I am thinking of new footwear. I was using waders of one type or another, but thinking of waterproof socks and some type of boot for portaging. May I get some input on this idea, please.

Best fishes ! Mike

The time of year (water temps) makes a big difference on footwear. We usually trip in early spring or fall so we wear calf high boots 10" or so. I wear Muck boots because of the quality, weight and comfort. The provide plenty of support on the portages and rarely do I find a place where I can't exit the canoe without getting my feet wet.

I'm a wool socks and quick dry boot kinda guy. I have a pair of Columbia boots that allow water to drain. Worn May through Oct. warmer months I wear lighter socks. I'm young yet and relatively dumb, or is it relatively young and dumb, I don't make it a point to get my feet wet but its not an issue if I need to. Dry socks and tener shoes when I get to camp and life is good.

chota trekkers and merino wool socks.

quote Miketheflyguy1: "I am thinking of new footwear. I was using waders of one type or another, but thinking of waterproof socks and some type of boot for portaging. May I get some input on this idea, please.

Best fishes ! Mike"

Keen Voyageur mid boots and Chota Neoprene Gaiters. Just remove the insole. The "squish" doesn't bother me and virtually blister-proof.

Neos Trekkers over hiking boots if the water's cold. Early June through whenever, some kinda Keene's or Teva's water shoes with good socks.

Also, the people who make dry ducks make a similar overshoe, I have a pair but I haven't really tried them out.

quote LuvMyBell: "The time of year (water temps) makes a big difference on footwear. We usually trip in early spring or fall so we wear calf high boots 10" or so. I wear Muck boots because of the quality, weight and comfort. The provide plenty of support on the portages and rarely do I find a place where I can't exit the canoe without getting my feet wet.


"

+ 1 on the Muck boots. I trip at ice-out and Muck boots fit the bill, They are light weight, warm, fit like beadroom slippers and, best of all, slip on and off very easily.

neo trekkers and asolo gortex hiking boots. these overshoes are tough and have taken abuse and keep my boots dry, when the portage is dry, off they come and into my front pack pocket. for 3 years now i have dry feet. no blisters.

I'm stuck on the old tried-and-true Bean Boots for anything but hot summer trips. I wet-foot it then with sturdy water shoes that drain. Bean Boots have worked for me for 30yr. I have several pair and prefer the 12 or 16 inch high ones for spring and fall. They give me ankle support for the portages but the bottoms are flexible enough to fit easily under the canoe seat. Sometimes after several days I get a little seepage inside, but good wool socks soak up the dampness and I don't get cold or uncomfortable. It sure beats cold wet feet.

quote kanoes: "chota trekkers and merino wool socks."

+1

For summer, I wet foot it in polyester liner socks w/ Merrell Moabs, they drain nice. Spring I bring my goretex Asolos and use Servus 18" overboots as needed, overboots are heavy but cheap and extremely durable.

quote kanoes: "chota trekkers and merino wool socks."

+1 (But I removed the "slippery" insoles though.)

quote HansSolo: "

quote kanoes: "chota trekkers and merino wool socks."

+1 (But I removed the "slippery" insoles though.)"

same here, just scored a pair of superfeet on ebay last night. i sure hope merganser was right. :)

quote kanoes: "

quote HansSolo: "

quote kanoes: "chota trekkers and merino wool socks."

+1 (But I removed the "slippery" insoles though.)"

same here, just scored a pair of superfeet on ebay last night. i sure hope merganser was right. :)"

eBay? :-)

quote bojibob: "

quote kanoes: "

quote HansSolo: "

quote kanoes: "chota trekkers and merino wool socks."

+1 (But I removed the "slippery" insoles though.)"

same here, just scored a pair of superfeet on ebay last night. i sure hope merganser was right. :)"

eBay? :-)"

taking up your slack.

Muck Boots for cooler weather are the best, waterproof socks with a comfortable light walking boot in summer.

I used Jungle boots from Fleet Farm and Seal Skinz neoprene socks on my trip last year. The socks worked great even when completely submerged my feet/wool socks would stay dry. However, by the end of the trip - 6 days of traveling - the taking them on and off at the end of the day seemed to put a lot of wear on the inner seal. I would expect that after one more trip they would no longer keep my feet dry if completely submerged. Not sure on that yet. The jungle boots drained well and got great traction too on wet rocks and roots. Hope this helps.

Another fan of Muck Boots for the cooler season. Rugged, comfy, and versitile.

Chota Quetico Trekkers with Chota hippies,
Used the combo on my last trip and loved them

When the water/weather is cold, Chota Trekkers with neoprene foot knee-highs and smartwool socks; when its warm I go wet with Salomon Techamphibians with either wool or neoprene socks, then dry socks in camp.

No doubt I'm one of the few that use neoprene socks w/ Teva sandals. Just personal preference. Boots are too uncomfortable for me, and the sandals double for swimming and hanging around camp (w/o the socks of course)

I've tried boots in the past, and always end up w/ blisters, or wet feet anyway. Many come in only even sizes...so if you are a 9.5...you are starting out w/ ill fitting boots.

Just my preference....