I read somewhere in another discussion about someone applying stealth rubber to their portage boot soles.

I've found a place in Madison that will put this stuff on my new Chota Mukluks.  My thinking is this will help make the Chotas wear longer and will also decrease the chance of me slipping on wet rocks, etc. 

What do y'all think?   A bad idea?  Good idea?   

prouboy

Here ya go, M-T.  Actually, I think this is a lousy website, but it is what it is. 
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

If you google "aqua stealth," you'll find other links to wading boots, some provide better pictures than what's here.

I'm going to get them.  I'll let you know how they work.

prouboy

ST -- so in the summer, do you have a different pair of shoes/boots, a smaller size, for use without the brookies?

prouboy

Aqua stealth may be ok for wet rocks at the landings, and fine for wading boots, but how is it going to perform on muddy portages?

IF the new sole will have good cleats, then I'd say you have nothiing to lose - BUT, if the new sole is going to be smooth, like the felt bottoms of wading boots, then I'd think it would be a poor choice fou use on the protage trails.  You will have no traction in the mud, or on loose soil and duff.  Regular climbing shoes are terrible on anything but rock, because of that smooth sole - with a few loose pine needles on the ground, or dry and dusty terrain, climbing shoes always slip.

I have had two pairs of Rockport walking shoes that were fine to start out with, but become extremely dangerous to walk with after the soles wore down smooth - one drop of water under them and its like walking on wet ice, even on nearly dry sidewalks - its not teh material itself so much, as it is the very smoothe sole. 

Before you spend the money, find out what the sole will look like - if it is a amooth bottom, or with shallow siped cleats - no point in trading off a bit more traction in the water at the landings for less traction on the portages.