Would it be difficult to apply felt to the bottom of a pair of gym shoes?

[Ohioguy25]

I am recovering from a bad foot injury and am sort of stuck wearing these max cushion gym shoes. I’ve tried regular runners but my feet hurt after not very long.

 

I am looking to get into wading and would like to use the shoes that I’m comfortable in.  How would I go about doing this, and would wearing them in the water destroy the shoes quickly?

[Scott F]

You could apply felt, but I wouldn’t count on it staying on very long. Even companies who sell felt soled boots aren’t very good at keeping the felt attached. 

[Deleted account]

I wouldn't suggest it, but if I were to do it, I would first make the bottom one uniform surface by subtracting and/or adding material that the felt would adhere to (also needs to be flexible), then use a proper adhesive (do not inhale). Not worth the trouble, and unless done right, the felt will peal off in short order. And yes, using shoes not designed to be submarines will destroy them.

If you get a wetsuit and wade up to your nipples, the weight on your feet will be greatly reduced. [cue Jesse Pinckman]

[Ohioguy25]

4 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

I wouldn't suggest it, but if I were to do it, I would first make the bottom one uniform surface by subtracting and/or adding material that the felt would adhere to (also needs to be flexible), then use a proper adhesive (do not inhale). Not worth the trouble, and unless done right, the felt will peal off in short order. And yes, using shoes not designed to be submarines will destroy them.

If you get a wetsuit and wade up to your nipples, the weight on your feet will be greatly reduced. [cue Jesse Pinckman]

But the shoes will still last at least the season right? That’s all I need them for.

[Deleted account]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

But the shoes will still last at least the season right? That’s all I need them for.

Yes, they will probably last at least that long, getting them dried off after each use will help. 

[Ohioguy25]

28 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Yes, they will probably last at least that long, getting them dried off after each use will help. 

Cool, how would you suggest properly doing this?

[Deleted account]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Cool, how would you suggest properly doing this?

I would suggest not doing it. But post a bottom view of the sole, and a sideview of the shoe, and we can take it from there if you'd like. 

[Ohioguy25]

6 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

I would suggest not doing it. But post a bottom view of the sole, and a sideview of the shoe, and we can take it from there if you'd like. 

Lol no I meant drying them, the felt is out

[Deleted account]

8 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Lol no I meant drying them, the felt is out

Oh good, I was starting to worry...

If you have a clothes drier dedicated to rough clothing, dog towels and the like, throw them in there after rinsing them out (with some odd and end dry things to keep them from bouncing around too much). You can also leave them out in the sun (bring them in before it rains) or on something warm and dry if you have something like that (not the oven). You can make a y split and put the shopvac in them, or get something like this:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/original-peet-dryer-7106996?cm_mmc=organic_feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-7106996

Or you can fish everyday, and just get used to swishing around in them...  

[fishwizzard]

You dry them by leaving them in your car in the full sun the next day.  This also insures that your car smells like low tide for the entire summer/fall.  

[Ohioguy25]

43 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Oh good, I was starting to worry...

If you have a clothes drier dedicated to rough clothing, dog towels and the like, throw them in there after rinsing them out (with some odd and end dry things to keep them from bouncing around too much). You can also leave them out in the sun (bring them in before it rains) or on something warm and dry if you have something like that (not the oven). You can make a y split and put the shopvac in them, or get something like this:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/original-peet-dryer-7106996?cm_mmc=organic_feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-7106996

Or you can fish everyday, and just get used to swishing around in them...  

I was always told the direct heat of the dryer is bad for them. What about stuffing them with paper towels and setting them outside overnight, is that leaving them wet too long and is quick drying with direct heat better for them?

[Jig Man]

I suggest that you check your state’s regs.  Some are real picky about what you can use for wading.

[garroyo130]

30 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I was always told the direct heat of the dryer is bad for them. What about stuffing them with paper towels and setting them outside overnight, is that leaving them wet too long and is quick drying with direct heat better for them?

 

Don't dry them in the dryer. What usually ends up happening is parts of the shoe shrink and you end up with a crumpled mess. Sometimes its not immediate, but eventually it will happen.

[BrianMDTX]

44 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I suggest that you check your state’s regs.  Some are real picky about what you can use for wading.

True. Felt soles can introduce zebra mussels and other invasive undesirable species to waterways. 

[TnRiver46]

Felt soled tennis shoes would be the greatest thing in the history of all time if possible. If you ever make them I will purchase !!!

7 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

True. Felt soles can introduce zebra mussels and other invasive undesirable species to waterways. 

They’ve done tons of studies and felt doesn’t transport exotics any more than other materials, especially didymo . They pulled felt off the shelves until some real data was established, now felt is back everywhere 

[fin]

5 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

But the shoes will still last at least the season right? That’s all I need them for.

It depends on the glue they used to manufacture, and who can say these days? They might last a while, they might come apart after the first time. I've had mixed results.

 

Good luck trying to find an inexpensive glue to glue them back together.

 

 

[Deleted account]

5 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

 

Don't dry them in the dryer. What usually ends up happening is parts of the shoe shrink and you end up with a crumpled mess. Sometimes its not immediate, but eventually it will happen.

If only they came with a button or knob that regulated the heat setting....

Yes, do not dry athletic shoes that will be used for their intended use. These will die from drowning long before they get heat stroke. Athletic shoes do not shrink from drying. Some do expand from being soaked somewhat, but will return  to their original size. They make cycling shoes that you bake to size. 

[Alex from GA]

In the 70s I use to ride my dirt bike up to the high country in Kennedy Meadows to go golden trout fishing and carried an old pair of gym shoes, with indoor/outdoor carpet glued to the soles, in my fly vest.  I used contact cement and they held fairly well.  I stuck them in the oven with the pilot light on over night to dry.

[Deleted account]

On 5/1/2021 at 2:10 PM, BrianMDTX said:

True. Felt soles can introduce zebra mussels and other invasive undesirable species to waterways. 

Felt is illegal in MD

[BrianMDTX]

14 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Felt is illegal in MD

It’s illegal is several states. And more likely to follow. 

[Jig Man]

Which States Have Banned Felt Sole Wading Boots | Guide Recommended

[Kev-mo]

On 5/1/2021 at 10:11 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

I am recovering from a bad foot injury and am sort of stuck wearing these max cushion gym shoes. I’ve tried regular runners but my feet hurt after not very long.

 

I am looking to get into wading and would like to use the shoes that I’m comfortable in.  How would I go about doing this, and would wearing them in the water destroy the shoes quickly?

Are you really ready to wade yet?! You need that foot for the rest of your life....

 

Assume you are just going to use the max cushion gyms shoes you are wearing. Can't say how long they'll last as they sure weren't designed to be in the water....also they'll get mildewy from being wet and dried unless you dunk them in a mild bleach solution after wading. If this isn't what you are doing ignore the last paragraph.

 

Some sort of waterproof urethane or epoxy might be good if they start coming apart. I've always used aquaseal.

 

How about using neoprene socks and crocs? A friend uses crocs to wade in, the added neoprene will take a up a little extra room and provide a skosh more cushion for your foot.

 

Also never dry any shoes/boots in the dryer or sun Neither is good for them. Upside down and putting them on a boot dryer is best. You can also stuff them with newspaper to absorb water and that will speed the process along. Remember to take the wet newspaper out....

[Ohioguy25]

3 hours ago, Kev-mo said:

Are you really ready to wade yet?! You need that foot for the rest of your life....

 

Assume you are just going to use the max cushion gyms shoes you are wearing. Can't say how long they'll last as they sure weren't designed to be in the water....also they'll get mildewy from being wet and dried unless you dunk them in a mild bleach solution after wading. If this isn't what you are doing ignore the last paragraph.

 

Some sort of waterproof urethane or epoxy might be good if they start coming apart. I've always used aquaseal.

 

How about using neoprene socks and crocs? A friend uses crocs to wade in, the added neoprene will take a up a little extra room and provide a skosh more cushion for your foot.

 

Also never dry any shoes/boots in the dryer or sun Neither is good for them. Upside down and putting them on a boot dryer is best. You can also stuff them with newspaper to absorb water and that will speed the process along. Remember to take the wet newspaper out....

My heel is healed but my other foot is somewhat sore from compensating. I am able to comfortably walk a fair amount in these shoes. Is wading a bad idea even if I’m healed?

[TnRiver46]

14 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Which States Have Banned Felt Sole Wading Boots | Guide Recommended

That article was from 2017, it wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve lifted some of those bans. Felt has since been proven that it doesn’t transport exotics any worse than rubber. One of our recent local Trout unlimited meetings included a presentation about didymo. A group of masters students tested felt against all other soles very extensively for a couple years and their finding showed felt was no worse than anything else. The didymo prevalence was related to water chemistry in certain tailwaters, I think it was phosphorus content but I can’t recall for sure. 
 

Felt soles can prevent injury and possibly drowning and are back on shelves all over the US after initially being pulled 

[fishwizzard]

How do felt soles supposed to “work”?  Wet felt seems like it would provide the worst traction ever on slick mud.