Chota STL Boots

[Petey]

I purchased a pair of these boots nearly 2 1/2 years ago. They have been through thick and thin with me. They are of the steel cleat/wool soul variety but the cleats can be removed or replaced with a flat head or they are too far worn a small 1/4" rachet. Chota uses a small zinc sheet metal screw as its cleat. Chota also makes a purely felt bottom style without the steal cleat inserts for those that don't like the cleat.

These boots have a appealing leather upper and several mesh cut-outs that allows for good drainage of water. They are also outfitted with a lace-up strap for laces. This keeps the laces from coming untied or from having to fiddle with wet laces on cold winter days. These boots are excellent for wading areas where slick film covers rock (like Abrams) and/or the river bed is made up of lots of sloped jagged rock formations, much like the Hiwassee below Apalachia Powerhouse.

I have hiked as many as 7 miles in these boots in a day without bringing home a blister. I am about certain my next pair will be Chotas STL's again, if I ever wear these out.

I did have the felt come unglued earlier this year but with a steel brush and shoe glue they are just like new again.

I rate these bad boys a [glow=red,2,300]Royal Wulff[/glow]. I have yet to wear or try on a boot that fit and feel like these.

Petey

One side note, if you go to board a man's boat or to walk into the kitchen to smell what momma's cooking after a day of fishing I would be sure that you have removed the steal cleats first or taken of the boots. You will leave your mark, which will not be a good thing.

[Sanman]

Yes Petey, I would give these a Royal Wuff rating also, but I saw the F 150 down at Wooly Bugger and I am an old man that drives a F 150 so I think it should be with the Royal Wuff because of it's great craftmanship. No just kidding I work for Ford but I have the two pair of the Chota's one with the cleats and one without and I really like them both. The felt only boots I have wore off the felt once and Chota installed new felt for me got the STL's for the Elk and Hiwassee. I bought the boots thinking they were made in Knoxville but found out China which is my only problem with this boot.
Sanman

[Tentwing]

I love this new forum,....

I have been kicking around the idea of buying new wading boots for a while now, and I have been looking really hard at those Chotas.

I think my decision will be a lot easier now .


Thanks again fellas,........................ Tentwing

P.S.,..... do they make them in a size #14 ?

[Robb]

Have they improved the lace system so that the "grommets" for the elastic laces don't pull out. My friend had this happen to him and he had to get his boots replaced and I've read that this seems to happen a lot, at least in the past. Because of this, last year when I got new boots, I got a pair of Simms Guide model boots which I have been very pleased with. Tough as nails and plenty of room in the toebox which my last pair of Hodgemans were lacking in.

[Petey]

Hmm.. had not realized they were made in China. I know the base of operations is here in Knoxville. I hate to hear that, that will make me rethink my next purchase for sure.

Size 14? Holy Cow TW..... With a foot like that you wouldn't ever need fins if were to use a float tube! Don't know about the size 14 shoe. May have to special order something.

The only think I have ever had happen with the elastic band was the that elastic around the rubber bands in the laces wore through. Replacable laces can be had for $6.50 at places where Chotas are sold. That was after about 80-100 wears.

Petey

[elkman]

I've had a pair of STL's for about a year and have worn them on about 25-30 trips. I love 'em! They are very comfortable in the stream and hiking to / from the stream. I wore out the cleats on mine pretty fast. I replaced them with sheet metal screws from Lowe's which seem to be much more durable than the originals. I hiked to Fish Camp Prong with the new cleats in the soles and there was no noticeable wear on the screw heads. ;D

[Lil'Joe]

I know this is a little late, but I had to chime in here!

I have the STL pluses.......for about 3.5 years now. Here's a few things I've learned:

Lace them up properly and the laces won't come apart. The laces can't handle "cinching" them down tight. Do not loop them around the eyes and then cinch them. That's where they will rip. I've had my second pair of laces on now for over two years.

If you hike a lot, the heel felt will come off. As Petey did, I glued one on and it has stayed for about a year now. The other one came off recently, so I have to glue that one on also.

These are the most comfortable boots i've ever worn, straight outta the box.

I have used them with and without the cleats. I suggest using the cleats. I do not like the black, really dense felt. That good ol' white felt grips better IMO. But, with the cleats, I love them!

They have lasted well for me, as I'm not one to wash them out and dry them properly. Other than the felt heels coming off, they are in extremely good condition.

My 2 cents.

Joe

[Lil'Joe]

Hey guys!

Another Chota update: A little revision to this old post of mine

Bought a new pair of Chota STLs, the ones without the cleats. I recind my above post about the felt.

I love these boots much more that the pluses with the cleats. The felt is awesome. I beleive the problem with the boots with the cleats removed, was the slippage (sp?) of the plastic "spots" where the cleats screw in.

The solid felt is much, much better. And again, comfortable straight out of the box!

Joe

[HughH]

:DFellas, I'd like to give a late addition to this post also. I have worn out 4 pair of Chota STLs. One of the things that I have found as necessary maintanance, is to regularly change the studs. If you leave them in too long, they wear down to the point of not giving good traction and most importantly, they are hard to remove and replace with new ones. Once they lose their squared edges and become rounded, they are hard to get hold of, with a socket and wratchet, or any other type wrench that you would use to remove them with. Just something to keep in mind.
Hugh Hartsell---East Tn.

[racerx]

Hugh,
Try some vise grips next time.

I've had 4+ pair of these myself and I'm pretty pleased with them. I'm also pleased with the simms I have.

[salmonid]

Gentlemen, I havelong been pleased with my Simms Frestone boots but have looked at the Chotas for some time now.
I have a question for you guys with tim eon the Chotas.

In my Simms boots, ( felt with cleats) I notice the sysnthetic upper leather on the boots tends to shrink when they air dry. In other words, when I take them off, there a perfect fit for my foot but after a few days and I put them on, they tend to have shrunk some and are now a really tight fit, I have to loosen them up, wait and hour then resnug up the laces asthey restretch. Does that make sense?
Anyways, what has all Yall' experience been regarding the Chota's and the shrinking ( we all know what types of problems Shrinkage can leed too)

Salmonid

[Petey]

My leather Chota's shrink. Once I put them and get in the water all is good. They will stretch back out. My feet are cramped till that point.

Most of the time I am near the water once I put them on and can get my feet wet to get them stretched. If I have to take off on a hike from the start that is a bit of a problem.

Not sure what can be done about that.

Petey

[Marmot]

Salmonid,
Agree with Petey on this one. I have the Chota's and they are the same way with the shrinking. Usually just when ya put em on though.. A few min. in the water and they stretch back out just fine.

Marmot

[salmonid]

Thanks Marmot, Petey, I assumed that to be the case but wasnt sure if there synthetic was any different. Im still looking at them though for the next time around, (soon) Just curious what the costs is for these boots, I get the Simms deep guiding discount and that pulls a lot of weight.

Salmonid

[Rockyraccoon]

try wetting your boots before you leave the house. That way they''ll be ready to roll when you arrive.