View Full Version : carbide studs or just felt
Best Fishes
12-18-2007, 08:50 AM
I have a drift boat and I need to buy some new wading boots. Should I consider buying wading boots with carbide or just stick to the standard felt? Will the carbide damage the coated plywood floor in my drift boat?
Best Fishes
Yes the studs will damage the floor boards. My floors are glass and are very slippery with cleats. But I feel that the cleats are a huge safety item. I bought restraunt mats for the front and rear casting platforms. No slippage since they went in.
In your case I would buy the mats and cleats or buy felts and put corkies on when needed.
Djflyfish
12-18-2007, 09:50 AM
I don't have a drift boat but, I also feel safer with studded boots. Especially, if I have to jump out quick. quicker grip in the water!
AndyK
12-18-2007, 02:53 PM
I have a drift boat and I need to buy some new wading boots. Should I consider buying wading boots with carbide or just stick to the standard felt?
I have both. I do not allow studded boots in my aluminum drift boat. Studs are the best for wading. Get some inexpensive felt shoes for wearing in your boat.
Frankenfish showed up once for a float with studded boots (he has floated with me before and knows the “rules”); he spent the day in the boat in his "stocking" foots.
stillwater97
12-19-2007, 07:35 AM
I was slow to the carbide stud boot thing. In fact I'm on my first pair of studded boots. Lemme just say that it makes a considerable difference. Unless you have a fiberglass boat, studs are the way to go.
IMHO,
felt only= 2wd
felt+carbide studs= 4wd
my couple of pesos...
TheCamel
12-19-2007, 08:13 AM
You could have the best of both worlds. Korkers makes a strap on sandal with studs that is designed to be worn over wading boots.
greenblade
12-20-2007, 12:23 AM
Studs don't hurt a floor as much as you may think, I "accidentally" wore the wrong boots one trip and was really worried about damage...it turned out to be a non-issue.
One thing to consider, when you need to hop out and drag your boat thru shallow water it's usually in a strong current. The metal studs sure do help with your footing it that kind of situation.
GB
Two Fister
12-20-2007, 01:16 PM
Yes the studs will damage the floor boards. My floors are glass and are very slippery with cleats. But I feel that the cleats are a huge safety item. I bought restraunt mats for the front and rear casting platforms. No slippage since they went in.
In your case I would buy the mats and cleats or buy felts and put corkies on when needed.
:agree: :yeahthat:
Best of both worlds!
garyk
12-20-2007, 03:09 PM
Initially, I was very skeptical of Korker's interchangable sole system boot.
Not anymore, they're great....rubber lug for hiking in, felts for when I'm in a boat, studs for wading. Like 3 boots in 1.
Slow and Low
12-22-2007, 11:29 AM
Carbide studs. Yes they will damage your floors. I have diamond plate floors in the drifter so not an issue. When I wear out the floor in the sled I will repalce with diamond plate. It takes a long time to wear out the coated plywood floors.
Ladyangler
12-22-2007, 11:43 AM
Studs are the way to go. Dealing with the floor damage in the boats, try using a heavy duty entry way door mats. Not only will they prevent damage they will also keep your boat cleaner in the long run.
Stillwater & Ladyangler...are both correct in saying that unless you have a fiberglass boat like a Clackacraft studded boots will damage any floor...aluminum, carpeted, wood it doesn't matter...the very first time I bought a Clackacraft I asked Marty about studded boots damaging the floors and he told me not to worry about that...so I didn't and the floors were just fine...I ended up putting carpet in the floors anyway...not to protect the floor from wear but to deaden the noice...it is very noisy...and the custom fit carpets worked very nice for deadening the noice...I would recommend if you want to have studded boots to put a piece of carpet on the floor where you will be standing...I used the thick carpet like you see in front of the doors of stores (welcome matts)...they will last a long time and just keep an eye on it...if it starts to wear to much...replace it...I also got the kind which didn't have closed fibers on it...this makes it easy to remover hooks if one gets hooked up on the carpet...