Curious on your approach to footwear during transition weather months like May, especially if you only bring one pair of shoes.

I’ve always gone with two pair - a pair of minimalist trail running shoes for paddling/portages and a pair of keen sandals around camp with extra wool socks if it’s cold or wet. I’ll probably stick with that for the upcoming trip but both pairs have a limited number of trips left in them so looking to invest in the right solution when the time comes.

For these colder times, I wear Dryshod boots (like Mucks but better and owned by Muck's orginal owner) and pack my Astral shoes (which are my warm season wet-footing footwear normally) to be used as more comfortable footwear in and around camp. I've thought about leaving the Astrals home because the Dryshods are plenty comfortable on their own, but I'd never go on a trip in a colder season without backup footwear just in case.

Can't speak to only bringing 1 pair of shoes, but if you went that route I would suggest Xtratuf or Muck Wetland boots. Bone dry (as long as you exit the canoe in water shallower than mid calf), and good grip on wet rocks.

You could also get a cheap pair of crocs for your camp shoe, but I like to bring a pair of Gore-tex trail runners for camp shoes, they keep the dew out in the mornings and are great for day hikes around camp. In warmer/drier season I'll bring a pair of Chacos for camp shoes.

I have both Chota Hippies with Caney Fork boots and Muck Wetland boots. I can portage forever in the Muck boots. They are actually both very comfortable and well-suited for the BWCA but the Wetlands are much easier to slip in and out of when you want to.

I wear NEOS overshoes over my regular hiking boots while on landings and wet portages as well; they keep me dry, as long as water is below knees, and are easily taken off/on in the boat.

I look at the weather. If it’s going to be cold I dry foot it using Chota neoprene boots. If it’s going to be warm I wet foot it. I always bring tennis shoes for camp. I like something decent for around camp.

Early May I use Chota Hippies with low boots if the weather is going to be on the cool side and it is just after ice out. I love the Hippies by don't LOVE LOVE my current boots that I use with the Hippies. I also use Muck boots in May and for September/ October trips.

I like that I don't have to watch the water depth when I exit using the Hippies. I do have to watch the depth when wearing the Muck boots to keep my socks dry.

Camp shoes are usually Crocs or a pair of trail runners.

Northwoodsman: "I have both Chota Hippies with Caney Fork boots and Muck Wetland boots. I can portage forever in the Muck boots. They are actually both very comfortable and well-suited for the BWCA but the Wetlands are much easier to slip in and out of when you want to."

Thanks for the advice...just want to be clear - you like the caney fork boots for portage or muck Boots ? Seems like the wetlands are good in other ways?

I think I’m close to getting the chota hippies...do I need to adjust my shoe size to be compatible? Can you wear something like a keen sandal with the hippies or should it be some kind of shoe/boot?

luft: "Early May I use Chota Hippies with low boots if the weather is going to be on the cool side and it is just after ice out. I love the Hippies by don't LOVE LOVE my current boots that I use with the Hippies. I also use Muck boots in May and for September/ October trips.


I like that I don't have to watch the water depth when I exit using the Hippies. I do have to watch the depth when wearing the Muck boots to keep my socks dry.


Camp shoes are usually Crocs or a pair of trail runners."

Thanks for the solid beta Luft...what height hippies would you recommend?
What suggestions do you have on compatible footwear to wear with the hippies?

Prost!

Another vote for Chota Hippies here for cold water. I wear at least a size bigger new balance/OTB style boot outside them to fit. Usually old tennis shoes around camp for something dry.

Water in the second half of May isn't as cold as you think for just your feet, unless you go fully in.

If you choose only one piece of footwear, I would go the trail running shoes with wool socks. I typically wet foot for a travel day, but go with a pair of tennis on days I choose to dry foot for comfort.

Here is what I go with. The grip on granite outcroppings with these is incredible.
Adidas Terrex

I wet foot in the shoulder seasons with my Astrals.
My wife has Renaud's so she wears Muck boots.

For my trip this May, I'm just going to wear my Keen waterproof mid height boots. It's not hard to keep your feet dry if you put a tiny amount of effort into it. I have an aluminum canoe too, so I'm not planning on getting out of the boat into the water. I'll get out on a rock or land the boat with enough speed that I can step out without getting wet. On portages, you just don't walk straight through the middle of the mud and puddles. Going around them is very doable and I don't usually have any issue with water going too high on my boots as long as I pay attention to it.

In those seasons I wear my Muck boots and bring a lightweight pair of camp shoes in my pack. Muck boots are fantastic for all mud, water, wet foot loading etc. in the colder weather. Good ankle support too.

AmarilloJim: "
I wet foot in the shoulder seasons with my Astrals.
My wife has Renaud's so she wears Muck boots."

Which model of Astrals are those? I have the ones that look more like sneakers for my camp shoes, but those look a little more rugged for portage purpose. Love those shoes!

For portaging I have used Keens with a wool sock. I generally wetfoot and want to have something I can slip off quickly when in the boat and replace with dry. If I need extra support, I have a pair of Merrell boots that drain pretty quickly although they stay wet overnight. Around camp I have a pair of Astral sneaker type of shoes that I can wear with a wool sock.

bfurlow: "

AmarilloJim: "
I wet foot in the shoulder seasons with my Astrals.
My wife has Renaud's so she wears Muck boots."

Which model of Astrals are those? I have the ones that look more like sneakers for my camp shoes, but those look a little more rugged for portage purpose. Love those shoes!

For portaging I have used Keens with a wool sock. I generally wetfoot and want to have something I can slip off quickly when in the boat and replace with dry. If I need extra support, I have a pair of Merrell boots that drain pretty quickly although they stay wet overnight. Around camp I have a pair of Astral sneaker type of shoes that I can wear with a wool sock."

TR-1 Mesh
Looks like they changed them some

I use Astral TR1 Merge M's and they provide ankle support for portaging and dry out well.