Does anyone use bean Boots for shoulder season trips? Are the 16" Maine Hunting Shoes good for portaging where one would otherwise use knee high rubber boots?  It seems the ability to lace them could provide more secure footing and keep out more inadvertent "oops" over-the-top water from those 17" holes.

I started in those but found my Northern boots higher, and just about the same for ankle support. Solus turned me on to Muck boots and that's what I got Martha. I'll get some too when my Northerns wear out.

I also started in Bean Boots but now, decades later, go with Storm Boots during prime-time season and Chotas during the shoulder seasons (if I'm not doing any serious portaging or bushwhacking where I require better ankle support).

Jimbo  8-)

I liked 8" Bean boots from 2000-2007 but I made the switch to wet foot in 2008.  I started with Chota Trekkers but didn't like how the sole moved around in the boot when portaging downhill. I found a sale on OTB Abyss boots and bought a pair.  I'm sold on this shoe now. It's solid and drains extremely fast while giving good ankle support.   (You need to Login or Register

BTW, I just saw a pretty good sale for the NRS Storm Boots.   (You need to Login or Register

I felt the same way about the Chota Q Trekkers.  A different footbed helps.  I put in Superfeet insoles and it made a world of difference.  They are tough, waterproof and take a lot of abuse. 

Another boot that a fried tried out this year have good promise.  They are made by Sorel - the Woodbine Surplus.  Heavy canvas, grippy soles, lace up - no drain ports, but the canvas let the water out quite nicely.  You could always add your own gromets.  They were on sale at the local Columbia outlet store, so I bought three pair at only $30 each, down from $100. 

pd

TomT wrote on Nov 7^th, 2013 at 3:10am:

I liked 8" Bean boots from 2000-2007 but I made the switch to wet foot in 2008.  I started with Chota Trekkers but didn't like how the sole moved around in the boot when portaging downhill. I found a sale on OTB Abyss boots and bought a pair.  I'm sold on this shoe now. It's solid and drains extremely fast while giving good ankle support.   (You need to Login or Register BTW, I just saw a pretty good sale for the NRS Storm Boots.   (You need to Login or Register

Geez, I think my mind is slipping. I actually evolved out of my Storm Boots into OTB Abyss Boots about 3-4 years ago!  I agree w/TomT wholeheartedly about this shoe.  The only problem I encountered was with keeping the shoe laces tied... even when I double-knotted them.  Constant loose boots created some blister issues for me that year.  When I posted this problem on QJ, someone (ST?) suggested I employ a shoe lace "accessory" to keep them tight (see item in right corner of pic:   (You need to Login or Register ).
Well, that was the fix I needed.  I do love the OTB Abyss Boots, especially now that I can keep them on my feet!

Jimbo   8-)

WW,
You were asking about the shoulder season. That's when I use high rubber boots. Summer or River tripping, I use the Abyss too. I seem to be able to get by without the extra ankle support, unless I'm wading down rocky creeks. The rubber boots are too hot for summertime.

Maybe I didn't play enough basketball in my youth  ;D

I have used the OTB Abyss boot for quite a number of years.  In many ways it is ideal but, still, in the end, I don't like it.  I just find that it is too difficult to get on and off when wet (the laces coming undone was only a minor issue for me.)  Part of that is because it is a ¾ boot but I'm not convinced it really gives that much ankle support, I mean, the material is pretty thin and flexible, nothing like a leather boot. 
Last summer I just said to hell with it and left the OTBs behind and went with my Keen H2Os.  Big mistake.  Not nearly enough protection.  I got off pretty lucky.  So this year I'm going to try something new - Baffin Amazon's:   (You need to Login or Register
One thing I like about them right away is that they are a Canadian company (of course the shoes are actually manufactured in China.)  They look good and fit well (I had to order a size up) but I won't have the real skinny on these until I put them through their paces come spring.

Lots of differing results on the OTB boots. I wore mine on one trip and they look suspect already.......I would of never trusted them on a tough trip. My OTB boots are now condemned to salt water use only where they will soon self destruct.

I give kudos to Quentin who turned me on to the Rocky SV2 combat boot via a previous thread. They did the trick for me this past summer.......good drainage, excellent ankle support, aggressive tread. They barely look broken in after 12 long days. I found them very comfortable, no blister issues at all.

Yes they are expensive but they blow the OTB boots away IMO and I believe I can get value in the long run. Remember, these are a wet boot style and it may be "off thread" since we are talking Bean style boots. I suppose a fellow could go with waterproof booties but I found waterproof booties extremely sweaty.

  (You need to Login or Register

For a true shoulder season boot I am a big fan of the chota mukluks. You stay dry and warm and do quite well on the trails, I have had very few issues with them and wet footing for me is only a recent development so most of my tripping has been done in these. If you have weak ankles or are prone to sprains look elsewhere.

  (You need to Login or Register

MT, I probably won't get those boots  (too high and hot) but that's a fine looking website I'll be sure to peruse later. Thanks.

About Bean Boots - I loved mine and think they are a very affordable well made shoe for the BW. If you're not gonna wetfoot they would be my recommendation. I just got sick of trying to keep the water from going over the top of the boot and couldn't be happier wading in at landings up to my knees before setting the boat down.  Kinda freaks newbies out too. :)

TomT wrote on Nov 9^th, 2013 at 12:10am:

MT, I probably won't get those boots  (too high and hot) but that's a fine looking website I'll be sure to peruse later. Thanks.

That was my thinking Tom.......that I might bake and I really didn't get a chance to see how they would do since it was fairly cool on our trip. However, Quentin informs me that they have a jungle version of the boot which is lighter and of course probably cooler. I will definitely be in the market to pick up a pair of the jungle version as well (that's how much I like em)

On the other hand.......if your boots are constantly wet maybe a little warmer is better than a little cooler???Hmmmm.......

mastertangler wrote on Nov 9^th, 2013 at 12:20am:

On the other hand.......if your boots are constantly wet maybe a little warmer is better than a little cooler???Hmmmm.......

I go in Sept. but I don't seem to get cold feet.  I am very happy to take the boots and socks off when I get to camp but I don't really think about bein' wet. The abyss boots hold no water so you're basically just damp. I prefer that to hot and sweaty anyday. I would get uncomfortably sweaty in my Bean boots and that's one reason I made the switch.

Curious in the midst of this discussion if anyone has ever tried these...and what their experience(s) were with them?
  (You need to Login or Register

HighnDry wrote on Nov 11^th, 2013 at 1:05am:

Curious in the midst of this discussion if anyone has ever tried these...and what their experience(s) were with them?   (You need to Login or Register

Haven't tried them, but my personal experience with Velcro straps in portage type situations hasn't been good.
Mud/debris can make weaken the Velcro seal, and I'd worry about the boots side zippers for the same reason?
If you were doing just short mostly rocky jumps along a river, I'd say they'd be fine.
A long muddy slog in canoe country might be another thing altogether. :-/

You could probably deal with the Velcro instep strap getting clogged, but a damaged boot zipper could render them unusable.

Thanks ST! My thoughts as well. I'm casting about for low-cost options to my wellies :). I have diving boots but they aren't rugged enough for portaging but great for hopping out next to the portage to unload. If I don't find anything else, I could always just revert to my high-top Merrells Moabs

  (You need to Login or Register

which I may just stick with for wet-footing it when I need to. They are great nearly 4-season hikers and dry out about as reasonably quick as any wet boot will I suppose....although I'm always open to trying something else. Thanks again for the feedback!

HighnDry wrote on Nov 11^th, 2013 at 3:31pm:

Thanks ST! My thoughts as well. I'm casting about for low-cost options to my wellies :). I have diving boots but they aren't rugged enough for portaging but great for hopping out next to the portage to unload. If I don't find anything else, I could always just revert to my high-top Merrells Moabs   (You need to Login or Register which I may just stick with for wet-footing it when I need to. They are great nearly 4-season hikers and dry out about as reasonably quick as any wet boot will I suppose....although I'm always open to trying something else. Thanks again for the feedback!

In cooler weather, I wear Brookie-knee high neoprene socks and my footwear of choice, normally low-cut lace up water shoe with sticky soles and drainage ports.

You need to size up your footwear, but I like them for their versatility. They come up to your knees so you can get in/out on rocky landings.
Depending on water temp, you can either wear a thin liner sock alone, or a liner with wool sock over.
Great on mud hole portages. Get a little warm if temps rise to much while in canoe, so I roll the top down like a Fireman's boot.

I take comfortable camp shoe and turn the Brookies inside out at night to dry.

Not a bad combo if they fit your needs and style of tripping.

I'll look into the brookies-- good recommendation. I usually employ the sock-liner/wool sock system for the reasons you mentioned. Foot comfort and functionality are everything but the Brookies might work well in my current system. I have the trusty keen's for camp site comfort which are great while the others dry. Good stuff....time to troll the internet for neoprene sock liners :)

Planning my first trip to the BWCA for the first week of June, 2014.  I suspect spring will arrive late and water temps will be in the upper 50s at best.  Not excited about going wet-foot under these conditions, especially if air temps are cooler than normal as well.  Has anyone here ever tried old-fashioned hip waders during the shoulder season?  Several companies now make light-weight hippers with rugged soles and good traction, reasonable (though not hiking-boot level) ankle support, and nylon tops that will keep you dry above the knee at borderline portage landings but easily roll down to knee level for warm, sunny afternoon paddling.  Being a neophyte, I suspect there is a reason more people don't do this, but can someone enlighten me?

Hip waders are too heavy and unnecessary.  Overkill.   

Just get a good pair of tall rubber boots, or "Muck Boots."  These will allow you to get out and in of the canoe at portages as well as unloading/loading while standing in the water. 

Muck boots:   (You need to Login or Register

rubber boots: (Many different makes and models)    (You need to Login or Register

proubly

These are very cool
  (You need to Login or Register

I agree with Kerry and Prouboy, knee high boots are enough for early season tripping. I like the LaCrosse Alpha Burly lites but the most important consideration is to get a good fit for YOU. Blisters will ruin a trip if you chose and plan poorly and you intend to do alot of portaging.
Even cold wet feet are better than blisters

KF has it right.
Whatever boot/sock combo you decide on you might want to take a test hike in, both wet/dry and make sure your foot is secured properly and you don't slop around inside the boot, causing hot spots.

I like a boot a boot I can lace to keep my heel tight to boot and avoid that slippage.
Lot's of good options but since everyone's feet are different and your own feet maybe different than each other, fit is everything.

Anyone who has spent time in the military before they developed better fit methods for combat boots, knows what it's like to hike under a load with blisters the size of silver dollars.

Not something you want on a wilderness trip. :'(

Kerry wrote on Mar 24^th, 2014 at 3:26am:

These are very cool   (You need to Login or Register

i have a pair of these and used them last year but not on any very long portages. i like them a lot albeit the footbed wasn't sufficient so used some inserts from a pair of low hikers and that worked great. not sure durability year after year but so far so good after year 1.

Thanks for the tips, everyone!  The Kokatat Nomad paddling boots look made-to-order for this type of thing, so I may just have to try a pair and leave the hip waders at home.  Much appreciated.

You might also check these out...

  (You need to Login or Register

I've owned several Chota boots over the years...well made product.

prouboy

I have a couple of pairs of water shoes with the same type/pattern of sole that is on those Kokatat boots, and similar to Chota Quetico Trekkers - don't like them at all - they just don't seem to shed the mud you just stepped in, and that means the next step on to a rock is slippery as hell.  I found myself slipping a lot when I didn't expect to.

I use th OTB Abyss boots, which have a very good traction sole.  I typically am in Quetico for Memorial Day weekend - just wetfoot.  If I were going to try and dryfoot, I'd get some waterproof knee high socks and use them inside of the Abyss boots, or some other wading type boot with a more rugged traction sole.   

SIMMS makes several wading/hiking boot types that would work well like that (i.e. with a waterproof liner) - NRS has good choices as well the Vapor Boot is new and looks like something I'd be interested in

  (You need to Login or Register

Like M_M, I use OTB's when wet footing. If I'm trying to stay dry in cooler weather I use an old pair of Northern rubber boots. When I need to replace them I'll try the MUCK boots. I got Martha some. I think Solus tipped me off to them. They have a nice sole with a steel shank in the arch, which is nice when you're carrying a load.

If it's warm you'll find the rubber boots hot. I've been known to kick them off while in the boat. Footwear is an old debate. If you're new here M_M is worth paying attention to IMO. He may endure an icy foot better than others. Plus go lighter n farther too.

wifishpro wrote on Mar 25^th, 2014 at 2:22am:

Thanks for the tips, everyone!  The Kokatat Nomad paddling boots look made-to-order for this type of thing, so I may just have to try a pair and leave the hip waders at home.  Much appreciated.

I used to use these with whatever low cut water type shoe could pick-up at a discount place like Sierra Trading post. I'm partial to the TEVA Spider sole, and ankle support isn't a issue, so low cut works for me.

  (You need to Login or Register

  (You need to Login or Register

I liked the set-up until I read a story by Jimbo one of our QJ guys, about pulling someone out of the water when their rubber boots filled with water, they couldn't get them off and were in real danger of drowning.

I realized then, my hip wader choice had a fatal flaw, that being the lack of a cinch strap like my Brookie Knee Highs do as well as brands.

However if your handy with needle and thread, you could easily make some cinch straps with say elastic straps of some type or maybe that with a Velcro type fastener of some sort.

I plan on re-visting my original set-up when my Brookies need replacing.

In the spring with high water, it was nice to be able to wade/portage with water way above my knee and still stay warm and dry.

Might get a little warm if the temp rise too much, but you could always roll them down like fireman's boots, as long as they don't become anchors if you capsize.

Yea ,the hip waders are a bad idea.   :thumbdown   Two friends of mine started an April trip ,couple years ago, and dumped in the middle of Seagull.  They were both wearing hip waders.  -and no life vests! Fortunately, they went over so's that their feet were up and the boots were filled with air.  They both had the good luck to keep their air filled boots up until one guy was able to grab and cling to the floating food barrel and the other got a hold of the canoe. They hung on until they blew to shore , managed to gather most of their stuff (lost a tackle box, camera, and both rods  and reels ).  Their spare clothes and sleeping gear stayed dry so they avoided hypothermia, but the next day they turned around and drove the 650miles home.  They both shudder (and say" thank you, God", I'm betting) when ever they think of it.    Above all  else , wear something you can swim in at least well enough to keep your head above water...at least long enough to get them off. :o

Ditto.

Have had to yank paddlers out of ice-out cold water wearing such gear.  Even WITH life preservers on, they could barely keep their noses above water due to water filling the boots after the spill.

Personally, in cold weather where there are few portages, I'll go with my Chotas.  That's what I'll be wearing during my upcoming base camp (mostly) pre-Memorial Day week trip (assuming I'm not sledding in mukluks across Cirrus Lake).

During my trip much further north in late June, I'll wear Chota neoprene "socks" (leggings?) under my OTB drainage boots.  I roll them down while paddling.  I make the switch in boots due to the expected amount of portaging/bushwhacking during 2nd trip.  No matter what the manufacturer says to the contrary, my Chota boots simply don't afford me the ankle support I get from my OTB's.

Anyway, waders are a bad idea when paddling.  I also roll my Chotas down when paddling (especially in cold water conditions), such is my concern about the consequences of an inadvertent spill.

All it takes is but one time watching someone flail about the lake in water-laden boots.  It's the kind of nightmare vision that sticks with you.

Jimbo   8-)

Quote:

Even WITH life preservers on, they could barely keep their noses above water due to water filling the boots after the spill.

After reading your story Jimbo, I went to my local warm water beach and wearing my PFD and hip waders, walked out until they filled with water to see if I still had the floatation and could maneuver enough to get to shore or maybe cling to canoe?

In calm water I barely could keep my mouth out of the water. With wind/waves, I'd of been swallowing water.
Could hardly move my legs and IF I was clinging to canoe/pack, the extra weight would sap your energy fast.

I don't think hip waders are the problem, as much as certainty unless you modify them, they'll fill with water.
If you could secure them enough with a cinch strap or when paddling, roll down so they can't fill with water, I still think they have possibilities.

Wearing them as they come is a recipe for disaster.

ST -

Agreed.  Cinching them down would make a BIG difference.  The guy my brother & I pulled out of the icy water in Sturgeon Narrows back in May of 1996 actually had on above-the-knee high Lacrosse rubber boots.  Believe me, they had water in them!  My brother & I are both pretty big guys and it was all we could do to haul that guy 30-40 meters to shore.  It didn't help much that the Narrows were a raging torrent after the spring flood, either.

Anyway, your point about cinching them down is a very good one.

Jimbo   8-)