Boot Sole Advice Needed

[Muddypaws]

My walking boots (which are Lowa Banffs) need to go off for resoling soon. I love them to bits but they have a major flaw, which is that the original supplied Vibram sole is absolutely useless at gripping on wet wood, for example exposed tree roots and wooden boardwalks. So I am wondering if anyone can recommend a sole type that I could have fitted to my boots that performs better in this respect.
(Incidentally the original sole is a Vibram Tsavo if the Lowa website is correct)
Looking forward to reading your suggestions.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Sorry can't recommend any particular sole but I would think that any hard rubber sole would slip on the things you mentioned so prehaps a softer, less cleated sole would be more suitable......some bikers have non slip soles put on their boots but that is done by specialist cobblers.


Lumberjacks & forestry workers may be more specific.

 

[Mick w.]

Wet tree roots, wet limestone...
...nope, nothing that sticks to either comes to mind!

 

[Teepee]

The grippiest soles I've ever used were Zamberlans 3 season full seamless leathers uppers in Vibram. Wet rocks felt solid, far grippier than my Scarpa SL's.

I've got 6 pairs of footwear with Vibram soles, none come close to the above, they were awesome.

 

[Shewie]

Inov8 trail shoes have some nice offerings, their Roclite 400 has had some good reviews, super soft and sticky soles with a GTX lining.

Or a light running shoe like the Terrocs feel like hiking in your slippers

 

[Bushwhacker]

Felt soles are used when rock fishing on the shore (very slippery) so that's the best I can think of.

 

[British Red]

There are boot soles optimised for exactly what you are referring to. They pretty much rely on metal studs though (that fit into a convention cleated sole). Most good chainsaw boots and some US varieties of outdoor bood offer these options. They work by, litterally "digging in" - like crampons.

Never seen the facility on normal walking boots though - they would be awful on hard stuff like rock.

 

[Muddypaws]

Interesting suggestions there, thanks.

Red - I like the idea of a studded sole, but I know it would be hugely impractical for the sort of walking that I do. Typically this would include pavement, gravel and crushed rock paths, grass, mud, woodland floor with many exposed tree roots, and boardwalk (very slippery in the wet).

I guess a softer rubber compound sole is what I am after, giving the best compromise. I will talk to Lancashire Sport Repairs (where I intend sending the boots) and see if they can suggest a softer compound sole that can be fitted.

Anyway many thanks to you all for your input!

 

[woof]

Altberg do 2 kinds of soles. The skywalk is their hard wearing or urban sole, & their lightweight sole is their "off road" sole, the lightweights are not hard wearing when used on road all the time.

Rob