How to improve traction in fly fishing wading boots

I think you will agree that today all fishing tackle stores and mail order outlets have felt sole wading boots in a wide range of prices and sizes to meet the needs of the modern fly fisherman. You always get what you pay for and good wading boots with proper care will give the average fly fisherman many years of service. The wading boots used for fishing are not another high-priced pair of hiking boots. They are designed to be wider and taller between the arch and the laces, plus additional toe room to accommodate thick neoprene boots and the booties found in most better quality breathable wellies. Good wading boots are made with quality workmanship and water resistant materials that will withstand the harsh abuse of river wading. I suggest that before purchasing any pair of wading boots, you try them on with your own boots and socks to make them fit.

With all that said, after a couple of seasons, are you a little disappointed in the way those high-priced felt sole wading boots perform? Do they seem to be a little more slippery on some river bottoms than you thought they would be? There is a cure that will solve the problem, and it also works on newer felt sole boots and worn felt sole boots.

If you have a pair of wading boots (old or new), with simple felt soles, try this solution: Find a reputable carpet store in your local area that sells and installs waterproof, commercial grade carpeting. type used in offices, restaurants, hotels, etc. This is not a carpet used in residential homes or an indoor / outdoor carpet used on patio decks. Ask to see some ruminants with a short nap (3/8 “or less) tight without cloth or rubber backing. Tell the seller what you want to use it for so they know what to show you. You will only need a 3’x 4 ‘piece to make four or five pairs of soles for your wading boots. Next, you will need to purchase Barge waterproof contact cement in the red and yellow can to glue the mat over the existing felt soles. I have not used the Barge cement in the green can, but I They have said it is safer to use and works just as well. The 32oz can of cement holds 5 or 6 pairs of carpet soles or felt soles replacements and can be found in most major grocery stores. construction supplies or shoe repair shops. You will also need a couple of ¾-inch rolls of reinforced tape

If you want to remove the old felt soles from a pair of wading boots, you can do it yourself: In an open work area away from flames or sparks, apply a generous amount of acetone to the felt soles and let them sit with the soles. upward for 1 to 2 hours. Now, using a thick screwdriver, slide the toe between the felt sole and the rubber sole of the boot at the end of the toe and lift up the felt. Then, with a large pair of Vise Grip pliers, grasp the old felt sole at the end of the toe and pull it back and up; Like opening a can of sardines, the old felt should come off pretty easily. However, if the felt soles are sewn into the sole of the boots, you will have to go to a shoe repair shop to have the felts removed, or you can simply glue the carpet to the felts.

In your work area, lay the rug on a hard surface with the back side up. Place the wading boot on the mat and use a black marker, tracing an outline of the sole and mark “R” for the right and “L” for the left. If your boots have a high heel, draw a line across the sole of the mat for the heel. I use a very sharp fillet knife to carefully cut the replacement soles about ¼ inch past the sole of the boot. If your boots have a raised heel, cut it where the cross line is marked. Don’t worry if the replacement sole is a bit larger, you can easily trim it after the glue has dried. You are now ready to apply the mat to the sole of the boots.

In a well-ventilated work area, on a newspaper covered workbench, place blocks of wood on each side of the boots for support to keep the soles up. Then carefully apply a thick layer of Barge cement over the soles of the boots, making sure the edges are well covered and allowing the cement to become somewhat tacky. If the cement is absorbed by the felt soles, apply another coat. Also apply a thick coat of cement to the hard back of the carpet sole replacements and allow the cement to become tacky. Depending on the air temperature, it may take 30-40 minutes for the glue to become tacky. This is contact cement, so carefully align the soles of the carpet with the sole of the boots and press them together the harder the better. Put on your boots and walk, stomping up and down, putting as much pressure as you can on the bottom areas of the boots. Take off your boots and fold the top of the boots down into the boot opening. Use the strapping tape to wrap the carpet soles tightly around the bottom of each boot. Make 8-10 very tight wraps around the boot from heel to toe, then firmly apply about 3 pieces of tape from bottom to top and over the toe of each boot and then do the same for heels. The boot should now be almost completely covered with tightly wrapped duct tape. After 2-3 days of drying, carefully remove the tape and with a sharp knife, trim the mat as close to the rubber sole of the boot as possible. If you want a really neat job, you can use a small propane torch to carefully seal the edges of the carpet.

I suggest that if you just want to replace the old felts with new felts replacements, this gluing method really works. However, if you are not a skilled man or do not have the time, simply take the rug to a good shoe store and ask them to install the soles or felt sole replacements.

The quality and longevity of this project is dependent on the quality of the carpet, the amount of pressure applied to freshly glued replacements, and the proper application of Barge contact cement.

Good luck, good fishing, and wading safely. For tips and additional information on wading and fly fishing, visit my site.