[quote author=Mad_Mat link=1173671225/140#149 date=1275482848

...other than the blisters, did you have any durability issues with the
Q. T.s -last thing I've seen on those - oh maybe within the last few months, was some blog where the paddler had to use cable ties, thru slits cut into the toe box, to keep the sole from peeling off - that was after about three days of use or so with a brand new pair.[/quote]

No, they seemed to hold up well, dry out fast and best of all never smelled to bad. I have a pair of Thinsulate boots that smell things up every time I tried them... I did a 216, 280 and a 310 rod portage within the first few days and all ended up with wet feet at some point. Then after a few other portages I shot out to Lac La Croix and avoided most portages because of my feet. The worst I had left was the 160 rod through Devels Cascade on Little Indian Souix. That one has a nasty hill to climb when going south...
I'm going to try some cool max liners and possibly an insert and see what happens. I might try your tie ing trick to keep the lower part tighter. Some great responses... Thanks all.