Maybe most of the streams I frequent, while rocky, are not the slippery rocks you are referring to and that is why the vibram soles work great. Now, when it comes to studs, they are great as long as you are WADING. Do not get in and out of any boat with studs on your boots. Not good for your footing in the boat and not good for the boat. When I had a pair of studded wading boots, I used them in my canoe and put dimples into the inner material of the canoe.