BWCA Waterproof boots or vented? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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LostInREI
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10/16/2019 10:05AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Trying to decide on a pair of nice hiking boots for a June Sag-Cherry 5 day trip. I really like the idea of vented so my feet don't get too hot but also don't want to deal with wet boots during the trip. Any BWCA veterans have a preference?
 
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Tomcat
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10/16/2019 10:39AM  
 
10/16/2019 11:52AM  
I wear keen sandals or similar capped-toe type "sport" sandals along with wool socks for my trips. I'm usually a late summer kind of tripper.

Water will be cooler for your June trip to Cherry, but lots of people still wear sandals. The socks will help to keep your feet warm and minimize the junk that gets between your toes.
 
10/16/2019 12:52PM  
By June the water should be chilly, but not so cold as to try to dry foot it. For really cold water hip waders or muck boots are much preferred. I wear draining water boots no longer made, but there are plenty of newer and better models. I like the ankle and general foot support over Keens, which I used to wear. The model I have are canvas like material and dry quickly and with changes of good wool socks works very well. I also have some draining boots made of leather that stay wet and even with dry wool socks putting them on is kinda yucky.
 
straighthairedcurly
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10/16/2019 01:29PM  
I prefer boots that will drain when they get wet...because in my experience they will always get wet (unless you are wearing tall waders).
 
LostInREI
member (23)member
  
10/16/2019 01:42PM  
I'm mostly looking for ideas for during portage. I have a pair of Keen sandals I will use for in the canoe and around camp so I'm curious if I'll need waterproof for portages. Thanks again!
 
10/16/2019 02:09PM  
If you are lucky and there has not been rain in a while the portages will mostly be rock and roots strung together up and down. Any rain and you will encounter puddles, some too big to walk around so walking through water up to 4-6 inches is going to happen. If you encounter backup from a beaver dam you might get in deeper, but that is less likely.
Unless you wear waders or waterproof boots your feet will get wet. There has been lots of discussion about what is best, everything from the fitted footie things to heavy leather calf high boots. I suggest durable with a good sole, good foot support and protection from small rocks and sand that seem to want to find their way into open sandals. Unless it is a waterproof boot, etc. everything drains, vented boots and open sandals drain a little faster. Wear something comfortable, heck we used to trip in tennis shoes and denim jeans.
 
mjmkjun
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10/16/2019 03:10PM  
something that drains but has a fit that's comfortable w/solid support for ankles if you require.
then, pack a pair of dry shoes and dry socks for camp wear only. sandals, even.
some of the waterproof footwear makes feet sweat too much......end up with wet feet, anyway. My NRS boots, for instance.
A great relief to pull those wet shoes off at end of the day(s) to slip into something dry.
The water is still nippy to the feet in early June, especially, but feet don't stay cold from dunks at landings. Unless issues with poor circulation, or the sort.
I've encountered water running across a portage about 6" depth. Water drainage from lake after heavy rain somewhere along the Sawbill Loop. Can't remember the exact portage. So, it can happen. Sometimes when trying to avoid the mud puddle one sidesteps and ends up sinking a foot in muck. :)
 
10/16/2019 03:59PM  
I wear a standard 6" waterproof boot for hiking/portages. I like having ankle support when carrying a load and dry feet. Totally depends of your tripping style though. I have a royalex canoe so I can ride it to shore, step out in the shallow water and go from there. I don't want to change shoes for that..... Though I do often carry sandals for camp, but not always
 
billconner
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10/16/2019 04:50PM  
I'm not clear if you are hiking or canoeing with portages. I wouldn't consider other than wet footing canoe trips. May to November for me. Chota Caneyforks and smart wool socks. Camp shoes for after canoe.

Hiking, I'm old school. Zamberlan hiking boots - all leather - and my feet stay cool and dry.

YMMV
 
RunningFox
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10/16/2019 07:14PM  
Love my Cabela Miendl Denali’s. Waterproof and non-insulated. Great support, comfort and foot protection. Have held up really well.
 
10/17/2019 07:22AM  
For warm weather trips I highly recommend Keen Voyager mid height boots. They're very light weight and dry out nicely. It doesn't matter how water proof your boots are, If water comes over the top, then your feet will get wet. With that being said I use Muck Wetlands in the cool months. On a side note I just orders some Merrell Hut mocks for around camp. Review to come.
 
BobDobbs
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10/17/2019 08:01AM  
I wear old school jungle boots, supplemented with Tingley PVC overboots.

Generally I can avoid getting my feet wet - but even if I do, I can wear the jungle boots dry easily enough.

The overboots stay strapped to the outside of my portage pack, and if the trail looks awful enough, I'll stop to pull them on.

easy peasy - but there is a definite weight penalty.
 
Shimbo
member (26)member
  
10/17/2019 10:09AM  
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Shimbo
member (26)member
  
10/17/2019 10:09AM  
You should be able to wet foot in June, especially if you're wearing a good pair of wool socks. For reference, I have wet-footed in early October with just a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and no socks. This year, however, I bought a pair of NRS Boundary Shoes for my late September trip. I did enjoy dry-footing... I highly recommend these boots. They kept my and my wife's feet dry (I got a pair for her, too). The neoprene will keep you warm even if you flood-out the boots, which is entirely avoidable.
 
10/19/2019 06:45AM  
The high top Chota hybrids are great wet foot boots. If you wear good quality wool socks your feet will stay warm. They are very lightweight and the traction is good.

Chota Hybrid boot

 
TechnoScout
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10/19/2019 04:21PM  
Shimbo: "You should be able to wet foot in June, especially if you're wearing a good pair of wool socks. For reference, I have wet-footed in early October with just a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and no socks. This year, however, I bought a pair of NRS Boundary Shoes for my late September trip. I did enjoy dry-footing... I highly recommend these boots. They kept my and my wife's feet dry (I got a pair for her, too). The neoprene will keep you warm even if you flood-out the boots, which is entirely avoidable."


I googled these to see what they were. They do not appear to have any ankle support...is that true?
 
prizes14
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10/22/2019 08:11PM  
BobDobbs: "I wear old school jungle boots, supplemented with Tingley PVC overboots.


Generally I can avoid getting my feet wet - but even if I do, I can wear the jungle boots dry easily enough.


The overboots stay strapped to the outside of my portage pack, and if the trail looks awful enough, I'll stop to pull them on.

easy peasy - but there is a definite weight penalty."


I too wear 1967 Vietnam issue combat boots and love them. They drain if your feet get wet but dry quickly. I also love that they have deep tread so you don't slip on rocks. I can't imagine wearing anything else on slick rocks. Bought mine on ebay years ago but you have to get the official Vietnam issue boots and not the cheap junk knockoffs they make now.
 
OCDave
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10/23/2019 05:15PM  
I have camp shoes and socks that stay dry at all costs. In June, my tripping shoes can get soggy. It is warm enough that my toes aren't at risk. If they don't dry as fast As I'd like, I kick my shoes off while paddling. It actually makes kneeling a bit easier anyway.
 
scramble4a5
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10/28/2019 08:25PM  
We go in August is it is warmer. I wet foot with Rocky S2V boots. They drain well and dry in a reasonable amount of time. For added ankle support I also use neoprene ankle sleeves. They are a bone saver. They dry quickly. In camp I wear some regular Merrill Moab shoes.
 
BobDobbs
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10/29/2019 08:11AM  


I too wear 1967 Vietnam issue combat boots and love them. They drain if your feet get wet but dry quickly. I also love that they have deep tread so you don't slip on rocks. I can't imagine wearing anything else on slick rocks. Bought mine on ebay years ago but you have to get the official Vietnam issue boots and not the cheap junk knockoffs they make now."

Meh - the 'official' army jungle boots had a steel shank built into the footbed, which was meant to protect against booby traps, but would also eventually rust. In the BW, that's weight you don't need.

I've had decent enough luck buying from Amazon.
 
mjmkjun
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10/29/2019 09:35AM  
TechnoScout: "
Shimbo: "You should be able to wet foot in June, especially if you're wearing a good pair of wool socks. For reference, I have wet-footed in early October with just a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and no socks. This year, however, I bought a pair of NRS Boundary Shoes for my late September trip. I did enjoy dry-footing... I highly recommend these boots. They kept my and my wife's feet dry (I got a pair for her, too). The neoprene will keep you warm even if you flood-out the boots, which is entirely avoidable."



I googled these to see what they were. They do not appear to have any ankle support...is that true?"

They offer some degree since the fit of neoprene hugs the feet. (especially with mid-weight socks.) Not so much rigid support offered--for those folks prone to easily turn an ankle on roots-n-rocks trails.
I never had problems trekking the BWCA portages with NRS boundary boots.
 
mjmkjun
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10/31/2019 08:23AM  
CLORTS hiking boots. A dry foot alternative for budget-minded. Best to try shoes on in a store but if you have Amazon Prime than it's no hassle to send 'em back for another size or refund.
Watch the video that follows for some no-nonsense advice. (that one is HERE )
 
11/02/2019 10:26AM  
The chota caney forks were my go to boot. I have the neoprene socks to go with them, but no matter how tall the water was deeper, so I often didn’t bother. One thing about neoprene is it helps keep you warm.
 
TechnoScout
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11/02/2019 01:34PM  
nctry: "The chota caney forks were my go to boot. I have the neoprene socks to go with them, but no matter how tall the water was deeper, so I often didn’t bother. One thing about neoprene is it helps keep you warm. "


I switched to neoprene socks after my first or second trip...because they dry much faster than anything else.
 
Sandman2009
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11/02/2019 09:00PM  
I wear these boots.


I have also worn muck boots which did a mostly good job until I sunk into quick muck on a portage and nearly lost my boot. The water went over the top. Sometimes water went over the top loading the kevlar in the water. The boots posted above dry faster than the mucks. Always have a dry shoe/boot designated for camp.
 
11/12/2019 10:19AM  
The main reason I have avoided wet footing is not because I want to keep my feet dry, it is because I don't like the mud and muck getting into my boots. I don't like how it makes my feet slip within my shoes/boots. I never have tried draining boots before, but I have had tennis shoes on during some of my earliest trips. There isn't much movement but just enough to cause blisters and make you cautious about every step. Don't people also have this issue with vented and draining boots?

I'm tempted to buy a pair of the Keen Voyagers, but I'm worried that I won't be happy with wet footing.
 
gymcoachdon
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11/14/2019 09:35PM  
A1t2o: "The main reason I have avoided wet footing is not because I want to keep my feet dry, it is because I don't like the mud and muck getting into my boots. I don't like how it makes my feet slip within my shoes/boots. I never have tried draining boots before, but I have had tennis shoes on during some of my earliest trips. There isn't much movement but just enough to cause blisters and make you cautious about every step. Don't people also have this issue with vented and draining boots?


I'm tempted to buy a pair of the Keen Voyagers, but I'm worried that I won't be happy with wet footing."


I use Keen Voyagers, and have had this pair for three years. Previously I used a cheap lightweight hiker from WalMart thinking I was going to abuse them once a year for a week, why spend the money? Well they were worn out during the 2nd trip. The Voyagers are good quality, the mid-height keeps muck and twigs and rocks out, and not being water proof means the water can work its way out. They WILL NOT be dry at any time during the trip, however. I take 3 pairs of wool socks, one for camp and sleeping, and alternating the other 2 while in the canoe. I also use a liner sock which I feel helps wick some of the moisture away from my foot, and into the wool. I have done some heavy travel days with wet feet and hard portaging, and no slipping feeling or blisters because of wet shoes. I'm not sure, but I was looking to get another pair for when these wear out, and REI didn't carry them anymore. Maybe they are still available elsewhere?
If you don't like wet footing, the Keens will be good for day hikes, a quick shovel of the sidewalk, digging a hole, etc!
 
11/14/2019 11:25PM  
I won't be much help deciding waterproof or vented- I usually just wear tevas- but I love the name LostinReI! Besides REI, I tend to get lost in the bookstore and fabric store. All are dangerous stores for me.
 
Loony_canoe
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11/16/2019 08:47PM  
I "wet foot" my canoe in and out of the water, so I use a pair of Choto boots and waist high waders. I decided to go with draining shoes because of a new canoe. Also, because I couldn't keep my regular boots dry anyway. The harder I tied to balance on rocks while getting in the canoe or while tromping down a wet muddy portage the more time I ended up dipping into the water and getting my feet wet. I tried keens, and still use them in camp, but I like the ankle support the Choto's give me. So no I use waders and draining shoes. I have dry feet and don't have to worry about walking into the water to load and unload the canoe. I do have to take a second pair for camp, so that's a negative.
 
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