25 Portage Boot Recomendations (Read 158399 times)
jdrocks
Full Member
Offline



Posts: 146
Joined: May 15th, 2006
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #50 - Sep 10th, 2007 at 1:24pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
side vents on both boots came loose. left boot pvc material cracked at foot flex area. right boot pvc stitching came apart at the heel area. i like the boots, i just want them to stay together. they are light, portage much better than you might think just looking at them, do have the non slip tread as advertized, and are comfortable for all day wear. i can see why they say they are favorites for river rescue guys, as i had occasion to swim for my life while wearing them.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
anubis99
Ex Member


Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #51 - Sep 14th, 2007 at 2:28am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Just got back from an 8 day trip and wore my Ecco Track II boots the whole time.  They offer great (really great) traction on the wet rocks and boulders, and in the mud (yes, it rained 4 of the 8 days I was there) and are extremely comfortable.  Highly recommend them but they are a bit pricey (around $225).  But, the Ecco company totally backs up their product.  I bought a pair 10 years ago and just this year the special rubber sole broke down.  Way out of warranty but Ecco replaced them for free anyway.  
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Wind-In-Face
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 313
Joined: Apr 8th, 2006
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #52 - Sep 15th, 2007 at 1:50pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Holy Crud, Batman!

For $225 they should tie themselves, clean themselves, and fix breakfast.  Grin

Wif
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Jim J Solo
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1195
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Joined: Apr 6th, 2007
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #53 - Nov 9th, 2007 at 2:27pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I'm looking for sticky soled boots. My problem is wet logs and wet river rocks. The river rocks are smoother than the granite rocks on portages in Quetico and exposed to high water that starts moss growing. Shoreline river rocks get slick in a light rain. Also wading on the ones underwater, add current pressures, while wading boats through rapids. It's like dancing on rolling bowling balls. Ankles are OK but still want mid-high support at a minimum.

A fellow river tripper had a pair of Canyoneer II boots from 5.10 and the "Stealth, TM" soles were sticky, but the boots were funky looking and fit badly. But looking for canyoneer boots is close to what I think we need for portaging.

I'm looking at NRS Storm boots, OTB boots, and other companys using 5.10's Stealth soles. Sounds like Chota's Trekkers are off my list though. Razor seaping soles seems to be the latest marketing thing.

I go wet foot in warm weather and can use SealSkins or Chota Brookies in cool weather. I always go wet foot on river trips though.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Mad_Mat
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1549
Joined: Apr 21st, 2003
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #54 - Nov 13th, 2007 at 1:25pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I bought a pair of the OTB boots.  Haven't used them yet, but they look to be well made, and I hope will be a good choice for a portage boot - hopefully will stick together better than the Chota Trekkers I was disappointed with.  Did some research on the Canyoneer boots - I looked at them also, but seemed to be finding reviews that said they were starting to fall apart fairly quickly, after only one or two trips.

For slick streambed travel, probably your best choices would be a wading boot designed for fly fishing.  I've used a couple of differt pairs, but never with the felt soles - they seem to work well enough for the river use I have been using them for.

Stealth rubber is sticky on dry rock, but slick on wet rock, by the way, though my climbing shoes don't have any tread on them - that might make a difference.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Mister_Bubble
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 116
Location: Rochester, MN
Joined: Feb 13th, 2006
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #55 - Nov 13th, 2007 at 2:55pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
"My problem is wet logs and wet river rocks. The river rocks are smoother than the granite rocks on portages in Quetico and exposed to high water that starts moss growing."

The standard fly-fishing answer to moss and other slick surfaces is felt soles.

There's a version of of the Chota QT - the Brookie, I think it is - that has both rubber and a felt patch under the forefoot.  Check any fly fishing store that carries Chota stuff.

There are a few other wading boots with a combo sole also.
  
Back to top
Mister_Bubble  
IP Logged
 
db
Web-lackey
Inukshuk
Voyageur
Offline



Posts: 5460
Location: Just off the beaten path.
Joined: Sep 14th, 2002
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #56 - Nov 13th, 2007 at 5:41pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Smooth pink granite (when wet) is something to respect as well. Wet logs? Good luck w/that. Wood sensing studs would be cool eh?  Smiley

The problem with thick hard soles is you can't feel what you're stepping on and the sole can't wrap the surface.

The problem with really soft rubber soles (and maybe felt?) is sticks will puncture the sole. That's happened to me twice. Once w/ tennies n once w/ Tevas - real wake up calls for me. Never wore either of those or anything like 'em on a trip since the second time.

The soles of my boots are 1/8" (maybe 3/16") thick and I often go w/o the insoles. The tread depth is 1/16". I feel they give me the best footing I've found plus they don't rip up the campsites as much and they're lighter. They are very puncture resistant as I've tested them. The big drawback with them is they're not made anymore.
  
Back to top
IP Logged
 
Solus
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 967
Location: Northern Minnesota
Joined: Oct 6th, 2006
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #57 - Nov 13th, 2007 at 6:06pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
For travel in cold water/weather condition consider Muck Boots. Rubber bottoms, neoprene tops in a variety of soles. Work like old style rubber boots except that they are warm and comfortable. [the "Woody Sport" model comes with "stealth" soles]
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Jim J Solo
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1195
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Joined: Apr 6th, 2007
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #58 - Nov 18th, 2007 at 2:59pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Solus, I've been using some old Northern "Muck" boots for  my spring /fall trips. They're too warm for summer. Plus if you slip and go over the top you get a "full booter". The nice thing about muck boots is they don't retain moisture on the outside, i.e. less evaporative cooling.

Mad_Mat, OTB says they aren't suppose to retain much water in their material. Let me know how the evaporative cooling is in cold weather. Plus MM, I'd sent you a message with my email address, but I spelled out "at" and "dot" to keep spammers from picking it up. Hope that didn't throw you.

I ordered some Vasque mid-high hikers and a pair of Chaco's, both with the stealth sole. Also have a pair of Chota Quick-Lace mukluk's coming for local winter paddling. I feel they may be too light for portage work. Anybody try the Chota Q-L or breathable mukluks on real portage trails? (I'll scan back through the pages) Wish Chota hadn't discontinued the Nuvavut. I would have liked to try that one. When my new stuff comes I write a review.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Jim J Solo
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1195
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Joined: Apr 6th, 2007
Re: Portage Boot Recomendations
Reply #59 - Nov 19th, 2007 at 11:08pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Solus, I was refering to muck boots as a general term for all high rubber boots. Now I see it's a brand name. I did some looking online and found some locally but have yet to get a chance to check them out.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 

 
  « The Put-In ‹ Board  ^Top