Rene
I have had several pairs of wading shoes from many different makers, over
the years. The problem you describe has occured over time to almost every
pair I have owned. Some last longer than others. I have repaired every pair
by regluing the felts using a product called Goop. It holds very well. I
have found it more reliable than barge cement or contact cement. The best
pair of wading boots I had was an old pair of leather work boots I glued
some felts to. Stood the test of rugged stream conditions and provided good
ankle support as well.
Regards
Mel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rene Zillmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 1:20 PM
Subject: [VFB] Simms Quality
Gang,
I own wading shoes from Simms. I think it is a pair of their 'Freestone'
series. Till last friday I was very satisfied with them. Here is the
problem:
When I left the Ahr after some 4 or 5 hours of wading, I discovered that
the felt soles peeled away from the shoes. Not completely, but on one shoe
the sole peeled away from to tip till approx. the middle of the shoe
(Could hardly walk in them) and from the heel ca. 25%. Only 25 % were
basically connected with the shoe.
On the 2nd shoe it was not so much, but a large amount of the sole is
peeled away as well.
What's really strange is, that the surface of the shoe is 'clean'. I mean,
there is nothing of the felt left on the shoe. It is like if the glue had
stopped holding them.
The shoes are 5 or 6 years old, I wear them 5 to 10 times a year. The felt
is still 3 mm thick, definitely not worn out. If the felt sole would have
been peeled way completely while I was wading, I would not only have lost
the sole, wating on slippery stones it would have been become dangerous as
well.
I was always thinking that Simms is a good quality brand, and right now
I'm condidering to buy a pair of new waders. Maybe I should refude to buy
one from Simms.
Has anybody similar experiences? Any idea, why this happened? How would
you fix the problem? What is the best glue to repair the shoes?
The dealer, where I bought the shoes, went out of business, a couple of
years ago. No chance for warrenty.
Rene
