Author Topic: Old Boots & Invasive Species (Read 685 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** May 31, 2011, 01:31:14 PM »

I've been procrastinating on buying a new pair of boots coddling these old Simms. New laces, little sew job here, new studs, etc, but they are very ragged. One thing I've noticed lately though is they are becoming so porous and separated inside and out that I fear there's no adequate way to completely disinfect them.

The thought crossed my mind with 1000s and 1000s of similar boots trekking around the world's streams is it merely a matter of time before the widespread movement of many invasive species?

As you may have noted I'm not too up to date on recent Wading Boot design, but it seems it's time to move toward a completely non-porous molded design ala the popular "Crocs". Which are incredibly comfortable and seemingly easily adaptable to a rugged boot design.

Bob Lux · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2011, 02:51:26 PM »

I've always felt that the felt was kind of dragged under the bus as being the cause of the spread. The are plenty of other places on the boots/waders that people neglect to think of as being travel agent for the invasive plants and species. Not to say that felt is free of blame, I just feel that it shouldn't take all of the blame.

Pat Brechbill · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2011, 07:12:58 PM »

I will say that I haven't been impressed yet with any of the so called Vibram soles yet. My Korkers Klngon's are really slick unless you are wading in gravel. I haven't seen or tried the new "Svelte" soles by Korkers yet which is supposed to be the next great thing. Any one used these yet?

Anita Coulton · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2011, 07:42:40 PM »

Just had my Simms boots resoled with vibram....well, actually it was a mistake...I requested felt. Anyway, I thought I would give them a try. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how sticky they were. Thought about getting some cleats and adding, and may do that eventually. Right now I'm digging the traction I get....especially on big, dry rocks. So, for me.....it's working well.....granted, I don't wade nearly as aggressively as some of you guys.....just my 2c.

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2011, 12:53:13 PM »

I think there are way more variables than felt that will pass along invasives, felt was definitely thrown under the bus...I am just looking at the built in gravel guards on my new Sonic Pros and thinking how easy it would be for a hitch hiker to tag along. Additionally looking at all the nooks and crannies of my Orvis side zip Brogues...tons and tons of spots to bring a guest along. The bottoms of the orvis brogues arent horrible...not a good as felt but I feel pretty stable and secure using them.
The best solution would probably be a bootfoot wader with a vibram sole and studs...that to me would be the set up least likely to bring along invaders and the easiest by far to keep disinfected not sure why simms or patagucci hasnt thought of that.
If you can get good felts get them...just try to clean and dry them between rivers. Good luck.

Pat Weiss · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2011, 01:03:33 PM »

The reason felt has gone out of fashion is becasue of how well it holds moisture. When you think its dry, its not. In order to kill everything, fully dry for an absolute minimum of 24hrs is recommended. Ive seen times listed as long as 48 hours. The only 2 "100% effective" methods of disinfection for all known AIS are TOTAL drying and bleach. That being said, drying is the only viable option and felt is the hardest to dry. Believe me, if I could I would go back to my felts in a heartbeat, but its a small price to pay.

Bill Strickland · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2011, 01:03:30 PM »

FYI, Our Simms rep told us that they are bringing back their felt boots for 2012.

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2011, 10:50:37 AM »

I wonder why Simms/Orvis and Patagonia havent come up with a safe cleaning system you could buy from the fly shop? I would think they could sell it as an add-on and as a recurring sale if it was reasonably priced.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2011, 11:21:42 AM »

I've always thought the same thing Rob. A small container you could dilute "parts per" would be easy to distribute/package and take a lot of the guess work out of the process. There's so much "urban legend" around what works and what doesn't that I think a lot of guys just don't even try.

Pat Weiss · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:32:53 PM »

If they sold something as a disinfectant, and it didnt work, it would look bad. Secondly, as I mentioned before, bleach and drying are the only methods widely accepted as broad-scale effective treatment.

Heres a pretty good summary of the things that are out there and how to best deal with them.
http://fishandboat.com/ais/pfbc_biosecurity.pdf

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2011, 09:13:49 AM »

To go along with this what does everyone think about Simms bringing back felt?

Jason Hearle · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2011, 09:46:29 AM »

Quote from: Mark Hanes on July 22, 2011, 09:13:49 AM

To go along with this what does everyone think about Simms bringing back felt?

It's a bad idea, just like offering somebody 40% off a new item so they don't have to fix the old one.
Several states have banned felt already, like Vermont and Maryland with Alaska coming soon and I believe within the next 5 years or so, a lot more states will go this route.
If you want to wear felt in a few streams near home, or in the same drainage, I don't really see any problem with that.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2011, 10:06:59 AM »

I agree! Simms really seemed like a leader in the push to get the felt out. I understand the decision may have been all about money but I think they jumped the gun too quick on this one.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2011, 08:42:15 PM »

its because they now discovered that didymo is not as bad as they once thought it was. It also put a mad dash on non felt alternatives that the gear junkies fell for. You can use whatever you want as long as you are responsible about taking care of the problem of spreading it