|
Flip-Flopping Perceptions with the Simms EbbTide Sandals
| Date: |
10/9/13 |
| Tackle type: |
Apparel |
| Manufacturer: |
Simms |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.00 -
GREAT
Introduction: Flip flops are great on the beach
but everyday fishing in sandals? As it turns out that there are quite a few
anglers that enjoy sporting a pair of flip flops when targeting both freshwater
and saltwater species. Personally I have always liked sandals for walking around
on the weekend or making a quick trip to the grocery store but I never really
employed them as a primary choice while fishing, but that isn’t to say that I
don’t know a lot of anglers that enjoy sporting a pair of sandals on their bay
or bass boats, often citing just how comfortable they are to stand in for long
periods.
Is there any apparel that Simms
doesn't make now? Meet the EbbTide sandals
There are many
companies out there that market sandals and Simms joins the mix with their
EbbTide Flips. Just how much can you say about a pair of flip flops? That was
exactly what I was thinking when I decided to purchase a pair at Tackle
Warehouse for review. But the longer I fished in these sandals the more I
appreciated just what the company put into the design of this seemingly simple
class of footwear.
Simms EbbTide
Flip
Specifications |
| Material |
Rubber insoles,
EVA midsoles,
die cut eva
footbeds |
| Sizes |
Mens
whole sizes
8-13, Width D |
| Colors |
Earth, Simms
Orange, Coal |
| Features |
Non-marking
siped rubber
outsole for
superior
traction on boat
decks, Molded
EVA midsole for
comfort and
support, Die cut
EVA footbed,
Synthetic
water-resistant
upper for all
weather &
environment use |
| Origin |
Imported |
| MSRP |
$49.95 |
The soles of the EbbTide feature
siped rubber construction
Impressions:
Flip-flops as they are known in the U.S. are a class of open toed sandals
typically worn in casual outdoor situations, like walking on the beach or around
the pool. The basic formula of a flat sole and a Y-shaped strap has been around
for thousands of years and the modern flip flops gained popularity in the states
after the Japanese zōri was brought over in the mid 1940’s. The actual name
“flip-flop” originated from the sound that the footwear made when slapping the
foot and floor during each step.
The midsole and upper feature EVA
construction
Had enough
trivia? Today flip flops are common in just about any drugstore or market and
can be purchased for as little as 5 to 10 dollars a pair. But like just about
every product out there not all flip flops are created equal, and Simms sought
to design a pair of sandals that provided superior comfort and durability for
anglers. While most cheap flip flops are constructed out of rubber, foam and
plastic the EbbTide features a combination of more robust materials including
rubber outsoles, EVA midsoles and EVA footbeds.
After months of use you can see
some compression of the EVA but the structure remains intact
As you might
expect the EbbTide is covered with Simms branding and is available in earthy
colors that matches up with the company’s other products. The soles are non
marking siped rubber for better traction on boat decks and the upper portion of
the sandal is synthetic so that it is water resistant and can be used in a wide
range of weather conditions.
Simms branding even on the sole
Real World
Tests:
I began this test by fishing on the deck of my bass boat for a few months and
really didn’t have a lot to say about these sandals. Sure they were comfortable
but I really felt that I wasn’t doing enough to stress the capabilities of the
EbbTide. I was just about to the point of cancelling this write-up when I
buckled down to expand the real world tests and started using them on my shore
fishing, but it was only on my recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii that I
really felt satisfied that the EbbTide had been put through the paces.
These sandals provided a
surprising amount of grip even on wet surfaces
Operation:
Common flip flops often have the problem of being too flexible or not providing
a stable enough platform to stand on for long periods. Part of the issue is that
these traditional flip flops have completely flat soles and since our feet
certainly are not flat they can feel uncomfortable or not provide nearly enough
support, leading to fatigue or a myriad of other troubles including over-pronation
and even tendonitis. Simms helps combat this by building a more stable platform
that is ergonomically shaped to provide additional comfort and support. The
extra material needed to achieve this makes the EbbTide heavier than your run of
the mill sandals and my size ten test pair weighed in right at 16oz.
great for beach fishing the
EbbTide also dries quickly and should they come off they also float
Next
Section: Ebbtide, meet Lava Rock
|
