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.

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.

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.

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.

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.      The NRS look really hard to put on and take off. Is there a zipper ... that might provide some ankle protection?

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

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.

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


 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.

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.

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'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

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.