Just wore out my Chotas Trekkers about eight years old now, and will need something soon for my September and October trips. My Chotas did the job for many trips but I was never that impressed with them, so I tried a new out of the box Merrell Moab hiking boot which happens to be my favorite all around shoe and have had many pairs. Well after a seven day wet footing trip there was nothing left of them, just about every stich was ruined oh well tossed that pair it wouldn't even make a good camp shoe. So been thinking about a knee high muck boot I plan to travel solo on one of these trips, and I kneel about eighty percent of the time, anyone use this type of boot and kneel wondering how it feels for flexing and comfort at the ankles, also any issues getting free from under the seat in case of a roll over.

I had muck boots. Big footbed, warm, good at keeping water out even if you dip over the top. I loved mine until my first day of portaging was done. There is a high rubber seam on the back of these boots. It rubbed a hole in the back of my calf until it drew blood. I was in pain the rest of the trip. They are also hard to get off and you cannot swim with them on. If you get your foot caught under your seat....well, I wish you the best of luck.

I went back to a cheap pair of rubber chore boots from Fleet Farm, Servus brand. I wear wool socks for warmth. They can be dried out with a towel, are easy to slide your foot in and out and have a smaller footbed to fit under a seat. If you roll the canoe over, you can easily kick the boot off or reach down and pull it off if you need to swim. Most everyone I know uses these boots up there. They aren't Chotas but they do get the job done well for short money.

Only negative is ankle support, it's lacking. There are other ways to mitigate this.

I've owned 3 pair of Muck Boots and have mixed feeling about them. I have had two pari of Arctic Sport mid height boots and one pair of Chore high height boots. I have not found them to be comfortable when kneeling, but I do not paddle from a kneeling position very often. The Chore boots were not comfortable when walking any distance. They rubbed and irritated the back of my leg just above the achilles. The Arctic Sports were/are the most comfortable "rubber" boots I've ever wore and they were good portage boots too.

My complaint about both are that they did not wear well given how spendy they were. All have failed by splitting near the instep. They have all failed in less than a year of use. In fairness I use them for more than paddling., using them a lot in the dog yard too. In fact they see nearly daily use from late Fall through Spring. I suspect they would last a long tie if I was only using them for paddling. Even so, I'm somewhat disappointed in durability.

My current (third pair) split this past spring. I have the patched with Shoe Goo, but know this is a temporary fix. If I can find a new pair at a good price I'll probably buy another pair, but will not do so if I have to pay full (or near) full price.

As you can see I have mixed feeling about Muck Boots. Durability is only OK in my The Sport boots are comfortable and warm, but I really do not think you'd be happy kneeling in them. Personally, I'm looking for an alternative now. Will be following this thread to see if I can get any new ideas.

One of the guys in our groups got a pair of Mucks Wetlands several years ago. Now most of the guys (15-19 each year we take up) are in Muck Wetlands. I wear them myself. Great grip to wet, submerged rocks. Never got water in them even when water went over the top. Keep my feet warm. Also have a pair of Chotas. Mucks are hands down better for support, warmth and portaging.

One last thing. . .bought a new pair two years ago and tore a hole in the side of them from a stick in the fire. Called Mucks and they sent me a new pair. Their warranty is the best I have ever seen.

I've had both Mucks and Lacrosse. Mucks are a high quality boot, but they aren't for everyone. Mine have little or no flex on the ankle, so kneeling would be pretty tough, and i wouldn't want to walk long distances in them. I used to have a pair of Lacross Alpha Burley's and they had more flexibility in the ankle, but you still wouldn't want to kneel. I used to kick mine off between portages.

I've gone to the 17" Tingley overshoe worn over a running shoe. Warm, super flexible, field patchable, dry-able, and packable.

I have a pair of knee high insulated Lacrosse "Burly" boots that I've worn for years. Never had any leakage issues, and have worn them in everything from summer temperatures to below zero going ice fishing and field hunting geese. The only issue I've ran into with my lacrosse boots is blisters on warm days, but if I wear wool socks, that fixes that...but if I am on a BWCA trip, I carry moleskin and duct tape for blisters even if I am not hiking far. I also carry a patch kit with me to fix the boots whether I am fishing, hunting, or paddling. At around $80 they have been a great investment.

I have used LaCross for 35+ years. Now it is called the Grange model, I believe. Good ankle support and I use a felt insole. I don't use them much in the canoe because I like to switch to kneeling alot. Not easy sliding size 11 under the seat. Durable. On third pair since 83. I have yet to find the perfect all round portaging/canoeing shoe or boot. Truckers, mukluks lite, nrs boundary, . Rocky Gillies were most comfy for me but were lowcuts and discontinued.

LL Bean Bean boot, the tallest one I can get.

Keeps my feet dry the entire trip, even being the "back of the canoe" guy who has to step in deeper water to get in and out of the canoe every landing and launch.

Muck boots are not tall enough, they will end up wet inside. On some portages you need to go deeper than the height of muck boots. Same when you encounter beaver dams or other things. Once they get wet they might as well wear regular hiking boots.

I would recommend chota caney fork boots with chota hippies. The boots are specially designed to wear with waders and they have water drain ports. The are very stable in slippery rocks and mud. Also the waders are convertible, if its hot or you are portaging just leave them down like a sock. When you need to go into water just pull them up and you are set.

I've only used Mucks and chore boots over the years which have been great. I like the mucks and have never had any issues with irritation, rubbing but they will be wet/damp at the end of the day. I fold the boot over and if you angle them just right with a rock the sun will shine into them to dry out. I recommend a tall knee high sock to keep the rubbing to a minimum.

I've worn Muck Edgewater on 3 trips now. I have been very happy with them. The first trip I had a little chaffing, so I now wear a lightweight liner under my wool blend socks... works great!

I will look at the Muck Boots Wetland model at Cabellas this weekend, and the Chotas Caney Fork model since I have the old style Neopreme socks that I used in the Trekkers. I shouldn't complain about the Trekkers they've served me fine for ten years just wish they would dry faster.