I'm taking my first trip in the BWCA this year and am obsessing about the proper footwear. I'm seriously thinking of getting the NRS Boundary Shoe. Has anyone used these? Any other suggestions for footwear?

I have a much earlier version of those boots. They're nice in cooler weather when the water is cold and good for basic everyday walking through mud and ankle-deep water, etc. They can get quite warm (or hot) in warmer weather.

You may want to consider some portaging boots that look more like hiking boots. They generally have strong soles, offer ankle support, are self-draining and are durable. See the threads below.

IMO, wet feet are inevitable. If you manage to keep them dry at the landings, you'll get them wet or muddy on the portage trails. Step into the water right away, then you're good until you get to camp. :)

Footwear has been a popular topic recently. Here are a couple threads that you'll find just down the page.

Thread on Chota Hybrid boots

Thread on Best Footwear

Thanks for the advice and threads. It looks like there are lots of opinions on shoes/boots. Hopefully I'll find the right footwear.

Yeah, there's somebody who favors just about every footwear except dress shoes or flip-flops.

Military surplus jungle boots with tingley PVC overboots. Cheapest and best option I've found in 10+ years of looking.

Do the over boots actually work??
My brother says I should just wear seal skins with shoes/boots that drain well. Do the jungle boots drain well?? They do look like they would be good support for portages.

I'd say find the footwear that works for you. You'll find TONS of opinions here.

I have a pair of Keen Hiking boots for when I want my feet warm and a nice rugged hike.

I have a pair of keen sandals when the water is warm, and I wet foot.

I have a pair of bog boots for when it is on the cooler side, and I want something that is easy to slip on and off.

I haven't found a thread that specifically says, don't buy XYZ boot, or you will regret it, so try something and see if it works for you.

Non wet footer here.

This year it will likely be Vasque Saga GTX for portage’s. Alternate Merrell Moab II.

Tingley Ultralight Boots for the canoe

Yep, lots and lots of opinions on favored tripping boots. I wet foot it, so I went with Chota Caney Fork boots and am quite pleased.

I use Muck Wetland boots while canoeing and portaging. They are water proof, and go up almost to your knee. If its hot I roll them down, just remember to roll them up before you step into deeper water. At camp I wear a pair of Keen hiking boots.

Shoulder seasons of spring and fall when the water is cold you needs be a dry footer if possible. Summer life is just much easier to wet foot IMO.

I like BOOTS and find sandals non sensical and an accident waiting to happen (with all due respect etc. etc.). They offer little or nothing in the way of ankle support, and are usually not very stable under a load with your foot tending to slide a bit on hard angled surfaces. Plus if you get into a stretch of knee deep mud filled with branches you risk some abrasion issues on the tops of your feet. Lastly there always seems to be some material which finds its way to the bottom of your sandal clad foot requiring removing the sandal to extract it........did I mention sunburnt feet or exposing your feet to biting flies or skeets? Obviously I am not a fan of sandals except maybe to swim in. And even then they don't dry especially fast either. Sandals, Blah!

The other concern you should have is blisters wether you wet foot or dry foot. Your feet will get wet regardless, wether through perspiration, mud puddles or from wet footing. I use 2 pair of socks....... a thin liner sock of polypropylene and then a light hiking pair. Let the socks rub against each other as opposed to your skin. Common backpacking knowledge. Wet feet tend to blister easily so wear the 2 pair and you will have no issues.

Lastly, do not forget some type of camp shoe. Nothing worse than getting to camp after a long hard day and having to wear your portaging boots. Here sandals are acceptable and I prefer a closed toe type for added protection. Ripping a toenail off would be unpleasant. Some use Crocs and they are ideal in many respects as they are light and unaffected by water but I find their grip and stability on anything other than a perfectly flat surface lacking (they excel in walking to a hot tub and back ;-)

A lightweight pair of cheap tennis shoes would be fine for a camp shoe. I use Astral Brewers, which is a Kayaking shoe for camp which is a bit extravagant price wise for a camp shoe but they are a delight being extremely lightweight but yet with a grippy type sole, nice!

Astral Brewer water shoe

I wet foot in OTB Abyss Boots New Balance took over making these a few years ago.

I bring a pair of Salomon Tech amphibians for fishing, day trips or just around camp.

But, I got tipped off to wearing these for first thing in the morning around camp. Never cold feet from wet boots again!

I also wear a sock liner under quality wool hiking socks when portaging in my boots. I will just wear the socks for the day trips and slippers.

MT, I know you're drooling over my slippers. :)

Yes indeed Tom those look Comfy Cozy!

Summer I use Keen Voyagers for wet footing . They almost completely dry by the next day and are very light. Spring and Fall Muck Wetlands obviously non wet footing. I wouldn't use the Wetlands in the summer. Way to hot on the feet that time of year