Simms Guide Boot - Felt and Vibram Soles
The Simms Guide Boot has been our best selling wading boot at Red's, and now that is available with a felt sole again it is selling even better. It is Simms' most durable leather boot, featuring outstanding traction, protection, and comfort. For being such a sturdy boot, it is very easy to wear and you will feel secure and agile in this boot. It won't slow you down much.
What other wading boots should I consider? - Wading Boot Buyer's Guide   
Wading boot in the $160+
price range are narrowed down to about 3 popular choices.
The Simms Guide Boot is our best seller but it isn't the only option. The
competitors to the
Simms Guide Boot are the
Simms Rivertek BOA and the
Korker's Chrome Wading Boots. All have their pros and cons. If you want a
felt sole, then the search gets narrowed pretty fast. That will be either the
Simms Guide Boot Felt, or the
Korker's Chrome with a felt insert. The advantage to the
Korker's is that you can change from rubber sole, to felt, to felt with
studs (all are included for $199.99). It also has a BOA lacing system which is
pretty cool. You can add studs to the
Simms Guide Boot but it is a little more time consumptive and they are screw
in rather than being built in so they aren't as secure as the felt studs that
come with the Korker's Chrome.
Vibram soles are also a great choice. You can put several different types of
cleats into a Vibram sole which makes them pretty versatile.
Simms Star Cleats work very well for traction and they can be taken in and
out or patterned as needed. The
Simms Rivertek BOA has a Vibram Sole and a BOA lacing system. We have never
personally seen the BOA fail, it is very durable and easy to use. Your
shoe laces won't ever come untied again. However, some anglers simply like to
lace up their boots by hand as part of the fishing ritual. If this is you, then
the choice is easy...
Simms Guide Boot.
Felt versus Vibram
Consumers split this one
pretty much right down the middle and the subject can be as volatile as talking
politics at our local Tav. Felt does grip better in-stream without studs,
no doubt. Can't argue that. Vibram definitely grips better outside
the stream on slick grass, snow, mud, ice, or steep hills. The sharp edge
of the Vibram outsole bites into steep side hills when felt can let you down and
put your face in the mud. Vibram does not track mud in or out of your
vehicle, fly shop, drift boat, or living room. Vibram also has a wider
range of stud or cleat compatibility and lasts longer. With all that being
said, anglers still love felt. It is split 51% to 49% but we won't tell
you in favor of which one. We don't want to start a debate we can't win!
Simms Guide Boot Features:
Water-repellent full grain Nubuck leather construction for durability
CleanStream™ design utilizes Schoeller®-dynatec high abrasion-resistant mesh panels with NanoSphere® treatment for easy cleaning
ToughTek® material surrounds ankles for greater support
Mesh tongue & full neoprene lining
Dual-density molded EVA wedge and TPU molded plate for tortional support
Molded TPU external heel clip protects ankles and provides support
Full-coverage molded rubber toe cap for durability and protection
High quality, non-corrosive brass hardware and contoured NATO speed lacing system with high quality nylon laces
Features our new StreamTread™; traction sole with Vibram® Idrogrip™ 360 traction lug sole OR a traditional felt wading sole
Offered in men's sizes 7-14 EEE Buyer's Guide for Simms Cleats and Studs for your Wading BootsVibram Soles  
There
are several options for Simms Wading Boots and cleats. The most
popular is the Simms Hard Bite Star Cleat. This works in unison with
the Vibram Streamtred Sole and fits right into the lug pattern. The Simms Hard Bite Star Cleat maintains a nice low profile but will provide a
ton of traction once your weight compresses the sole of the boot.
The next option for Vibram sole boot owners is the Simms Alumabite Star
Cleat. These sit up a bit higher and give you a little more advanced
traction. Since aluminum is relatively soft, it delivers fantastic
traction. The downside is that they do sit up a bit higher than the Hard Bite Star Cleat so if you walk a long ways outside the river you
might get tired of them!
You can use a phillip's head screwdriver or a
drill with a phillip's head attached to install either of these. All
Simms Vibram Soled wading boots come with pilot holes and they are super
easy to install. The last option is the Simms Hardbite Stud. This is more
of a traditional stud and does quite deliver the traction of the Star
Cleats and is more typically reserved for adding to your Simms Wading Sandals which is a sweet concept!
Felt Soles
If
you have felt soles, the choice is easy. A Simms Hard Bite Stud for
your felt sole is the way to go. You can install them with a 1/4"
screwdriver and it is super easy to do.
FREE Shipping, WA State Sales Tax Discount, and Red's Customer Service
 
At Reds we ship all orders FREE via UPS and USPS and pay your sales tax. In addition to a great price, you are also buying from a premium brick and mortar retailer whose passionate and knowledgeable shop staff will stop at nothing to provide you with the best possible advice and service. Combine all this and you have the best deal on the internet! Shop with confidence at Red's Fly Shop.
Questions about the Simms Guide Boot?... Ask a Pro! info@redsflyshop.com or call 509.933.2300
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Getting felt this time 
