Simms Flats Sneaker Review

Time to update my Simms Flats Sneaker review. I got these critter back in the fall of last year from Bears Den Fly Shop. I did a preliminary review at the time – just first impressions. Since then I have used them twice a week for five hours at a stretch here in Florida’s Charlotte Harbor. Now I’m ready to tell you more, a whole lot more. And unfortunately its not good news.

Simms Flats Sneaker Review

Simms Flats Sneaker Review

Simms makes some of the finest fishing gear around, no question. But you can’t expect even the best manufacturer to hit a home run every time at bat. Nobody does that. Nobody. We all make mistakes. My pair of Simms Flats Sneakers is certainly no home run. In fact they might be a foul ball. They are literally falling apart. As you can see in the photo above, the exterior fabric is cracking and eroding away. The problem is extensive, especially in areas that flex, and both boots are heavily involved.

Simms Flat Sneaker

Simms Flats Sneaker Review

In the photo below, you can see that the welt is cracking too. Wow. So what’s going on here? I’ll take a guess. It appears to me that these boots are very susceptible to UV, good old sunlight. Now I do plenty of wading so the boots are in the drink much of the time. But I’m also poling around on an SUP. At that point the boots are facing the Florida sky. Bingo UV.

Now if you plan to use these shoes for a quick bonefish trip and them put them into a dark closet until next year, they might last far longer. In fact I bet you’ll be a happy camper. If on the other hand, like me, you’re going to use these puppies a lot, I can’t recommend them.

In the next couple of days I will return these boots to Simms. Naturally I’ll report back on how they respond. Hopefully they will help me out, although I’m not sure I want another pair of these Flats Sneaker. Would you? Perhaps they can give me a credit towards some other product.

Simms Flat Sneaker

Simms Flat Sneaker

Update May 16: As expected, Simms offered to replace the sneakers, but I opted for a credit toward a rain jacket.

This entry was posted in Gear. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Simms Flats Sneaker Review

  1. Gary says:

    My Simms wading staff bit the dust last Thursday. Did not even last 2 seasons and no salt water to blame. I got it Brand New in Feb 2015. Funny thing is I still have one that works that only cost me $20 at Dicks. I believe it is a Field & Stream. Came with a compass built into the handle. I guess you don’t always get what you pay for. I called Simms and told them I don’t want a replacement unless it is a improved version. My safety is at stake. The broken one is on it’s way to Montana.

    • Ed Mitchell says:

      Hey Gary,
      I’m surprised. And you’re right, a broken wading staff is a safety issue. Not a good thing. The weather this winter reduced my fishing time, still these boots started giving up the ghost within two months. Since they were my only pair I kept going until now. No choice,really. Like you I don’t want a replacement; I want a credit. Sent them to Montana on Monday. Cost me another $20. Not happy about that either. Will see how Simms responds.
      Ed

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.