Through a cooperative product development venture between Orvis Research and Development and Michelin® rubber Engineers and Designers, Orvis developed an innovative sole that combines the best in advanced tire technology with the needs of active fly fishers. The rubber used in the sole of the boots utilizes a unique formula of Michelin’s Outdoor Extreme rubber compound, providing best-in-class rubber traction. It is lighter in weight than rubber soles used in conventional wading shoes, softer for better traction on slippery rocks, and offers 25% better abrasion resistance than the rubber compound used in ordinary wading shoes.

Secure wading depends on a combination of the rubber compound used and the tread pattern incorporated in the sole. The compound used in the exclusive Michelin sole was tested using an industry standard for slip resistance, which measures the coefficient of friction against a wet surface. The Michelin Outdoor Extreme compound offers 46% better slip resistance than Vibram® Idrogrip (used in other premium wading shoes) and 159% better slip resistance than standard sticky rubber.

The tread pattern on these boots is an exclusive Orvis design, developed by Orvis and Michelin. It is inspired by Michelin’s best agricultural tread design and the need for constant stability in the river. The design gives high surface contact for better adhesion to slippery surfaces, yet it offers optimal spacing of the lugs to produce a self-cleaning design. When walking over mud or clay, each step cleans the underside of the boot so there is better traction with each step.

The midsole on the boots contains a special co-molded ESS plate to hold studs, for adding Orvis PosiGrip® studs for optimal security on slippery boulders. This plate also adds torsional stability for better balance on river bottoms and gives positive feedback on the river bottom, so the angler can feel secure knowing what is underfoot. The ankle is two inches higher than the Orvis Ultralight Boots, offering added support in the ankle area. This is beneficial for fly fishers who do not have as much strength in the ankle or those who want the support of a technical hiking boot while wading.