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 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 

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

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 

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 to view media files and links)

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 to view media files and links)