Very wet, even soggy when canoeing in the BWCA or Quetico Provincial Park. I have tried about everything..what works best for me right now is a pair of LL Bean "Maine Hunting boots" (Unlined/uninsulated). I am sort of cheap. Liner socks help me tremendously with any moisture issues. I go to great pains to keep these dry. Amazing people. Leather gets heavy but the synthetics work well, just make sure the shoe is not built around cardboard. All other hiking brands are frankly shit. I prefer to "wetfoot" when it's not too cold, which varies from individual to individual. Consider our suggestions, but then make your own call. No compromise. All around breathability system for your feet. I have used the sandals when canoeing the local rivers, and they allow too much crud (pebbles, etc.) Need convincing? Heck, I even had an opinion back in 2005 according to a long ago published blog I wrote titled, Chaco vs Teva.. The grip and support are good, but they seem to remain squishy and boggy for a long time. Curious what everybody prefers for their shoes of choice for canoeing and portaging. In the end, it was both. That timewhile the least taxing physicallycould have been the worst of the trip. I have never wore them and I cant imagine ever wearing them. Made to keep on. New insights. I found I hate heavy wet boots that dont drain, and get heavier holding water. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. What suggestions does anybody have that might make my next trip even more comfortable when it comes to my feet? Cloud Times: Heres what you should ask a Boundary Waters outfitter. 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 might supplement the ankle support a bit with some nylon ankle braces. I use the running shoes theyre wet already and one less thing to carry. Once I reach camp, I dry my feet and change into these. As an update to that blog is I have now converted completely to Chacos, Mike is still a Teva fan. The best footwear for portaging in the BWCA. I have some lightweight sneakers in camp that I try and keep dry. Those with wool on top is what works for me if it's chilly. Of course, everyone has their own idea of what footwear should be on their BWCA gear list. 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. 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. The boots took on no water (as guaranteed). GORE-TEX brand, marketing, product and training information for customers and retailers. That underwater granite can be very sharp, plus you never know if someone lost a lure where you are swimming. 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. I'm a rookie, but going with two veterans. Chota trekkers. Paired with either some Wigwam wool blend or Darn Tough socks and I am good to go. Charlene learned skills there that she has been applying to her husband for years, not to mention building a knowledge base about kids travelling in the wilderness. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). My first time up First week of September. BWCA Gallery Contact Us Customer Reviews Newsletter Archives About Us, Directions to Our Lodge Important BWCA Links Employment Opportunities, ADA Policy Merchandise Refund Policy Security Policy Privacy Policy, 14694 Vosburgh Road, Ely, Minnesota 55731 | (218) 365 -5837 | [email protected], BWCA Services, Ely MN Lodging, and Lakeside Dining Hall, Canoe, Camp, Fish and Explore in the BWCA, Boundary Waters Webinars From Prior Years. High performance in drier weather conditions. My club has a Boundary Waters trip scheduled and I'm actually thinking about it. And if youre wondering what else to bring along on your BWCAW canoe trip check out our packing list too. Don't have an account yet? After my first misstep and the plunge of my right foot into water, I realized I might have a chance. Downside: getting expensive. Good ankle support and great grip as well. Last summer and the summer before I hiked exclusively in Chacos and also wore them on my boundary waters trip. I glued them back together and they are the backups now. visitors a day during peak season. We support this high volume of visitors They are also pretty good on the portages for stability. in to consider them for portaging. along with the wonderful resources, interactive maps, and online community. I just go barefoot. 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 know folks that have been guiding rafting trips in Brewers for a few years and the shoes are going strong. Best Footwear for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The ankle high boots are more secure on my foot than a shoe/sandal, especially in boot-sucking mud. Keeping your feet healthy is the important thing. I wear boots now. I use old ankle high hikers and drill a few holes around the bottom. Canoeing shoes will get wet. Another popular boot is a Boundary Waters Boot made by NRS. That's all you need to know. Farm to Feet Ocracoke Hiking Socks Womens, Vasque Inhaler II Mid GTX Hiking Boots Womens, Darn Tough Micro Crew Light Cushion Hiking Socks Mens, Footwear for Canoeing: Finding Your Sole-Mate, Hydro Flask Sale! Even in the early spring or late fall Id rather have wet feet than wet socks and boots. OTB Abyss boots with neoprene socks if the portages are rough and need the ankle support. I always bring warm socks and a pair of tennis shoes to wear around camp too! For some reason the Scouts really think this is a good idea, though they are too heavy for me. Canoe footwear is one item that you do not want to mess up. The Hereford Zone along the Mason-Dixon Line, La Verendrye- fulfilling a boyhood dream. Depends on what you like. I wore my high top hiking boots with wool socks. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Cross Country Skiing on the Gunflint Trail, Clearwater First Impressions: A Healing Place. In the year preceding it, I had taken more than a half-a-dozen trips ranging from five to 10 days. Astrals are second, as when the stitching busted after a few months, they sent me a new pair asap. Whether youre out for a day trip or heading to the Boundary Waters for a week, the right footwear will make the trip go more smoothly, the wrong shoes could make you miserable. Moccasins work well, too. Ive had a DeLorme InReach for years now, and have taken it on every backcountry trip Ive been on since I purchased it. Three days (two of them rain-drenched) later, the boots were all I had worn. Nope. Ive never had a problem with weak ankles, so I prefer to go with a lower cut. Shoes are the one thing no one agrees on. In camp, I use Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals. 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. The main tasks on those days were gathering wood, keeping the fire burning and, oh yeah, eating. Yes it is a little extra work but I am rarely in a hurry in the BWCA. I have two pairs. Is what I am doing the best for summer trips? Recommendations about boots of shoes for canoeing will get you Kims 1600+ personal opinions. Copyright 2020 www.bwca.com | Legal Notice | DMCA, Help keep the flying moose flying by supporting BWCA.com
Rainy days, dipping water near shore and dew in the morning and my feet are still dry. Go ruck Macv1. I put superfeet insoles in them and they work well on portages too. If you are bringing children along this might be the time to invest in some good boots for them. 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. The fit and feel you love. Read on. These are my favorites: I still use my 10" high LL Bean Maine shoes, with the vibram soles (which they don't do anymore). 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. 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. 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. I wear a pair of wellies from Tractor supply and then change into hiking boots (Hoka) that I love at portages. They are cross between closed toe sandal, tennis shoe and draining hiking boot. I'm gonna be trying these on at Copia soon. For me, the Chota Trekkers have worked great. I use insulated Bean Boots in the shoulder seasons. 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? When the Crocs go on I'm in full lounge mode. Everyone had boots to wear daily as well as a pair of sandals for trudging around camp. 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. Ecology matters. On a seven day trip, with daily use, it felt like the Chotas never really dried out that much overnight. I had boots. 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. There are many different ideas on whats best, but there is some agreement on what not to wear. Its use has been limited to tracking routes in real-time, helping navigate along pre-planned routes and, one of its best functions, communicating with those at home. Camp shoes are Crocs with a good wool sock, but I'm not out hiking around in them. * For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed. In order to do this you must walk in the water, sometimes its shallow and sometimes its deep, but you always get your feet wet. From the tranquil backdrops to its welcoming locals, the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area does not disappoint. 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. I even use them as light hikers for backpacking sometimes. I always wet foot it in "Canoe Country". Ive heard of folks using Jungle Boots. they are on my list to look into a little more. Not really sure what I will wear this summer. These full-sized leather combat boots areway down the listof recommended footware.) I have done the old tennis shoes that I don't care about getting wet, and dry somewhat quickly after a day of paddling and portaging. As an ingredient brand, we are very proud to be part of a big network. Best shoes is a very individual issue. 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. Others prefer an old pair of hunting boots with a pair of socks. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. According to my staff these are way better than Teva and should be considering they are quite a bit more expensive. These are just our ownrecommendations, and our reasons why we feel that way. Most everyone who has paddled and camped in the Boundary Waters has an opinion about the best footwear for a canoe trip. Footies are worthless no protection at all. Advantages to this are: it keeps the canoe from damage on the rocky shores, and you dont have to lift the canoe and packs as high since they are already at knee level or above. However, I've also bought knock-off brand hiking shoes, ankle-high off the net for 20 bucks or less. Still stuck on 3 eyelet Bean boots, one pair for daytime and another pair after camp is set up. The wind was strong and the rain was hard. Remember wilderness canoeing is a WET FOOT SPORT. My first pair made it 5 years before the glue gave. 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. For additional relevant details, I can review the. A pair of rubber knee-high ankle boots will work just fine. 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. My usual and preferred boots are NRS Boundary boots. Tennies for camp. Master the extreme. Ive had a couple of pair for almost 10 years and they are still in great shape. I learned the wide foot box was contributing to flat feet, just one more issue about getting older. Draining out the water is a big plus. She has been very active in the Scouting program, most recently as a Den Leader and Cubmaster. Not only the boot, but the fit is critical. 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. Remember your feet will get wet while getting in and out of your canoe, and some of the portages can be rocky or muddy. Their days stretched from dawn to dusk and they only fished for a change of diet. When I wetfoot, I wear a pair of wool socks and I take a dry pair of socks and shoes for camp. Another popular option are "Chota" breathable hip waders and wading shoes. 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. After years of abuse, my knees dont like lifting that weight. Debating neoprene socks, probably going to. Some people prefer to wear a pair of sandals or running shoes with a pair of wool socks. Will they dry out during the trip? Or 12" high for daytime if it's cooler or ticks and mosquitos really hungry. Hope they rule. Charlene is the mother of 5 kids and has still found time to be involved in countless community activities. Charlene was born in Coalville, UT and grew up in Morgan, UT. I take 2 pair of footwear: canoe/portage shoes, and camp shoes. 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. Trust us, your back and knees will thank you later! I rotate the other two pair. They can wear them during the day. In the Glades I do. The Voyageurs are not waterproof, and they drain relatively well. YMMV. The closed toe protects me from kicking roots and rocks while walking around camp. I wore Keen H2O's for some time and raved about them, then my feet started getting sore. That ended up being a good thingthe weather wasnt quite as accommodating as it could have been. The GORE-TEX Brand may use my email address, provided above, to send me relevant marketing communications, based on my preferences. Children and cold wet feet do not go together. Best? Most will admit that a long lasting water shoe is so hard to find. Advanced technical fabrics solutions for increased protection and comfort in work-related applications. Canoe/Portage shoes These are the main shoes I wear when canoeing and portaging. Use offer code RAPIDSHIP20 in cart. Gear Guide Tips: What shoes should you wear canoeing? He is the king of $12.00 Red Ball black rubber boots that you can buy at any Holiday Gas Station in Minnesota. 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. 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. The way that the rainfly marries up with the hammock kept out any rain or moisture. 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. Another data point to put out there - I have a pair of the Chota Caney Fork boots and like them, but was frustrated with how much moisture they retained. Good traction on underwater rocks, protective and very easy to clean mud off the bottoms. Just ordered terrafins. We had one gal break an ankle doing just that. This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 For wetfooting I have an old pair of OTB Abyss boots. Additions to Our Canoe Outfitting Packages, The Chicago Tribune The Trip North: Doing it the right way. 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. Most rugged. Read their story here. this great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support. Login/Register access is temporary disabled, 2019 Canoeing.com Ltd. All rights reserved. Help keep the flying moose flying and Keen Voyagers boots. Canoe routes and time of year will influence your footwear decision. (Make sure the sandals are not open-toed or open-heeled.) 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. Luckily, Ive never had to use it in an emergency situation. These are modeled after the jungle boots worn in Vietnam for wet conditions. 25% off + Free Upgraded Shipping on Select Items! I was there during fall shoulder season. I really like my Chota Quetico Trekkers. Sign up to learn about new products, upcoming events, and other news from the GORE-TEX brand. Letting everyone at home know that all was well despite the weather reports they were seeing could only have been done with the InReach. This year I purchased a pair of Chaco sandals. What makes a shoe great for canoeing? North Country Canoe Outfitters: Outfitting Canoe Trips into the Minnesota Boundary Waters and Canada's Quetico Wilderness since 1984. You will need some type of boot or shoe that can get wet and will support your feet and ankles on portages. I pretty much live in sandals 7 months a year as I run a canoe and kayak livery in NC. Baffins shoes are fantastic. The NRS boot is a knee-high waterproof boot that offers great portage ankle support. We're committed to innovation in life sciences, aerospace, and beyond. Another good question we hear a lot is What should we bring for our feet? Copyright 2022 W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH. Expert paddler and guide Rob Kesselring recommends which shoes and boots are best for canoeing, portaging and paddling. Talk to your Ely, Minnesota canoe trip outfitter about the right footwear for your canoe route. They drain the water well and have good traction. Muck will not pull them off. If you continue using this website, you agree to our privacy and legal agreement. Try it, works great.
I have tried a couple of different Chota models and did not care for the fit. Not too seriously, but it's on my mind. It also keeps you from damaging the canoe when you are placing it back in the water at the end of your portage. I use OTB Abyss boots. As for actual footware, these can range from an old pair of sneakers (which I personally prefer), high tech water shoes, or boots. When Should I Visit Ely, Minnesota and the BWCA? Second vote for Astral shoes when wetfooting. There's a lot of opinions, and only 1 true answer. Hope this helps. What is good on the portage trails, but also works well getting wet, yet dries somewhat quickly? Headed to the Boundary Waters? Your feet will get wet. The latest on GORE-TEX products, events, and experiences. This year I will be trying some Rocky S2V boots. I wear them all day with a pair of merino wool socks, and change into dry sandals at camp. 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. They should be light enough to swim in if you somehow capsize the canoe. I generally sleep in a tent, and had never owned a hammock in my life. Forgot your password? One debate I have with a friend is about wearing sandals on a canoe trip. Gear Guide Tips: What shoes should you wear canoeing? I wear them every day. Between paper and digital maps, we could have lost three sources and still been fine getting where we were going. There are several similar boots. 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 always wore Teva sandals because they are built to last. About 1 minute of clammy wet feeling boots each morning, then they warm up, and I don't notice it anymore. I understand that I can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. I usually paddle a Kevlar canoe and you need to wet foot; this means loading and unloading the canoe while it is floating completely. The verdict is still out. I prefer to wet foot but on long dry portages I may wear the camp shoe I mentioned. I've got a question for this thread. Make more of everyday. Do we need canoe footwear for our trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness?. Have worn them previously tripped and the canoe landed on top of me. When it gets cold I have some LaCrosse neoprene knee highs. Pictographs and portaging through the Minnesota Boundary Waters leaves one group of campers awestruck. Coupon Code: RAPIDSHIP20. It gets quite a bit of use. Each of those features was used on the Boundary Waters trip. In the BWCA I don't worry about mud sucking my shoes off. The Ultimate Guide to Canoeing Where to Go and What to Buy, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), Woodland Caribou Provincial Park Message Board. Used to wear Merril Moabs, but the traction was horrible and the boots really did not last that long. Learn more, We use cookies to enhance your experience, for analytics, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers. Some of our customers have used 6 high leather work boots, high top sneakers, and hiking boots. 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. They're fine for in the boat, are dry enough for the landings (ankle deep or so), and hike well. Wetfooting avoids a lot of tip-toeing around at portage landings and on portages. Baffins can be purchased at Prigas. Are you traveling a lot of distance each day through less traveled areas or base camping with shorter day trips? Follow the "Live Social Media" Feed from However, portaging in them is another story. They carried loads far heavier than our packs could ever be. 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. I ended up purchasing a ProFly (rainfly) to use with an ENO hammock I got as a gift but had never used. But good company and being comfortable made it memorable for the right reasons. I also love my Chaco's in warm weather. Astral is a great company, and have been expanding their footwear offerings. The weather was far wetter than we planned for. Your feet will get wet when you enter/exit the canoe each time. I like a waterproof shoe around camp and have an ankle high pair that have rubber half way up. A lightweight pair of hiking boots, sport sandals, or sneakers. I only trip in early spring or late fall though when the water is cold. Some first-timers try to be dry-footers. They are ankle high, drain out the bottom, and secure tightly with laces. Which show is right? I have a pair of NRS boundary shoes which I love. My feet stayed dry the entire trip and the only part of my socks that needed drying by the fire was the part where they emerged high above the Salewa boots.