I am coming up at the end of September for a 4 day trip. I got to thinking that the water temp will probably be dropping. What is recommended for footwear as it cools? I was planning on wearing hiking boots with an additional set of shoes around the camp, but am I better off bringing taller boots to keep my feet dry at the portages?

Thanks for any input.

Get a pair of Chota Hippies to wear with your boots of you want to dry foot. If you want to wet foot, wear a pair of wool socks with your hiking boots. I used to bring Irish Setter water proof knee high boots(like a Muck boot), but I found the Hippies way more flexible as they go up to your upper thigh. Also way lighter and packable than a big pair of boot.

The water temp will be in the low 60's around that time. I wet foot it with Keens and wool socks.

It's not the water temperature that is a concern so much as the air temperature. If night time temps approach freezing or day time temps fail to reach sixty wet footing is uncomfortable no matter how warm the water is.

Muck boots.

I really like Tingley overboots.

I have an older pair of Cabela's wading boots, for which I swapped out the insole for a better (Superfeet or RoadRunnerSports) one. I plan to combine that with a pair of wool socks and these Caney Fork knee-high wading socks. If I think it'll be really cold, I'll go with Chota Brookies, a thicker one which I don't think they've made for awhile. Also going in end of September.

Definitely another pair of dry footwear for around camp, whatever is comfortable. Even the socially unacceptable socks & sandals combination is permitted, and even comfy & practical, in such an environment.

BobDobbs: "I really like Tingley overboots."

Me too, my entire family wears these now.

In the spring and fall I wear NRS Boundary Socks with water shoes 1 size bigger than foot. Waterproof and snug up to knee and if water splashes above or quick dip to knee your still dry. Always wear a thinner sock under boundary sock to help with sweat. Summer I use hiking sandals.

I wear NRS boundary shoe. I have strong ankles and wear them for portaging too.

Another vote for Muck Boots. My model of choice is the Woody Max. My first pair lasted for 14 seasons, and I just broke down and bought my second pair from Cabela's last December during their post-Christmas sale. I've never had an issue with them and they are as comfortable as my running shoes.

thlipsis29: "Another vote for Muck Boots. My model of choice is the Woody Max. My first pair lasted for 14 seasons, and I just broke down and bought my second pair from Cabela's last December during their post-Christmas sale. I've never had an issue with them and they are as comfortable as my running shoes. "

Yep, Muck boots for me too.

I wear the Neos Adventurer Overshoe. They come to just below my knee, are very easy to put on and take off while in the canoe and are pretty light. Depending on the length of the portage I might leave them on. For anything over say 30 rods, I prefer the better footing of my hiking boots or trail runners.