I can't remember if they were "cheap" back in 2009 but I bought a pair of Cabela's "Guide" model boots to replace my felt-soled Weinbrenner Wood n'Stream Borgers from the 1990s. The Cabela's are obviously rebranded, rubber-soled Chota
genuine leather SSTs with screw in studs. But they soak up water and get
very heavy from wading. Also the studs quickly started coming out, got lost and were real expensive to replace. That was not good for hike-in stream destinations. In 2011 I replaced the Chotas with 1st gen Korkers for freshwater and the Cabela's were relegated to the beach only.
I needed studs because the nearby beaches are fairly high gradient and those rubber soles on beach cobble are like rollerskates. I learned about Kold Kutters in the old forum. They still get lost but a box of 250 KKs cost me about what 28 replacement studs were going for. Using a dab of adhesive to seat the studs has helped with retention. I only fish saltwater a dozen or less times a year and am still on the first box of studs.
After 10 years, with the last 8 only in saltwater, the uppers' stitching started to fail. I took them into Ardessons and they restitched both uppers at a
very reasonable cost. They also recommended and sold me some Obenauf's LP leather preservative that has kept them in pretty good shape.
The lacing guides are definitely steel but have not corroded. Maybe because I actually put the boots in a 5 gallon bucket of water at home to soak after every trip and change the water a couple of times. Then I put them on my DIY 78° hair dryer-powered boot dryer and grease 'em up with the Obenauf's when dry.
OK for 17 year old boots?
I see
@skyriver 's boots have felt soles.
I still have the Borgers that are also in pretty good shape. The felt could really use a refresh.
How does the felt hold up to barnacles?
Do they work on high, steep, and often muddy access trails that South Sound beaches frequently have?
