So, here I am gearing up for my dream vacation--20 days solo in the Q and I find myself once more pondering the questions that started this thread.  My earlier contributions regarding the Chota mukluk are amended as such:
 While I still find them a decently comfortable boot when you add a good insole, I slipped badly (and was lucky) a couple of times this spring.  Upon examination of the sole, I found that there was significant wear after only two 9 day trips to the Q and one short fall trip in northern Wisconsin (no portages).  Granted, I'm a big guy, and with the addition of pack and canoe, that's a lot of weight bearing on those soft soles.  My coworker, however, is a small woman and her trekkers (same kind of sole) are very worn after just a few trips.  I think I'll be saving those for early/late season wear.  
I did a fair bit of looking around and came back to the NRS storm boot.  Ordered it, waited for it, eagerly tried it on only to have the stitching holding the neoprene inner bootie to the body of the boot rip on the first attempt to get the boot onto my foot.  The "fin tab" on the heel of the same boot was peeling off, as well.  I was disappointed, but tried walking around the neighborhood and wearing them for an evening.  They felt good.  I sent them back to NRS for an exchange and will be taking the replacements to a local cobbler (who is unfazed, thus far, with strange paddling gear requests) for some reinforcement.  They seem like a good boot, and I can't find anything that has a grippy sole anything like it, if not for some shoddy craftsmanship... (upon review, that's a really sad statement--calling it a good product except for the shoddy work--yikes, what have we come to?)
 ..so, I'll give it a try.  Along with my chaco sandals and a pair of soft nylon boat shoes (read, campslippers)  those will be my footwear for the trip.  I'll let you know how they hold up to nearly 2000 rods of double portage sometime after late September.
Cheers,
gp