Recommendations about boots of shoes for canoeing will get you Kim’s 1600+ personal opinions.
In cooler weather I prefer a near knee high Muk boot of some sort, to permit wading and “wet foot” entry/exit, and if I’m going to be doing much walking or wading in them something with good tread, arch support and a stacked heel. Of course with size 12 EEE feet that much stiff sole and raised heel precludes kneeling, or at least getting my feet out from under the seat without capsizing.
“In the spring I wear old Chotas, boots with waterproof lining. However my feet sweat”
Mine too. Veering a bit off topic, socks matter too, perhaps especially with muks.
One “trick” with muk boots that a friend taught me years ago, quickly adopted by almost everyone in our off-season paddling circle. I buy Muk boots a bit larger than needed and wear two layers of socks; first layer against my feet something like thin Smartwools, second layer waterproof Sealskinz socks or knockoffs. Or others; I found a killer deal years ago for mil-spec Sealskinz, identical in every way to the name brand and probably made in the same factory.
When I take the muk boots off there may be (at times considerable) perspiration on the boot lining, but my feet are still essentially dry and, even if slightly damp, the Smartwools dry very quickly. In camp I turn the Sealskins inside out and hang them to dry, muk boots stood tall in some sunny/breezy spot if possible.
Another benefit of that sock layering, with the pinhole leaks that neoprene muck boots tend to develop, often at the neoprene-to-rubber stitching (Aquaseal with Cotol works wonders there when I get home) the Sealskins still keep my feet dry and warm.
“I always take along an extra pair of footwear for in camp and for possible failure of my other footwear”
Amen to that, for a variety of reasons. I may be the Imelda Marco’s of tripping footwear, but leave my Manolo Blahnik heels at home.
I want muks or water shoes for in-canoe use. I want dry footwear for in camp, usually times two; one sturdy pair for walking/exploring/setting up camp, and one light airy pair my to dry out my tootsies between sock and shoe changes, or to slip on when nature calls in the middle of the night instead of fumbling with laces.
Or when I want to slip my shoes off and wiggle my toes while resting in the day hammock and watching the clouds go by.
PA281464 by
Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Croc’s are OK-ish for that purpose, lightweight but bulky to pack, and no protection when stepping on a sharp thorn, cactus spine or even a sandbur. FWIW sandburs are an ouchy PITA to pluck out of Croc foam soles. And, for something originally developed as a no-scuff “boat shoe” Crocs can be slippey as heck, especially when the foam “tread” becomes worn smooth.
Or, if it is hot out, rigid-soled flip flops, which pack smaller and eliminate the thorny puncture issue, but can be toe stubbers. My compromise slip-ons are most often a pair of moccasins with a synthetic sole. heck, in cold weather I bring fuzzy lined moccasins (OK, read “bedroom slippers”)
“I have some lightweight sneakers in camp that I try and keep dry”
Same here, and I do have a recommendation in that “
try and keep dry” regard. In some venues an actual leather boot may be a wise choice, if you can deal with the volume, weight and lack of on/off ease.
I did the lightweight “sneaker” (tennies, runners, trainers for our UK friends) for years, but got tired of trying to keep sneakers dry when walking around camp. Dewy brush would quickly wet out lightweight nylon sneakers, and water running down my raingear pant legs was saturation worse. I at least wanted my feet and socks inside the sneakers to stay dry.
My solution, eventually, admittedly after too many years of cheap wet sneakers, was a pair of Goretex-lined trail runners. Decent support, good grippy tread for slippery rocks, and my socks stay dry. Heavier and more expensive than a pair of cheap nylon sneakers, but they have lasted a long time and are still going strong. Oft worn even at home and worth every penny, although I haven’t run a trail in them yet.
