Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Quick-drying footwear (wet foot options)
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Twenty9inarow |
I have chosen to wet foot during our portaging and paddling and believe during our time frame (early June) it is the best way to go, just for the fact that our feet and legs will get wet. Currently, I have been using Teva strapped sandals. They are effective and work great, but they are getting old and beat up. Now I am in need of a new pair. Something that dries quickly, easy to put on/off, and covers my toes. I have been eyeing up Keen Sandals, but which dry quicker, the leather or fabric? |
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tomo |
Bjfinnegan: "Just went through a few weeks ago and ironically four of us all had different styles of Astrals. I can't say if they are faster drying materials in any way, but they do have extra drain holes and dried well if you have a good sunny day to leave them out. I had no issues with just smartwool light hiking socks. I can report on the Astral Hiyak Astral Hiyak I'm especially jazzed about these for river tripping. I love the padding on the ankle, they are super comfortable. Be forewarned that they are minimalist and the soles are thin/bendy. You will feel every root and rock. They are grippy on rocks, even wet rocks. I really liked them, but no doubt they aren't everyones cup of tea. Having said that, they fared great for me in the BWCA, even on the Angleworm portage. |
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ntphinne |
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A1t2o |
The boots did take a full rest day to dry out. When I put them on the morning after a travel day, they were just as wet as when I took them off, but I blame the low dew point for that one. My buddy wore keen shoes, not draining. He was very interested in my boots after seeing me pass him on the trail, as he tried to go around a big puddle. He eventually gave up on keeping his feet dry and would have appreciated something that could drain. He also liked the mid height ankle support idea since he has had issues in the past with twisting an ankle. |
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JohnGalt |
Kermit: "The only trouble with keens is the large gaps let all kinds of debris in" 100% this. If this debris collecting power could be used to collect carbon the cows would be able to fart as much as they please! I also encountered slippage with these sandals. I used to wear socks with my columbia sandals though that wasn't feasible with the Keens due to slippage (they'd sometimes slip even sans socks). They grip the surface well though if one's foot slips in the shoe it is no bueno - I thought I broke my foot going from Knife to Vera from this slippage. |
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Bjfinnegan |
Here's my thoughts on 4 different styles: Astral Loyaks - I used these and while they were fine, the sole is a little thin for walking over the rocky portages. Great traction on wet or underwater surfaces, but the rubber seems soft and may wear out sooner than others. Somewhat meant to be work barefoot, so the fit is snug with a wider toebox. I dropped down to a smartwool light hiking sock and the fit was still fine in my normal size. Astral TR-1 Merge - SummerSkin probably nailed it here with being the #1 or #2 choice of the 4. May just be the slower drying but seemed a little warmer if you're feet are wet in windy or cold conditions. Most expensive. Astral TR1-Mesh - These are also a #1 or #2 choice. More aggressive sole and traction that was better over terrain than the Loyaks. Only complaint seemed to be the mesh was more prone to cold in windy conditions with cold feet. Astral Rassler - These seemed to work good with now major pros or negatives to report. Seemed more of a casual shoe style wise. |
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Kermit |
The Chotas are a fairly popular option with both high top and low top versions. I have friends who trip in those and love them. I've been on the hunt for the perfect portaging shoe for awhile now (I'm convinced it doesn't exist, so if anyone wants to start a company with me, let's do it). I was looking for something very lightweight, with excellent drainage, a wide toe box, and quick drying. I settled on the Altra Escalante Racers and so far I'm loving them. Heading up for a seven day loop in a few weeks to really test them out. Don't be afraid to look at shoes that aren't billed as water shoes per se. |
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Tomcat |
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OldGuide2 |
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unshavenman |
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SummerSkin |
I love the Astral TR1 Merge M's for wet-footing. Great protection and support on the portage trail as well |
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dogwoodgirl |
SummerSkin: "Neoprene socks are money...you can get cheap options that work great on Amazon. Got mine on Amazon for I think $10 three years ago. Not so much money is it? When I step in mud halfway up my shins, I want the aforementioned mud to stay on the outside of my shoes while portaging! |
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yellowhorse |
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mirth |
I'm going to Northern Tier with the Scouts next summer, and they require boots. So I ordered some non waterproof Merrel MOABs on clearance @ REI and will be trying them out in September. |
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HowardSprague |
yellowhorse: "I'll second the neoprene socks over top of wool socks. Feet and socks stay dry as long as you don't go over the neoprene." You talkin’ knee-high neoprenes then? :) I got the Astral Rasslers for my trip last summer and was extremely happy with them. Quick-drying and light on the feet, which felt good during hot weather. |
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timatkn |
I currently use Salomon tech amphibian…I am sure there are lots of similar options. The most important thing in my option is how well does the tread perform on wet surfaces. Tech amphibian |
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rick00001967 |
i would prefer a mid to high ankle hiking boot that is as light as possible and dries reasonably well (if that exists). something like the keen voyageur or merrell moab suggested somewhere above seem much more appropriate for use on the trail imho. |
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MacCamper |
Last season I went with the Merrill Moab Tactical for a long peak weekend into the BWCA and FOUND my new warm water wet boot for use with a pair of wool socks. They are as light as a feather, comfortable and dry out quickly. I am all in on the Merrill and look forward to giving them a two week Quetico workout in a few weeks. Considering socks, I have never been satisfied with waterproof (!?) sealskins and always satisfied with RandySuns. Almost half the price too. |
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Blatz |
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HENK |
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foxfireniner |
I used to use Tevas but I like the Keens better. My feet would sometimes try to slide out the front of Tevas. The tradeoff is that Tevas are easier to clean muck out of and the Keens will haul more water into the canoe with you. Keens are great for wet-footing and are solid for portaging, dirtier but worth it though, IMO. Oh, and the toe cap is nice for rocky launches. |
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Blatz |
mirth: "I've never been happy with Keen sandals, except for the Rialto sandals they had a few years ago which had a removeable velcro'ed insole. Tevas at least stayed put on my feet better... Keen's bungee laces never stay tight enough and a few times I've had the sandal actually roll around my foot.Yup tried the Newports a couple of times 1) Too much crap gets stuck inside them while walking the portage. 2) Your foot slips in them way too much especially going down hill. |
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Goldenbadger |
portagedog09: "The Astral TR1 Merge was discontinued this season. You might get lucky and find some old stock somewhere. My son went to get a pair early this year and was told by their rep that they were being discontinued. Hopefully it's just a between update models absence as those are really good shoes. There is no current equivalent on their website. That's a huge bummer! I absolutely love mine. I only wear them when I'm canoeing, so hopefully they'll last a long time. Best wet foot shoes hands down, IMO. |
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mmrocker13 |
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mirth |
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rick00001967 |
mmrocker13: "I've been using Keen Newport H2s for many many years and love them. Definitely get the fabric version." i can see using these to get in and out of the canoe in the water, or around camp, but you don't use them on rough trails while carrying gear do you? |
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schweady |
rick00001967: "mmrocker13: "I've been using Keen Newport H2s for many many years and love them. Definitely get the fabric version." Yes, I do. Much to the consternation of those who insist that I will turn an ankle. I've never felt that I was inviting danger. Sure, it may happen someday, just like a lot of things that may happen someday. |
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timf1981 |
Kermit: "If going with the Keens, definitely the fabric over the leather. With the fabric you can take them off at camp and leave them in the sun and they're dry the next morning. Not so with the leather. The only trouble with keens is the large gaps let all kinds of debris in and give an opening for the biting flies to still get at your feet. Croc makes a boot. But it is a fashion statement. The Sole is about 2 inches thick. They also make a "hiker" version. I have seen some very interesting 3d printed shoes with some instructions On how to fit them. But haven't had time to do more research |
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deerfoot |
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MarshallPrime |
I LOVE THEM. I will buy a new pair soon before they stop making them. |
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dogwoodgirl |
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StLouisPaddler |
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SummerSkin |
dogwoodgirl: "SummerSkin: "Neoprene socks are money...you can get cheap options that work great on Amazon. Ha! I meant "money" as in they do the job well, but yes, they're usually very inexpensive -- worth every cent and more. |
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HappyHuskies |
I should mention that these are a shoe and not a sandal. The fabric is a quick drying nylon. |
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mschi772 |
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YetiJedi |
Kermit: "I settled on the Altra Escalante Racers and so far I'm loving them. Heading up for a seven day loop in a few weeks to really test them out. Don't be afraid to look at shoes that aren't billed as water shoes per se. +1...especially for the wide toe box. I also like the sealskinz waterproof socks for cold weather and/or anti bugs. |
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EddyTurn |
SummerSkin: "I love the Astral TR1 Merge M's for wet-footing. Great protection and support on the portage trail as well " Ditto that! I tried more different shoes for wet footing than I care to remember and the Merge wins hands down. They are among the lightest ankle-high shoes (1.7lbs for size 11), offer very good protection, terrific drainage and don't absorb water (as opposed to many other hiking shoes). I find them very comfortable, but YMMV. |
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schweady |
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LaVirginienne |
Twenty9inarow: "Morning BWCA friends, Astral Brewer and Brewess. They rock. |
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rick00001967 |
schweady: "rick00001967: "mmrocker13: "I've been using Keen Newport H2s for many many years and love them. Definitely get the fabric version." not meant as a critisism. i am just surprised how many people seem to wear wet sandals on rough trails. i would not be comfortable walking an easy, flat, walking trail near home let alone on a rocky, wet, grown over, root covered trail with 60 lbs on my back when i am alone and miles from anything. i agree anything can happen anywhere at anytime but managing risks should help reduce the likelyhood of a problem. the upside of moving as quickly as possible in / out of the canoe and on / off the trail does not seem to be worth the possible downside. but thats just my opinion. |
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schweady |
rick00001967: "not meant as a critisism..." None taken. Twice, I've toweled off my feet and changed into dry socks and hiking boots at a landing. Both were on day trips - one at the Canoe to Pine portage and on to Johnson Falls and another at Stairway Portage at the start of a hike to the west to the Rose Lake Cliffs on the BRT. Both times, it was knowing that it would be a good-sized stretch to cover, and knowing that it would involve some challenging footing. The time it took to change out of my Keens and wet wool socks was not something I'd consider even on a longer portage in the midst of a multi-lake travel day. My Keens have excellent treads and grip well. Those exposed ankles, however... :-) |
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Freeleo1 |
I can't wear sandals even at home. The number of injuries I've had and seen friends have wearing sandals has me too paranoid. |
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portagedog09 |
pd |