simms flats sneakers

[cape5350]

Does anyone have any experience with the Simms Flats Sneakers? While fishing Osterville's beaches I probably walk a couple of miles a day. I'm looking for light weight comfortable shoes to wear over my Orvis Silver Label stocking foot waders. Thank you, any information is greatly appreciated.

[uncle4]

Hi there.

I've owned my simms flats booties since about when they came out.

I normally wet-fish the waters of Vineyard and Nantucket Sound,
but last year I put them on (Simms) over some stocking-foot Orvis
breathables... very comfortable.

I've worn the booties for 4 years worth of trips south (Belize, Bahamas,
Florida) and have punished them in corals, mangroves, rocks and other
nasty places. The rubber trim is starting to crack, but otherwise they're
holding up nicely.

I also own the Patagonia Marl Walkers. I didn't care for them as much as
the ankle-area was MUCH stiffer and interfered with my gait.

If you wet-wade with the Simms, make sure you've got socks on under-
neath: Sand/grit _will_ accumulate in them, and they'll become uncomfort-
able without some kind of barrier.

Other than wet-wading with those neoprene sailing booties (lighter,
grippier, cheaper) I can't recommend any booty more than Simms (too
bad they pulled all their resellers on the Vinyid <hint, hint>!).

Cheers,

Uncle 4

[David Churbuck]

I haven't tried the Simms, but I do use the Orvis Low-Top Flats Booties with my stocking foots and they are very comfortable.

http://images.orvis.com/orvis_assets/prodimg/13XHG4SF.jpg

Cheap too. Mucho comfy. Here's the link. (http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=13XH&feature_id=&dir_id=758&group_id=777&cat_id=5421&subcat_id=6049&shop_id=)

I also own the Christmas Island model - side zippers, high-top, and don't like them as much which figures since they cost double.

[BobG]

I bought a pair of these and used them heavily for five bonefish trips. They are still in excellent shape.http://a1460.g.akamai.net/f/1460/1339/6h/www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/83/02/21/i830221sq02.jpg

They're made by Cabelas, and I'll bey they are half the price of Simms? The only thing I found nessesary is to wear a pair of light socks inside the wading shoe. If any sand gets into the boot at all, it's murder on the skin of your ankle when it rubs against the neoprene.

[Onshore]

I've been wearing Simms boats here in Florida and in New England for at least ten years. I have nothing but praise for them.

[Strat]

The Flats Sneakers are OK. I have had problems with the insoles sliding around and coming unglued. Simms fixed the problem quickly. I bought the boots for wading on sharp, unpredictable coral which they were great for. Might be a little overkill for sandy bottoms...they are kind of stiff.

[super-fly]

Yeah... the simms flats sneakers are kinda stiff but they offer great protection when wading/walking over rugged terrain...they're perfect for walking across the jagged coral commonly found on the shoreline in the abacos....Ive had mine for about three years and theyre still going strong. Just make sure you wear a socks with them for comfort.