Boot Cleat Stubs on rubber boot waders

[rdhj]

I have regular waders with the rubber buttomed treaded boots....Can I buy a set of these cleat studs and screw them in the buttom for traction or does it need to be a special buttom...i see alot of these stud kits where it says it fits a certain boot designed to accept the studs......would the buttom of mine be too thin and result in a leaking hole?

 

[Lonewolve]

gotta be careful how far the screw goes in so it doesnt break through to the sole, also where you place it too might form a crack in the rubber where the boot bemds...I have ground off the lugs on the sole with a belt sander an gotten a studded felt sole kit an done that an that works like a charm, just make sure to find out if yer boots are made from rubber or Pvc, if they are rubber you have to use contact cement called barge cement, contact also works, if they are pvc you can use the same glue you use to put pvc pipe together just make sure if you use thta you also get the pvc cleaner/primer.I have done this to two pairs of bootfoot waders i own, redballs were pvc, and Hodgeman 5mm lakestream neoprenes, an they work freakin excellent.

 

[leaky_waders]

what about just screwing 1/4" hex head sheet metal screws into a few good locations on the boot bottom?

 

[lightenup]

Get some of those aluminum cramp-ons......
Patagonia makes them..they cost acouple hundred bucks.....I like the hex-screw idea..lots cheaper

 

[rdhj]

not sure how well grind would work on these boots as the sole curves...that and i dont have a belt ginder

 

[Lonewolve]

Rd, its easy..both my bootfoots we a breeze an they had curvy bottoms, see if a friend or someone you know will let you borrow their belt sander, its just a matter of a lil care an time an yer boots will kick ass. as for screws...best screws i have put inot felt soles were brass they grap everything, the carbide ones that comewith the korkers kit also work real well, but the harder the steel the less they bite into the rock or substrate.

 

[Burtbords149]

The standard zinc-plated steel sheet metal screws would probably work fine. That steel is not nearly as hard as carbide, but not as soft and frictionless as brass (which evidently works). Patagonia uses alumnum so there must be merit to the idea that soft is beneficial.

 

[WBDluver]

the screws wont hold. The rubber bottom is not stiff enough. here is something a friend of mine used and they worked great. they just slip on over your existing boot

xxDan Bailey Super Stream Cleats(Disc.) at FishUSA.com - America's Tackle Shop!