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5,156 Posts
Well I've used my boots with newly applied studded felt and they are working great! I'm glad I did it myself and plan on doing it myself next time. My boots are as good if not better than the day I first bought them.
The studs are awesome when in the water. I feel much more stable than before (with just felt). But when walking on rocks, hard packed trails, and especially concrete, they are a pain (much louder and just a little more cumbersome than plain felt)
Summary:
Get about 3 of the big tubes of shoe goo. If you don't use all 3, you can take one back... Just don't underestimate how much it will take...
My old felt was in good condition, just getting extremely thin, so I stuck to the package recomendation of applying the new felt to the old.
I used a hand file to clean up the old felt before starting, and to even out the edges when I was done.
Cutting away the excess felt after I was done was easy with a large knife (the kind that 'never needs sharpening'. The little teeth saw right through the stuff). I thought this would be harder than it was. Using a razor\utility knife may have worked too, but I would stay away from a 'normal' bladed knife.
After applying the felt, it was clear that I'd need some tape to hold down a few edges. I applied a lot of pressure with my hands, then carefully taped them up to keep pressure on the 'problem areas'.
After it dried for 24 or more hrs, I pulled off the tape, then applied more shoe goo all around the edges and forced it into any crack or crevas that was remaining. Re-applied a little tape to help out in those places, and another 24hrs and I was done.
Total hands on time spent was about an hour. Next time I could do it in 1/2 hour or so.
The studs are awesome when in the water. I feel much more stable than before (with just felt). But when walking on rocks, hard packed trails, and especially concrete, they are a pain (much louder and just a little more cumbersome than plain felt)
Summary:
Get about 3 of the big tubes of shoe goo. If you don't use all 3, you can take one back... Just don't underestimate how much it will take...
My old felt was in good condition, just getting extremely thin, so I stuck to the package recomendation of applying the new felt to the old.
I used a hand file to clean up the old felt before starting, and to even out the edges when I was done.
Cutting away the excess felt after I was done was easy with a large knife (the kind that 'never needs sharpening'. The little teeth saw right through the stuff). I thought this would be harder than it was. Using a razor\utility knife may have worked too, but I would stay away from a 'normal' bladed knife.
After applying the felt, it was clear that I'd need some tape to hold down a few edges. I applied a lot of pressure with my hands, then carefully taped them up to keep pressure on the 'problem areas'.
After it dried for 24 or more hrs, I pulled off the tape, then applied more shoe goo all around the edges and forced it into any crack or crevas that was remaining. Re-applied a little tape to help out in those places, and another 24hrs and I was done.
Total hands on time spent was about an hour. Next time I could do it in 1/2 hour or so.
