Does anyone have experience with these? We are planning a mid-October BWCA trip and are trying to decide the best way to keep our feet warm and dry. Are these truly waterproof? How hot do they get? Do they handle portaging well or would we need to switch to boots?

If you do not recommend these, please let me know what you would prefer. Thanks!

I have used a pair for my last five BWCA trips. Those trips were all in mid to late June and late September and about five days long on average. I found the boots great on portage trails. I motor through muddy sections without much concern while my buddies dig for their Keens or similar saddles that get sucked off their feet in the deep mud. I like the support and traction over a wide variety of ground (rocks, mud, sand, etc.) You do have to watch out for sharp sticks as you can puncture the neoprene uppers. I did once while bushwhacking for firewood. Easily repaired with neoprene/wet suit repair glue though.

To control the heat on hot days I roll the uppers down over my ankles when I get into the canoe. Just takes a couple second to roll them up and down. In July/August they might be too warm. I would strongly consider wet footing with some Chotas or something similar those months. In early June and late September my feet stayed comfortably warm even with wet socks...more on that...

I am horrible at picking landings at portages. It seems like at least once a day I have to step into water over the top of the boots. And my feet naturally perspire a lot. Combine the two and my boots don’t ‘feel’ that waterproof! My feet are perpetually damp while traveling from about mid day on the first day until I exit on a given BWCA trip. I avoid foot issues by having a dedicated pair of dry socks and camp shoes I change into as soon as I hit the camp site. Putting on wet socks and the boots is a bit cold and clammy each morning but they do warm up very fast fast—a couple of minutes.

So they are waterproof if you can avoid water over the tops and your feet don’t sweat much. And you don’t puncture the neoprene uppers. I think the boots are great on muddy portages so that’s why I am sticking with them for now. When they wear out I will probably consider something else. Muck Boots or Chota Boots and Hippies maybe...

I have used these boots for the past eight years or so and they are great. They are perfect for launches and landing on short day trips and are handy on long trips with muddy portages. Just last week I used them to wade in high flood water in my neighborhood. After a half hour they developed a tiny leak on the seam across the top of the seam. First time they have leaked. Inspection found seam is solid, so I will add a little sealer. Should fix that. On rocky portages the soles grip well but I think I will add some Dr. Sholls inserts soon for more comfort. Great product for the money.

My wife got a set of boundary shoes at copia a few years back. Work great on cold water trips when she wants to keep her feet warm and dry.

Thanks, everyone. This is great information. Are they sturdy enough to support carrying portage packs and canoes?

Another option could be to use your regular portage boots and buy a pair of Chota hippie waders that only go up to the knees instead of the full leg-waders. They are cheaper and keep your feet dry. Just a thought.

I tripped the end of April in Chotas with hippies with a light liner sock and wool hiking sock. I removed one of the shoe liners I usually use. Lots of mud and wading in very cold water and never got wet or cold.
I have a pair of the NRS booties and found I sweat too much. And the waders protect me in that deeper water at the beaver dam, etc.

I like the boundary shoe for daytrip fishing and around camp if raining. I go late May mostly. They can become sweaty at times and a bit thin-soled for sharp rock portages, but I still like them. I wear them with a thick wool sock and try to rotate with camp mocs to keep aired out. Some dry newspaper wadded and stuffed works well if they become wet inside. They are warm in the shoulder seasons.

I'll just add that I went on a 10-day trip in WCPP with a guy who wore the NRS waterproof boots and he loved them. I always thought that they would be a bit thin-soled on the rocky portages but I prefer a thick, vibram sole on my footwear where others might not.

As much as I wanted them to, Chota hippies and boots just didn't work with my big wide feet (13 4E). I purchased a pair of Cabela's Accelerator Hip Boots for a 10 day solo this past fall. I recommend them without reservation. They are essentially a Muck boot with a waterproof/breathable gaiter attached. They can be rolled down to knee highs which worked well for me on warmer days.