After completing my trips last summer, I decided that I wasn't fully satisfied with my choice of warmer-weather footwear.  

What I'd like to find is something that is relatively light weight that will hold up to Quetico-like portage conditions.

As a starting point, these are products that I'm considering:

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Both appear to be relatively light weight, but I'm not convinced that either would survive a couple of weeks of portaging.

Anyone have any experience with either of these products?  Any others in a like category you'd recommend from your experience?

Thanks for your help.

dd

p.s. The web site used here does not constitute an endorsement (but does provide an adequate picture/description) and I've actually found cheaper prices for both of these products at other web sites.

I can't speak to those models, but I've used Teva water shoes for all my trips. I know ankle support is a concern, so that Cherry Bomb looks interesting from that point of view. I use the ankle height lace -up shoes with the mesh vents for shedding water. The TEVA spider sole is really good, doesn't hold mud, but grips well on all surfaces wet or dry. Of course you hit the right combination of wet and moss, and your going down ;) I've gotten at least 2-3 trips out of each pair I've purchased. I look for the discount sites and buy them as cheap as I can. I do a little local testing wearing a pack and get them into some mud and see how they handle. So far all the models I've used held up and never came apart. Eventually the mesh drainage ports gave out from abrasion, but for the price I could live with that.
Have you checked the OTB boots, I think they have a higher boot and some here highly recommend them.
Only thing I see on the Cherry Bomb or similar shoes, is that in my experience, shoes with Velcro type straps can get mud caked in Velcro, and sometimes come loose at the wrong time, like knee deep in a mud hole :'(

the OTB boots i used on my august/september trip fell apart. a shame to pay that kind of money for a boot that can't make it through one trip. i talked to NRS about them, and they're going back.

NRS is still talking about bringing back the Storm in some kind of redesigned form. they didn't need to redesign the boot, they just needed a reliable manufacturer.

very few good choices in this category of boot.

I will stick to my trusty Redwings, they have never failed me.....know them well....everyday to work...sticky soles....tough hide....and a stank for the mass of the pack!  ;) Gore is available now too ;D

DD, Just looking at the pictures in your link, they seem too light weight to me. I can stand by the OTB's from my experience. I haven't been easy on them either. Maybe jdrocks can share some more info on how they failed him.

the OTB is a stitched together boot on the uppers, so when the thread wears through the boot comes apart. during the course of one trip, the stitching on both sides of each heel cap wore through from the sole 3/4 of the way to the center of the back of the heel. imagine these pieces of rubber flopping around. i had epoxy in the boat repair kit, but it was obvious that they were going back so i didn't bother with a field repair. the toe caps were also loose, but less so. the mesh drains on the outside of the foot on both boots were severely abraded. the left boot drain was completely gone, leaving a hole in the boot in this critical area. one lug on the sole broke away from the sole, and numerous other pieces of the razor cut siping on the lugs broke off.

the bottom of the sole has drains which collect all manner of debris. it starts looking like a botanical garden in there after awhile. with the holes in the sole, you can get wet feet walking across wet grass.

these boots were not a good performer for me. NRS is going to bail me out of bad decision in selecting these boots. this is supposed to be a wet footing boot, but if you get them wet day after day they fall apart.

i hope our troops are getting the deluxe model.

Look into rubber-soled boots made for wading - as in with stocking-foot waders.

Cabelas, LL Bean, and other companies make something suitable.

I've been using a pair of the old-style Patagonia 'marlwalkers' - which are deisgned for wet-footing on coral - for a number of years. The new style is lower and with a less-luggy sole.  I use my for wading streams all summer long, and they go on canoe trips too.

Wading boots are generally pretty tough and protective - and they don't rot out from under you.

i'm hoping the the new NRS Storms are available for nest spring. those are the ones i want.

Good luck in your search DD!   I don't know about you but over the years I've probably sent back more possibles (new) than I've kept to destroy on trips. I have yet to wear out a sole on anything but street shoes and in a few years I'll miss the discontinued Patagonia/Lotus Designs Play Boot. I blew out my third pair last trip with a 3'' rip in the instep so now I only have two pair (plus a right) - left. After a few trips the pairs become interchangeable...

Just looking at the links and reacting:
The Teva doesn't have a heel counter. That alone would take it out of the BW/Q realm for me. I once had a nub of a branch pierce the sole of my Tevas and the sole looks thinner and presumably softer on these. They look like sailboard boots to me.

The NRS, while the sole appears to be thicker, I'd also want to see what protection the instep (other side) offered. Personally I'd want more than neoprene to go up to mid ankle.

The thing about lighter boots is, ya gotta consider what could happen to your feet when you're just crashing through stuff. I'm also not sure how I'd like Velcro instead of laces but I'm still a youngster.  ;D    The NRS look really hard to put on and take off. Is there a zipper ... that might provide some ankle protection?

DD, forget those lightweight rubber playtoys.....

here's a link to my suggestion....buy them, place your own holes above the treadline...carry dry boots or tennies or sandals for camp.  And this "walmart waterboot" can be had for $25-30 and will last much longer than those neoprene toys.

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My point is that any cheap lugged sole boot will serve you well IMO.  Dry 'em if you can nightly...wear 'em wet all day....trade for your camp shoes daily when time....put 'em on wet next morning.  Trash 'em or bury 'em when it's time.

I buy light weight hiking boots as seen in Cabella's etc catalogs.-part leather, part nylon.  The first pair lasted me 10 years.  Currently I have a pair of Moab boots by Merrrell.  ( now 3 years old)  Like Wally writes wear them all day in and out of the water, dry them when in camp( wear them wet if not dry) and wear another pair of dry shoes or sandals in camp.  Only use them for canoeing

The only time I saw Quetico Rangers in the park they were following Wally's idea. Old Army surplus boots, cut your own holes for draining water.

I also recommend the OTB boots.  JD's complaint is the only one I have heard of so far on the OTB.

Always a good idea to do some research on the gear review websites to see if things have changed, and to get a bigger sampling for most items.  Haven't looked for OTB reviews myself, as they were a new item when I bought mine.

My Abyss boots have done two Quetico trips and are still in almost new condition, after some 58 wet-footing portages this year and probably about 50 last year.  That's 22 days and about 300 total miles of use, so they got a pretty good workout.  The only wear is a slight amount on the toe-cap stitching, none on the heel.

I use muck boots with a gell insole.

Mad_Mat wrote on Oct 9^th, 2009 at 1:00pm:

I also recommend the OTB boots.  JD's complaint is the only one I have heard of so far on the OTB. Always a good idea to do some research on the gear review websites to see if things have changed, and to get a bigger sampling for most items.  Haven't looked for OTB reviews myself, as they were a new item when I bought mine. My Abyss boots have done two Quetico trips and are still in almost new condition, after some 58 wet-footing portages this year and probably about 50 last year.  That's 22 days and about 300 total miles of use, so they got a pretty good workout.  The only wear is a slight amount on the toe-cap stitching, none on the heel.

 Considering the trips YOU do, I would say that's a pretty good recommendation. I would like too hear from jdrocks, IF he gets any feedback from the MFG, on why this happened?
 Little tip for extending your shoe/boot life IF you have some frayed stitching issues? When my shoe of choice is NEW, I coat ALL stitching and seams with welt/seam sealer. This seems to "lock" the threads down and so far has solved "that" problem.

used these brand new boots on my 21 day trip in "the little north". i think about 350 miles of rough canoe country. i'd have to count up the portages, tracks, and lines. let's just say a lot of everything.

these were supposed to be rugged well made boots as they should have been for the price. they just didn't make it.

i asked NRS about their agreement with OTB on this type of problem, and they stated that due to their volume buying that they have plenty of recourse with OTB.

I purchased and used the OTB Abyss boots this year in Quetico, after reading Mat's reviews.  I loved them and had no problems.  It seems as though I have been on an eternal quest to find the best portaging boot and I think this might be it for now.  It is a bit concerning to hear about JD's experience, so I will probably try and do the Seamsealer thing before my next trip.  

Boots were comfortable, had good traction, and really dried out fast.  They seemed to really hold up well to the beating I usually put on shoes/boots.  

OK.  OTB Abyss Boots it is!

I got a pair of the Teva in this week.  They would be good for light portaging, but that's not my style.

Good news is I found the OTB's on sale online for UNDER $100 (closer to $90).  Based on the video's I found, they should drain VERY effectively!

dd

I got the "green" version, hoping they would be slightly cooler for summer trips.  Do you have black or green?

Which combination of footbed inserts do you find to be most effective.  Maybe its just personal preference (or shape of my foot), but they seem to be a tad more comfortable with the plastic (bottom layer) insert removed.

Anyone use the "barefoot" insert?  What do you think about that arrangement?

dd

I bought a pair of OTB Abyss for a BW trip in July.  The first day I wore a medium weight polypro sock but after a few portages my feet were sliding sround a bit.  Fortunately I had brought the second layer of foot beds along.  They tightened everything up.  I've tried a lot of dry foot and wet foot boots in the the last 14 years.  I like these the best for tripping anytime its warm enough to get your feet wet.

terp

I've used the NRS Storm boots for the past two years.  I had to have a local cobbler reinforce some stitching for me (at the top of the ankle, simply stitching the outer shell to the liner better than it came from NRS) before I took off.  I spent a lot of time in the BWCAW and QPP last year and used these boots for all but the very early and late season trips.  I found them to be very supportive, drain well and have good traction.  I wore a silk or polypro liner sock with them (makes them a lot easier to get on and off).  At the end of the season, I had a tear near one toe (from snagging on a root--taking a header with a full pack and canoe).  Over all I like them a lot.  At the end of a long day, though, taking them off is a treat.  Sandles never felt so good.  I never overheated in them, simply because they were always wet.  I use a Superfeet insert inside them to give me better support and cushion.  Works well.  
I know the portage boot question always draws a lot of responses.  I wonder how many times a similar thread has occurred on this forum...
On another note:  I use the Chota breathable mukluks for early and late season.  I have had a lot of problems with them (stitching tearing out and general construction issues) and resoled them after less than a month's total time in the parks (check out Aqua Stealth as a material for resoling--best grip I have ever had).  All that being said, they are still my choice for cold weather paddling/portaging.  Far from perfect, but best I've used so far (though that's not saying much).
Cheers,
gp

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.

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?

wrote on Jul 11^th, 2010 at 4:54am:

Am I completly out of line for even considering the hip-boot idea?

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

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?

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.