Over the years I've tried many different types of footwear. The best I've found is also the cheapest. Canvas hightops with Gore-tex socks seem to work the best for me. Except that sticks and stones get in the two little holes. The last few years I've been wearing a pair of Patagonia boots. Their like neoprene hightops. They call 'em Play Boots. The tight collar keeps most of the water out if your up to your knees in water. The neoprene doesn't dry as fast as canvas but I don't get stones in 'em either. They have a good grip on wet rocks. The best thing is the heel is rounded and the sole doesn't stick out past your foot, so my size thirteens slide beneath my seat. And I think I could swim in them if I had to.

My feet still get damp no matter what I do so in cold weather I'll take two pair of shoes and two pair of Gore-tex socks. I'm usually drying one pair and wearing the other. Staying comfortable is always a challenge, but if my feet are warm and dry I usually am too.

Posted by db on February 29, 2000 at 02:12