I have traveled into the BWCA a number of times always wearing wool socks and Keen or Merrill hiking sandals. Have worked well for me. My trips have mostly always been in July or August, and last year being first part of June (weather was warm).

My question for everyone, will that type of footwear be not such a good idea this year in early June? I am heading in on June 5th and am guessing with the spring that we have all had and ice being out later than normal, will water temps be colder making me look for a different footwear choice? Suggestions?

I have worn keen hiking sandals for the past 12 years, with trips starting anywhere from June 1st until June 20th.
I have never had a problem and plan to do it the same this year on June 11th.

I always take a pair of crocs for around camp with warm socks. I only take 2 or 3 pairs of socks for the whole trip and usually just use 1, 2 if I am careless and let the 1st pair get wet.
I like to have warm socks to put on, especially if it is chilly at night or morning. I love the crocs for foot protection (around camp) and the weight, which is minimal for portaging. I used to use regular tennis shoes but they are so heavy and crocs do the same thing.
When you are at the end of a portage, you are only in the water for a short amount of time, the cold wont bother me.
Swimming on the other hand...brrr.

Prepare for Shrinkage!

Just my 2 cents. Everyone does things a little differently.

Unless you move to waterproof boots or waders wet feet happen. My experience with the heavy wool hiking socks with both Keen H2O and the New Balance water boots my feet are only cold if I stay in the water too long and will warm up once on the portage. Lighter socks would be a greater concern unless you totally dry foot.

For our September trips, I wear these neoprene diving socks with Keen sandals. (Let the mocking begin) You still have wet feet because you're going to go in over the tops, but it makes a world of difference in how your feet feel. I thought I was going to have to remove them and put on dry wool socks for portaging, but no.

This seems to be debate here that comes up on a regular basis. Try searching "Wet foot" in the messageboard and you will get a plethora of opinions and justifications. In the end a personal decision.
I use both methods depending on temps and route. I really like my lightly insulated knee-high rubber boots when on portages with deep muck. When it's warmer, my feet sweat and get wet anyways.

I have always worn a good pair of mud boots, not the $16 Fleet farm boots.

Muddy portages? No problem. Slip off a log into muck? Bring it on. Rocky canoe landing and I have to jump out? Sounds like fun to me!
I switch to shoes or sandals in camp.

I am a fervent advocate for dry feet!

Tom

Not just cold water for wet footing, but mud — deep, standing water and mud, on portages. I wear Mucks until mid June.

I think it’s a common to lump “shoulder seasons” in the same breath. It’s not like right shoulder and left shoulder. More like left hand and right knee. Spring is well-lit, stormy weather, full of life and icey waters. Fall (not later October - that’s winter) is silent, short days, not so stormy weather, not nearly the mud, and cooling water but not ice water.

Be prepared for mud and - hopefully - lots of standing and trickling water!

jillpine: "Not just cold water for wet footing, but mud — deep, standing water and mud, on portages. I wear Mucks until mid June.


I think it’s a common to lump “shoulder seasons” in the same breath. It’s not like right shoulder and left shoulder. More like left hand and right knee. Spring is well-lit, stormy weather, full of life and icey waters. Fall (not later October - that’s winter) is silent, short days, not so stormy weather, not nearly the mud, and cooling water but not ice water.


Be prepared for mud and - hopefully - lots of standing and trickling water! "

There you have it folks, the Second Best B-Dub Advice Provided in the Spring (sic) of 2022. (jillpine has already won the top spot in another thread.)

I would be inclined to wear my NRS Boundary Boots.

You might want to wear ice skates and snowshoes this (spring?)

In cold weather, I have been using breathable hip boots and cleated wading shoes for the last 30 years or so.

I don't like the feel of clunky Knee boots, I don't feel the last and rocker are good for hiking. I like the breathable hippers because they feel like a pair of pants and a good cleated wading shoe wears and walks the same as a good hiking shoe or boot.

That translates to; warm dry feet, dry pants for when you do go in too deep because of terrain that is too rocky, muddy, brush-covered etc., dry pant legs because they aren't full of sweat from a neoprene knee boot, and non-stressed muscles because you didn't change the weight on your feet and legs when you hiked.

Nomad

2NDpaddlers: "I have traveled into the BWCA a number of times always wearing wool socks and Keen or Merrill hiking sandals. Have worked well for me. My trips have mostly always been in July or August, and last year being first part of June (weather was warm).

My question for everyone, will that type of footwear be not such a good idea this year in early June? I am heading in on June 5th and am guessing with the spring that we have all had and ice being out later than normal, will water temps be colder making me look for a different footwear choice? Suggestions?"

I had this same question last year when I did a trip that started mid-May. Ultimately went with waterproof boots that come up to just below the knee.

Nomadmusky: "In cold weather, I have been using breathable hip boots and cleated wading shoes for the last 30 years or so.

I don't like the feel of clunky Knee boots, I don't feel the last and rocker are good for hiking. I like the breathable hippers because they feel like a pair of pants and a good cleated wading shoe wears and walks the same as a good hiking shoe or boot.

Nomad"

Those look great Nomad! I had this very problem last fall- mud that went over my muck boots combined with cold weather. Limited my portaging options. What brand are those?

The ones in the photo are Hodgman that I had been wearing for many years hunting, from a trip about 10 years or so ago. I now wear Frogg Toggs. They are nice as well because they roll up to a size smaller than a 2-liter soda bottle, I often pack them in my suitcase when I know I might be able to wade fish. The wading shoes in that photo and the ones I currently wear are Frogg Toggs as well. I have at least three pairs of wading shoes as well as waist-high and chest waders.

You can get several styles of wading shoes/boots. I wear cleated for these types of trips or when I know I will be hiking a lot or hunting, a sticky rubber or felt sole for slippery rock type wading, and a surf style in the ocean where there could be Rays.

Thanks and let me know if you have any other questions.

Nomad

Nomad,what’s your wading shoe of choice?

Nomad, I pm'ed you with a few other questions so as to not hijack the thread

If you look at the long range forecast, the temps get back to normal in June. I will still use my wool socks and Keens June 7th and dry wool socks and Merrill bickers in camp. Good wool socks drain well and keep your feet plenty warm when wet-footing.

I wet foot even in May and pack three pairs of wool socks. Just my preference. I love my muck boots, but they are way too heavy/clunky for me in canoe country.

Cold.
This with a nice-soled, flexible wading boot:
Chota Caney Fork

I almost always wet-foot, but I'll be packing NRS Boundary Boots or my Xtra Tufs for my late May trip this year (if we have ice out by then)!

Cold spring, I think I'll be happier trying to keep my feet dry.

Last spring, same time window I ran with wet foot gear and had no problems. Even got in a swim or two. Really does depend on the year.

Brian from Wenonah

Our group, 12-18 men split into 3 camps, all started out wearing different kinds of shoes. We always go 3rd or 4th week of September to the Gunflint area.

After 15 years every one wears Muck boots when paddling, and whatever camp shoes they want in camp. We have no "wet footers" anymore.

I'll be wearing NRS Boundary boots for my May 21 entry. I wore them same time last year and they were not at all necessary, but I think the water in late May this year will be very cold.