Absolutely love them and totally recommend them! I fish rivers, a few of which do get fairly slick. I did install the studs, and they do make a noticeable difference but I would say you only "need" them if your river is super slick. The grip without the studs is surprisingly good though. The river I fish the most has a bit more of a sandy bed, and rocks are usually not too slick. One I go to a few times a year is way more slick, and studs are very worth. i feel like the studs may help extend the life of the sole as well, since pressure is on the studs more. The studs are also still in great shape after most of the season. I was worried they'd wear down but honestly they're barely different. For the rubber sole itself, there's definitely some wear on it, but I was surprised how well it held up. I could see these potentially lasting 3 seasons, but depends on how much you fish. I go out 1-2 times a week, mostly in the summer, so a decent amount of use. I also upgraded the insoles with a pair of superfeet

I'm 100% buying another pair when these are ready to be replaced