MB,

I only speak based on my personal experience.  I use the orange Superfeet insoles - because they were cheap - got 'em used and the REI Attic (now garage) sale - like $15.  But not because they were just cheap.  I have not used a lot of insoles, but when you compare these to a lot of others, the thing I note is the hard plastic rear foot bed.  That is what I feel helps take up a lot of the volume and cradles your heel.  The front is mostly flat, but takes up a decent bit of volume too.  In my experience, they are tough - had the same pair in and out of several pairs of boots, including the Chota's, for 5 years with minor wear and still hanging tough.  You can always find them on sale somewhere - like anything else.  REI has a great return policy and maybe wait for the 20% member sale (like the one that ends today...btw).  If they don't work for you, return for a refund - kinda like a free road test.  Those Caney Forks ain't cheap either, but you get what you pay for, right.  BTW...those Chota insoles make a great pattern for any new ones you get.  Cut to fit a bit big so you get a good interference fit and they won't budge.  YMMV.  As for the boots actually drying out....that's why it's call wet-footing.  Mine take days to dry (not as bad as the NRS Velocity...) and I always give them a dunk is some Mirazyme solution after a paddle to keep the odors down.

pd

MB,

I've worn about every type of replacement inner-sole both in my sports shoes and work boots. Often the difference in price is ALL in the name. Truth be told like store brand items, many are made by the same vendor.

I'd try one of these Dr. Scholl's products.

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Either the WORK insole, the EXTRA support, or the
SPORT replacement. DON'T get the FULL jell sole, sounds good/feels good but won't hold up.

You can even get a COUPON to save a few bucks on them. IF you go to CVS or maybe other big chains they MIGHT have their own store brand. Just as good a few bucks cheaper. We're talking about $20 give or take here. I'd go that route first, test them and see what you think?

Another item that 'might" help with drainage/drying are these. I have them in my winter pac boots. If your boots have some room, I think you might like them?

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I did a test drive on my new Copia purchased Chota Caney Creek portage shoes this weekend.  Went wading the creek in knee deep water for a half mile or so.  The first thing I noticed was Portage Dog’s comment about the supplied insoles slip sliding around to the point of being annoying.  I had to purchase a bit larger size to get them wide enough, and I am sure that made the insole issue worse.  The sole’s grip on slick creek rock was pretty good, as was the ankle support.

I wore them wandering around the woods for the next 12 hours in 65 degree temps and a stiff wind and the boots or wool socks  never got close to drying out.

I have never purposely done wet foot canoeing, but this spring I will be traveling with a group where one member is bringing his own canoe and I am likely to be in it occasionally, so I want to be able to act in kind.

A couple of folks here mentioned Superfeet insoles as a help for the Caney Creeks.  Went to Amazon and the SF website and found no less than 50 options.  Would someone who has them in use care to suggest a particular model ?  They are not cheap, most in the $35 to $60 range.  So once again I would like to steal the diligent research of others.

Kind Regards,

MossBack

I've been using the same pair of Merrill Ventelator hiking boots for several years. I know that no matter what, my feet will get soaked. These boots have good drainage and dry fairly quick.

I ran into these boots while reading an article about the water friendly boots the Navy SEALS have worn.

I had a pair of these back in 80's and wore them out.
Think Chuck Taylors on steroids. Reviews say they run narrow?
Only negative thing I can recall is the innersole is worthless, so you would need a nice supportive insole adjust your size for that.

I wore them for warm weather canoeing and wading while fishing.

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Oops.

I've sprained my left ankle at least a few hundred times.  Now it's pretty loose and I can almost always walk out a twist.  But spraining my right ankle is one of the two things I"m afraid of in the boonies (the other is appendicitis).  So I look for traction, ankle support, and lastly drainage.

I've used Cabela's Gore-Tex lined snake boots but one of them leaks.  I tried OTB Abyss boots and found they have about zero ankle support.  Now I have NRS Velocity Water Shoe and I love 'em.  They have the best ankle support I've ever found - as good as using plastic clamshell inserts that go halfway up my calf.  They don't drain all that well but I don't much care.  I could put additional drains (eyelets) in them if that was a problem.

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It looks like NRS might be discontinuing them, so get 'em while they're hot.

Dave

I've gotten in the habit of using seam sealer on all the exposed threads on my outdoor and work boots.

I seem's to help and is quick and easy to do.

I've been using chota boots for a number of years. Not sure what the first one's were called. Then trekkers and now on my second pair of Caney Forks.  Good boots, but I learned twice now that if they are even coming apart a little, replace them. Both times I thought I could get one more trip out of them... both times they really fell apart. Dental floss is good thread I learned in this. For me the thread doesn't hold up. I don't know if it's a China thing. Cheap steel/ cheap thread... haha. But all models of chota's I found I had to remove and replace the insert or insole whatever you call them. For me they always worked there way from below your feet. Replace with a good one, I use superfeet as someone else mentioned they did too. I wear one pair of smart wool with a liner or pull insole and wear the chota neoprene sock that goes to your knee. I'm really hard on footwear and I don't know why.

BillConner wrote on Mar 18^th, 2017 at 12:42pm:


Yeah, I thought it was both interesting AND notable that both the Chota & Piragis booths would independently claim the same thing.  Your actual experience gives me hope their claims will prove true.

Thanks for sharing.

Jimbo