AT one time, I "thought" I had the ideal "dry" foot combo!
I like the Teva brand/type of shoe, and ankle support isn't an issue, so low cuts serve me fine. I look for comfort and grip and will they hold together. One year I saw some stocking-foot hip waders in Cabelas. At $30, they seemed the answer?
Coated nylon tops, neoprene booty. I bought a pair, and for about 3 trips that's what I wore. Never got in water/mud over those high tops and loved that I could get in/out of canoe in deeper water, saving the keel from damage if I misjudged my entry depth.
 When I first found the QJ, I happened too read Jimbo's story about he and his brothers ill-fated attempt to get down the Cache river My eyes grew big and the bulb went on when I read about the guy almost drowning wearing the big rubber boots, that filled with water and almost dragged him under
 I never even thought about that with my set-up. The nylon top fit fairly snug, but after reading that story, I did a little consumer test.
 I went too the local beach, donned my PFD and portage boot set-up, and waded out and then swam into deeper water.
I knew the boots would fill with water, but what surprised me that the PFD that normally would float me easily in "regular shoes/boots" could barely keep my head above the water! I was only a few strokes from standing, so I was in no real danger, but if that would of been in deeper water, out from shore, and in cold/heavy wave conditions, I would of been a goner for sure unless I could get OUT of the bootie/shoes and swim/float to safety.
 I use the Brookie-Knee highs with water shoes now, they have a snugger fit and a cinch strap to snug up nice and tight. If the weather turns real hot and they're uncomfortable, I loosen the strap and roll them down to ankle height, that way they can't fill with water IF I take a swim.
I would highly recommend that anyone regardless of their footwear choice, take a little dunk test with and without their PFD before the take a trip.
It MIGHT end up being a lifesaver.

i wear a class V Swiftwater Ranger-always. one of the best ever made.

i pick a boot that i know i can swim with. if you are out there long enough, you're going to end up in the water sooner or later. whatever you have on your feet can make a difference in the outcome.

jdrocks wrote on Jul 14^th, 2009 at 3:32am:


Yep!  And once those boots fill with water, you'll be glad you're wearing your pfd.  You did have it on didn't you?

boots should pass the swim test. you just never know.

Last several trips I've used Rocky hiking boots. Can't remember the model, but they worked great. This year I slipped and for the first time I can remember I felt one of the lugs catch on a rock and caught myself. Good footing counts for a lot.

Tim

The guys I talked to swore by them and I checked them out myself.They said they were tight fitting and very adjustable and got very good traction.I myself prefer a just above ankle hiking boot.I love my Asolo fsn95 boots but for the deep muddy area the Neos look great and you can easily slip them on.You dont have to wear them and they are totally packable if you dont feel like putting them on.I personally dont like a tall heavy boot.

jmma wrote on Jul 5^th, 2009 at 2:25am:


I wonder what the footing would be like on a rugged portage. Looks like there could be some moving around between the two boots. They are probably not stretchy enough to get a tight fit.

When I did my solo trip last june it was mucky in a lot of portages.After my trip was over I was talking to 2 other guys and they had a pair of these.They put them on over their boots.Im getting a pair for my next trip.


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Mike and Dan here are some answers to your questions. The LaCrosse boots are not what I consider light. I don't think there are any neoprene boots that would fall into the lightweight category. I know my feet sweat in them on the warmest days but using them in combination with the Smartwool socks my feet never felt wet. I dried my damp socks in the warmth of the sleeping bag during the night and then back into the boots in the morning and all felt warm and dry. They are available in black but I would have had to pay about $20 more to get them from a different vendor. Yes the Chota line of boots are overpriced IMHO but as with any boot the key is the fit. The La Crosse boots give me a perfect fit and I could hike all day with them. The foot bed and sole are fairly soft and flexible. The grip is the best I've ever had in ANY boot. When I took them out of the box I had major reservations about the traction because the soles are made from a kind of spongey rubber but they work/grip better than anything I have used so far. I've decided to wet foot on my next trip leaving this Friday and I know I will have to be a little cautious at first because my NRS Storm boots do not have very good traction by comparison.

These look like a great bet for May trips. I have a pair of Chota Mukluks, but I don't like them at all. The traction is poor, and my feet get really sore when I walk in them. I've never had that problem with any other boot or shoe in my life. I plan to try some super soft insoles next time, but honestly, I find myself just avoiding them altogether. And the cheapo stretchy laces - argh! 

One question on these: when your feet sweat in them, did you find that they dried quickly (overnight)? That was my other complaint with the Chotas - despite my best efforts, they never felt dry on the inside after day one.