I like to post says I’m looking for a recommendations for Coldwater portage and boots. Have an early trip this year with a Kevlar canoe and going to need some good waterproof boots for our crew.

Being the most of us will probably have to buy some affordable would be nice.

Thanks in advance.

This boot has worked very well for me. Good support. Good traction. Solid sole. Toasty warm with a pair of wool socks.

If considering the NRS Boundary Boots, pay attention to reviews that state they run narrow - they do. I have NRS water shoes and booties that fit fine but the Boundary Boots I ordered turned out to be too narrow and the sides don't stretch to accommodate bunions. Maybe they would stretch enough with long term use to become comfortable but I'm not willing to endure the initial pain to see if that option works.

Also consider that the NRS boundary water boots do not offer much in the way of ankle support. I’m not sure if that is an issue for anyone in your group. I use a support wrap with mine and really like them.

I splurged on 18" neoprene-insulated, muck-style boots for my first BWCA trip and I have never found a piece of footwear I liked better. I wear them all winter and love them. Mine are La Crosse brand and the model is not longer made. Several other guys I trip with have changed over to them and we all rave about them. My one complaint is the back of the heel wears out fairly quickly (2-3 years?) and repair is difficult.

Most trips I never walk in water over 18", but because they're neoprene, you just dump them out and they're basically dry. Most times I've gotten water in over the tops I just live with wet wool socks for the rest of the day.

If I just needed them for one trip. I'd buy (or rent from the outfitter) rubber boots that aren't insulated. These are in the $40 range and I'd size them for multiple pairs of thick socks.

Speaking of socks, I've never found a better pair of cold-weather socks than these by Fox River.

Fox River Work Socks

I used Lacrosse Alphaburley's for a few years and they were great. They are pricey, but made for hiking in for backcountry hunting and you can get different levels of insulation. Biggest drawback though was exiting the canoe when you are always in the back seat requires more careful steps since you only have less than 18" of depth before your taking in water.

That being said, I've since switched to wet footing which also for a more careless exit in water depths and haven't had any issues during end of May/Early June with water temps. Astrals with smartwool socks have been the shoe of choice for wet-footing in our group. No need for neoprene.