Adding cleats to felt Sole wader boots?

[fishfight]

Has someone ever added cleats to felt wading boots to add traction for winter application? I was reading that felt sole will freeze and harden once out of water.


I was assuming boots with rubber sole or added stud could be used on all weather, and felt sole has specific application.

 

[[email protected]]

most companies are doing away with felt soles due to tighter regulations on rivers and lakes. possible transfer of unwanted pests from one water shed to another. you can get cleats of ice grabbers for them, but better to have rubber soles all around tbh

 

[goodentight]

back to OP.. yes. We did this last weekend actually. On our way up on a trip up north, my buddy drilled 15 cleats into each of his felt soles. He said they worked amazing and not only that, not a single one fell out or was damaged. We use the 3/8 kold kutters.


funny story.. he actually went for a swim that day. However, that had to do with trying to cross the river where he shouldn't, paired with the beers he had consumed. He was okay so, it is funny.

 

[cptpronin]

I use cleated rubber soles with metal studs screwed into them. Good grip on slippery bottoms and added traction when hiking rugged terrain. Good all year round. Felt soles are blamed for transfering "rocksnot" from stream to stream.

 

[fishfight]

I just added some Aluminium brackets, glued them with shoe goo, added stainless screws to hold them in place, cost around $15 for all materials,..... for the purpose of adding additional traction. I saw someone else did this on line, so I just copied it. My rubber sole seem to be made some semi-hard rubber material, it might not be as safe when climbing through rocks.

I have not done anything with my felt sole boots.