Hello!

My boyfriend and I are getting ready to go on a canoe trip in the boundary waters in mid-October (brr..). We'll be portaging and camping, all that good stuff. We are going for the first time, and while we will be accompanied by three people who have done this kind of trip multiple times, we are still confused about some of the gear we might want to have in terms of clothing/footwear.

My main concern is footwear... I've read on other forums that a common thing to wear is Keen sandals with SmartWool socks for portaging. Is this still a good idea in October? Will it be too cold, or is the wool warm enough?

Like I said, this is my main concern. But any other tips in terms of apparel and footwear would be welcome!! We will be portaging 4 days if that is helpful.

Thanks!!

I would leave the keen's home as the water will be colder than most people's "comfort" level. Some type of knee high boot would be better in my mind. I love my Muck boots, I can walk miles in them and they don't give that "rubber boot" feeling.

Just my $.02

quote DeanL: "I would leave the keen's home as the water will be colder than most people's "comfort" level. Some type of knee high boot would be better in my mind. I love my Muck boots, I can walk miles in them and they don't give that "rubber boot" feeling.


Just my $.02"

+1 on Muck boots in the spring and fall cold water seasons.

My brother and I both went on our first BWCA trip last year; the first weekend in October. Overall the trip was awesome. The weather was cruddy, but not terrible while we were there. Light rains on and off the whole trip and strong winds that blew all day and night. Temp dropped below freezing at night and 40s in the day.

My brother was just a little cold the entire trip and I was perfectly content. We usually run about the same temp and have camped lots before in the cold and never had this difference. I honestly thought he was just a little sick.

It wasn't until we were driving home that I realized the difference: he was wearing some rubber knee boots and I had a pair of insulated, neoprene like the Lacrosse Alphaburley. These aren't cheap, but have since become my favorite piece of footwear.

I know I wouldn't have wanted to do that trip without dry feet and the neoprene insulation was worth every penny to me.

Like others have said, leave the Keens at home, you don't want wet feet that time of year, I have done well with my Gortex Danners but Muck boots would likely be ideal. I did a trip in early-mid October a few years back and ran into some 1/4-1/2" thick ice in some smaller bays. My socks were damp from perspiration and froze solid during the night, stiff as a board. Good rain gear, extra socks a shoes, good layering items like wool are must. Colds hands sucks so I would be bring 2 pairs of light gloves, I like the thin waterproof neoprene types often used for Country skiing. Generally the temps are not horrible, provided your moving around, but 40 degrees wet and windy can toss a chill into you pretty darn fast. Make sure to bring a good book, those can be some long nights, especially if its freezing and raining and you end up hitting the tent a little early in the evening. A good tarp is a must and preferably its one big enough to rig with a wind wall.

On the flip side, when the sun shows its face you will be in for a treat, incredibly beautiful and hardly any people.

The insulated Edgewater Muck boots looks nice. I don't have them. I do have Bogs but only midheight and they are insulated. Uninsulated rubber boots leave me..cold.

Neos has over boots that will keep your shoes dry. We use them and they work great.

quote scramble4a5: "Neos has over boots that will keep your shoes dry. We use them and they work great."

They work great when not leaking. We have 3 pairs at my house and two leak. NEOS replaced the first pair as they leaked initially. The replacement pair started leaking after less than one season. The good pair have two seasons, so it seems hit or miss.

Head to REI /Midwest Mountaineering

Go to the shoe/boot department

Pick up a pair of BOG boots in your size

thank me after your trip