hi all
recently saw an interesting type of boot to wear canoeing in the back country. the person said they were LL Bean canvas top boots.
they are apparently about 16 inches high. basically covering the entire calf, and they have a rubber type shoe with what looks like maybe a gum rubber type sole.
i have found waxed canvas womens avail for sale online, but can only seem to find mens made of all leather.
so has anyone ever used these canvas top boots? what are your thoughts on them? and does anyone know if you can buy mens with the canvas tops?
they look like they would be a great option for in the boat and on the portage trail.
thx
rick

A link would help.

Are you talking about these?
LL Bean Canvas Top Hunting Boot

Personally, I only wear boots that can drain if I get water in them (unless it is cold weather season). I'm also not sure what the sole is made of on these, they look like they might be slippery on the wet rocks, but I could be wrong.

straighthairedcurly: "A link would help.


Are you talking about these?
LL Bean Canvas Top Hunting Boot


Personally, I only wear boots that can drain if I get water in them (unless it is cold weather season). I'm also not sure what the sole is made of on these, they look like they might be slippery on the wet rocks, but I could be wrong."

I would not wear anything with this type of sole in the BW!

straighthairedcurly: "A link would help.


Are you talking about these?
LL Bean Canvas Top Hunting Boot


Personally, I only wear boots that can drain if I get water in them (unless it is cold weather season). I'm also not sure what the sole is made of on these, they look like they might be slippery on the wet rocks, but I could be wrong."

that boot is the right type but the ones i am referring are much higher. those are 10". the ones i mentioned are 16".

i have no idea how the soles would be as i have never even seen them in person but the person who uses them is a guide in the back country in the u.s.

I have worn LL Bean Duck Shoes with a similar looking sole.
They do NOT provide much traction especially on slick surfaces and are not very durable. Passage in "civilization" but I wouldn't wear them in the BWCA, especially on portages.

I have a pair of the 10 inch boots. I get compliments on them for being fashionable, but in cannot imagine using them for a paddling trip.

I used the leather top version for several years. The three rows of stitching always leaked where the rubber was sewn to the upper. Stylish, but not practical.

Here are two older thread specifically about Bean boots in the BWCA.
Bean boot thread 1
Bean boot thread 2

Everyone has a different opinion about footware. What one person can’t imagine going with, another can’t imagine going without.

I have a pair of the 12 inch in leather that I got specifically for a 20 day fall trip in Wabakimi. I wanted a boot that could keep my feet dry and warm if the weather turned wet and cold, but rubber boots were too hard to pack. I’d say they worked very well. I applied about 4 coats of SnoSeal and had them pretty waterproof, allowing me to stand at least briefly in 5-6 inches of water without soaking through. I switched back and forth between Bean and Merrill Moab high tops which I used for wetfooting on some days. I found the Bean boots comfortable for portaging, but you can feel the rocks a bit more. I thought they were ok for grip, but not as good ads my Merrill’s. I did slip on a slanted, wet rock once and got my boot full, but they were close to dry the next day. It seemed all the rocks up there were always slippery and wet. I will try them again on spring or fall trips.

I assume the canvas tops pack easier and are a bit lighter and cooler. I wonder how waterproof they are. I’ve found waxed canvas to be sort of water resistant.

One word of caution: if you get ones with hooks, be careful they don’t snag the loops where the other boots are tied.