Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: cold-weather wet foot strategies
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Northwoodsman |
Blatz: "mutz: "Mucks, warm dry feet in cold weather can make the whole trip more enjoyable. " +1 |
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Minnesotian |
Northwoodsman: "Blatz: "mutz: "Mucks, warm dry feet in cold weather can make the whole trip more enjoyable. " +2 Been tripping with Muck Boots now for about 5 years and I will never go back to wet footing it. |
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IndyCanoe |
My son used a pair of the sealskin waterproof socks with his trail runners and he liked that method as he didn't want to wear the heavy boots. |
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firemedic5586 |
Wally13: "Butthead ... I have been in sales for 40 years and ROI (Return on Investment) is my mantra. I'm not in sales and am not up on those "Fancy" Philadelphia Lawyer words. ;-) However I did stay at a holiday in once. I've always said: "One gets what One pays for,... When you buy cheap and it breaks leaving you with your butt hanging out in the wind you end up buying what you should have in the first place. Buy once Cry once... I just happen to be in the market for foot ware that are being discussed in this thread.. |
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Savage Voyageur |
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KevinBFanning |
If you think that doesn’t give you high enough protection, an irrigation/hip boot would work too - lacrosse makes a pair that I would recommend. |
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unshavenman |
That provides neoprene dryness up to the top of the calf. If you plan on going deeper you can go with the Chota Hippies. |
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cyclones30 |
Othello: "I love my Chota Hippies for shoulder season trips." These, in some OTB boots |
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CRL |
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ducks |
Minnesotian: "Northwoodsman: "Blatz: "mutz: "Mucks, warm dry feet in cold weather can make the whole trip more enjoyable. " +3. Been using Mucks for 10 years on May and Oct trips. |
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mschi772 |
Both Muck and Xtratuf quality is not what it used to be, and I blame Honeywell's ownership. |
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HowardSprague |
Then I put on something like Chota Brookies (not made any longer, I believe) or Chotas Caney Fork - various sizes, mine go to just below the knee. Then I put on a pair of wading boots - water can go in and out. Mine are from Cabelas and they sell something different now, I think they’re called Gold Medal Waders or something. But there are plenty of alternatives out there, many being better. (Get a nicely-treaded sole you can hike in. ) But that’s what keeps my feet from freezing. |
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HowardSprague |
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boonie |
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Wally13 |
Your boot purchases have a high initial cost but your payback in quality and length of service speaks for itself. U da man ! |
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walllee |
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tomo |
I'm planning a late September trip and am seeking advice from the collective brain trust about how to keep my feet from freezing. I've always wet-footed before, and have a pair of neoprene socks that I've worn in the past, but last year when I did a solo trip my feet froze. I ended up being rough on my canoe because I was trying hard not to get my feet wet. Any tried and true suggestions? Thanks. |
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mutz |
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x2jmorris |
I wet foot the portage with sandals and then when I am settled in the canoe and off I switch into the socks and boots until the next portage. |
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marsonite |
martian: "Those Neos overboots look to me like a great option. What about something like this: That's my solution. Love my Tingleys. You can pack em if it's hot and you want to wet foot, turn them inside out and dry out the insides if you go over the top, and patch them if you need to. My daughter claims they are butt ugly but what would she know? |
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sdebol |
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overthehill |
SOCKS are KEY to me too. A pair or two of course WOOL boot socks, knee h=high Liners , and heavy cushioned Smartwool Hunters , and/or a good 70% Merino wool sock. (mine are Darn Tough Vermonts ,Rocky Ultimate Wool)...most anything 70% or better. I have also considered a tall waterproof snake boot; but not tried yet. I have yet to be content with just one pair per trip and ALWAYS take EXTRA WOOL SOCKS. I usually basecamp-or-two. oth |
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mjmkjun |
KevinBFanning: "I use a $30 pair of Servus rubber boots (not over boots) from farm and fleet and I like them more than my muck boots. They’re maybe 14”-15” tall. They serve me well on October trips, you can double up socks if needed on colder days, and if they do get wet they dry out fairly quickly by the fire. I also have a pair of white ones and they are great. Best barn boot with no struggling to get on and off. Comfy to wear while mending fences all day yet easily kicked off in the case of an accidental flip in deeper water. I normally wear a 10.5 in most shoes/boots but I have a size 9 in the Servus 15" white rubber boots. I have them for summer wear so not sized for thicker socks. edited to add: Servus white boots |
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billconner |
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hairtux |
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TipsyPaddler |
Othello: "I love my Chota Hippies for shoulder season trips." +1 paired with Chota Hybrid Hikers |
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Shimbo |
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overthehill |
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butthead |
Many scoff at the cost but they have paid off well over years of use. butthead |
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Tomcat |
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Othello |
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Blatz |
mutz: "Mucks, warm dry feet in cold weather can make the whole trip more enjoyable. " Yup Mucks Wetlands are what I used durning an October trip. My feet stayed dry and comfortable even on a mile long portage |
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martian |
https://www.tingleyrubber.com/collections/over-the-shoe/products/workbrutes-g2-17-inch-work-boot I'm still trying to sort out this part of the game. Dry footing it until now. |
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bwcasolo |
Here's what i do and i have been doing it for years, and i trip spring and fall. i am on my second pair of these, my first pair lasted ten years. i wear gortex, 8 inch hiking boots, then slip these over the hiking boots for getting in and out of the canoe. i slip them off when i portage, and carry them with my spare pack, i double portage. they are handy to have if i am paddling them in the rain( keeps my boots dry), or at camp. they offer great traction, as i have portaged with them, but try not to. i just picked up a new pair in ely at the surplus for $100.00, good for another 10 years of dry boots, and great ankle support carrying my packs and canoe. |
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mjmkjun |
hairtux: "I did a late September trip that was filled with rain, wind, and some snow one afternoon, and though I tried to tough it out with sandals and thick wool socks, it sucked and I was suffering the whole time. After a ton of searching, I settled on NRS Boundary Shoes (https://www.nrs.com/product/2308/nrs-boundary-shoes-closeout) for my next trip. Looks like they are going away now (?), maybe, but I loved those things. Also wore wool socks and they kept my feet warm and dry the whole trip. Also kept them on for the entire Grand Portage because it was muddy as shit. Good traction, decent sole. Totally happy with that purchase." Agree. Very comfortable treking with those. Must size up, tho. I wear a 10.5 and had to size up to a 12 on NRS Boundary Boots. |
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Shimbo |
boonie: "How much did you size up, Shimbo?" I normally wear a 12 boot, and I got 13 Fits well considering I'm wearing bulky socks with it. Wife wears a women's 9 and I got her a 9. (They don't have women's sizes) |
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FirstTimer2019 |
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