I been using boots like this for 25 years at least. I know Fleet Farm has these for $29 also.
Your choice of footwear. Yes I wet footed one cold spring and never again.
My Choice

This Patagonia Wading Boot

with Chota Wading socks. We really like the combination. Dry as knee high rubber boots and supportive and sure footed as hiking boots. Were not fans of wet feet all day.

i like the Kokatat Nomad

Muck Wetland Boots
Definitely not the cheapest, but if you use them for more than just paddling, they are amazing. 18" tall, fully waterproof neoprene, and the top rolls down for a short boot if its warm. My SOP is rolling them down or taking them off while paddling, then rolling them back up before getting out to portage.

My choice

Last year, I tried the Kamik Bushman and was really impressed. I'll wear the same pair for this year's trip.

I was digging on these but can't afford them........Seal team choice.

Lalo shadow

I was also looking at some Orvis wading boots but like what BnD posted instead........they have a shallower (narrower) sole. The Orvis wading boots look like platform shoes. Remember those ;-)

But if I am wetbooting it I will still run the the Rocky SV2. Excellent option IMO.

But this summer hopefully I will be Isle Royal bound and wet booting it is out of the question on Superior and sitting in a canoe all day in a Muck style boot sounds uncomfortable to me. I will be bringing my Neoprene Chota Mucklucks. Perfecto!

Chota Caney Fork boots w/ Chota wading socks. Super on the trail, good for all but the sharpest dropping (deepest) landings, and if it's a warm day, the socks can be easily pushed down to my ankles while paddling to avoid any sense of being too warm. If conditions overnite preclude their drying (most of the time), it doesn't feel at all like I'm putting on wet footwear the next morning.

quote muddyfeet: " Muck Wetland Boots
Definitely not the cheapest, but if you use them for more than just paddling, they are amazing. 18" tall, fully waterproof neoprene, and the top rolls down for a short boot if its warm. My SOP is rolling them down or taking them off while paddling, then rolling them back up before getting out to portage. "

Ditto

quote mc2mens: "

quote muddyfeet: " Muck Wetland Boots
Definitely not the cheapest, but if you use them for more than just paddling, they are amazing. 18" tall, fully waterproof neoprene, and the top rolls down for a short boot if its warm. My SOP is rolling them down or taking them off while paddling, then rolling them back up before getting out to portage. "

Ditto"

+2, exactly what I do!

the Muck Tremont Wellie for women. comfy, sturdy

Muck

I have a pair of the cheap muck boots from Fleet Farm that I use for other work, and I have to admit, they are growing on me as a wetfoot footwear choice.

I've been testing them this spring in our cold waters of Minnesota. For being less than $30, I think they show promise.

I like the 17" tingley overshoe over my favorite trail runner. Light and comfortable enough to walk for miles, If the weather turns hot you can roll them up and stow them in a pack, if you go over the top they can be turned inside out to dry quickly, you can carry an inner tube patch kit and patch them in the field, though they are amazingly tough, and the best part of all is that they are cheap.

Trying to find a pair of wading boots for the wife, have not found a pair that fits her calves. Measure 19 inches about where the top of the boot would be. Any suggestions?

muck boots

My choice. Got these half off last fall. Can't wait to try them out in 3 weeks
Lacrosse

quote movington: "My choice. Got these half off last fall. Can't wait to try them out in 3 weeks
Lacrosse "

good deal

quote movington: "My choice. Got these half off last fall. Can't wait to try them out in 3 weeks
Lacrosse "

I've got almost the same boot from LaCrosse, slightly different model. Love them. I'll wear them for my June and October trips this year, I'll wet foot my July trip with my Merrel breathable hiking boots and waterproof socks.

quote Pinetree: "I been using boots like this for 25 years at least. I know Fleet Farm has these for $29 also.
Your choice of footwear. Yes I wet footed one cold spring and never again.
My Choice "

I also have these same boots. Picked them up at a Goodwill type store, Savers. Paid about $7. The only thing is they are two sizes too big. But I wore them with heavy socks on an early October trip I took to Sylvania in the UP where I didn't have to portage too much. I loved being able to walk in the water to get in and out of my canoe. Wore them all weekend. Kept my feet dry and warm.

quote movington: "

quote Pinetree: "I been using boots like this for 25 years at least. I know Fleet Farm has these for $29 also.
Your choice of footwear. Yes I wet footed one cold spring and never again.
My Choice "

I also have these same boots. Picked them up at a Goodwill type store, Savers. Paid about $7. The only thing is they are two sizes too big. But I wore them with heavy socks on an early October trip I took to Sylvania in the UP where I didn't have to portage too much. I loved being able to walk in the water to get in and out of my canoe. Wore them all weekend. Kept my feet dry and warm. "

We wear them when it is wet grouse hunting in the fall and also around home in the woods during tick season,they help a little.
I think it is a great boot for the price. Been using them close to 20 years. The only thing like a lot of rubber it seems like the side cracks with heay use. Meaning a lot of wearing.

Hello All

I have a pair of Simms Freestone Travel wadders that fold down to the size of a shaving bag. They weigh 22.2 oz. I don't think they make them anymore. They can get a little hot during the summer. I just splash some water on them. This summer I will probably being wet footing it and keep the waders in my pack for rain pants.

Happy trails

Can you explain to me the Chota wading socks? They're meant to be waterproof, *inside* the boot? Doesn't that make your feet sweat like nobody's business? I'm thinking of a pair of Caney Fork boots, but I see a lot of recommendations to pair them with the wading socks, and I'm trying to understand the idea of non-waterproof boots with waterproof socks.

quote TominMpls: "Can you explain to me the Chota wading socks? They're meant to be waterproof, *inside* the boot? Doesn't that make your feet sweat like nobody's business? I'm thinking of a pair of Caney Fork boots, but I see a lot of recommendations to pair them with the wading socks, and I'm trying to understand the idea of non-waterproof boots with waterproof socks."

Well, I think it's largely canoe trippers "stealing" gear from fly fishermen to begin with. That said, I'm sure they were originally intended to be paired with stocking-foot waders rather than "socks". The foot part is exactly the same in both though. I imagine if you never gave the boot/sock combo a dunk in the water here and there, they might start feeling warm after awhile. Even on pretty long pulls in milder weather, it's yet to happen to me though.

My choice

Last year was my last in keens on long portages. I have soft feet and accumulated too many blisters from small stones getting in there.

This year I am going to a sturdy boot designed to drain. I will probably use wool socks. It will likely be hot, but I think its the right thing for me.

Simms Vapor Trail

I have travelled many miles in my Chota Hippies and Trekker Portage boots. They are incredible during the shoulder months in the canoe, on the portage and once at camp. 18 days on the Noatak in Alaska and a ton of time in the BWCA and Quetico. My feet have stayed warm and dry. Nice for river fishing too. Is the combo inexpensive? Nope, but comfort is a premium in the cold and damp.

Mac

This is what I've used for the last 5 years. They grip slimy rocks, drain really well, and they dry fast. Probably not the best option but it hasn't failed me yet. I just swap them out for my hikers or sandals when I get to camp.

Teva Churn Water Shoe

So many fancy ones here. I just use a basic Dunlop Wellington that I got for 30$. It's been good to me for a few years now.

I've used OTB Ohdins for he past few years. They're a wading boot the I pair with a set of Chota Hippies. It's a very comfortable duo.