I read these water shoe threads with interest. I find too many reports of water shoes coming apart after only a few weeks of wet footing portages. For this reason I have held off buying anything and just drill holes in an old pair of work boots picked up at garage sales. Two years ago I drilled holes in a pair of Bates water proof 9 inch boots. They have now survived two 30 day canoe trips with many extra miles of searching out portage options in the back-country of Woodland Caribou PP. A close inspection shows that the inside fabric has no tears and the soles and outer components show no deterioration. This is the boot I seem to have. Mine are tagged as waterproof and in the description of these boots it mentions waterproof and not just water resistant as the name implies. Mine are 9 inches and that makes it a little hard to slip in and out of. The traction and ankle support are fantastic.    (You need to Login or Register