Hello All:

I am going in to the park later season this year (First weekend in October) and am thinking I want to re think my footwear.

I think I want to look at some knee high neoprene boots. I usually wet foot all the warm seasons and would love to have all of your insights.

Thanks
Ardwich

I used Muck Wetlands in October. Worked great even on a mile long portage

Another vote for mucks

Ardwich, what's your usual footwear? If you typically wear boot you might want to try the Chota Caney Fork Knee-High Wading socks.
They're neoprene and waterproof. I tried them for the first time last month wearing them with my Caney Fork boots and was really impressed. They would be nice and warm during the shoulder season.

Go with Muck Boots or something of similar quality. Don’t buy the Chinese knockoff Muck boots. I did and got a couple of trips from them before they cracked where they flex while walking. Repaired with ShoeGoo for now. Won’t make this mistake again.

I would agree with the Muck type boots. I have a pair of Irish Setters that are insulated. I used my Chota boots and Hippies last fall and I like them more than the Setters for comfort and waterproof to top of thigh instead of just below the knee. Once it got below freezing temps I was wishing I had my Setters.

unshavenman: "Ardwich, what's your usual footwear? If you typically wear boot you might want to try the Chota Caney Fork Knee-High Wading socks.
They're neoprene and waterproof. I tried them for the first time last month wearing them with my Caney Fork boots and was really impressed. They would be nice and warm during the shoulder season."

+1 - exact same setup here, and couldn't be more pleased.

Dry Shod boots. The company is owned by the original owner of Muck Boots. Ever since ownership of Muck changed some years ago, their quality has gone downhill. It seems like it's virtually guaranteed that the outsoles of Muck Boots will fail prematurely these days at the very least. If you like Muck, you'll be happier and better off with Dry Shod.

Chota Hippies inside good boots that drain. That's my setup when it's cold out.

Since 2007 I have been wearing the same boots. Cabelas wading boot (for fishing). I also wear neoprene ankle socks. I wet-boot portage all the time. The socks are not for staying dry but rather because they dry faster on dry land.

I have both the Chota Hippies (2 pr.) and the Wading Socks along with a pair of Caney Fork boots. They are excellent in the shoulder seasons or even in the summer if you don't like wet feet. This spring my trip occurred while their was still ice on some lakes and after a big snowfall so I used my Muck Wetlands. These proved to be extremely comfortable and the right choice for the conditions. Once you go in over the top, your wet for the day (or longer) so just make sure you choose wisely for what you may encounter. You can't go wrong with either set-up.

Salomon trail runners and wool socks. first weekend in oct won't be too cold to wet foot.

shawhh: "Salomon trail runners and wool socks. first weekend in oct won't be too cold to wet foot."

I would be hesitant to make this claim, and following this advice could be very uncomfortable. Last year it would have been dangerous.

Tag scribe as I am in need of new foot wear.

I always wet foot with wool socks and some sort of water shoe in the shoulder seasons. My feet stay warm but others don't like it or have varying circulation. My wife has raynaud's so wet footing is not an option for her. She loves her Muck boots but I get her easy access to shore. I know if I wore muck boots I would get water over the top. I think the Chota Hippies with the Caney fork boots would be the best dry option.

Northwoodsman: "I have both the Chota Hippies (2 pr.) and the Wading Socks along with a pair of Caney Fork boots. They are excellent in the shoulder seasons or even in the summer if you don't like wet feet. This spring my trip occurred while their was still ice on some lakes and after a big snowfall so I used my Muck Wetlands. These proved to be extremely comfortable and the right choice for the conditions. Once you go in over the top, your wet for the day (or longer) so just make sure you choose wisely for what you may encounter. You can't go wrong with either set-up."

So in both cases, you're using a dry-foot approach? I'm unclear why muck in one setting (no open water?) and Chota Hippies plus neoprene sock plus CF boots in another (open, icey-cold water?). Thanks. I wet-foot but, like the OP, need a different system for icey-water conditions.

Didn't have great luck with my mucks on my late may trip. The boots would dig into the back of my heels where the boots creased while walking. This, at first, wasn't a big deal, but by the end of day two of wearing them all day and switching into camp shoes later, I was developing sores even with thick wool socks on.

Then, on day five, "not necessarily the fault of the boots", a stick on the trail punched a large hole into the side of the boot just above the rubber in the neoprene that ripped a couple more inches. This now left me with wet feet, but at least no more rubbing due to wearing my tennis shoes. The outfitter we used let me know all they use are LaCrosse boots which will be replacing my mucks this fall.

I routinely wear LaCrosse Burly boots for hiking, paddling and hunting in wet, cold conditions. Excellent traction and support, and I know where the limit for wading is because I wear them so often:
LaCrosse Burly 18" Foam Insulated

I have given some thought to some of the alternatives mentioned here, but my boot stable is already bigger than the horse barns at the Minnesota State Fair.

There is no way I'd rely on low shoes and wet socks on a muddy, rocky, possibly snowy portage in October when carrying a load. YMMV, but remember that I'm out of the business of coming to look for you ...

Crazyloon

add another sole inside your boot on top of the one that came with the boot. this solved issue for me (along with wearing a thicker sock).
Also, i have sealed the muck boots after puncher using wader glue of varying types and seems to work.

bloody stump: "Crazyloon


add another sole inside your boot on top of the one that came with the boot. this solved issue for me (along with wearing a thicker sock).
Also, i have sealed the muck boots after puncher using wader glue of varying types and seems to work."

Thanks for the information. I'll give that a try. Would hate to throw away a $130 bucks after only one trip.

I echo gravelroad on the lacrosse burly boots. I have worn my pair the lasted two years for grouse hunting and can wear them all day comfortably. I find they “pump” air through them as you walk if you don’t cinch the tops down, leading to a fairly dry foot at the end of the day. Mucks are just plain heavy compared to these boots, and I’ve worn both in similar conditions.

I like LaCross Grange model with a felt sole liner. Comfy,ankle support and maybe a bit lighter than the Burly model. Wore them 30-40 yrs ago and still do. Went through 3 pair. Once you get them wet inside,they can stay damp. At home; I dry them inside by loose wads of dry newspaper. Ankle support near a lace-up knee boot for me.