I'm looking for suggestions on what type of boots work good for you around the water. I have heard that some sort of military style "jungle" boot works best. They supposedly dry quickly and have some drainage ports at the instep to let the water out.

I am assuming that it is impossible to keep your feet dry on a portage or camp landing unless you like to run your canoe right up on the rocks. Of course this assume that most people are stepping out in the shallow water at portages....

Here was one suggestion I read:

Opinions abound. Will you be tripping in May/October or July/August?

quote boonie: "Opinions abound. Will you be tripping in May/October or July/August?"

I figured that would probably be the case.
We leave at end of July into early August for a week.

Opinions rampant. Some of us kneel and some of us sit. Some of us use Chotas, some like me Merrel Waterpro canyoneering shoes( not boots at all) and others hiking boots. Others use NRS Attack shoes.

One caveat is that you ought to be able to swim with whatever footwear you choose. Oh I know experts will tell you they never dump. And the footwear has to fit with your boat. Foot entrapment is not an experience you want.

Here is what I like; my feet run cold, even in summer...these are comfortable for me up to 75 degrees or so, and tolerable up to 80:

my Muck boots

I have used a pair of Altama 3lc Jungle Boots. Great traction, good drainage, sturdy, and dried over nite (even in rainy/damp weather). I liked them but they are not wide enough for me, resulting in toe blisters after a day or 2. I wound up having boots made to order for my size (8 1/2 EEE, a size not commonly found in commercial lasts). I still use them, but not as my only boots when on a trip. Day hikes, car camping, around home, no problem.

butthead

Old running shoes and merino wool socks.

dry foot or wet foot boots?

In the spring of fall trips I also take knee high neoprene rubber boots so feet do not get cold. In summer I just wear my Keens. In camp I switch to Merrel hiking boots with wool socks.

At that time of the year I wear Salomon Techniphibians and low cut smartwool socks, or just the Salomons. I like the feel of the water on my feet in the summer and i do wet foot it with my kevlar canoe. In colder weather/water, I have used Cabela's waterproof snakeboots and I recently got myself a pair of Muck boots.

OTB odhins. For Wet footing.

quote BillConner01: "dry foot or wet foot boots?"

Good question. I was looking for wet foot ideas. I was assuming that I would be bailing out in shallow, knee high water to begin a portage or camp landing. So I didn't figure there was any benefit to have "waterproof" or "water resistant" hikers if I was going to be stepping into water over the top of my boots.

Socks was going to be my next question. I am curious how uncomfortable it will be to sit for hours in a canoe with wet feet. Maybe waterproof socks with boots that drain well? Or does the wool and water boots wick enough water away to stay fairly dry?

OTB Abyss for wet-footing. Good traction, drainage, quick drying, and comfortable.

Socks are easy. I wear liner sox like hikers use and sometimes over that wool socks. In August the wool will keep your feet warm.

I never try to strive for dry feet. Often sections of portage are underwater and the safest way is through rather than around.

One caveat is that once in camp your first job is to change shoes and socks to the dry pair. The dry shoes are holy and should be always kept dry.

I also use a solo canoe about 90 percent of trips. That alone puts me in deeper water at landings. You cant just stand up in a 23 inch wide boat and step on to shore. So boat might matter too.

I trip mid-June through August...can't beat the OTB Abyss or Odhin boots. Wear a midweight merino wool sock and coolmax liner. Great on the portages, dry fast at camp, and last for years. You won't be disappointed.

I wear waterproof hikers, with wool socks over polyester dress socks (to help wick away moisture). Most of the time, by using rocks and logs that are already in place, I can get in without going in deep enough to get water into the boots. Of course, if I slip, or don't have any convenient places to put my feet, I'll get wet. I'm not above scouting around near the portage landing to find a better place to put in, however--especially during low water periods where the main landing may be too rocky to put in (one of the portages around Lake Two (Three? where there's a small hop across a pond to the next portage) is a perfect example--there's a grassy bank that abuts deeper water about 30' from the main landing area).

I have a high instep, so I have a really hard time slipping my feet into any boots that don't have adjustable openings (laces, straps, etc.). I've thought about muck boots, but haven't found any into which I can get my feet. Even if I did find ones that fit, I'm not sure I'd want to carry the extra footwear--I can use my hikers while paddling, portaging, and exploring, but I'm not sure how much exploring and climbing I'd like to do in muck boots

I wear Keens or Merrill water slippers with toe guard and heal pad and always wear high quality menlo wool socks. They wick away and are durable. They can get soaked by the end of the day and will stretch out a bit, but do not bunch or bind. The padding provides comfort in the shoes and added protection from snags, bugs and other annoyances.
I actually wear this combination year round in daily life only moving to full Merrill boots when the snow is over a couple inches or I have to put on leather shoes for fancy events.

I went to college with a guy that grew up in the Ely area. I have had the opportunity to do a couple of trips with him now and he got me hooked on Lacrosse Rubber Boots. Most of the locals that I have met up there do the same thing. Hard to top the experience of the Ely locals. As they say, when in Rome...

I would have OTB Abyss if they came in a narrow width, but they don't. Since I have narrow, bony feet, most of the ones people recommend don't work for me. Boots that are too wide and slip around on your foot cause blisters, no matter how many layers of socks you wear.

I wear a good-fitting hiking boot with merino wool socks and just get them wet. Have dry shoes for camp and have wet feet during the tripping time.

I have worn several different times over the years. Day trips I liked my Chota Trekkers, but they finally died. When doing overnight trips in the BWCAW and late fall through spring trips here I always wear my Chota Muck boots with the neoprene upper and rubber boot. I don't think they make them exactly like this anymore, but they are similar.

I recall reading a recent BWJ where someone told of having their boots stashed in the stern to change into when they reached the portage because they thought the boots would drown them if they swamped the canoe? I've had several wintertime and springtime unintentional swims, with a PFD on I had NO problems being weighed down by these boots. I also routinely wade up to my knees with these and they don't let water in. As far as that goes, outside of hip boots, I doubt any boot will sink you if you have a decent PFD on.

Almost all of my paddling friends have Chota muckluks or muck boots. If you can find these Chotas or anything similar, I highly recommend them!

quote Wetlander: "I went to college with a guy that grew up in the Ely area. I have had the opportunity to do a couple of trips with him now and he got me hooked on Lacrosse Rubber Boots. Most of the locals that I have met up there do the same thing. Hard to top the experience of the Ely locals. As they say, when in Rome... "

I wear the same thing. I don't know if they're Lacrosse but a good pair of calf high rubber boots. I like dry feet and not having to worry about walking in the water. I've had the same pair for the last 5 trips and they've never bothered me on the portages either. I also take a pair of camp shoes.

quote bhouse46: "I wear Keens or Merrill water slippers with toe guard and heal pad and always wear high quality menlo wool socks. They wick away and are durable. They can get soaked by the end of the day and will stretch out a bit, but do not bunch or bind. The padding provides comfort in the shoes and added protection from snags, bugs and other annoyances.
I actually wear this combination year round in daily life only moving to full Merrill boots when the snow is over a couple inches or I have to put on leather shoes for fancy events. "

I just picked up a set of Keens at a local thrift store in September(they get REI returns/trades and sell them cheap) and have been wearing them with wool socks, too--it's the most comfortable combination I've ever worn. I had them with me during my September solo, and I used them as my camp shoes. I may have to think about trying them on some portages next year.

To answer directly the question asked:
I wear OTB Abyss - I bought them last winter and used them this summer.
Comfortable, lightweight, and dry very quickly.
They have drainage on the bottom and mesh on the uppers.
Very good traction on wet rocks and mud.
They come in 6 and 8 inch height.

I used to wear Merrell Moab boots. They are comfortable and have mesh uppers, but overall drainage is not that good.
Traction is not as good as the OTB. The Moabs are much heavier than the OTB and they do not dry out quickly.
I still have and like my Moabs, but I use them for dry ground activity and winter.

I wear the OTB Ohdins and wetfoot my landings. I bring a pair of Merrill wet shoes for around camp...

Whatever you do, don't let the nice price tag on warmers amphib boots, convince you to buy them. Consider me a very disatisfied owner of these boots. Really wanted otb abyss boots but was suckered into giving these a try for the price.

Problems:

Don't drain well
Fall apart easily
Not enough ankle support
Badly mislabled for sizes ( I ordered size 13's and wear size 12 boots regularily, the fit was still way too snug and uncomfortable)
Don't dry easily

for the bwca, the cheapest, all leather, no insulation, ankle height boots i can find. right now i have a pair of golden retrievers, (get it, cheap crap, chinese knock off of the esteemed Irish setter brand). total garbage, i can't wait for them to fall completely apart. hopefully somewhere where i will suffer as a result of my decision to buy this useless chinese crap. i promise, i will never buy chinese made crap again. my real boots are asolo, all leather. made by european elves. i would never use these boots canoeing.

Wow, Chota Quetico Trekkers used to be more popular in these threads. I still wear mine with the neoprene socks but may switch to smartwool ones. I've been using smartwool and polypro socks with keens while sailing and my feet do stay warm even when wading to beach launch in pretty cold water. Might just take the neoprene socks for particularly cold days. Impressed at how the OTBs have gotten so popular. In the summer it can be nice to get out in the water and cool off the feet.

In all seasons, I've been happy dry-wet footing in my Muck Edgewater boots. The uppers roll down for comfort while paddling or portaging. Very good foot and ankle support. Once in camp, I have some lightweight gore-tex lined hiking boots from Timberland. This system has proved versatile, safe and comfortable for me.

Yes, ckb, there are a lot of options, most of which I don't have personal experience with. I trip in late September and wear a pair of knee-high Chota boots, which would probably be overkill in July/August. I am able to keep my feet dry and to do so without ramming my - I mean the outfitter's :) - kevlar canoe up on the rocks.

ckb,
I do what pineknot does. I wear OTB Abyss boots, and Merino Wool socks. Wigwam, or SmartWool brand. They Drain fast and are comfortable. I wet foot in knee deep water or less if possible, and trip mostly in summer or warmer months. For around camp, I just take a light weight tennis shoe or Keens sometimes.
SunCatcher

In the summer I wear a pair of jungle boots with wool socks. In may and September I wear knee high rubber boots. In camp I switch to Chuck Taylor high tops.

tony

quote jwartman59: "for the bwca, the cheapest, all leather, no insulation, ankle height boots i can find. right now i have a pair of golden retrievers, (get it, cheap crap, chinese knock off of the esteemed Irish setter brand). total garbage, i can't wait for them to fall completely apart. hopefully somewhere where i will suffer as a result of my decision to buy this useless chinese crap. i promise, i will never buy chinese made crap again. my real boots are asolo, all leather. made by european elves. i would never use these boots canoeing."

John, I got over my fear of expensive boots in the BWCA when I bought custom boots, made by Berlin WI elves. Followed their care instructions, and have 10 years of use out of the first pair, 8 wetfoot BWCA trips included.
And they fit my "square" feet beautifully! They have many more seasons of use in them!

butthead

I've been wearing LaCrosse gortex snake boots for several years now. Never get wet feet. They are about 17 inches high and I have only breached the height a couple times. In camp and while out fishing I'll wear tennis shoes or mocassins.

I wear heavy insulated waterproof 8" Wolverine boots I lucked out and darn near stole from Dick's on clearance at about 15% of the retail price. Have no fear on portages if I watch where I put my feet (I do). Fishing shoes in camp. Wetfoot only shallow 4-6" so the boots don't get wet inside (so I don't really wetfoot). I might, however, have to rethink this strategy since the next trip will be in MY canoe and not a rental, so I'll probably take a lot more care of the (my) canoe.

OTB odhins + merino socks = 5 Stars for ankle support, breathable, proper drainage & and very good on overall comfort. (July/August)
edit: remove 'em when making camp to let feet dry. I reach for my crocs.

I'll be wearing my Timberlands. Best boots ever. I will never not have a pair of Timbs again.

ive had a pair chota trekkers for 4 or 5 years now and they are holding up well.

You might want to consider Some hip waders and a nice pair of wading boots. Hip waders.
or just go with some water shoes.

Jrlatt

OTB Abyss II. Great drainage, tough, good traction and 6" height gives ankle support without being too much boot. Then wear fake "crocs" arond camp with thick wool socks. They are so light and easy to throw in your pack. The key is getting out of your wet shoes at camp, and getting really comfortable.

Personally, I just bring along a cheap pair of water shoes (anything that protects your toes- rocks can be painful). As well as a pair of light hiking shoes or boots. I used to carry a pair of heavy waterproof boots but they proved to be too hot and heavy for summer use, and if you step in too deep you end up with wet feet anyways. It's not really alot of trouble to switch between the two when portaging and the benefit of having dry feet when traveling on land is well worth it for me. Over the last two years I've had 0 blisters despite keeping up a pretty heavy rate of travel and some pretty nasty long portages.

quote Corsair: "OTB odhins. For Wet footing."

+1. Great boots. I wear them with NRS wet socks.

Here's the Salomon Techniphibians in action...







Here's the crocs in action...

The OTB's are certainly quite popular. I was also a bit surprised to see how good ole rubber boots were right up there too. I tallied up the response quickly:

Canoeing Boots:
OTB Odhin/Abyss - 10
Rubber Boots - 9
Waterproof hikers - 5
Keens/water slippers - 4
Jungle Boots (altama) - 2
Chota Trekkers - 2
Salomon - 1
Old Running shoes - 1
Merrell's - 1
Hip waders - 1

Camp Shoes:
Running/fishing shoes - 4
Crocs - 3
Merell boots - 2
hiking boots - 1
keens - 1


I have to say that I like the idea of bringing some crocs for camp. They're the best of both worlds, lightweight and dry.

Put me down for waterproof hiking boots.

Water shoes in camp.

Lowa Treviso's. Sadly discontinued :(

Put me down for the Wellco Jungle boots. I used water shoes for a while but got into ankle troubles. I tend to roll my ankles and the high top jungle boot stop that and protect my feet and ankles. They get wet but dry out pretty fast. They make a mesh insert that works very well, if you can find them. Try the Army Surplus stores.

I mostly trip in the warmer summer months so water temps are not an issue. Always ware a PFD and it does not matter what you have on your feet.

UP Boy

quote ckb: "The OTB's are certainly quite popular. I was also a bit surprised to see how good ole rubber boots were right up there too. I tallied up the response quickly:


Canoeing Boots:
OTB Odhin/Abyss - 10
Rubber Boots - 9
Waterproof hikers - 5
Keens/water slippers - 4
Jungle Boots (altama) - 2
Chota Trekkers - 2
Salomon - 1
Old Running shoes - 1
Merrell's - 1
Hip waders - 1


Camp Shoes:
Running/fishing shoes - 4
Crocs - 3
Merell boots - 2
hiking boots - 1
keens - 1



I have to say that I like the idea of bringing some crocs for camp. They're the best of both worlds, lightweight and dry. "

What category did you put Muck boots into?

Mine...
My husbands...
Love them both- but they are no longer made!

quote nojobro: "What category did you put Muck boots into? "

I put them in the "rubber boots" category, although I expect someone to tell me that there are too many styles or types to call them that, or maybe that the upper is really nylon, or whatever. I'm not a Muck guy, at least not yet, so you'll have to pardon my ignorance.

I have taken Cabela's Wading Boots several times. I also own OTB Abyss boots and will probably use them next trip.

quote ripple: "
Love them- but they are no longer made!"

That's pretty much like the Chota's I have.

My wife and I both wear OTB Odhins.

I wear Chota Quetico Trekkers with smartwool socks. I wet foot it, and never let my canoe bump the rocks at shore.

This set up is good for June thru mid October.

Moccasins usually.

quote Naguethey: "Moccasins usually. "

What do you do when they get wet? I would think they would take forever to dry. No arch for my old tired feet.

I carry 3 pair, one that I travel and portage with. One for camp and one extra.

I usualy have a pair of tennis shoes or lightweight boots with me. But I'm much more comfortable in moccasins than shoes.

Have had orthotics for a long time so having a substantial shoe is important. Thought I'd be a hiking boot guy until last year when I tried some leather waterproof LaCrosse boots. The comfort and support they gave literally made portages more enjoyable. They didn't break the bank either since I picked them up on sale through Sportsman's Guide.

What - does nobody else here go barefoot?

quote HowardSprague: "What - does nobody else here go barefoot?"

Only when I'm back home in WV, but...that's only for the tourists ;).

How do you choose the best choose the best broker among the ones listed here?


https://knowallthe.com/best-fishing-shoes/

Pair that jungle boot with a PVC overboot (I use Tingley brand) and you can avoid wet footing 95% of the time. Size the jungle boot so you can wear thickish wool socks (smartwool/bridgedale/darn tough) and on the rare instance you do get your feet wet it wont matter.

I only pull on the overboots when I'm portaging in muck...they are a bit fatiguing to wear, but it's not like you're walking for miles at a time.

Crocs for wear around camp.

I use a pair of trail runners with a thin wool sock and just wet foot everything. I am a huge fan of crocs in camp and if we are just out fishing. All of our trips have been August or early September.

I have a trip planned for mid-May this year. i have a set of neoprene socks and a set of gore-tex socks that i was planning to wear with the trail runners but after reading through this may consider pickup a pair of the muck boots.

Unas10: "Old running shoes and merino wool socks."

Same for me

Chota Quetico and wool socks just like Beemer said for me

I’m gonna go against the grain, though I know there’s a few of us out there. I wear bean boots, treated with sno seal. I’ve over topped them a few times, but mostly I don’t.

I will agree Mister Krabs, last few trips have been with L.L.Bean boots!! I have over 15 trips and have tried everything,but the muck boots or similar style such as all rubber hunting boot. I have larger calves so getting boots high enough that will tie and completely keep water out has been a challenge. Best part with the Beans is the company will tailor to your specs at no additional cost. I believe the boots i purchased are 12" high at least, had hooks for the top two lacing points. This allows me through the week for some comfort, by only tying partially and when portaging , lots of in/out stay dry.

My wife has been on 3 trips with hers and if asked she will not stop talking about them.

My thoughts over the years. All leather is best, the lighter the better, less is more because if you do get the inside wet (and it will happen) the Beans dry faster than anything on the market.

Good luck!