New concept for korkers engineers...

lester berns · #1 11-01-2009, 02:33 PM

I own k-5000 korkers... I walk miles during outing over rough terrain... just got back from block island and walked so damn far. k-5000's weigh 2 pounds each. Is it really necessary to wear that giant, 2 pound rubber sandal just so there can be a few spikes under your feet??? there has to be a better "delivery" system for the spikes... (I know what youre going to say... I already know about the torrents with the removable soles... I tried them and I think they SUCK... not enough spikes& the "convenient" interchangeable soles pop off in rough terrain (block island). "sounds" like a great idea, having the option for 5 types of soles... but most guys dont need 5 different soles that all kindof suck... they need ONE that WORKS!!! I dont know where they field tested those interchangeable soles, but it was probably a trout stream for a week, and not where most surf-casters fish!!! I fish 60-70 nights per season...
HERES MY IDEA..... Why not simply make boots that have have a bottom that look just like the k-5000??? a boot that has the threads built directly into the sole? just screw in your replacement spikes and youre good to go... can I get an amen??? how has such a simple, practical idea gotten by their engineers???

jdm197 · #2 11-01-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

"I own k-5000 korkers... I walk miles during outing over rough terrain... just got back from block island and walked so damn far. k-5000's weigh 2 pounds each. Is it really necessary to wear that giant, 2 pound rubber sandal just so there can be a few spikes under your feet??? there has to be a better "delivery" system for the spikes... (I know what youre going to say... I already know about the torrents with the removable soles... I tried them and I think they SUCK... not enough spikes& the "convenient" interchangeable soles pop off in rough terrain (block island). "sounds" like a great idea, having the option for 5 types of soles... but most guys dont need 5 different soles that all kindof suck... they need ONE that WORKS!!! I dont know where they field tested those interchangeable soles, but it was probably a trout stream for a week, and not where most surf-casters fish!!! I fish 60-70 nights per season...
HERES MY IDEA..... Why not simply make boots that have have a bottom that look just like the k-5000??? a boot that has the threads built directly into the sole? just screw in your replacement spikes and youre good to go... can I get an amen??? how has such a simple, practical idea gotten by their engineers??? "

trying to find a good pair of korkers is like finding an honest nj politician. hopefully one of us will start to manufacture a decent pair of rock shoes. btw, own the torrent shoes and boots. have used the shoes for two seasons and like them alot, cant say the same for the boots. one season with the boots and the sides are falling apart, the soles are constantly falling out. was in the montauk rocks a few weeks ago and lost a sole. what a disaster! knocked on my ass and tried to fish anyway. kept on fishing and swimming until exhaustion. thank god for wetsuits. anyone know what the manufacturing cost of a pair of shoes like these would be??

striperjim · #3 11-02-2009, 10:55 AM

Its a real pain in the ass wrapping the k5000's around the boots with duct tape.
(k1100's weigh less)
To be honest I didnt fish the rocks much this season for just that reason and the fact that the bait was stacked on the sand beaches all season.

Also I'm taking to modifying a pair of breathables. Why the heck do I need suspenders and a bib if Im trying to pull a dry top over or under this mass of stuff. Not including a belt, plug bag, neck lamp and boga.
Its especially tough if you have any kind of physical limitations. By the time you traverse the soft sand and get your feet undermined by the washouts your beat up pretty good.
Not to mention battling rollers and bluefish. Light weight gear is a must.

Jackbass · #4 11-02-2009, 04:57 PM

I have heard good things about the boots?

I bought a pair of safety shoes(at a discount store for 20 bucks) installed #8x1/2" hex heads in the sole coated the threads with Marine epoxy and have not had many problems. Next year I will be lightening it up more by using a pair of High top sneakers or something Mobility is crucial and I rarely lose studs. The last pair I made lasted close to two seasons and cost me a total of 30 dollars.

jerseystriper · #5 11-05-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Why not simply make boots that have have a bottom that look just like the k-5000??? a boot that has the threads built directly into the sole? just screw in your replacement spikes and youre good to go... can I get an amen??? how has such a simple, practical idea gotten by their engineers???

Part of the problem with a pair of shoes or boots with threaded holes is that the holes will fill with sand, mud, dirt, etc. You would then need to clean out the holes to screw in studs. Well that's not to easy now is it? This is if I understand you correctly??? Like just screw in the studs when you need them?

No for you Amen here.
I will just stick to the $35 or $40 Stabilicers as I can strap them on when needed.

lester berns · #6 11-05-2009, 08:09 PM

im talking about screwing them in, and ONLY removing them to replace one... I thought I'd be preaching to the choir, but I guess not... Just boots with the screw in korker spikes ALWAYS on the bottom... minus the two pounds of heavy rubber

jerseystriper · #7 11-07-2009, 05:03 PM

Ah I see, Just get yourself a pair of Cabels Ultra light studded wading boots. They weigh around 2.4 lbs per pair which is not heavy and at $60 p/pair that's not bad. From what I hear they are pretty durable and if you don't like them just send em back or return. If you loose studs then just epoxy in a threaded insert to fit the titanium korker studs-well that's if the studs are not replaceable. I have also seen another pair out there that were very similar but had larger and more studs. I will be glueing in some inserts into my Carhartt boots now that I have beat them up pretty good-time for a new pair. I have several different size inserts and they make many more so finding the right size/thread should not be a problem. I use the inserts for solid core/Corian countertops

For even more $ you can get the Korker Guideboots which have the Omnitrax interchangable soles

striperjim · #8 11-08-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

For even more $ you can get the Korker Guideboots which have the Omnitrax interchangable soles

I have a pair and I've worn them once.
They are useless on slimey rocks. They might be Ok for the average river but not for extreme terrain. I even own some air craft carrier water shoes that fit over the booties. They are great for non slip but they get laden with small sand and pebbles.
You still need the cleats under them too.
I think the best way is to fashion your own or live with the weight.

jerseystriper · #9 11-08-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by striperjim

I have a pair and I've worn them once.
They are useless on slimey rocks. They might be Ok for the average river but not for extreme terrain. I even own some air craft carrier water shoes that fit over the booties. They are great for non slip but they get laden with small sand and pebbles.
You still need the cleats under them too.
I think the best way is to fashion your own or live with the weight.

I don't understand as the Omnitrax interchangable studded rubber sole for the guide boot is almost them same if not the same as the sandles. Unless you mean the Cabela's boot or the Korker studded felt sole then I understand

http://korkers.com/technology/?p=omnitrax

Korkers Omnitrax interchangable studded sole

YouTube- Korkers

striperjim · #10 11-08-2009, 06:35 PM

Ok never mind - the ones I have they dont make anymore.
They have the outsole crap but only the felt and rubber were available then. It looks as if it is improved from the hiking boot style I owned but now they use the key to pop them in and out. The older styles just slid in and out.
They offer the cleat style now but it looks like only 14 studs.
Someone try them and let us know.

jdm197 · #11 11-08-2009, 10:31 PM

hers a pic of the newer stlye that uses the key tool, bought them first week of july. The outsides are falling apart, and the soles flip out from time to time. Fine sand gets under the insert, builds up and eventually pushes the insert out.

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jerseystriper · #12 11-09-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdm197

hers a pic of the newer stlye that uses the key tool, bought them first week of july. The outsides are falling apart, and the soles flip out from time to time. Fine sand gets under the insert, builds up and eventually pushes the insert out.
Attachment 12154 Attachment 12155

I was wondering about that and thinking that could be a problem. Sure enough, you think they would have tested them on sand.
I quess it's time to pony up and buy a new set of Carhartts so I can stick screws in my old ones. These are the best boots I have ever owned, been to hell and back and they are still going strong. Plus it's hard to find 13 EE or wider boots anymore

lester berns · #13 11-15-2009, 10:01 PM

those boots suck... My friend was wearing those in jamestown one night when the entire side split open... he had a long walk back twisting his ankle as he was basically wearing the boot AROUND his ankle... But thats not even the point of this thread... I am hoping to find a boot that does one thing... simply has korker studs on the bottom.. I dont want to change the soles to something else every hour, I dont want lousy options... I simply want korker spikes.... on the bottom of my boots....... without the rubber....... and without optional gimmicks....... Screw it... that is my winter "goal"... I am going to come up with something.