Vibram has partnered with Simms Fishing Products to help bring an innovative new line of wading boots to the market this year. The StreamTread boot line, with exclusively designed Vibram soles, was developed to assist anglers in the escalating fight against aquatic nuisance species. Additionally, they provide sure footing on river and stream bottoms. The soles are designed by Quabaug Corporation, the exclusive North American manufacturing licensee for Vibram.

A non-absorbent alternative to felt-soled boots, the Vibram sole is: less friendly to aquatic hitchhikers, quicker to dry and much easier to clean than traditional felt-soled boots. The boot design also minimizes exposed stitching, ridges and pockets, giving microscopic aquatic hitchhikers fewer places to attach.

Because felt has been implicated in the spread of invasive didymo (“rock snot”) and the parasitic infection whirling disease, Simms will phase out felt in 2009, with only StreamTread boots available in 2010.

Simms’ new StreamTread line features the exclusive Simms 80 rubber compound from Vibram. Simms 80 ensures durability, penetrates aquatic vegetation such as moss and provides an increased sense of feel of the terrain underfoot. The multi-level sole pattern helps anglers wade securely on grassy and slick stream beds thanks to the patented 360 Degree Vibram lug. The 360 lug has been field-proven from military boots to hunting boots and was a natural extension into the fishing market for this line of Simms boots. The outsole will be featured on six Simms wading boots: G4™, Guide™, Rivershed™, Women’s boot, Freestone® and Headwaters™.

“We admire Simms’ commitment to battling aquatic nuisances and are honored to be part of the solution explained Kevin Donahue, president and CEO of Quabaug. “These boots help provide peace of mind both in terms of environmental impact and performance on slippery surfaces.”

“Vibram spent two years researching and developing the Simms 80 compound,” explained Chris Favreau, vice president of technical development for Quabaug. “In field testing the compound was noticeably stickier than felt and competitive rubber soles on wet and dry rock and matted grass. Simms 80 provides the ultimate control in both extreme high and low temperatures, over terrain burning under the sun or covered with snow.”

Simms’ new StreamTread soles are available at large retail stores, specialty shops or on www.simmsfishing.com in six footwear models, including a new-for-2009 women’s wading boot. Prices begin at $129.95. All StreamTread models accept Simms HardBite™ studs made specifically for rubber soles.

About Quabaug Corporation and Vibram

Quabaug Corporation is the North American manufacturer of Vibram products under exclusive license. Quabaug Corporation, located in North Brookfield, Mass., employs 300 people and manufactures Vibram® shoe soling and QuaBoing® resilient rubber surfacing.

Quabaug Corporation also offers dog toys, training tools, leashes and collars in its line of Vibram Pet Products. These include Vibram balls, sticks, discs and the Shooey Chewie sole, which are all molded in the USA using clean rubber that is nitrosamine-free.

Vibram is a registered trademark of Vibram S.p.A of Italy. Vibram is the world leader in high performance rubber soles, targeted to the outdoor, work, recreation, fashion, repair and orthopedic markets. Visit www.vibram.us to learn more about Vibram soles and other products.

About Simms

Established in 1980, Simms Fishing Products (www.simmsfishing.com) produces fishing waders, outerwear, footwear and apparel designed for passionate anglers. Simms’ world-renowned line of Gore-Tex® waders are manufactured in Bozeman, Montana. For media information, contact Matt Crawford at (802) 583-6069 or matt_crawford@madriver.com

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