What’s the deal with these Chota Portage boots? I don’t see or hear much hype about them. I would think they’d be super popular because of the ankle support and mesh drainage. They’re sold at Piragis.

Has anyone used these Chota lightweight hiking boots? What did you think?



Review on fly fishing website

I have them, and love them! They drain quick and more importantly, dry quick. I use the Chota Caney Fork knee high waders in shoulder season with them.

Wife and I both have a pair and like them. They are sized extra large for neoprene socks. So be aware of that, a size 10 in the chotas is probably equivalent to a 12 in regular footwear. Have not seen the typical complaint of falling apart yet

I'm still on my Chota Caney Forks for 15 years and no regrets. Highly recommended. I liked the sole better than the Trekkers Piragis have.

I have a pair of hybrids that are falling apart after two seasons. They are lightweight and comfortable, but the durability is not there so I'll be switching to a different brand.

I had two pairs of the Chota Queticos. I wore them hard and got about two summers out of each set before there was little more holding them together than shoegoo! The issue I had was consistently the stitching which seemed to break really easily.

I have switched to La Sportiva TX Canyons last summer and so far so good.

We wore Chotas for many years. Not perfect, but reasonably good. The 'newer' models just don't fit my feet well. The soles on these appear better than the old ones.

TreeBear: "I had two pairs of the Chota Queticos. I wore them hard and got about two summers out of each set before there was little more holding them together than shoegoo! The issue I had was consistently the stitching which seemed to break really easily.


I have switched to La Sportiva TX Canyons last summer and so far so good. "

Never thought to look at canyoneering shoes for portaging but it makes sense! How well do they drain & dry compared to the chotas?

I am nursing my Quetico Trekkers along with Shoe Goo and hope for another season of use. When Piragis stopped carrying these boots, I bought anther pair for a close-out price of $80.00. So I have a new pair which I hope will carry me through the end of my tripping days over the 3-4 years.

I have a pair of Chota's that is an older version. They are great for ankle support and drainage. I wear them with a wet-foot designated pair of wool socks. My only complaint is that they run large. I believe they were designed to be used with their waterproof knee and hip waders. I suggest trying them on with your intended socks/waders, or buy a size smaller than normal if not planning on using waders.

billconner: "I'm still on my Chota Caney Forks for 15 years and no regrets. Highly recommended. I liked the sole better than the Trekkers Piragis have."

+1. Mine are still holding up and I got them 2nd hand.

Great tips, thanks

Ok, nevermind. There is alot more information when you search for this boot’s other name, “Chota Hybrid”.

keth0601: "

TreeBear: "I had two pairs of the Chota Queticos. I wore them hard and got about two summers out of each set before there was little more holding them together than shoegoo! The issue I had was consistently the stitching which seemed to break really easily.



I have switched to La Sportiva TX Canyons last summer and so far so good. "

Never thought to look at canyoneering shoes for portaging but it makes sense! How well do they drain & dry compared to the chotas?"

Yeah, I knew I was moving on from my Chotas, but what to move on to? Hiking boots rarely drain super well and aren't made to be submerged that much. Whitewater shoes often lack support. Wading boots are large and clunky. This lead me over to Canyoneering since they focus on many of the same things that we do when canoeing: traction on slippery rock, drainage when out of the water, and durability. So far, they seem to dry out better than my Chotas which, though they had mesh sides, seemed that the body took forever to air out. Oddly enough, most of the great Canyoneering boot options are hard to come by. Adidas stopped production and some of the other options are only available overseas. The Sportivas have been good to me so far. They have little drainage holes all over instead of mesh. The boots are shaped in such a way to reduce the chance of pinning between rocks and are made with a "sticky-when-wet" sole which is fantastic. I didn't get out in a canoe a ton last summer compared to years past, but that WILL be changing this year so hopefully they'll get a lot more testing.

Just happened to look at Chota site and saw Caney Forks at half price - $99 versus $199. I think they were $149 when I bought mine at Canoecopia.

My husband had these and LOVED them. Now he needs a new pair and can't find his size.

I actually just came to the gear forum to ask for similar boots as we're taking a trip early April (not BWCA).

They look a lot like wading boots. I used simm tributary rubber sole wading boots with chota hip waders last season and loved the combo. Not sure how long the boots will last yet.