I was checking out the Piragis blog the other day Piragis Wet Foot , and they had a little video about exiting and entering the canoe while it was in the water. Then my Spring 2011 BWJ shows up and Stu has an article where he basically says anyone who does this is looking for trouble.

I know Stu has his opinions and isn't afraid to repeat them in every issue, but what do you guys do? I tend to do a little bit of both, myself. If I can safely do a wet foot entry, I will, but if conditions don't warrant it, I'll let the front of the canoe touch land while loading or unloading. Heck, that's what the skid plate's for, right ;)

I think each portage or campsite is completely different and you have to adjust for each. We never walk way out into the water to load/unload the canoe...we try to load (or unload) while the canoe is in the water and we are on land. Sometimes it means loading from rocks and sometimes it means loading from a sand, gravel or muddy surface. Whatever we do, we don't worry about whether our feet are wet or not - we want to load in the safest way possible.

You guys got it right, get your feet wet when needed to safely load/unload the boat.

Sometimes Stu's Articles seem more like an Ad where the message is always, "everyone's an idiot so hire his services". If unloading the boat in the water is his example of doing everything wrong, he went right past common sense on that one, maybe the confusion will bring in some business.

quote alpine525: "I think each portage or campsite is completely different and you have to adjust for each. We never walk way out into the water to load/unload the canoe...we try to load (or unload) while the canoe is in the water and we are on land. Sometimes it means loading from rocks and sometimes it means loading from a sand, gravel or muddy surface. Whatever we do, we don't worry about whether our feet are wet or not - we want to load in the safest way possible."

pretty much sums up my experience too.

Never underdstood the obsession to keep ones feet dry while canoeing.
Seems like much ado about nothing.
CB

Wet footer since 1972

Once you get wet, you have wet portage shoes for the rest of the trip. Get water shoes and wade on in, no worries, they drain in seconds and you don't hurt yourself trying to keep your boots dry. And don't wear blue jeans either, they take forever to dry, get some nylon pants. ;-)

Fishguts - do you consider the Chota shoes "water shoes"? I'm about to switch from Teva's to Chotas - I think.

For the record, I have not read the BWJ article on this topic, but I have watched the Piragis video. What this is really about is canoeing fundamentals.

The Piragis video is spot-on perfect and exactly the way to land or launch a canoe while taking care of your equipment.

I've said this before, but I don't know how anyone can expect to go to canoe country and keep their feet dry on portages. Even if one manages to somehow keep them dry at the landings, there are wet, muddy or boggy areas on the portage trails where, very quickly, your efforts at the landings will go for naught. Once your feet are wet, they're wet. What does it matter after that?

You have to get your feet wet.

I load/unload typically in the water unless it is rocky or unsafe. It is actually easier to pick a canoe up while it is in 2-3 feet of water which is safer on my back. But if I am walking out into the water on slippery rocks that is crazy too...so it all depends on what is easiest for me.

T

When solo, I just wade right in at the entry point because there is no way to stay dry. In a tandem, I might see how long I can stay dry but before long it is easier to just go with wet feet.

I never get my feet wet. Never. However, that's when I'm going with my husband, who is very nice to me. I will be getting them wet when I go on my group solo, but I'm going to have some nice tall waterproof boots. I hate wet feet. Or, if I can't get close enough to shore, I will put on my sandals. ;-)

We try to load and unload in the water every time. Only when there is a sandy bottom do we rest the front of the canoe on shore. My brother has a nice Kevlar SR and this is the way I learned when I first switched from a aluminum canoe. Only a few portages you will have trouble finding footing so we have to jump in the water.

Steve at Piragis just wants to keep his rental canoes in good shape. I do not blame him for stressing this practice. Some outfitters even put a piece of duct tape on the skid plate area, then when you return it the tape should still be there or there will be trouble. I think that Piragis turns their canoes around every two or three years. Not sure if they spend the money to put skid plates on the rentals. It does save on the bottom wear but add to the weight some. If I owned my own I would try to protect the bottom as much as possible but would not be unrealistic about it. It will take a toll on the bottom and then you could add a skid plate.

Stu is full of it. I saw that article. It POs me to no end. Rookies are going to read that and think it's true.

I'd say the exception is the dry foot landing/launch. I bet there are more tip overs at shore, more falls, more sprained ankles with people trying to dry foot it. Stepping into water is the safest, with best footing, compared to trying to stretch at an akward angle onto slippery rocks. As noted, the portages are often wet anyway and you're going to step in water.

BTW - when you "wet foot" it doesn't necessarily mean that your feet get wet. It means that you step out into the water. I wear chotas so my feet don't get wet when I "wet foot".

That is actually a good video to show people I take who have never wet footed.

But I don't think there was enough emphasis on safety there. Like has been stated here before, each portage is different. I'm not going to slide down a rock to protect the kevlar and break or twist something.

But I won't run it up on shore either.

Everyone needs to see the Piragis video, it is spot on.

I have done it both ways... I have found it way safer & easier to wet foot it. Trying to step onto a rock that is above the water line is much more difficult than just stepping into knee or ankle deep water.

I have witnessed people going to extremes, landing, launching & even crossing portages to keep dry feet, stepping & balancing on slippery logs & rocks.... I just walk right down the middle & put dry shoes on in camp.

Steve at Piragis just wants to keep his rental canoes in good shape."

I can attest to that. I just bought one from them this winter. They sell their stock every year, from what I understand. My MNII had a few scratches, but nothing major. They do put the skid plates on their canoes.

Sounds like the rest of you do the same thing I do, try to keep the canoe off of the rocks, don't drag it across the rocks/gravel, use the sand if it's there gingerly. Maybe the wet foot title was the wrong way to title this thread.

By the way, you are all crazy for using Tevas, or anything except for Maine Hunter Boots By LL Bean, according to Stu. ;) Yeah, you have to read those articles with a grain of salt. I always wondered why there was no "letters to the editor" section in BWJ.

Landing, Launching, and on the portage.

Muck Boots

Just watched the video. It was very informative.

I agree the Piragis video is spot on. I wear closed toe water shoes and expect to get wet. If the portage is really long, I may put on a pair of dry hiking shoes. I think it really depends on the landing. I am very careful and wary about slippery rocks. If needed, we will bring the empty canoe onto land before loading up for the portage. I have gone rock skiing on more than one occasion when I thought I had a good foothold in the water.

I go along with the idea that each entry and exit is different, I don't follow any particular style every time. I just try to get the job done in the safest possible way, and with the least damage to the canoe. Mostly, I get my feet wet.
To me, wet feet are a very slight inconvenience, a twisted ankle or an injured back could be a trip breaker. I have my own canoe, so I try to be careful with it, but I don't figure on going to BWCA without adding some scratches. Just part of the deal.

Good video. Taking care of your canoe while being safe is a smart move and I figure Steve Piragis to be a smart outfitter too as to how he wants his gear treated.

When I first "learned the ropes" in the BW (using aluminum and royalex canoes) I was taught a dry foot style where the bow person (when possible) sits on, straddles, and locks down the canoe with the legs for the stern person to safely climb out. We now use kevlar canoes with skid plates and my feet do get wet occasionally on portages but I've been pretty dry overall.

I still scratch my head on the wet/dry business. I was checking on Muck boots last night while out shopping and came close to getting a pair but will stick with my waterproof lace up leather boots one more year. I get concerned about anything else being too hot and not offering enough ankle support while being able to comfortably integrate the orthotics I now find a must for my feet to operate pain free.

I tried to use search and came up "dry" on estimates of how many get wet vs those that try to stay dry. Anyone have a link or at least an informed estimate on the numbers?

Good video, but it's not for me. My feet would not be happy being wet for six plus hours a day and then climbing up and down portages. Not to mention wet pants up to the nether regions :) It is entirely possible, and not all that difficult to keep your feet dry on the vast majority of portages with a little planning...and a good pair of waterproof boots. I wear waterproof hiking boots and can step into five plus inches of water...more than enough to float and load a boat.

I have been a trekker user for a number of years. Brookies leaked, probably why they quit making them, and gators a too low. My feet always got wet. Never cold though and thanks to smartwool socks inside, never that uncomfortable.

I got a pair of Chota breathable mukluks last year and wore them on a fall trip. These are actually high enough and totally water proof. Didn't have to change my tactics but my feet were dry the whole time.

These don't have the most aggressive sole or a ton of ankle support but they aren't bad. The fit is comfortably snug, not sloppy like the trekkers.

quote Jackfish: "For the record, I have not read the BWJ article on this topic, but I have watched the Piragis video. What this is really about is canoeing fundamentals.

The Piragis video is spot-on perfect and exactly the way to land or launch a canoe while taking care of your equipment.

I've said this before, but I don't know how anyone can expect to go to canoe country and keep their feet dry on portages. Even if one manages to somehow keep them dry at the landings, there are wet, muddy or boggy areas on the portage trails where, very quickly, your efforts at the landings will go for naught. Once your feet are wet, they're wet. What does it matter after that?

You have to get your feet wet. "

Never!!!!! Buy the right portage boots....it's not rocket science.

quote alpine525: "I think each portage or campsite is completely different and you have to adjust for each. We never walk way out into the water to load/unload the canoe...we try to load (or unload) while the canoe is in the water and we are on land. Sometimes it means loading from rocks and sometimes it means loading from a sand, gravel or muddy surface. Whatever we do, we don't worry about whether our feet are wet or not - we want to load in the safest way possible."

Ditto

In cold weather, I wear high boots or work hard to keep my feet dry. During June, July, August, and September, I wear 6" high nylon and leather lightweight hiking boots that are not waterproof, but give me the ankle support that I really need. I step into 8" to 10" of water to load or unload the canoe. I find it much easier and more efficient to stand beside the canoe to load or unload, rather than going over the bow. I will lift the canoe onto sand if it is there.

Where I disagree with the video is lifting the canoe onto my shoulders while standing in the water. I have done that, but I have also lost balance, hooked a heel on a rock while trying to regain balance, and sprained an ankle! On a smooth bottom, I'll lift while in the water. For most situations, I have someone take the bow and I take the stern and we walk the canoe up onto a flat spot. Then I lift the canoe using the rear thwart, roll it onto its nose, elevate the rear, and walk up under the canoe to the shoulder pads, and then lift the bow to level. I know, it wears on the bow...I wore thru the aluminum plate on the bow after about 60 trips, and on my kevlar boats I put a little piece of skid plate on the nose.

And when putting the canoe down, again I don't wade into the water, or take the whole weight off at one time. I walk up to the water and lower the stern to the ground, and then lay the canoe down, about halfway in the water, and then position it as needed.

In my opinion, a paddling partner who won't get into the water (either boots or wet foot) is a prima donna who wastes a lot of our time trying to find a way to get to shore or a rock and stay dry.

My biggest problem in taking rookies is that they get into the canoe and it goes aground and they don't know it, or they think they will just "hump" the canoe off the bottom...usually rock. About every other trip some rookie rolls the canoe by getting in and going aground on a slope, and it tips the canoe.

Any guy walking into or out of knee-deep or deeper water with a pack on his back and a canoe on his shoulders is asking for it someday. Not every portage landing is going to forgive those inevitable missteps. Doing this is more for the "lookit me!... I wet foot!" crowd you meet on portages and for outfitters who are out to ridicule your "damage" to their precious kevlar as if they could have avoided any scratching whatsoever. I wet foot, for sure. But probably only up to my ankles or shins, whatever the situation calls for. Maybe because I've never soloed, but I flip the canoe and set it down gently while still on land, or maybe enter the water just a bit and flip it so the bow can be set down in the water and then glide it out and set it down. If not, then two of us will carry and position the canoe on the water in a spot that we can load the packs. Then we get wet again, carrying packs to the canoe, getting things loaded and situated, and getting in. It all depends upon what you're presented with.

quote alpine525: "I think each portage or campsite is completely different and you have to adjust for each. Whatever we do, we don't worry about whether our feet are wet or not - we want to load in the safest way possible."

These 2 sentences should be included in any how-to discussion.

I use stocking foot waders and my feet are dry and warm. I have gone wet foot and stepped in a nest of baby leaches and spent a couple of hours cleaning my feet of. Cabelas Sells some leg waders in stocking feet. They go up to your crotch and attach to your belt. A lot of times in the rear the water is above the knees. I have gone wet foot to. Old pair of canvas tennis shoes no socks. Get to camp and put on a nice dry pair of wool socks and some camp shoes.

Happy trails

Jrlatt

quote schweady: "Any guy walking into or out of knee-deep or deeper water with a pack on his back and a canoe on his shoulders is asking for it someday. Not every portage landing is going to forgive those inevitable missteps. Doing this is more for the "lookit me!... I wet foot!" crowd you meet on portages and for outfitters who are out to ridicule your "damage" to their precious kevlar as if they could have avoided any scratching whatsoever. I wet foot, for sure. But probably only up to my ankles or shins, whatever the situation calls for. Maybe because I've never soloed, but I flip the canoe and set it down gently while still on land, or maybe enter the water just a bit and flip it so the bow can be set down in the water and then glide it out and set it down. If not, then two of us will carry and position the canoe on the water in a spot that we can load the packs. Then we get wet again, carrying packs to the canoe, getting things loaded and situated, and getting in. It all depends upon what you're presented with."

The nice thing about soloing is you can do it any way you want and no explanations are needed :).

quote schweady: "Any guy walking into or out of knee-deep or deeper water with a pack on his back and a canoe on his shoulders is asking for it someday. Not every portage landing is going to forgive those inevitable missteps. Doing this is more for the "lookit me!... I wet foot!" crowd you meet on portages and for outfitters who are out to ridicule your "damage" to their precious kevlar as if they could have avoided any scratching whatsoever. I wet foot, for sure. But probably only up to my ankles or shins, whatever the situation calls for. Maybe because I've never soloed, but I flip the canoe and set it down gently while still on land, or maybe enter the water just a bit and flip it so the bow can be set down in the water and then glide it out and set it down. If not, then two of us will carry and position the canoe on the water in a spot that we can load the packs. Then we get wet again, carrying packs to the canoe, getting things loaded and situated, and getting in. It all depends upon what you're presented with."

That's pretty much how I do it, even solo.

I wet foot, because I know I will end up with wet feet anyway. Plus is is easier. That said, I won't carry a pack into the water to grab a canoe, and I hoist the canoe why on dry land. Very few portage landings lend them selves to an easy wade in or out.

wet-footing is wet-footing. if you really want to commit, you can wet-thigh or even wet-crotch it. risky? perhaps. but once you are that deep in the water, you don't have to bend over very far to set down the canoe or a pack. and while the bottom surface might be destabilizing, immersion will stabilize you. looking at it another way, you don't have far to fall.

and really, once your crotch is wet, you might as well tow/push the canoe while wading/swimming.

let's see more wetsuits and flippers on the portage trails!

paradigm shifted.

Wet Foot.

I am planning a trip this year mid/late May and was curious what the best way to handle the cold water temps at that time of the year. My previous trip was in Aug so I wasn't concerned with getting wet and just wore a short breathable hiking boot and let my feet get wet.

I was curious what people used for footwear with the cold water or if you just got them wet and dried them out quickly.

quote Amand: "I am planning a trip this year mid/late May and was curious what the best way to handle the cold water temps at that time of the year. My previous trip was in Aug so I wasn't concerned with getting wet and just wore a short breathable hiking boot and let my feet get wet.

I was curious what people used for footwear with the cold water or if you just got them wet and dried them out quickly."

I do most of my trips in May & September.

What I have found that works for me is to wear a pair of neoprene wetsocks under my shoes. (NRS sells them, as well as other places) They are not waterproof. But, what they do is use your body heat to warm the moisture that is retained in the sock thus keeping your feet warm.

Once I get to camp, I dry my feet & change into wool socks & dry Keens. I always rinse out the wet socks and hang them after each use.

Might not be for everyone? But, this method has worked for me in snowy conditions with ice sheets still on the lake. I Have NEVER had a problem with cold feet.

easy as this. spend less than 50 bucks for both combined. Boots for cold days, sandels for warm.

I would not recommend open toe sandals. I know folks that use them but you're just one rock away from limping the rest of your trip.

I get wet.....everytime... love it!

I get in and out of the canoe just like they indicate in the Piragis video. My footwear has more to do with the air and water temperatures. If it's warm enough, I don't mind getting my feet wet and my footwear dries quickly (Salomon Techniphibians). If it's too cold to do that, I wear a pair of Cabela's waterproof snakeboots and do my best to keep the cold water out.

quote Cedarboy: "Never underdstood the obsession to keep ones feet dry while canoeing.
Seems like much ado about nothing.
CB

Wet footer since 1972"

Early in the season, when the water is still extremely cold (and the air often is, too), wet feet can lead to hypothermia. If you can load safely and be dry, by all means do so. Sometimes, you don't have much of a choice. In those situations, I try to make sure I'm the only one who gets wet, though. I tolerate it pretty well.

As to shore shoes (mentioned by someone else), I don't like the idea of not having my boots (or needing to put them on) for each portage. I broke my leg just above the ankle some years backe, and I attribute part of that slip to being in my shore shoes rather than my boots (my boots were soaked from the rain on our first two days).

…….in response to AndySG’s Muck boot comment:

Bingo! Muck boots rule. Good traction, protection, feet stay relatively dry with thick socks. No problem slogging through mud and bogs, slide on and off super easy- I like to slip them off whenever paddling(I solo) and go stocking footed to air out the feet and it just feels good! Also very easy to slide feet underneath my seat when kneeling. I always wet foot, and can easily enter and exit my canoe by sitting down over the gunnel onto my seat perpendicular to the keel line of the canoe, then pivoting on my rear to a forward facing position. My feet stay dry, inside of the canoe doesn’t get muddy.

How does one go about finding a post from 2011 to comment on?

OMGitsKa: "How does one go about finding a post from 2011 to comment on? "

By hopping into Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine.

TZ

Or, by using the search function. :)

OP here, funny to see my old post lives again 11 years later! I continue to use both wet and dry foot entries based on the conditions.

gotwins: "OP here, funny to see my old post lives again 11 years later! I continue to use both wet and dry foot entries based on the conditions. "

Good to see you're still around as well!