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Opinions! We all have them. Find out what people really think with polls and surveys from Crowdsignal.
Ill always wear my felt sole waders I have for over 40 years all this is is people like trouts unlimited and those so call high class sob that won'ts it there way they can kiss my ass
Another fine example of why I dropped out of TU over 20 years ago. This is pure commercialism. As some folks have noted, the "science" behind this is unadulterated crap. There are so many other pieces to the puzzle that the felt on the bottom of your boots is the rough equivalent of pissing into a hurricane.
To those saying that there's a sacrifice to be made - here's a clue. For such a infinitesimally small off-chance (read: you've got better odds of winning a $100MM lottery and getting struck by lightning on the same day as you've caught 15# Rainbow Trout, 120# Tarpon and an 8# Golden Dorado) that one critter is in your felt soles.. it's hardly worth someone breaking a hip, taking a life-threatening dunk, or otherwise risking their well-being. I've seen absolutely *ZERO* proof of ANY cross-contamination with felt soles as the undisputed transport vehicle. Statements to the contrary and 100% conjecture on the best of days. Cross-contamination could be from other areas of the boots, from the waders, from your fly, from a bird, from a fur-bearing animal (rodent or mammal), from a canoe, from a shirt, from pants, ... I'll stop there before I get finger cramps and make those arguing to ban felt soles look any sillier.
Please. Use your brain first and swallow TU tripe only after evaluating what's *really* going on with their load of crap. Some chapters really do good work - but that's outside the purview of National, which only responds to the dollars of commercial supporters and lobbyists.
Based on all the feedback from above (and the numerous studies we have conducted with the angling community), I would say it is safe to say that most fisherman feel that felt performs better than rubber. In certain conditions, rubber (non studded) can be flat out dangerous.
Korkers provides a unique performance solution for preventing the spread of invasive species while ehancing angler safety. The OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System offers anglers the ability to choose the condition specific performance outsole that optimizes the fishing experience. Korkers believes felt remains the best solution for traction in many river systems and can be used responsibly in support of the Clean Angling Pledge. Owning multiple soles, from felt to sticky rubber, empowers anglers to approach and fish the river knowing they aren't comprimising the enviroment itself.
We would like to hear comments about how other anglers view our system because as we see it, giving anglers options just makes more sense plain and simple.
Brian Chaney
Korkers Products, LLC
I too am a microbiologist, as several others have 'confessed', and I agree with them that eliminating felt soles will not totally address the issue of Diddy Mo, since other parts of the boot can become contaminated. I would recommend that the sport fishing industry invest in a disposable felt sole research program, perhaps one in which the sole were held to the boot itself by a velcro bottom. Hm............. just a thought. I will surely miss them if banned all together. Another solution to travel is to purchase your boots there and leave them there when you go. The cost of the trip far exceeds the price of the shoes if you go to Argentina or New Zealand. Just another thought.
I am not a Ph D in biology, but my backgorund is in that field. I have not seen any science on this. My felt bottom boots are high quality, but porous, have eyelits for laces, and rubber tips with small spaces developing there. Then there is the tongue under the laces and the small spaces created there. The felt bottoms would be the least of the problem in transferring small organisms stream to stream. One could put any other sole on such boots and the so-called problem would not go away. To me the felt sole problem is overblown.
After reading all the comments and seeing the video's, is there any science to back it up. Show me the Science. Then lets move on. I agree this is a problem, but are we going about it the right way? This ban on felt soles may help but do we know if it really will?
I actually attended the Annual Meeting last September, including on the day when supposed "we" adopted the postiion supportin ga felt ban. At what meeting was that position discussed? Because neither I nor anyone else I know who attended recall any discussion whatsoever. I have worked my tail off to be involvede in this organization, but this is looking like yet another example of someone else deciding what is best for the organization that I have helped build.
Had this been discussed at the meeting, I would have asked where the ban on boats was? Where was the effort to keep guides from taking their boats back and forth between watersheds on consecutive days? And what sense does it make to propose a ban on a proven product based on a hope that an alternative will be developed?
people this is not about slipping or falling in a stream this is about protecting the fish and the sport we love for future generations to enjoy ,get rid of the felt soles and at least you can say you done your part to help
I have just returned from New Zealand's South Isl. They have already banned felt waders there. The jury is not out yet on the use of rubber sole's as has already been stated, consider waders, nets and socks if you wet wade, there is a lot that Didymo can attach to. I used a pair of rubber soled boots with studs, that took some getting used to, but worked out fine. I put my gear in the freezer after I returned to the US, just to make sure. By the way, when you enter N.Z. from outside the country, they spray all waders and boots, and any fly tying (feathers,fur, ect.) you bring in. Ive never seen the U.S. do this, why not? don't they care about invasive species. Something T U could look into. By the way, guess who the Kiwi's blame for Didymo? It aint the Bloody Austrailian's Mate!!!
Absolutely ridiculous! Any microbiologist will laugh at eliminating felt soles but not shoe laces, gore-tex, canvas or any other fabric that will hold spores and bacteria. Nice marketing campaign for the boot producers. A great way to sell new boots. Silly!!!
As stated numerously by others, the cause is well worth the switch. However, since my fish/wade fishing trips are so few, my boots have plenty of time to go bone dry between events. Futhermore isn't a 1:100 bleach solution adequate for killing the snails in question?
How about TU taking he lead on getting the lead out of all fishing gear?!? I cannot believe this stuff is still sold in stores!
I have limited, but very rewarding experience stream fishing, annual one-week trips to visit my son in SW Montana. Up until this year I always wore Hodgeman rubber nubbed wading shoes. This year I tried new Simms felt soles. What a difference! Not sure I would want to give them up. It's nice to be sure footed and safer.
Surely there's another solution. How about something to soak felt shoes in (or step in) to kill the "unwanteds" between wading different rivers. I'm guessing that some strong alcohol in a dishwashing tub would do the job and not damage the streams. Good use for cheap vodka! (I base this on the technique I experience one charter boat skipper use in the Bahamas to "do in" dolphin (mahi) rather than club them. Alcohol to the gills was an instant kill and I'm guessing it would do the same for many of the unwanted criters that are causing a problem. It should pretty much evaporate between streams. I'm sure some experimentation with this idea would be worth it.
I used Aquasteath (Simms) boots on the Roaring Fork in Colorado. I did not find them as slip resistant as my old felts, I took one unplanned swim. I think they will be ok on less demanding waters, but I wont be wearing them on the Deschutes.
My wife and I have tried two different brands of wader boots with rubber soles - one with, and one without studs. Both of us received injuries after falling in our favourite streams in Utah. We have no problem with disinfecting our felt soled wader boots after every outing. The process is easy, and requires little time.
I have been using studded Aquastealth for a number of years, and for a 72 yr. old w/ back problems, it is the most secure I've felt in a stream. In our area (MN-WI) we don't have a problem w/ mossy rocks, but I'm fine on our limestone cobble, and I find the Aquastealth superior on muddy banks. Also, I occasionally do some wintwr fishing, and snow doesn't build up on Aquastealth like on felt.
Every one of us will react differently in different streams. But we all have the common goal of being alive after we fish. Where is the scientific data singling out felt? Any biologist will tell you when you are talking about microscopic organisms the whole wadded system must be suspect. As a matter of fact what about a bird or a furry animal bathing in one stream and moving on to another for the next bath? Hum, now what? This is not a pull ring pop-top type problem or is it only felt (that reduces fishermen drowning) this is an organism problem. There are so many ways to spread the problem I’m not sure putting our lives in jeopardy should even be considered.
About 25 years ago a friend of mine, who was an Adirondack Guide took me fishing on the Salmon River which flows into Lake Ontario. For the trip he insisted I get a pair of tungsten carbide studded Korkers. I wore them for the first time on that trip and have never considered wearing anything else but Korkers or studded wading shoes. They are great on even the most slippery of rocks. At age 69 I cannot afford a dangerous fall into a fast flowing stream. I don't mind giving up felt soles for wading, but it seems to me the jury is still out regarding some of the replacement technologies.
Felt soles are the best thing that ever happened for me personally, and as I age, I will be 75 in two weeks, they get more important every year. Generally, TU does good things, but I can't go along with you on this one. I, and many of my friends don't go stream hopping on a daily basis. Our soles get plenty of time get treated and dried out. Again, NO!! to eliminating felt soles.
Isn't banning felt for spreading destruction like banning guns because of people who mishandle them. There will always be the "bad actors" that wade from stream to stream, unconscious about what they are doing, with or without felt. These are the ones who, without thought spread bad conditions.
TU needs to focus more time on education. Not among its members, but cross culture, so to speak, with bass fishers and bait fishers, etc. who in my opinion, are the major offenders. We, who are conscious about the care of our equipment, felt or no felt, aren't the offenders. TU and the manufacturers are just making our expensive sport even more so.
So, TU, go ahead and help the suppliers make more profit, and don't you think for a moment that when we all are forced to have their latest whiz bang rubber soles and sales slow, that oops, there is something wrong, ecologically, with rubber, and they will come up with a "new solution" to boost sales once again. Follow the money, guys, follow the money.
I wish I were an orthopedist. There should be a nice upturn in hip fracture repairs when felt soles are removed. Alas I am just a lowly family physician.
A couple of points. If this comes to pass, lets make sure that it really makes a difference. If the science is there to prove the case then fine. Also it should be applied sensibly to watersheds that are vulnerable.
The rivers in the Northwest are large and treacherous. Felts are really a survival mechanism. If we have not had any evidence of impact in our colder waters, I would propose sensible region-based regulation rather than making the industry remove products from the market.
To each author I've read on the subject, including TU, I've asked WHERE IS THE BASIC RESEARCH that felt soles may be a problem? To date... no source!
I don't doubt that they could be a problem but let us get the facts first!
TU, please direct us to your source...
While there is good concern with transport of biological species, a little care by each angler would minimize this concern. At 70 I do not plan to change to something that might make it easier to fall.
Best, Frank
Leave the Manufacturers alone. Most of us don't travel all over the world to different streams, we fish in our owe backyard. The equipment we buy is already expense enough without having to now go out and buy new stuff just to fish our own local streams. Your sounding more like big goverment! Leave them and us along to enjoy our sport.
Why not offer affordable disposable felt pads to discard after you have fished a particular body of water? You could trash after a 1 or 7 day outing. I agree with comments about the risk of falling. Slow water is embarrassing, faster water could be a tragedy.
I see a lot of reference to Aquastealth. The new Simms boots are called SteamTread. Has anyone tried them?
I have two issues with banning felts. The first is there are still multiple points that the invasives can live on anglers' gear. What about the cloth/fabric uppers on the boots? The waders themselves? Shoelaces? Everything else that comes in contact with the stream water? I take care to clean and dry my gear beftween outing so I feel I take the proper responsible care of my stuff.
The second issue is safety. Nothing sticks better to wet slimey rocks than felt. I've fallen is streams wet wading in non-felt boots. It hurt and I still feel it in my non-casting shoulder even several year later. Since then I always wear my felts wading. Until the technology is out there to beat felts I'll wear them, and shoulder the responsibility and effort to clean and dry my gear between watershed.
I am not in favor of, nor will I support legislation to ban felt soled shoes.
I recommend XTra Tuff neuprene pullover rubber boots for good traction on a variety of surfaces and long wear. Of course nasty critters and plants will be on anything, but the advantage over felt for a whole slew of choices is the ability to dry more quickly.
I've always thought that just the idea that so many flyfishers think the only way to fish is to wade right into the stream is a fundamental problem, especially when traffic grows. We spook a lot of fish and are walking on their food web and I cannot think it helps.
I'm mostly using spey rods and staying out or to the edges with the extra reach and ease of fishing.
Meanwhile -go TU - I support phasing out felt.
-Vinnie in Juneau
we are an infinitely adaptable species, as evidenced by our ability to go just about anywhere and destroy or restore habitats (the latter is much more difficult to accomplish, taking much more work and far longer than the former). we will find a way to withstand the loss of felt soles. its a small price to pay to maintain the health of the fisheries that we all enjoy so much. life without felt or life without fishing? see ya later felt!
What everyone, TU included, has missed is that system invasives are passed on not only by improperly cleaned/disinfected felt-soled boots and footgear, the neoprene wading socks attached to the bottom of everyone's waders also contribute to the problem at least as much as felt-bottomed wading boots. Yet, as of this date, no one has begun to address this problem.
With regards to the new Simms products, the description of a Vibram "sticky rubber" compound may be somewhat of a misnomer. I've worn "sticky rubber" soles in rock climbing and this new Vibram compound is nowhere near that. While it is definitely easier to clean/disinfect than traditional felt soles, other avenues of infiltration built into the nature of wading boots still exhibit themselves. Unless the boot is constructed of entirely non-porous materials including, but not limited to vamping, ankle collars, laces and water vents, there still exists the very real possibility of transmitting infiltrates from one venue to another.
I would however recommend that whatever the individual angler chooses, they NOT give up on religiously cleaning/disinfecting their gear, no matter what it's constructed from.
One option is kayak boots, sticky rubber. NRS has a good selection. I have used them with a pro guide. The score was 1 to 1. We both slipped and fell once. Since he is a pro I figure they worked just as good as his felt boots. They are built to do the same thing for a different sport. keep feet warm while walking on slippery rocks.
I rinse my shoes and leave them in the sun to dry. Can organisms survive that?
just bought rubber soles for michigan little manistee river fishing,my felt soles
were worn in small pond with fish had fungus. wish they could peel felt off and
glue on new ones. thanks for warning on the ice skateing around the rivers.
There is no way here in Montana on rivers that flow at 1500 to 5000 or higher cfs some of which have rocks the size of a person's body, the Bolder, that any rubber boat is going to keep a person up right when they wade. Boot makers are going to have to work on something better than rubber. Most of us use Simms boots, because they are tough and they hold up to the rough conditions we find ourselfs in. There is a solution here, but it's not rubber!
Hello Fellow TU bloggers,
I was quite surprised when I read TU’s magazine article about giving up felt soled wading boots. They did not cover an additional good news story in the fly fishing world: the great RockLoc boots made by Chota. In my opinion, Chota is the most comfortable wading boot on the market today. I have worn Chota wading boots for over ten years. Trust me; I’ve tried most all of the other brands of wading boots over the years. In my opinion Chota is the best by far. I fish all day, some times daylight to dark, and never have my feet hurt wearing them. I started wearing Chota boots after a bad fall on flat rocks. Their cleat system was perfect for this area and I have not fallen because of boots since then.
The boot had several features that I feel I “cannot live without”. Comfort! Comfort! Comfort! The ease with which neoprene sock foot wader go into these boots is matched by none. The quick lace feature gets me in the water faster. The security and comfort these boots provided is outstanding. I feel there is no water I can not fish with these boots. That is why I had to try the new boots.
I was not disappointed. The new RockLoc boots have a very soft rubber sole which really grips. Yes, I tested it on the area where I had the fall with outstanding results. They have also upgraded the quick lace system which makes it even better and seems to be more lace friendly. The aggressive tread design really helps my clients and I get in and out of the river (that is where most people fall anyway). Slippery banks are much less of a problem. They also have the cleats available, but I haven’t seen the need to install them yet.
What is most impressive and relevant to this blog is that these new boots are tailor made for helping to prevent the spread of didymo and/or whirling disease. The soles are very easy to clean completely. The uppers are PU coated leather. This makes the uppers much easier to clean as well while keeping the boots just as comfortable as ever. What is not to like about these boots. Security, comfort and the ability to easily clean these boots are my boots of choice.
Tim Page
Life Member Trout Unlimited
Head Guide/Owner
Tim’s Flies and Lies Outfitters
Chota Outdoor Gear shares TU’s deep concern about the spread of invasive species in streams and rivers. We are also very particular about the traction and comfort provided by Chota Wading Boots over a wide range of terrain types and wading conditions.
On December 10, 2008, after over two years of design, development, and field testing, Chota Outdoor Gear began delivering the new rubber soled RockLoc™ Wading Boot to our retail dealer network.
The Chota RockLoc™ features a specially compounded rubber outsole designed from the ground up to provide traction over a wide range of terrain types and wading conditions while providing easier and more thorough cleanup than standard felt outsoles.
The RockLoc’s™ PU coated leather upper not only contributes to Chota’s legendary comfort, but is also easier to clean than standard leather uppers.
Because no outsole material or design can provide “Failsafe” traction, Chota Outdoor Gear continues to encourage waders to use good judgment and caution no matter what type of outsole is used.
Frank D. Bryant / Chota Outdoor Gear
www.chotaoutdoorgear.com
I'm retired and I fly fish about 150 days per year. I'm very supportive of efforts to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species that can impact our trout streams and waterways. I have read the responses to "how do you feel about giving up your felt soled wader" on the TU BLOG. It appears that many fishermen are concerned about safety and the increased risk of falling with non-felt soles. I'd like to share some information with you.
For the past several years I have tested waders and wading boots (unpaid volunteer) for Chota Outdoor Gear, Knoxville, TN. Chota has a new wading boot on the market, called the Rock Lock. It has a rubber sole with hard steel cleats. I am currently testing this new boot. However, I have already tested the Rock Lock's sole for more than 300 hours on mountain streams and tailwaters. This sole is very easy to clean and provides good grip on all the surfaces that I have tested. It can be used with or without the cleats depending on the wading surface. Additionally, the Rock Lock's aggressive rubber tread provides very good traction on soil and muddy river banks.
I recognize that there are some conditions where felt soles might be superior, but the addition of hard steel cleats to a well-designed rubber sole is pretty hard to beat.
Respectfully, Buzz Buffington
Trout Unlimited Member
I would be willing to give up the felt soles if there was a glue on kit similar to the felt replacements. Otherwise I will use my felts until they get tosses in the trash.
If we just ignore the issue of invasive species because the solution inconveniences us or isn't perfect, we might get a solution to the issue but not one we want. We certainly won't have to be concerned with what to wear while wading if we eliminate the fish we wade to catch in the first place.
One solution not included was continuing to use felt but making your boots system specific. Now that the Battenkill river has didymo, the boots that I use there will no longer be used in any other system. Sure, I could try cleaning them but if later didymo showed up in a system close to home, don't you think I'd carry so pretty serious guilt knowing the culprit might have been me?
Perhaps the felt solutions aren't perfect but neither is "soap and a prayer". The problem with system specific gear is that it relies on honesty and stewardship to be successful. That's a big risk to take when we can't even agree that the health of our fisheries should come ahead of our individual perferences.
I have been using LL Bean Aqua stealth sole boots since 2000. They are just great. Will now switch to the LL Bean Riverkeeper boot.
Have felt - have Simms new Freestone's with rubber vibram soles on order - (ordered cleats too) - have some "aqua-steath" rubber wet wading shoes and like them - not as good a felt but a close second - hope the SIMMS are as good as the SIMMS name --
As I am aware of and sympathetic to the problems associated with invasive species, I recently purchased a pair of boots from a large high-end retailer which were marketed as fly fishing gear and had rubber soles manufactured by Vibram. These boots turned out to be completely worthless for stream wading and in reality dangerous. The point is that we need to be sure we have a Workable alternative to felt, not just any alternative. If Tu is to call for a ban on felt, TU will have to take the lead in gathering and distributing useful information as to the suitability of the alternatives that show up in the market place. I am out $135.00, and will not purchase any other alternatives to felt until I am convinced that they are in fact workable alternatives.
Wade into your favorite river and discover a productive hole choked with diddy-mo and you'll adopt rubber soles quick!
Most all the evolutions in fly fishing equipment have really been to make it easier. The "ease" of a pursuit is not always the most impotant consideration.
How many miles would you walk to fish an untouched pool or get a crack at wild monster rainbow?
Perhaps more caution while wading is fair price to pay for preservation of our streams and fisheries.
And some rubber soled boots are lighter...so maybe you'll walk a few extra steps in pursuit of that special place.
Wade into your favorite river and discover a productive home choked with diddy-mo and you'll adopt rubber soles quick!
Most all the evolutions in fly fishing equipment have really been to make it easier. The "ease" of a pursuit is not always the most impotant consideration.
How many miles would you walk to fish an untouched pool or get a crack at wild monster rainbow?
Perhaps more caution while wading is fair price to pay for preservation of our streams and fisheries.
And some rubber soled boots are lighter...so maybe you'll walk a few extra steps in pursuit of that special place.
Last summer I fished a fast river in Wyoming with regular rubber soled wading boots. I felt like I was ice skating half of the time. It was not a safe feeling, especially when dealing with fast and treacherous waters. That led me to the purchase of felt soled wading boots. I purchased a set of felt soled wading boots a few weeks before getting TU and reading the article about invasive species.
I do see the need of ensuring that we protect against the spread of invasive species. I also see a need for a "proven" replacement for felt. In the meantime some methods of how to best clean and disinfect our felt soles would be helpful. I think that cleaning and disinfecting should work to kill any organisms that hirch a ride. Perhaps those of us who have felt soles should restrict the use of a pair of soles to a single watershed to prevent the spread of invasive species.
I bought a pair of Patagonia wading shoes and although they worked out well the soles have begun to come off after one season. When I contacted Patagonia they were not helpfull and would not stand behind the warranty. Will not do business with Patagonia again. Am planning on taking a look at the Bean boot.
I started to use rubber soled wading shoes about 5 years ago. I fish at least 100 days a year, all wading. I used to bring felt soles along but after never using them I now bring another rubber soled pair as a back up. I never need or will use felt soles again. Being retired I now occasionally use a wading staff for really wild water and that has been the only modification I have tried since rubber soles
I too 'dutifuly bought' Bean's Aqua Stealth boot. The boots made one trip. Bean's customer service rep seemed rather confused when I reported the boots had no (I mean zero) grip. Of course they took them back. My guide couldn't believe the trouble I was having. My partner tried them, and he couldn't stand up. I don't know what water Aqua Stealth was perfected on, but it was certainly not the fast running, boulder strewn water of the southeast. At my age and physical condition, I can't afford to expect to 'slip and fall'.
I will continue to use felt and studded felt boots and clean them when changing water.
When whirling disease first appeared, LL Bean came out with sticky-rubber soled wading shoes, which I dutifully bought. In my opinion they were not as effective as felt, and after about a year I went back to felt. Bean's current offering may be better, but I'll wait for reviews while I continue to use my (now studded) felt soles.
Also, I'll wait for more convincing evidence that felt soles are important vectors in spreading invasive organisms.
I wash and disinfect my wading equipment. I suspect this is at least as effective as not using felt.
Based on these considerations, I couldn't give a simple yes or no answer to the poll.
I would agree that work needs to be done on alternative sole materials that better approximate the grip that felt offers. I would point out that a number of the wader manufacturers including Simms, Patagonia, Dan Bailey's, Korkers, and other are working on this issue. At the September 2008 Fly Fishing Retailer, Simms announced a new sole deveoped with Vibram that claims a grip as good as felt. The way this recommendation was set up, Trout Unlimited set a date in the future that allows time for development of alternative products and gives anglers time to cycle through their current wading gear. This action is designed to reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species not eliminate it. Elimination of risk isn't really possible, but reduction of risk is, and the reduction of the risk of moving aquatic invasives is a VERY useful exercise.
I have been using LL Bean's Aqua Stealth soles for a couple years now and find them entirely acceptable. I feel about 75% as confident with my footing as with felt soles. I fish primarily in the New York Adirondacks, Finger Lakes and Catskills. So far, I have slipped more but not fallen while wearing Aqua Stealth soles. (Being short and fairly athletic may help, as I have done some fancy dances on slippery rocks.) My next set will have studs.
While I fully appreciate the problem posed by felt-soled wading shoes, I remain highly skeptical of claims made for the new products. I have used Aquastealth for several years (acquired for a New Zealand trip). Since that time I've tried them in the Catskills, Eastern Canada, and the Rockies. They perform at an acceptable level for clean, rough rocks, but for slate, or especially rocks with any significant biological film, they are not as good as felt. Most of my wading is now done with felt plus studs. I believe they offer an undeniable safety benefit for "difficult" wading. I need to see rigorous, objective evidence to convince me that the new products will perform as well. I definitely will not trust manufacturer claims. I've heard them before and they were not reliable.
I understand the concerns, but get ready to slip and fall much more. I tried aquastealth soles in the late 90's and the grip on gravel and rocks in slower water was ok. But faster water and any flow on mossy rocks resulted in many slips and falls. I decided to try studded aquastealth and they gripped a little better, but still no where near as good as felt in fast water and on mossy rocks. I still had to have a pair of felts or non-studs for the drift boats. Last March we went to New Zealand and were told not to bring felts nor studded aquastealth because the studs scratching the rocks would spook the trout we were after. So off to NZ with new LL Bean and Korker aquastealths. The moss and rocks on the North Island were so slick that we fell numerous times while wading and fighting fish. On one river we felt like we were on slick ice the entire day.
After 2 weeks of slipping, sliding, falling and injuring myself, I'm back to felts until I can't get them anymore.
I have just read the article about giving up the felt sole waders. I do not disagree. I am concerned about the "sticky" rubber replacement. Will not the sticky rubber cause the same problem? There was not explination of how the new rubber sole works to discard contaminates.