It seems to me that boots/shoes are without a doubt one of the most popular topics on the gear forum, but I can't figure out the ideal tripping/portaging pair for BWCA in late May. Here is what I'm considering -

FULL BOOTS
Chota Trekkers
New Balance OTB abyss II, 6" or 8"
A pair of Simms (they all look nice, I don't know which way to lean with this brand)
Danner Pronghorn 8"

WATER SHOES
Chaco Outcross Evo 1

I'm really leaning towards the OTB Abyss, but it seems like they've been discontinued, I can't find size 8's online. Is there a good place to get them, or a comparable shoe?

Are there are others I should consider? I'm looking for a good shoe for portaging, something with decent support, drainage, and traction, and also ideally something that would work well for backpacking/hiking outside of BWCA.

The ideal tripping/portaging footwear is a personal preference to a large extent. When the water is not too cold, I prefer to wet foot in a boot that is at least ankle high and ties on securely so I am less likely to lose it in knee-deep boot-sucking mud. I nearly had that happen with some Keen sandals. Thee other problem I had with them was too much mud and debris getting in and then underneath my foot.

I have a couple of pair of OTB's. If you normally wear size 8, size 9 may be what you want. They seemed a little short to me, so I have 2 sizes now. They have 3 insoles that can be used to adjust the volume. I like tem as a portage shoe - they drain well through the holes in the sole, but that also means water goes the other direction too, which is not a good thing for general hiking. You could wear (non-waterproof) regular hiking boots to eliminate that problem, but then they wouldn't drain like the portage boots.

If you have some old hiking boots that you are not really using anymore, you could try drilling holes in the sole. If you do, let me know how it works.

Thanks for your help Boonie!

Do you happen to know of a good place to find the OTB abyss online? I'm really struggling to find them.

I think New Balance made them for a while, but that is probably ended. I got some at Joe's New Balance outlet, but I don't think they have any now. You will probably have to go with another brand of similar portage/wading boot, if you can't find them somewhere else.

Abyss boots are no more. No big loss IMO. Comfortable boots and drain well but, at least from New Balance, the quality was poor. I took them on a 30 day trip and was a little worried about them making it the whole way. After day 3 threads were frayed and seams were starting to separate. They made it and I still use them but no more trips.

Last year I got a pair of Rocky S2V Jungle Boots and they've been great so far. Took them on a 42 day trip and they still look new. I wish they'd drain just a little faster but that's a minor complaint. It took probably 10 hours of hiking over the course of a couple weeks hiking at home to get them broken in. Until then they were murder on the back of my heels. Now I can comfortably where them all day long.

I'm seriously considering Schnees Pac boots for trips with cold air and water temps. Water proof up to the ankle, which would keep my feet dry for 85% of landings, and the leather above that would keep water out for brief forays into deeper water. Extended time in deep water or going in over the top of the boots would result in wet feet but that doesn't happen all that often and I can dry them out in camp at night.

I spend a lot of time thinking about boots. I fully expect that by the time I've run the gamut of all types and styles I'll settle on something simple and cheap as being the best.

Alan

I got a pair of Muck Wetland boots for a may trip last year and reeally like them. I use them all the time around the yard/woods too.

I trip in mid to late May and have yet to find the perfect all-round " one pair" for tripping. Even in nice weather, the water is still cold. Good wool socks help. Sealskins sweat after awhile. I hate putting on a wet shoe in the morning.
We base camp or usually spend 2 nights in same camp , so that affords more drying time. I have settled on treckers for wetfooting; minnetonka mocs for camp; nrs boundary shoes for fishing daytrips with minimal portaging. Plus 4 pairs socks. That takes some pack space but it's how I roll.

I'm looking atthese for my next pair of canoe camping shoes

I trip in mid to late May and have yet to find the perfect all-round " one pair" for tripping. Even in nice weather, the water is still cold. Good wool socks help. Sealskins sweat after awhile. I hate putting on a wet shoe in the morning.
We base camp or usually spend 2 nights in same camp , so that affords more drying time. I have settled on treckers for wetfooting; minnetonka mocs for camp; nrs boundary shoes for fishing daytrips with minimal portaging. Plus 4 pairs socks. That takes some pack space but it's how I roll.

I bought a pair of these , and I love them. Most of my trips are in shoulder season, and with a pair of wool socks my feet stay dry and warm all day. I was a little leery about portaging in them, but I have put a few miles on them and they are comfortable and seem to be holding up well. I would highly recommend them.

My first two trips were in cheap WalMart hikers. They stayed wet the entire trip, but with wool socks, I was fine. The second trip they were shot though. No support in the sole, I felt every rock. So I decided to get Keen Voyageurs, and will be trying them out this season.
My son bought these:
Orvis Flats boots
They seemed to get great traction, drained well, and dried quicker than my boots. He never dried them by the fire, so they were still damp in the mornings, but mine would squish water out when I put them on!

Footwear for the BWCA/Quetico is definitely a personal issue. I've read many good articles in the BWJ about footwear choices, but they all differ. I recently got a pair of Chotas, but have not yet used them enough to give a recommendation one way or another at this point. I do like the muck type boots that are calf high. Mine fit tightly around the ankles and give great support. It would be a struggle to have them pulled off in deep muck. I am a fan of good foot and ankle protection - I don't ever want to have a trip be compromised because I was stylish or light weight. I agree with the previous comment about Keen sandals, great for summer swim wear but terrible on the trail - no ankle support and rocks, sticks and dirt creep in under the foot. Portaging a double pack and canoe over even a short portage with a stick or pebble under foot is not enjoyable. I have yet to try 8 inch leather, but will this summer. I've asked this question many times to trippers with more experience than I and I have never gotten the same answer twice. However, experimenting with different types of gear I find to be enjoyable, albeit somewhat expensive at times. Good luck - let us know what you find out!

quote Alan Gage: "Last year I got a pair of Rocky S2V Jungle Boots and they've been great so far. Took them on a 42 day trip and they still look new. I wish they'd drain just a little faster but that's a minor complaint. It took probably 10 hours of hiking over the course of a couple weeks hiking at home to get them broken in. Until then they were murder on the back of my heels. Now I can comfortably where them all day long.


.....


I spend a lot of time thinking about boots. I fully expect that by the time I've run the gamut of all types and styles I'll settle on something simple and cheap as being the best.


Alan"

Thanks for the input Alan!

I did some research, and I really like the look, features, and your recommendation on quality for the S2V's. I found one site with them for $140, and I'm considering pulling the trigger. Could you tell me anything more about them, or could anyone chime in either in support or against these boots?

I'm also quite interested in boots myself, as well as gear in general, I'm simply not very familiar with the boundary waters area yet, so I'm trying to do thorough digging to find the ideal shoe - I'm open to any suggestions

Muck boots are great for early season tripping when water temps are cold enough that keeping your feet dry is preferable. But they are expensive and I have looked longingly at them but could never pull the trigger.

Here is what I found and after several years of tripping in May they have worked extremely well for a reasonable price. High enough to be able to land in almost all situations and still be dry. Enough support that portaging with them is comfortable, and those mudholes in the middle of the portage - I laugh at them!

They are kind of hard to find but here is one site that shows them, although they are sold out here. i actually bought mine at Fleet Farm:



Cheaper than Muck

I took the Muck Edgewater last spring and fall and was very happy with them. Of course I also threw in a pair of lightweight tennis shoes for around camp.
Muck Edgewater

I have a pair of Mucks for the winter / dog walking. I could not imagine portaging in them. They are big, clunky and I would not trust their soles on wet rocks. Plus there are many times where I end up in the water higher than those boots would go.

I prefer shoes with softer soles made for water. And if it's cold I just throw on a pair of wool socks.

quote SimbaHasani: "
Thanks for the input Alan!

I did some research, and I really like the look, features, and your recommendation on quality for the S2V's. I found one site with them for $140, and I'm considering pulling the trigger. Could you tell me anything more about them, or could anyone chime in either in support or against these boots? "

Make sure you're looking at the right S2V boots. They make a lot of different boots labeled as S2V. Mine are the Jungle boots.

For $140 you probably found the earlier version of the S2V Jungle boot, which is the same ones I have. I bought them about a year ago for about the same price just before they released the new model so they were all on sale. I don't really know what they changed but I doubt it was anything significant. I'm happy enough with mine and if I had to buy a new pair today would definitely buy the old version again if I could save $100.

The sizing seems to be correct. I normally wear size 11 or 11 1/2. I ordered my boots in 11 and they fit fine with enough room for a thick sock.

These boots are not water proof. They're the opposite of water proof. They're made to let water flow in and out so they drain relatively quickly once you get out of the water. You'll need to put up with wet feet all day long and if the water/air is cold you'll want some warm wool socks. At camp change into dry shoes and socks. Unless you dry them by the fire they'll still be wet in the morning. I'm sure you already know this but I'd hate for it to be a rude surprise later. I'm thinking you might be relatively new to canoe tripping so wanted to be sure I pointed it out. I believe some of the S2V boots are water proof.

Alan

NRS Boundary Shoe guy here. This was one of my favorite purchases. Knee high neoprene boot with a rubber sole. Keep my feet dry and have good grip for portaging. The only downside is you can stub a toe, but I only made that mistake once, I keep a good eye on where I am stepping when I am portaging which is smart regardless of your footwear choice. Crocs for camp... and formal events.

Chota mucklucks for me. Lightweight, decent ankle support, and waterproof.

quote muddyfeet: "I got a pair of Muck Wetland boots for a may trip last year and reeally like them. I use them all the time around the yard/woods too. "

That's what I'll be sporting this May

Wet-footing with Chota Caney Forks and Chota socks the last three trips has been wonderful.

LL Bean's Bean Boot

Old standby for me. Good ankle support, keeps my feet dry unless water comes over the very top of the boot. The sole is softer than the typical hiking boot, but that's never been a problem for me.

quote BuckFlicks: " LL Bean's Bean Boot


Old standby for me. Good ankle support, keeps my feet dry unless water comes over the very top of the boot. The sole is softer than the typical hiking boot, but that's never been a problem for me.


"

How's traction on those slippery lichen covered rocks? You know, the brown ones.

How long does it take for water to start soaking through the leather?

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "

quote BuckFlicks: " LL Bean's Bean Boot



Old standby for me. Good ankle support, keeps my feet dry unless water comes over the very top of the boot. The sole is softer than the typical hiking boot, but that's never been a problem for me.



"

How's traction on those slippery lichen covered rocks? You know, the brown ones.


How long does it take for water to start soaking through the leather?


Alan"

The traction is adequate, but not stellar. Better than I expected, but not as good as I hoped... or as my hiking boots. I've never lost my footing on a portage. I have more of a problem with the soft rubber of the sole giving way to sharp rocks and roots, and poking the sole of my foot. It's never broken through.. I can just feel it, which is weird. I love the ankle support. Does it look stylish with shorts? Heck no... but I'm usually wearing the legs on my convertible pants to combat sunburn on the tops of my knees.

I've never had water soak through. My boots are 10" with Thinsulate, which I can't find on the website now. The only time I've had water in my shoe was when my partner tipped the boat when we were pulling up to a portage and I put my foot out to keep my entire body from going in the water... and I was in mid-thigh deep water.... so no way I was going to have a dry foot with the water going over the top of the boot. They've been completely waterproof otherwise.

How is the ankle support in the NRS Boundary Shoe? I assume far less than a standard hiking boot.

Wear it's cold I still wet foot it but I wear neoprene socks to keep my feet warm. Then change into wool socks and chokos when I get to camp. Of coarse if it's wet the sandals don't work very well and socks don't work very well.

Wear it's cold I still wet foot it but I wear neoprene socks to keep my feet warm. Then change into wool socks and chokos when I get to camp. Of coarse if it's wet the sandals don't work very well and socks don't work very well.

I've used LL Bean boots, Lacrosse and Rocky insulated rubber boots but the Muck Wetland is far superior. Easy to slip on and off, surprisingly good traction on the wet mossy rocks and can be easily rolled down to help vent while paddling the canoe. I slip into something dry when in camp. Well worth the cost IMHO and I just bought my twin boys each a pair for their birthday.