jdrocks wrote on Jul 14^th, 2009 at 3:32am:


Yep!  And once those boots fill with water, you'll be glad you're wearing your pfd.  You did have it on didn't you?

 AT one time, I "thought" I had the ideal "dry" foot combo!
I like the Teva brand/type of shoe, and ankle support isn't an issue, so low cuts serve me fine. I look for comfort and grip and will they hold together. One year I saw some stocking-foot hip waders in Cabelas. At $30, they seemed the answer?
Coated nylon tops, neoprene booty. I bought a pair, and for about 3 trips that's what I wore. Never got in water/mud over those high tops and loved that I could get in/out of canoe in deeper water, saving the keel from damage if I misjudged my entry depth.
 When I first found the QJ, I happened too read Jimbo's story about he and his brothers ill-fated attempt to get down the Cache river My eyes grew big and the bulb went on when I read about the guy almost drowning wearing the big rubber boots, that filled with water and almost dragged him under
 I never even thought about that with my set-up. The nylon top fit fairly snug, but after reading that story, I did a little consumer test.
 I went too the local beach, donned my PFD and portage boot set-up, and waded out and then swam into deeper water.
I knew the boots would fill with water, but what surprised me that the PFD that normally would float me easily in "regular shoes/boots" could barely keep my head above the water! I was only a few strokes from standing, so I was in no real danger, but if that would of been in deeper water, out from shore, and in cold/heavy wave conditions, I would of been a goner for sure unless I could get OUT of the bootie/shoes and swim/float to safety.
 I use the Brookie-Knee highs with water shoes now, they have a snugger fit and a cinch strap to snug up nice and tight. If the weather turns real hot and they're uncomfortable, I loosen the strap and roll them down to ankle height, that way they can't fill with water IF I take a swim.
I would highly recommend that anyone regardless of their footwear choice, take a little dunk test with and without their PFD before the take a trip.
It MIGHT end up being a lifesaver.