I’m never surprised by a “better mousetrap” – only surprised that our industry is the source of so few.
With rubber soles being the standard of the future and while the vendor community wrestles with compositions, textures, and sticky – eventually settling on some blend they’ll label with a Star Wars moniker, you’d think they might see whose travelled that path terrestrially – before hitting the laboratory.
I’d describe it as an elegant design, a vibram sole equipped with a reversible cleat from Hammacher Schlemmer.
Snapped into the sole of the boot is a cleated segment that’s reversible, cleats on one side, no cleats on the other.
Figure some minor modifications for underwater use, thicker and with a better restraint, but this style would allow an angler to adjust his footing on the fly.
Greasy river bottom? Park on a rock and flip them around for additional purchase (11 cleats on the sole, 5 on the heel). For a sandy bottom, pop them out and reverse them for an all rubber grip.
Now we won’t be wearing the cleats down while hiking along railroad tracks or any overland portages.
It would even allow me to purchase replacements, or offer sets with even more cleats than standard – due to the modular design.
Neat.
Tags: Hammacher Schlemmer, cleated vibram soles, wading technology, modular design, good engineering, reinvent the wheel
Pretty neat – my snow and ice boots feature hex head sheet metal screws in the sole and heel – great on ice but scary on the linoleum floor at Fred Meyers!
Your point about innovation is correct – this design would make a good wader. It’s also easy to decontaminate (didymo)compared to felt.
The concept is interesting but it also strikes me as fairly complex in terms of sole design (multiple pieces, tight tolerences, etc.). Note that these boots cost $200 without wading boot construction details (rand reinforcement, drainage, lacing, etc.) I’ve often wondered if some aftermarket stud arrangement like these – http://www.yaktrax.com/products.aspx would provide a fast-change solution to screwing in hex heads. Note that simply screwing in studs has worked fine for me but installing/removing them isn’t something i like doing on the trail.
When have we ever shrank from wading boots @ $200? I thought it was a merit badge …
Kidding,just kidding ..
I just like the modular design, allowing all manner of adjustments – perhaps even adding a lattice of felt.
It would seem possible to engineer this for our use – perhaps wider and thicker (which would resist movement better).
I’m sure nothing will come of it – vendors would prefer to sell us a second boot.
Have you field-tested any of the modular stuff from Orvis or Korkers? Just curious. You may see more of this kind of development down the road but fish footwear development is costly biz. Developing lasts and molds requires big upfront costs just to make something to test. Keep sharing ideas. I always like to look outside the lines for inspiration too. There are some cool traction concepts in the running and golf markets as well…..oh, and you are correct, the top priced product is a coveted merit badge in the fly fishing industry.
I spoke with a senior guy at one of the larger firms about this topic and it’s a matter of economics at El Pescador suggests. Could you make the significant investment in this technology pay off even at higher price points? Apparently, not yet.
I’ve bought Korkers and even the new design leaves room for improvement. “Did I remember to disassemble my boots the last time that I cleaned them?”
Technical clothing of any kind is difficult economically for the manufacturer. And for us consumers ( and I use the word carefully), it can be a nightmare.
I live in an isolated area. Sometimes, I can’t get to a store to try stuff on. Don’t you just love trying to buy tech cloths by mail? Three sizes and return the two that don’t fit. It must be a cost of doing business. Ouch!
And still, I recycle more “stuff” that I haven’t used or that I consider a product failure.
After technical shoes of any kind comes gloves! Especially, for motorcycling. If ya get lucky, you try them on. Then, you drive home with them and they stretch or bind after a few hours. Touring gloves are expensive and always discontinued just after one finds some that work. I have a tank bag full.
Well, that turned into a rambling rant!