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Author	Message Text
KarlBAndersen1	06/29/2020 11:22AM   I've made four trips now with the new Chota Hybrids and could not be happier. Save the Keens for camp shoes. (I wear the Arroyo IIs.)
Blatz	06/08/2020 09:50AM   MagicPaddler: "I have been using Keen Voyager for years and they have performed well. They have the mesh panels in the sides to drain. Shoe Review " These are the best boots for wet footing. Pair with some light weight Smartwool sock then you've got it made in the shade
Knuckles624	11/09/2020 07:18AM   Hello again everyone! Thanks for all of the replies and feedback! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back on here. As of now, I've narrowed my next selection down to a few options. Here's what I'm debating: 1. Chaco Torrent Pro https://tinyurl.com/y6y4ps3l 2. NRS Boundary Boot https://tinyurl.com/y67gb2jr 3. NRS Workboot https://tinyurl.com/yy9xmoq6 4. Vibram Fivefingers KSO EVO https://tinyurl.com/yxqlk29a NRS has some really solid reviews, and they appear to be sturdy. I would say that price is not a genuine factor in the decision. I put the Fivefingers on here because I've just been wanting a pair, but I understand these may be better as camp shoes. If anyone has experience with NRS, I would love to hear it! Thanks!
moose	11/09/2020 07:55AM   NRS has some really solid reviews, and they appear to be sturdy..... In preparation for my 1st BWCA trip 3 yrs ago I purchased the NRS workboot, size 15. My foot size puts me 3 sigma and beyond on the foot size bell curve and consequently my shoe choice options are limited. Big and Tall clothing options are a similar problem for me as well. Anyway, NRS has an excellent selection of shoe sizes and I purchased the NRS workboot. After receiving and trying them on I became concerned that the integrated neoprene wet-sock was a sure failure point. I have hi arches which made getting my foot in and out of the neoprene sock difficult ( my nickname "moose" is for a good reason). I then decided to purchase a pair of KEEN Voyageur boots which I've been using for the past three years. I've kept the NRS boots, maybe I'll use them someday, but my experience with the neoprene WETSOX that I use with the KEEN boots has convinced me that my original concern with the difficulty of getting wet-socks on and off is not only justified but additionally the integral NRS neoprene sock would probably wear out sooner than the NRS boot exterior. The only issue I've had with the KEEN boot was a rock slip I had on portage 477 coming down from Cattyman Lake to Gibson on a very slimy rock face at Gibson Lake.
greywolf33	06/26/2020 10:38AM   Sorry that I am slow to get back to this thread. I did receive the Chaco Torrent Pro's. They don't have the traditional footbed that we are familiar with from Chaco. They have a quick drain/quick dry footbed with pretty good arch support. I have worn these for a few hours now and they feel good on my feet. I think if you require a little more cushion, adding a synthetic insole (jell or some other quick dry material) is an option, but I am happy with the fit of these and will put them thru their paces at E.P. 14 in early August.
PatrickE	07/02/2020 08:49AM   I’ve liked the Chaco Torrents. Agree with previous post that there’s not a lot of sole cushion. Going to put them through the paces next week. Been looking forward to this trip for a year!
TomT	06/07/2020 08:17AM   I like the Newports but only for casual use as I would get pebbles and sand under my socks. I switched to these over 10 years ago because of the smaller mesh openings and they work great. Salomon Tech Amphibian **After posting this I noticed the same shoe in black is quite a bit cheaper. Salomon Tech Amphibian cheaper version
BWPaddler	06/11/2020 09:36PM   greywolf33: "My son and I are going to give these a try on our upcoming trip: Chaco Torrent Pro Men's water shoes "Co-developed with professional whitewater athletes, this cross-trainer gives you serious grip for slick surfaces, closed-toe protection, and quick drainage. For water and land, back and forth, over and over." I just paid $71 per pair buying directly from the manufacturer. I will post a review after I put them thru their paces during our August trip." Oooooh! Do these have the regular Chaco footbed with great arch support? If so, I gotta find some.
mirth	06/12/2020 05:08PM   I've given up on Newports a few years ago after several pairs failed in similar fashions. Their Rialto sandals are decent, better than Newports but for me my ultimate tripping sandal is more like the old Teva Dozer 2's. Nice, aggressive outsole, positive velcro closures in the back and across the top. Nothing worse than having a wet sandal rotate around your foot when you're carrying a load.
greywolf33	06/12/2020 06:38PM   BWPaddler: "greywolf33: "My son and I are going to give these a try on our upcoming trip: Chaco Torrent Pro Men's water shoes "Co-developed with professional whitewater athletes, this cross-trainer gives you serious grip for slick surfaces, closed-toe protection, and quick drainage. For water and land, back and forth, over and over." I just paid $71 per pair buying directly from the manufacturer. I will post a review after I put them thru their paces during our August trip." Oooooh! Do these have the regular Chaco footbed with great arch support? If so, I gotta find some." Due to receive them on Monday. I’ll let you know!
PatrickE	06/12/2020 08:25PM   Took the plunge and ordered a pair too. Put in the code CHACO27OFF for some additional off.
BWPaddler	06/08/2020 03:17PM   Where did it fail? Mine are failing, but not 100% yet - at the joint by an ankle. They are my go to shoes for tripping (but not in camp). This year, I added a pair that are the newport H2 plus lining, so there are no openings for rocks... sadly, I ordered the wrong size and got a blister first trip this year. Back to the H2s and will try to sew the leather back to the nylon liner by hand I guess.
MagicPaddler	06/07/2020 05:00AM   I have been using Keen Voyager for years and they have performed well. They have the mesh panels in the sides to drain. Shoe Review
greywolf33	06/09/2020 09:40AM   My son and I are going to give these a try on our upcoming trip: Chaco Torrent Pro Men's water shoes "Co-developed with professional whitewater athletes, this cross-trainer gives you serious grip for slick surfaces, closed-toe protection, and quick drainage. For water and land, back and forth, over and over." I just paid $71 per pair buying directly from the manufacturer. I will post a review after I put them thru their paces during our August trip.
QuietSolo	06/09/2020 07:03PM   I hear you! Mine did the same. Duct taped the heck out of 'em to get out of woods and threw them in trash as soon as I could. Just purchased another pair, because others did take 3 years of abuse, but they are not made as beefy as they used to be. But what is these days.
HowardSprague	06/30/2020 09:16PM   I am on my third pair of Keen Newport sandals and I like them but don't trip in them except for wearing them in camp. I just got a pair of Merrell Choprock shoes - water shoes with a really good, grippy sole. I intend to combine them with just a pair of wool/similar socks and use them for tripping next time I get up there (unless it's cold weather time, in which case it's the Caney things with wading boots.).
andym	06/07/2020 02:10PM   I wear Chota Quetico Trekkers and carry a pair of Keen Newport H2 sandals for swimming and day trips. I could use a lighter pair of shoes for swimming and day trip in the Trekkers but I like having two pairs of shoes that I’m willing to use to portage. Overall, I’ve been happy with Keens but it is always possible for a lemon to get through.
Knuckles624	06/07/2020 12:40AM   Well, I'm not sure if I received a lemon, but my KEEN Newports failed on me big time on my last trip. Nothing worse than gear failures in the bush. Any recommendations for a water shoe similar in style but built to last? Looking for closed toe, good grip, and comfortable to hike in. I typically combo with wool or neo socks when portaging
unshavenman	06/07/2020 09:55AM   I agree that you may have gotten a bum pair. I've always brought Keen H2 Newport sandals on my trips because they are tough and have never failed me, but like TomT it's what I put on when I get to camp. When traveling I wear Chota Caney Fork boots with Caney Fork Knee-High Socks and a base layer of wool liner socks.
AmarilloJim	06/29/2020 08:02AM   I like my Astral TR-1's