After wearing my boots over the winter, I have realized that my feet do not hurt because I am cramped in the bow, it is because my toes are too wide. So now I am shopping for new boots. I am a big fan of Keen because of how their shoes fit my feet but I was thinking that something for wet footing might be nice too. Chotas are one of the brands at the top of my list.

Where can I try on some of these boots? I know my feet fit a little weird so I don't want to just order online. I know where Keens are, that's not my issue, I just mentioned them because they are my alternative if I just decide to keep dry footing it. Any suggestions for a portaging boot that fits wide in the toe box and a little more snug (than a wide) in the heel, I would appreciate that too.

I've checked the search tool, but my feet are a little odd with the wide toes and regular to narrow heel.

I think that the only place you can find the Chotas are at Piragis in Ely. You could go to Chota's website to check for other dealers. I ordered the Chotas from Piragis without trying them in the store.

I own a pair of Chota Quetico Trekkers. I'll tell you how they fit for me in case it helps you to decide what to do. I bought a size 10 because my normal shoe size varies between 9 1/2 to 10. If I check my foot size in one of those old metal gadgets with the top and side sliders, I come out to roughly a 9 1/2 C. I use two insoles in each boot, a flat insole and a cupped-heel insole. At this point I do not remember whether the boots came with two insoles or just the shaped insole. I wear a thin liner sock under a medium-weight wool sock. The combination of insoles and socks helps the boots to fit me properly.

I had to put the flat insole on top of the shaped insole because the shaped insole kept shifting sideways and up (probably because the underside of the shaped insole isn't sticky). Maybe I should try gluing the two insoles together.

Check out the TR1 Mesh M from Astral Designs. They are trail runners/water shoes but holy smokes they are excellent. I have a pair and they are super grippy, which is what Astral shoes are all about - grip. Perfect for slick rocks at portages. Mine didn't fail me during 2 trips last year and they will be going with me on 2 more trips this year at a minimum. They have a wide toebox (fits your request) but I can't say if I think the heel is exactly narrow. They will ship you two sizes with a return label and you can send back the pair that doesn't fit right, just give them a call. I have found mine to be supremely comfy and I do have wide feet.

I also used them on a 3 day hike on the SHT. My feet were sore at the end of that trip but my buddies were far worse off, one with a conventional pair of hiking boots and the other with a pair of TR1 Merge Ms. I thought the TR1 Mesh did a great job. If you are going to wetfoot, avoid boots that would take a long time to dry. If you are worried about ankle support, well, that depends on whether you've rolled your ankles before. I prefer to be able to articulate my ankles fully and in this way, shoes are so much better than even quartered boots.

I can't recommend these more highly. Give 'em a call!

Astral Designs

P.S.
Yes the reviews are real, from what I can tell (mine got added). There are that few displeased people!

Following this thread with great interest... I have the same foot shape as you! Keens have been my saving grace to eliminate hot spots on my heels and give my toes the room they need. I usually bring my Chacos if I'm going to wet foot, but I know I'm rolling the dice with no ankle support and exposed toes...plus they are a no-go for shoulder seasons.

I have the same problem with wide feet. I would stay with Keen and pick up a pair of Voyagers. They're very light and dry out almost completely over night. I use a good pair of Smartwool socks with them. Highly recommended

flynn: "Check out the TR1 Mesh M from Astral Designs. They are trail runners/water shoes but holy smokes they are excellent."

The thing about the lower cut shoes is that it is 10 times easier for rocks and other crap to get in there because the top of the shoe is so much lower. Plus the ankle support pulls the boot closed tight to your sock and there is no room for anything to really get in. I feel like these would fill with mud and gunk quickly rather than just water.

I just saw the Voyagers after digging a bit deeper, and they interest me. I think that might be my best choice if I decide to wet foot. Alternatively the waterproof boot, I forget the name but I tried it on last night, might work if I continue to use the rocks to get in and out of the canoe. Plus they would last longer and I could use them for other hiking as well. I'm a bit torn between wet footing and dry footing at this point.

I have just upgraded my Chota Quetico Trekkers to the new Hybrid High-top portage boot. I tried them on at Canoecopia and was very impressed with their construction and support.

I love Keens and I am a wet footer. I wear Keen Voyageur Mid-Hiking Boots.

My feet thank me!

Like Ausable I bought my Chotas online and a 1/2 size larger than normal footwear. They were very comfortable right out of the box and I can fit light to heavy wool socks in them. I love them. I also love my Hippies for a dry foot option for shoulder season.

Blatz: "I have the same problem with wide feet. I would stay with Keen and pick up a pair of Voyagers. They're very light and dry out almost completely over night. I use a good pair of Smartwool socks with them. Highly recommended"

+1 This is exactly my experience.

If you find you like the Chota Trekkers, and you wear a size 12, I might be able to sell you my brand new pair. I bought a size too big so that I could wear them with the Chota wader socks during shoulder season and I never use them. I just wet foot it then, too. If they work for you, I could cut you a fair price on them.

Tony

Check out Oboz footwear too. They have a similar toe that Keens used to have...

anthonyp007: "If you find you like the Chota Trekkers, and you wear a size 12, I might be able to sell you my brand new pair. "

Hey Tony... I'm not the first in line, but if no one else is interested, I'd buy them from you.

Jackfish: "

anthonyp007: "If you find you like the Chota Trekkers, and you wear a size 12, I might be able to sell you my brand new pair. "

Hey Tony... I'm not the first in line, but if no one else is interested, I'd buy them from you. "

I'm a 9.5 so I'd have to wear quite a few layers to get those to fit.

Jackfish: "

anthonyp007: "If you find you like the Chota Trekkers, and you wear a size 12, I might be able to sell you my brand new pair. "

Hey Tony... I'm not the first in line, but if no one else is interested, I'd buy them from you. "

Is $75 a fair price for you? I think I paid $100 brand new last year. Let me know if that works for you and we can make arrangements.

Tony

Tony... email sent.

A1t2o: "

flynn: "Check out the TR1 Mesh M from Astral Designs. They are trail runners/water shoes but holy smokes they are excellent."

The thing about the lower cut shoes is that it is 10 times easier for rocks and other crap to get in there because the top of the shoe is so much lower. Plus the ankle support pulls the boot closed tight to your sock and there is no room for anything to really get in. I feel like these would fill with mud and gunk quickly rather than just water.

I just saw the Voyagers after digging a bit deeper, and they interest me. I think that might be my best choice if I decide to wet foot. Alternatively the waterproof boot, I forget the name but I tried it on last night, might work if I continue to use the rocks to get in and out of the canoe. Plus they would last longer and I could use them for other hiking as well. I'm a bit torn between wet footing and dry footing at this point."

I occasionally got little rocks and some sand in there, but they come out almost just as easily... it was so infrequent and so much of a non-issue that I just took the shoe off on the rare occasion that it was an issue. If you are wet-footing, who cares if something gets in? Just dump it out.

There were sections of my trip to Knife Lake, including the landing on the Knife Lake side from Seed, where the water was too shallow even in June, with a gradual dropoff with tons of boulders, to find a shallow spot to get in that was still deep enough that you wouldn't beach the canoe. I believe the portage from Carp to Melon was also the same, too shallow to paddle but nowhere to get out without getting your feet wet. Maybe if you went all the way to shore you could try to get out, but it would have been a hassle compared to just getting your feet wet. My friends and I all agreed that wetfooting is the safest way to get in and out of a canoe. People trying to keep their shoes try, perched on wobbly rocks, using a paddle for stability, is just asking for trouble. All it takes is for the rock to give way and you could roll an ankle or worse, and at the end of it, more than just your foot or calf is gonna be wet. If you truly don't want your feet to be wet if the water is going to be really cold or something, wear knee-high or thigh-high boots at least for landings. But for the foreseeable future, I will always be preparing to get wet. I mean, I'm surrounded by water...

I still think you should give the Astrals a shot. Their returns are simple and easy.

flynn: "Check out the TR1 Mesh M from Astral Designs. They are trail runners/water shoes but holy smokes they are excellent. I have a pair and they are super grippy, which is what Astral shoes are all about - grip. Perfect for slick rocks at portages. Mine didn't fail me during 2 trips last year and they will be going with me on 2 more trips this year at a minimum. They have a wide toebox (fits your request) but I can't say if I think the heel is exactly narrow. They will ship you two sizes with a return label and you can send back the pair that doesn't fit right, just give them a call. I have found mine to be supremely comfy and I do have wide feet.


I also used them on a 3 day hike on the SHT. My feet were sore at the end of that trip but my buddies were far worse off, one with a conventional pair of hiking boots and the other with a pair of TR1 Merge Ms. I thought the TR1 Mesh did a great job. If you are going to wetfoot, avoid boots that would take a long time to dry. If you are worried about ankle support, well, that depends on whether you've rolled your ankles before. I prefer to be able to articulate my ankles fully and in this way, shoes are so much better than even quartered boots.


I can't recommend these more highly. Give 'em a call!


Astral Designs


P.S.
Yes the reviews are real, from what I can tell (mine got added). There are that few displeased people!"

Looks like Mesh ones aren't available until the end of July. I think I might try the Trek M's

Being that the Chotas are wading boots, intended to be worn over stocking-foot waders, they'll surely accommodate a wider foot. The wife has some Trekkers, and I have the Caney Forks, either would make your feet smile.

KarlBAndersen1: "I have just upgraded my Chota Quetico Trekkers to the new Hybrid High-top portage boot. I tried them on at Canoecopia and was very impressed with their construction and support."

Thanks for mentioning this Chota hybrid. Sounds like my idea of wet-footing trekking footwear. Ordered a pair from Piragis early this morning. 50 days countdown till trekking with 'em in the BW.

After years of low cut water shoes I switched to Chota Quetico Trekkers about 5 yrs ago. No more injured and cut ankles because the Trekkers cover the entire ankle. Unfortunately, Piragis (the sole source of Trekkers) is phasing them out. So I bought a second pair at the closeout price of $70 or $75. Just got a Piragis email noting they still have them in stock with the exception of size 11. I normally wear 10.5D and size 11 fits me well.

I wet foot and wear Merrill Moab Mid hikers (vented, not the waterproof version). I need a wide toe box but have a narrow heel, and they fit me fine. They dry out fast enough, don't weigh a ton when they're wet and have pretty good traction even when wet.

I gave up on Keen Newport water shoes because they seemed to collect rocks and debris between my foot and the inner soles of the shoes and I got tired of having to take them off and clean the debris out every 5-10 minutes.

Like some others here, I have used a couple different Keen boots for wet-footing. I like the wider fit at the front, also, and am not too confident without some ankle protection. I use a thin wool liner sock with a thicker second wool sock or, for colder conditions, a 3mm NSR calf-length neoprene sock that you can tuck your pant-legs into. Only problem I have had: the side stitching at the inside ball of your foot can fail. Not a show-stopper; I had local shoe doctor fix em up. That was the only issue on a pretty rigorous 24 day canoe trip, last summer, in mucky and rocky country that included lining and wading/walking the canoe down some rapids. I also found out on that trip that you can swim with them on (had PFD on, of course), just not very gracefully....
For dry camp shoes, I just took sandals that could fit a sock to keep the bugs off. Rob Kesselring canoe-treks in sandals, but he is one tough bird.

I don't know what most of you mean by wet-footing. Does that mean wearing sandals? I think it means different things to different people. Wearing hiking boots and just letting your feet be wet? I personally prefer to never have wet feet if I can avoid it, so I wear tall Bean boots that lace up to just over mid-calf. They're plenty roomy in the toe for my wide toe-spread.

I do have some advice for people who need a wide toe box: Asolo boots are the most comfortable hiking boots I've ever had. I used to love my Merrell boots, but too many times I came back from a backpacking trip with toenails I knew I was going to lose in a matter of days. I finally realized that while I don't have wide feet, my toes are wide and I needed a normal width shoe with a wide toe box. I bought my Asolo boots over 10 years ago and they've been a godsend. They don't make my model any more, but they have lots of options on their website that would probably suit the needs you're describing.

Chota also has a wide variety of wading boots that look like something I'd consider, given a fast draining capability... even if they don't have the Quetico Trekkers anymore.

I don't know what most of you mean by wet-footing. Does that mean wearing sandals? I think it means different things to different people. Wearing hiking boots and just letting your feet be wet? I personally prefer to never have wet feet if I can avoid it, so I wear tall Bean boots that lace up to just over mid-calf. They're plenty roomy in the toe for my wide toe-spread.

I do have some advice for people who need a wide toe box: Asolo boots are the most comfortable hiking boots I've ever had. I used to love my Merrell boots, but too many times I came back from a backpacking trip with toenails I knew I was going to lose in a matter of days. I finally realized that while I don't have wide feet, my toes are wide and I needed a normal width shoe with a wide toe box. I bought my Asolo boots over 10 years ago and they've been a godsend. They don't make my model any more, but they have lots of options on their website that would probably suit the needs you're describing.

Chota also has a wide variety of wading boots, even if they don't have the Quetico Trekkers anymore.

Wet-footing means getting your foot wet. If you wear thick boots, then they're gonna be wet for a long time. If you wear trail runners made of mesh, they will dry out quickly. As I mentioned, trying to keep your feet dry by precariously positioning yourself on unstable rocks and logs is a great way to roll an ankle or break a leg. A couple landings on my trips last year would have been essentially impossible if you wanted to keep your feet dry, due to the shallow angle - too shallow to get in the canoe, but too deep for any above-surface rocks. The only option was to put your foot in the water once it was deep enough that you wouldn't get the canoe stuck.

If you are in the market for a wide Wet Footing Boot I would go with the Keen Targhee Wide Boot. Like RTallent I really like the wide and “spacious “ toe box in the Targhee boot.

Now I wish I could find a Xtra Large toe box in a sneaker?

I tried the Astral shoe by the toe box was too narrow. I wish the Astral had a wider and spacious toe box ... I think Astral makes a great water shoe,

Thanks, Flynn. At my job, the people in my office to quality assurance for 911 calls and PD/FD dispatch radio traffic, so we're usually wearing headphones or earbuds. My co-workers, when they want to ask me a question, ask if I "have my ears on." - to me, that means "can you hear me?" - ala CB lingo. But to them, it means, "do you have headphones on?" - which is a weird question, because if I did, I wouldn't hear you ask. But it took me a long time to figure out what they were saying because it could mean more than one thing.

Same here - does that mean "get wet feet and live with wet feet for the whole trip" or "wear sandals/water shoes, get wet feet, then let them dry in the boat." Glad I know now. It was never an issue for me - my first trip I wet footed and was miserable the entire time. Next time, I got the 10 inch Bean Boots and have never had a wet foot since. They've never let me down.

BuckFlicks: "Thanks, Flynn. At my job, the people in my office to quality assurance for 911 calls and PD/FD dispatch radio traffic, so we're usually wearing headphones or earbuds. My co-workers, when they want to ask me a question, ask if I "have my ears on." - to me, that means "can you hear me?" - ala CB lingo. But to them, it means, "do you have headphones on?" - which is a weird question, because if I did, I wouldn't hear you ask. But it took me a long time to figure out what they were saying because it could mean more than one thing.


Same here - does that mean "get wet feet and live with wet feet for the whole trip" or "wear sandals/water shoes, get wet feet, then let them dry in the boat." Glad I know now. It was never an issue for me - my first trip I wet footed and was miserable the entire time. Next time, I got the 10 inch Bean Boots and have never had a wet foot since. They've never let me down."

I understand! I definitely don't want to have wet feet the entire trip which is why I'm glad my shoes (and thin socks) dry out quickly. My friend had some thick Danner boots that got wet about halfway into day 1 (we tried to help him stay dry) and they never dried out despite him staying dry for a lot of the trip. On about day 5 he decided to just get wet, and at the end of it (day 9) he said he would definitely just wetfoot it next time, as it was so much easier and safer. This was at the beginning of June - water was cold, but not just-above-freezing cold. If it was an early spring trip, I would probably wear tall boots to keep my feet dry.

Wally13: "I tried the Astral shoe by the toe box was too narrow. I wish the Astral had a wider and spacious toe box ... I think Astral makes a great water shoe,"

You must have extremely wide feet, as I have wide feet and I still have room in my Meshes. I will say though I tried a pair of Loyaks and they were a lot more narrow. Those are definitely designed to be casual, fashionable shoes, and they were very uncomfortable when walking (due to the way they bent near the toe) so I returned them. The Meshes are a completely different story and I believe the toebox is the same on those and the Treks, and possible the Merges as well. I have not seen many shoes with as wide a toebox as my Meshes.

BuckFlicks: "Thanks, Flynn. At my job, the people in my office to quality assurance for 911 calls and PD/FD dispatch radio traffic, so we're usually wearing headphones or earbuds. My co-workers, when they want to ask me a question, ask if I "have my ears on." - to me, that means "can you hear me?" - ala CB lingo. But to them, it means, "do you have headphones on?" - which is a weird question, because if I did, I wouldn't hear you ask. But it took me a long time to figure out what they were saying because it could mean more than one thing.


Same here - does that mean "get wet feet and live with wet feet for the whole trip" or "wear sandals/water shoes, get wet feet, then let them dry in the boat." Glad I know now. It was never an issue for me - my first trip I wet footed and was miserable the entire time. Next time, I got the 10 inch Bean Boots and have never had a wet foot since. They've never let me down.


"

You would want to change into dry socks and footwear at camp. Wet footing is done while traveling.

I ended up buying a pair of the Keen Targhee II's. I know I should wet foot, but I really don't want to. I'm sure it would be a problem one day where I have to get my feet wet and the boots would stay wet then, but I go for shorter trips so I wouldn't have wet boots for too long if they did get soaked. Plus I want boots like these anyways for everything else, like casual hiking, gardening, and hunting.

I might end up picking up a pair of draining boots for wet footing at some point, but I'll put that decision off for at least one more year.

Blatz: "

BuckFlicks: "Thanks, Flynn. At my job, the people in my office to quality assurance for 911 calls and PD/FD dispatch radio traffic, so we're usually wearing headphones or earbuds. My co-workers, when they want to ask me a question, ask if I "have my ears on." - to me, that means "can you hear me?" - ala CB lingo. But to them, it means, "do you have headphones on?" - which is a weird question, because if I did, I wouldn't hear you ask. But it took me a long time to figure out what they were saying because it could mean more than one thing.

Same here - does that mean "get wet feet and live with wet feet for the whole trip" or "wear sandals/water shoes, get wet feet, then let them dry in the boat." Glad I know now. It was never an issue for me - my first trip I wet footed and was miserable the entire time. Next time, I got the 10 inch Bean Boots and have never had a wet foot since. They've never let me down."

You would want to change into dry socks and footwear at camp. Wet footing is done while traveling. "

Blatz - I had dry socks for camp. But my boots were Merrell mountaineering boots. Poor choice. They never dried out. I threw them away at the hotel in Duluth instead of packing them home to Dallas. If I were to wetfoot in the future, I'd get a quick draining boot and thin socks for sure.

Dry socks and another pair of dry footwear for camp. I bring some very lightweight running shoes for camp.

A1t2o: "I've checked the search tool, but my feet are a little odd with the wide toes and regular to narrow heel."

I hear ya loudly! I have 8 1/2 EEEE size and all that ball of foot to toes. After many years sloshing around in oversized foot ware to obtain needed width I finally went with custom crafted boot. Specifically Russell Moccasin Minimalist Thula Thula formed on Munson Army Last's. If you look for Munson Last boots several custom and a few factory makers are listed, Redwing and Chippewa in specific models come to mind.
Absolutely the most comfortable boots I own. And I do wetfoot in them since purchasing in 2014. You spend that much you take good care of them and they will last for a very long time. My fist pair of custom Mohican Stalkers are over 20 years old and still in fine condition with a single sole replacement.
I speced mine unlined all leather chrome tanned. Use thin wool socks, change out at camp they are dry the next morning.

butthead

Simms makes some outstanding wading boots/shoes. I have a set of the RipRap shoes and can recommend them. Really like the sticky rubber soles and so far the uppers have been very durable. I don't love the lacing system but it works.

Simms RipRap wading shoe

I wear OTB Abyss boots on trips where I want more ankle support. If and when the OTBs wear out, I'll be looking at the Intruder wading boot as a replacement.

Simms Intruder wading boot