I love my Chota Caneyforks. A little taller than the trekkers and at the time I purchased more tread.

  I buy discounted "water" shoes from someplace like Sierra Trading Post. Remember to buy a shoe at LEAST a 1 size bigger or more than your street shoes to accommodate heavy socks/ neoprene gators.
   
I think a sticky traction sole for wet rock is key as well as light and comfortable, TOE bumper too.

I also like CORD LOCK's on shoelaces so you don't have loops to catch on roots.

I think ankle support is over-rated in that it's your muscle/tendon strength that supports your foot/ankle action.

Now ankle IMPACT protection is another thing. You see plenty of NBA players wearing low-cut shoes now and they twist and turn their ankles with more sheer force than we will on a portage.

Now IF you have a previous ankle injury from sports/accident and have actual physical damage then a higher boot laced tight or one of those slip on ankle/foot braces might be needed.

  I don't think there IS one perfect boot because everyone is a different size, the  load they carry, body weight, the way the walk, all play a part.

Traction on the other hand, is pretty well a constant.

IF you have "weak" ankles that are NOT orthopedic injury related ( like pins in ankle), get yourself a cheap WOBBLE balance board. You can find buying/info exercises on-line.

Remember indigenous people around the world carry loads like the old time Voyager's on mountain goat terrain for hours wearing little tire tread sandals or barefoot.

I'm NOT saying a higher/stiffer boot is bad, but there is a tradeoff in weight/comfort/drying and you might be better served with a good sole and a little "work-out" routine for you ankles/lower extremities.

  There are also numerous ways to lace a shoe or boot to keep it on your foot in muddy conditions and give more lateral support too. All can be found on-line with a Google search.

solotripper wrote on Mar 16^th, 2017 at 2:14pm:


I agree with ST's assessment re: ankles.  That's why PJ's approach, "sneakers" (and ,yes, that's how I still refer to them, too), works for some folks.

That's also why it DOESN'T work for me.  I broke/sprained each of my ankles so many times playing basketball in my younger days that I lost count.  I remember 4 casts but it might have been 6.  I only bothered with them when something was truly "broken"... and usually I broke the cast off after 3-4 weeks (which probably explains my frequent ankle issues, but I was anxious to get back out & "play ball").

Anyway, I haven't broken them in about 30 years and don't wish to get into that habit again.  "High top" sneaks, alone, won't do it for me.  I usually played ball with so many wraps around my ankles that it looked like I was afflicted with elephantiasis!

ST is right.  The best footwear is not a one-size/brand-fits-all-situations solution.  I envy PJ's healthy ankles and ST's aboriginals who took better care of their feet than I did back when it mattered.

Jimbo   

Quote:


  IF I were going to wear a higher boot, I would pick up a pair of these Viet Nam jungle boots with the PANAMA mud shedding sole and give them a try.

They only came in FULL sizes and it used to be only a D width, but I have seen ones that came in Narrow and Wide (E ?) widths, made by Goverment contractors to the original military specs. Under $50.



  I had a pair once in my early canoe days, but one of my old canoe buddies under the influence forgot the uppers were NYLON and while I was asleep set them to close to fire. Made it thru trip but they were shot.

  I just read that the military is testing a new all purpose combat boot and it will be very similar to the Viet Nam boot but will have better drainage that will let water out but keep sand from coming in.

In a few years THAT might be the boot to have IF you want a hi-cut boot.

Jimbo wrote on Mar 16^th, 2017 at 1:57pm:


I was a little disappointed my first trip - too "loose" - but I got use to using a pair of inserts and slightly heavier smatwool socks and 10 or do trips later would not change. I like the ankle support, they drain well, and I wet foot May through October.

I hope you enjoy them. I don't even think about them any longer. Now if I could get my hips and shoulders to feel as good as my feet do...