Sounds like you have a good plan.

I love having a pair of runners that are kept dry.  Socks too.  I like a thin sock with a gore-tex sock over.  Putting them on at the end of the day is like a hug from mom.  In an hour my feet are happy warm & dry.

Then I usually have to go slogging for firewood or want to head out fishing.  Then comes long stare at my clammy boots & wet socks.

Summer is wet-foot action.  Sometimes even a barefoot portage.

Thanks everyone for your insight! All very good points that are greatly appreciated. My hip-boots do fit fairly snug, as I had also given some thought to the loose boot causing havoc on a portage or coming off in the mud, but they have straps around the ankles and straps that attach to the belt so coming off should not be an issue. I have worn these boots in the muck duck hunting, capsized and was still able to swim with them on, though not something I would recommend trying again!! I will of course always be wearing my PFD while paddling also. I'm starting to lean towards just hiking up my skirt getting my grapes wet and going the wet-foot route. I plan on having a 2nd pair of dry shoes for camp anyways.

Wet feet are an eventuality, either from water getting in or sweat soaking your socks.  We try to mitigate, but you'll eventually find water that tops your boots.  Warm feet are as much a factor of your socks as your boots.  Winter is a different story.

The taller the boot, the bigger the risk if water can flow in.  I think fishing wader style boots could be a big risk.  The ones I'm familiar with are baggy.  Maybe try swimming with them on in the warm summer water before risking a dump in cold spring freshet?

My wet boots are LLBean 16" Maine Hunting Shoe.  They are not 100% waterproof.  The seams need to be treated annually.  They still leak a little even when treated, but no more than I sweat.  For getting in/out of the canoe they're great.  For the price and the ability to have a dry pair of camp shoes, I'm happy with them.  Not as slick as what I've heard about Chotas.

I'd think the bggest issue with hip boots would be how well you could portage in them.  If the feet are loose, I'd say forget it, for sure, unless you are bringing hiking boots for the portages.  But even the portages are likely to be very wet and muddy in a normal spring, and those along streams or rivers can have sections under water.  Its not just at the landing that you'll be wet or dry footing.  Hope those hip boots don't come off in a deep mudhole.

I've never dry footed, and most of the trips I've done have been at the end of May first week of June time frame.  Did one trip in mid-May.  Have had water frozen in the canoe a few times, and frost maybe once each trip on average - i still wet-foot.  sometimes the feet get numb - I live with it.

Spring and summer don't normally compare. You need to be careful in spring. Numb feet are no fun. Getting a boot full of cold water is one thing but wet footing it is another altogether. Most springs you would not want to do that. Slippery rocks and numb feet don't mix well. Also, in spring, a brightly colored PFD is preferred by search parties but you really want to get out of the water as fast as possible. Can you swim in your hip boots? Could you get them off.

The living is easy in summer, spring can be unforgiving. If your feet are cold and it's 40 degrees, overcast, drizzling and will be for the next few days, it sucks big time. I forgot a knit hat once and used my emergency go-to pair of socks just to keep my ears warm.

Water temps in early May will keep your feet from swelling, and can be downright exhillarating! It all depends on ice-out and how the Spring goes...a little early to begin that contest, however...

I understand and can surely see the negative effects one could have with waders filling up, when I refer to my hip boots, there not actually full length waders like you might think, more so just short of my crotch boots. I have given some thought to the knee boots, but it seems that I hear many many  stories of guys with even knee boots that seem to always find water 1in. over them. Thats my only reason for thinking my hip boots might be a better idea if I decide to go the dry route. I'm still debating  if the water temps will be to cold to go the wet-foot way? Any thoughts of water temps in early May?

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Sounds like a good way to drown.  I think you'd be happier with knee high water proof boots or wet foot boots with gore-Tex or neoprene liner.  If you oversize your boots you might also wear smartwool for warmth.

dd

How early is to early to wet-foot? Or is that not a concern? Reason I ask is because I'm in the pre-planning for a trip next early May, and trying to decide if I'm going to do the wet-foot route or try to keep dry with a pair of hip-waders? Am I completly out of line for even considering the hip-boot idea?

Bought the OTB Abyss Green with smartwool socks. I enjoyed the shoe. Drains quickly, ankle support with good traction. Only disadvantage is when the air temp dipped to 50 degrees (in July!) for a few days and my feet were wet and cold.