Everyone had boots to wear daily as well as a pair of sandals for trudging around camp. Exciting stories. Follow the "Live Social Media" Feed from I had a pair of goretex lined and insulated bean boots in the past and they were great until I went in over the tops, they never did dry out and felt like 5 pound weights on my feet the rest of the trip. Canoe/Portage shoes These are the main shoes I wear when canoeing and portaging. Consider our suggestions, but then make your own call. Forgot your password? They can wear them during the day. They don't have a lot of support but luckily I have strong ankles so have never needed ankle support. Of the gear that I brought, here are three items that stood out on that trip, and especially on those days the rain socked us in: This one was a surprise for me. All around breathability system for your feet. Don't have an account yet? The Hereford Zone along the Mason-Dixon Line, La Verendrye- fulfilling a boyhood dream. Let me know what you think. Each of those features was used on the Boundary Waters trip. I glued them back together and they are the backups now. When I looked at my most lightweight tent and thought about how much gear wed be portaging (several times a day) a hammock started looking like a good solution. Good traction on underwater rocks, protective and very easy to clean mud off the bottoms. 02/27/2018 03:45PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years), http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=1037329&forumID=15&confID=1, Wow-no more wood stairway portage into Rose, We Eat Miles for Breakfast, a Kruger Challenge Story, YouTube Slideshow of Trip to Perent Lake with my Grandson. When I wetfoot, I wear a pair of wool socks and I take a dry pair of socks and shoes for camp. I generally sleep in a tent, and had never owned a hammock in my life. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Login/Register access is temporary disabled, 2019 Canoeing.com Ltd. All rights reserved. Wetfooting avoids a lot of tip-toeing around at portage landings and on portages. As an update to that blog is I have now converted completely to Chacos, Mike is still a Teva fan. We spent an over-anticipated amount of time in and around camp waiting for driving wind and steady rain to allow us to get back out on the water. * For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed. Pretty quick easy on/off for nighttime pee breaks and dry during evening rains and morning dew. The ankle high boots are more secure on my foot than a shoe/sandal, especially in boot-sucking mud. I'm a lover of Astral footwear (love them all, so I won't specify) for both wetfooting, and just wearing around town for no particularly outdoorsy reason. I have never wore them and I cant imagine ever wearing them. They are no longer made but you can still find new ones on eBay l. I use Keen Voyagers with wool socks while paddling and portaging. Do we need canoe footwear for our trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness?. The Ultimate Guide to Canoeing Where to Go and What to Buy, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), Woodland Caribou Provincial Park Message Board. Try it, works great. Gear Guide Tips: What shoes should you wear canoeing? (Make sure the sandals are not open-toed or open-heeled.) Moccasins work well, too. visitors a day during peak season. Make more of everyday. The closed toe protects me from kicking roots and rocks while walking around camp. How to pick the right canoe outfitter for a canoe trip, High Adventure Canoe Trips for Boy Scout Troops, Youth Group Canoe Trip Important Information, St. Three days (two of them rain-drenched) later, the boots were all I had worn. They provide good foot/ankle support/protection, they dry out fairly quickly when you go in over the tops which I manage to do a couple of times per trip, pretty good traction on wet portages and rocks, and the sole is flexible enough that I am not worried about foot entrapment if I am kneeling in my canoe. In summer its no big deal to step out into calf deep water, but in spring and fall it can be really miserable with the cold water. Paired with either some Wigwam wool blend or Darn Tough socks and I am good to go. Some people prefer to wear a pair of sandals or running shoes with a pair of wool socks. I have found, especially if the water is a little cooler that children do not like cold wet feet. Letting everyone at home know that all was well despite the weather reports they were seeing could only have been done with the InReach. For additional relevant details, I can review the. Headed to the Boundary Waters? You will need some type of boot or shoe that can get wet and will support your feet and ankles on portages. OTB Abyss boots with neoprene socks if the portages are rough and need the ankle support. We had told the group not to do it she did it on the very first portage and that was the end of the trip for everyone. You will be getting in and out of your canoe while still on the lake, You will then needto carry your gear across the BWCA portage to load your canoe while in the next lake. The trip ended up being logged as one of the best trips Ive ever been on. GORE-TEX brand, marketing, product and training information for customers and retailers. I think Cheaseandbeans mentioned the NRS boundary water bootsI know several guys that like those, I have not tried them yet, my only concern with them is how much protection/support the sole has.maybe C&B can speak to that? In the Glades I do. A pair of rubber knee-high ankle boots will work just fine. The shoe spectrum has been pretty well covered so fara lot of good advice..maybe it was already mentioned and I missed it, but another variable is the route/trip you will be taking. On a seven day trip, with daily use, it felt like the Chotas never really dried out that much overnight. When we got to our outfitter in Ely, they recommended bringing a set of rubber boots for when we hit the deep mud. That was when I started to worry if I was going to be able to keep my boots and socks and feet somewhat dry and available for comfortable use for five or more days in a row. These are my favorites: I still use my 10" high LL Bean Maine shoes, with the vibram soles (which they don't do anymore). Hope this helps. Most rugged. I use old ankle high hikers and drill a few holes around the bottom. Has anyone ever tried drilling drain ports in the bottom of their hiking boots? What is good on the portage trails, but also works well getting wet, yet dries somewhat quickly? I've had merrel, they glue their shoes together and you'll know exactly where that glue joint is once it fails in 6 months. Some first-timers try to be dry-footers. Copyright 2020 www.bwca.com | Legal Notice | DMCA, Help keep the flying moose flying by supporting BWCA.com Since then, finding the perfect footwear has been an ongoingmission. For some reason the Scouts really think this is a good idea, though they are too heavy for me. they are on my list to look into a little more. The verdict is still out. Are you traveling a lot of distance each day through less traveled areas or base camping with shorter day trips? I once did the mile long Crab Lake portage in them(normally easy)but did not have the added padding; my feet felt like hamburger the next day. Ecology matters. Last year I picked up some Keen Voyagers, and while I like the fit and traction, on one of the boots the sole is already coming apart. Expert paddler and guide Rob Kesselring recommends which shoes and boots are best for canoeing, portaging and paddling. Website by Altitude Marketing and Design. If they do become your choice, be sure to get American made boots; the imported knock-offs rarely go the distance on a canoe trip. 5 10 water tennies with Chota hippies the water tennies grip on wet rocks is second to none in my opinion. That underwater granite can be very sharp, plus you never know if someone lost a lure where you are swimming. I also love my Chaco's in warm weather. The wind was strong and the rain was hard. As we set up camp on night one I quickly began questioning my decision. I go to great pains to keep these dry. When Should I Visit Ely, Minnesota and the BWCA? They are also pretty good on the portages for stability. I found I hate heavy wet boots that dont drain, and get heavier holding water. Good ankle support and great grip as well. I always bring warm socks and a pair of tennis shoes to wear around camp too! Another good question we hear a lot is What should we bring for our feet? Baffins can be purchased at Prigas. I always wet foot, so waterproof boots really make no sense for me. GORE-TEX, GTX, SURROUND, C-KNIT, PACLITE, OPTIFADE, CHEMPAK, CROSSTECH, PYRAD, PARALLON, GORE-SEAM, GORE WINDSTOPPER, GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY, and GORE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. I have worn keens, tevas, astrals, and chaco's nothing lasts me more than one season except my chaco's. I really would like these. Luckily, Ive never had to use it in an emergency situation. She has been very active in the Scouting program, most recently as a Den Leader and Cubmaster. Which show is right? Leather gets heavy but the synthetics work well, just make sure the shoe is not built around cardboard. Canoeing shoes will get wet. This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 I have tried about everything..what works best for me right now is a pair of LL Bean "Maine Hunting boots" (Unlined/uninsulated). I might supplement the ankle support a bit with some nylon ankle braces. I bought Chota Caneyforks 7 or 8 years ago and never looked back. North Country Canoe Outfitters: Outfitting Canoe Trips into the Minnesota Boundary Waters and Canada's Quetico Wilderness since 1984. Another popular option are "Chota" breathable hip waders and wading shoes. I've told this story here before, so I'll just give the cliff's notes version: I've settled on Abyss Boots for travel days with portaging heavy loads and Salomon Tech amphibians for just out fishing or taking day trips and light portages. They should be light enough to swim in if you somehow capsize the canoe. These are just our ownrecommendations, and our reasons why we feel that way. Trusted comfort and protection. I ended up purchasing a ProFly (rainfly) to use with an ENO hammock I got as a gift but had never used. They're good for wet foot portaging, as they work well both in the water and on mucky ground, and they're pretty good on slippery rocks. I have a pair of NRS boundary shoes which I love. For wetfooting I have an old pair of OTB Abyss boots. The grip and support are good, but they seem to remain squishy and boggy for a long time. Trust us, your back and knees will thank you later! Offer valid while supplies last! Read on. Not only the boot, but the fit is critical. Cloud Times: Heres what you should ask a Boundary Waters outfitter. Then there was the issue of retrieving them from boot-sucking mud. These full-sized leather combat boots areway down the listof recommended footware.) Shoes are the one thing no one agrees on. The way that the rainfly marries up with the hammock kept out any rain or moisture. Best shoes is a very individual issue. This year I will be trying some Rocky S2V boots. Curious what everybody prefers for their shoes of choice for canoeing and portaging. That ended up being a good thingthe weather wasnt quite as accommodating as it could have been. Hope they rule. Tennies for camp. After setting the hammock up and getting my sleeping bag inside it there was still daylight and dinner before seeing if it really would be dry, never mind comfortable. Not really sure what I will wear this summer. Ive never had a problem with weak ankles, so I prefer to go with a lower cut. Sandals expose the toes too much for our rocky, striated portages. I like a waterproof shoe around camp and have an ankle high pair that have rubber half way up. I use OTB Abyss boots. Just ordered terrafins. Some people are completely against portaging in sandals and it is true you can get cuts and scrapes on your feet but Id rather have that then wet feet. Your feet will get wet when you enter/exit the canoe each time. Liner socks help me tremendously with any moisture issues. As for actual footware, these can range from an old pair of sneakers (which I personally prefer), high tech water shoes, or boots. A buddy of mine has used them for several years now, however, I have noticed that at the end of the day he is just as wet from sweat as I am from wet footing it. Most everyone who has paddled and camped in the Boundary Waters has an opinion about the best footwear for a canoe trip. Some of our customers have used 6 high leather work boots, high top sneakers, and hiking boots. The best footwear for portaging in the BWCA. I only trip in early spring or late fall though when the water is cold. I use the running shoes theyre wet already and one less thing to carry. Yellowcanoe also mentioned trail runner style shoes..they are becoming more popular with the BW crowds, I may have to give them a try one day. That timewhile the least taxing physicallycould have been the worst of the trip. They are cross between closed toe sandal, tennis shoe and draining hiking boot. I always wet foot it in "Canoe Country". The latest on GORE-TEX products, events, and experiences. I have some lightweight sneakers in camp that I try and keep dry. A lightweight pair of hiking boots, sport sandals, or sneakers. Copyright 2022 W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH. Keen Voyagers boots. Best? Keeping your feet healthy is the important thing. Make sure you're prepared to portage with these tried and true tips. I learned the wide foot box was contributing to flat feet, just one more issue about getting older. Even in the early spring or late fall Id rather have wet feet than wet socks and boots. Baffins shoes are fantastic. Additions to Our Canoe Outfitting Packages, The Chicago Tribune The Trip North: Doing it the right way. And, as a first-time hammock-sleeper, I got a big surprise: it was far more comfortable than any night I had spent in a tent. Ive heard of folks using Jungle Boots. Those with wool on top is what works for me if it's chilly. Charlene was born in Coalville, UT and grew up in Morgan, UT. Second vote for Astral shoes when wetfooting. Shoes, boots or sandals? I wear them every day. Advanced technical fabrics solutions for increased protection and comfort in work-related applications. It gets quite a bit of use. The Voyageurs are not waterproof, and they drain relatively well. Use offer code RAPIDSHIP20 in cart. What suggestions does anybody have that might make my next trip even more comfortable when it comes to my feet? Recommendations about boots of shoes for canoeing will get you Kims 1600+ personal opinions. Have worn them previously tripped and the canoe landed on top of me. I wear them all day with a pair of merino wool socks, and change into dry sandals at camp. Muck will not pull them off. I put superfeet insoles in them and they work well on portages too. I'm on my 3rd pair over 6 years. She graduated from Utah State University in Logan with a degree in Early Childhood Education. This trip, while carrying the least amount of gear and having the most challenging of conditions comparatively, ended up being the most comfortable of them all. I have to admit I like the look of my new Chacos as well as the feel, but are they worth the extra money and will they last as long as my Tevas? For that reason, were happy to be able to present entries from very different authors on our blog. That's all you need to know. JavaScript is disabled. I tried the Keen sandals, but too much stuff got in and under my foot. The boots took on no water (as guaranteed). Better control. Cross Country Skiing on the Gunflint Trail, Clearwater First Impressions: A Healing Place. The fit and feel you love. For swimming only! Gear Guide Tips: What shoes should you wear canoeing? I just go barefoot. along with the wonderful resources, interactive maps, and online community. There are many different ideas on whats best, but there is some agreement on what not to wear. When I was invited to go on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on short notice, I immediately said yes. I didnt have a lot of time to pack, but in the end, between the three canoe-campers we had everything we needed and just a bit more for margin of error. Best Footwear for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. And if youre wondering what else to bring along on your BWCAW canoe trip check out our packing list too. I wore Keen H2O's for some time and raved about them, then my feet started getting sore. Camp shoes are Crocs with a good wool sock, but I'm not out hiking around in them. After landing in Minnesota to meet the rest of the group and head up to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, I didnt find out I was short on footwear until we were practically putting the canoe in the water. I know folks that have been guiding rafting trips in Brewers for a few years and the shoes are going strong. My club has a Boundary Waters trip scheduled and I'm actually thinking about it. What makes a shoe great for canoeing? If you hadnt figured it out yet, todays giveaway question is, What do you think is the best foot wear to have on canoe trips? Be sure to answer on Facebook, Instagram or email Voyageur Canoe Outfitters with your response for another entry into the Epic Giveway! Need convincing? But good company and being comfortable made it memorable for the right reasons. According to my staff these are way better than Teva and should be considering they are quite a bit more expensive. I have always wore Teva sandals because they are built to last. They're fine for in the boat, are dry enough for the landings (ankle deep or so), and hike well. These are modeled after the jungle boots worn in Vietnam for wet conditions. Still stuck on 3 eyelet Bean boots, one pair for daytime and another pair after camp is set up. Others prefer an old pair of hunting boots with a pair of socks. Yes it is a little extra work but I am rarely in a hurry in the BWCA. Love them, when the mosquito are out I just cover my feet in mud before the portage then wash them off at the other side. After my first misstep and the plunge of my right foot into water, I realized I might have a chance. I tried them all sandals, draining boots, and old tennis shoe. They have enough support that they are a backup if I blow out the portage shoes. I've got a question for this thread. When the Crocs go on I'm in full lounge mode. Debating neoprene socks, probably going to. Made to keep on. However, I've also bought knock-off brand hiking shoes, ankle-high off the net for 20 bucks or less. They drain the water well and have good traction. Rainy days, dipping water near shore and dew in the morning and my feet are still dry. Ok. I am sort of cheap. Your feet will get wet. Then, also include on your BWCA packing list a separate pair of warm, comfortable canoe camp shoes or camp slippers so you will have dry feet when in camp. New insights. We're committed to innovation in life sciences, aerospace, and beyond. Footies are worthless no protection at all. In the end, it was both. My only concern with a low top shoe is loosing one in knee deep muck when crossing an area where a beaver dam has washed out. Ive had a DeLorme InReach for years now, and have taken it on every backcountry trip Ive been on since I purchased it. I wore my high top hiking boots with wool socks. Salomon GTX Ultra hiking shoes. Their days stretched from dawn to dusk and they only fished for a change of diet. Depends on what you like. The weather was far wetter than we planned for. If you are bringing children along this might be the time to invest in some good boots for them. The debate on what kind of footware to have, while taking a canoe trip, has probably dragged on since Raddison paddled these lakes in 1660. I use insulated Bean Boots in the shoulder seasons. I wear boots now. Downside: getting expensive. We support this high volume of visitors There are several similar boots. Plan appropriately so that everyone has a good time by including proper footwear on your Boundary Waters packing list. Very wet, even soggy when canoeing in the BWCA or Quetico Provincial Park. Most will admit that a long lasting water shoe is so hard to find. If you continue using this website, you agree to our privacy and legal agreement. Coupon Code: RAPIDSHIP20. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). My usual and preferred boots are NRS Boundary boots. Pictographs and portaging through the Minnesota Boundary Waters leaves one group of campers awestruck. I really like my Chota Quetico Trekkers. Remember wilderness canoeing is a WET FOOT SPORT. These were recommended by Master Tangker aka Alan. Between paper and digital maps, we could have lost three sources and still been fine getting where we were going. In the year preceding it, I had taken more than a half-a-dozen trips ranging from five to 10 days. I was there during fall shoulder season. My first pair made it 5 years before the glue gave. For me, the Chota Trekkers have worked great. Or 12" high for daytime if it's cooler or ticks and mosquitos really hungry. You are using an out of date browser. Heck, I even had an opinion back in 2005 according to a long ago published blog I wrote titled, Chaco vs Teva.. One type of boot that you will commonly see among the veterans in this area is a LaCrosse boot which can viewed here on the LaCrosse Footwear website. Besides, back in the 70s I had to wearthem every day for real in Vietnam when I wasnt actually flying a mission (Pilots had to wear leather boots in case of fire. I have used the sandals when canoeing the local rivers, and they allow too much crud (pebbles, etc.) They're vented on the bottom and dry easily overnight with the insoles out. I have two pairs. All other hiking brands are frankly shit. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. Any shoe that will allow an object larger than a grain of sand to become lodged between the sole and my foot is off the table as far as I am concerned. About 1 minute of clammy wet feeling boots each morning, then they warm up, and I don't notice it anymore. I prefer to wet foot but on long dry portages I may wear the camp shoe I mentioned. The NRS boot is a knee-high waterproof boot that offers great portage ankle support. Astral is a great company, and have been expanding their footwear offerings. She has spent many years instructing and leading youth groups and has been instrumental in the development of a number of youth programs for both elementary kids and teenagers. Neoprene shoes and booties, an extra layer of warmth and quick drying, some are waterproof, they dont offer much ankle support but are great for solo paddlers, Sandals and webbing/mesh shoes with rugged treads for rocky trails and enough support for short portages, For portages and loaded packs, these boots incorporate nylon to facilitate drainage and hiking boot technology for ankle support, Socks that are warm, moisture wicking may contain extra cushioning, primarily wool and synthetic blends, liners.