/79150.html?dwvar_79150_color=NHG&cgid=mens-waders#tile-16=&start=1&sz=36
I think you could goto the moon with those. Or at least you should be able to what they cost.
No shit. Curious as to whether they're only more expensive because of the name brand or true quality reflection. I've heard Patagonia makes the good shit. I don't own any of the fishing gear by them so I'm not in the know. Their jackets are warm as hell though.
Holy crap! Too damn expensive boots to go with too damn expensive waders!!! This shit is getting out of hand!!!
https://youtu.be/_Ip8gspFaH8
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They're only fiddy more than Simms Guides. Jus saying.
Those aluminum bars are stupid.
Quit using wading boots for hiking boots! By a decent daypack, and stuff some hiking boots and dry socks in there. It is a safer way to travel.
Quote from: Onslow on March 14, 2017, 19:49:36 PM
Quit using wading boots for hiking boots! By a decent daypack, and stuff some hiking boots and dry socks in there. It is a safer way to travel.
This is what I'm contemplating on. It's kind of why I wanna get a pair that I can use for both hiking and wading. I always keep a pair of dry socks in my pack regardless.
Back I the days of neoprene I would pack waders and boots into the gorges
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@buddy_25_99 on here that I fish with has these. He loves them. They offer felt and rubber soles for grip on the banks and hiking, and you can add studs on top of the felt and rubber. Lightest weight boots that I've found yet. I don't think they'd hold up like the guide boots, but they'd be perfect for an all-around boot.
https://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/wading-boots/intruder-boot-felt.html
Funny, I looked hard at those earlier.
Listen to driver. Laces. Go Vibram. Install cleats. Hike in them. Be happy. I am a completely klutz and I haven't died yet in Vibram. Plus, not having to hike in wading boots means more room for summer sausage and coffee.
I was shopping for new boots last week and one of the salesman told me to avoid the Boa system for all the reasons already mentioned. He said they break all the time and are a son of a bitch to fix.
At this point the Boa has been ruled out for this purchase. I'm thinking I may go Vibram for more traction outside of the creek. I may go with one of the lighter models, however. Will see how this goes.
Quote from: benben reincarnated on March 14, 2017, 11:46:45 AM
Send your Simms boots back to Simms. I just sent my vapor boots back to them a week ago for the seam separation issue. Good timing, you all can thank me for this cold snap.
I'm ordering a pair of these with Vibram sole. Looking forward to seeing how the non-felt handles the creeks. Hiking in and out has to be much better without felt. This pair really gets my attention because of the really light weight. We shall see how they work out.
Actually, no, I'm going top end. Simms Guide Boot G3. I want to truly see if the most expensive ones outlast the mid-priced ones.
Quote from: Dee-Vo on June 06, 2017, 20:40:31 PM
Actually, no, I'm going top end. Simms Guide Boot G3. I want to truly see if the most expensive ones outlast the mid-priced ones.
I will warn you. They are heavy.
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Quote from: driver on June 06, 2017, 20:42:02 PM
Quote from: Dee-Vo on June 06, 2017, 20:40:31 PM
Actually, no, I'm going top end. Simms Guide Boot G3. I want to truly see if the most expensive ones outlast the mid-priced ones.
I will warn you. They are heavy.
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Stop making it harder.
I don't know what to buy.
Quote from: driver on June 06, 2017, 20:42:02 PM
Quote from: Dee-Vo on June 06, 2017, 20:40:31 PM
Actually, no, I'm going top end. Simms Guide Boot G3. I want to truly see if the most expensive ones outlast the mid-priced ones.
I will warn you. They are heavy.
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How recent is that opinion based on? I only ask because I know they used to be real heavy and that was a real turn-off to me or else I would have bought them. Then about 2 or 3 years ago they changed the design (right about the time the Vapor boots debuted), and they claimed the G3s to be significantly lighter than the previous generations. I still didn't buy them because I feared that either they weren't as light as they were purported to be, or with the weight savings came a decrease in durability/longevity. I am curious for feedback on the latest generation.
Dee-Vo, go ahead and get those G3s, if for no other reason than so you can field test them and provide some feedback. ;D
I bought the G3s right when they came out with the new design.
I've worn the hell out of em. Finally had to to replace the laces this spring. The sole is still attached. Still has tread, no rips or tears. The toe guard has seperated on one of em but some Gorilla glie will fix that. They have held up extremely well, for the hell I put them through.
But they are heavy, especially when full of water. But the extra ankle support is very helpful. And once I got used to them, I didn't notice the weight. think it was been a bit more than 2 years.
Would i buy them again? Yes. Especially if I can get another year out of them.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170607/efa9609c0665b6644b84d80a7fd7b2fa.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170607/7353b5a3ba31e9aeb28d5d58c812dd06.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170607/2af292c4f18a00989c0df3492b0edf28.jpg)
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I purchased a pair of simms g3 boots back about February and have worn them on about 15 trips now, no issues with the weight so far. Felt bottoms y;
The neoprene inside is super comfy too!!
G3 Guide Boots have been ordered. It's official.
Bout damned time.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170616/ec1b1f97a134cfd0402f5094198e0be5.jpg)
I like the simms fish logo
Quote from: DRIFTS on June 16, 2017, 03:06:22 AM
I like the simms fish logo
It helps catch more fish.
I think you'll like the laces.
i've had 2 boa systems and they have always failed before the seams or felt wore out.
Quote from: Grannyknot on June 22, 2017, 12:19:36 PM
I think you'll like the laces.
i've had 2 boa systems and they have always failed before the seams or felt wore out.
I'm glad I went with laces. More shoddy quality stories have been brought to my attention since ordering these. I hear the boa is hard to replace and get just right to tighten properly....? A dude told me they take theirs to a ski shop for repair.
I have a pair of Orvis Access boots new in box, size 10 for sale. These are lace up, not blo-a.
PM for deets
Quote from: troutfanatic on June 22, 2017, 12:55:31 PM
I have a pair of Orvis Access boots new in box, size 10 for sale. These are lace up, not blo-a.
PM for deets
A big guy like you only wears size 10 boots? Makes it easier to roll to your side on those PLFs back in the day, right?
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Quote from: The Dude on June 22, 2017, 13:42:36 PM
Quote from: troutfanatic on June 22, 2017, 12:55:31 PM
I have a pair of Orvis Access boots new in box, size 10 for sale. These are lace up, not blo-a.
PM for deets
A big guy like you only wears size 10 boots? Makes it easier to roll to your side on those PLFs back in the day, right?
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Lol. I wear 11s. These were given to me by a guy up in PA who didn't want them. I can only wear them to wet wade.
PLFs were easy as a kid. After age 35 and the 5 pounds per year I added, PLFs became increasingly painful.
So, as some have suggested and some have opposed as I did originally, I've purchased a pair of Merrells for hiking in and out. This should lengthen the new wading boots' lifespan. I've never worn a pair of Merrells. Damn, they are light. Sweet.