I was wondering what is everyones favorite footwear for the BWCA. Do you use hiking boots, boat shoes, or someting inbetween? I have been looking at trying out the TEVA Richochet II. They look like a good combination of traction and water dispursion. Lets hear some thoughts.

sorry I should have added this to the existing thread. Delete this post if you want.

For portaging I prefer a good pair of hiking boots, and a good pair of socks that dry quickly, because my feet are going to get wet. For day tripping, fishing and short portages when fishing I wear a good pair of Teva sandals. That has worked well for me in the past.

Bruce
Good Paddling, Great Fishing, and God Bless All...

I'll put my vote in for Chota's Quetico treckers.... but I'm sure that several companies make similar shoes just as good.

Hex

Depends on the season:

Spring/fall-Chotas are my choice I use them in cooler seasons as I feel they get hot during the day. These are the portage/day wear. At camp it is a pair of canvas tennis shoes

Summer-Depends on my mood-I have a pair of LL Bean 12" boots that come with if I feel the portages will be really wet, most of the time I bring a good pair of hiking boots that can get wet. At camp I have some water shoes that take up no room.

Winter-Steger Muckluks

So you bring several pairs of shoes when you are on a long trip? That seems like you are packing extra weight. Maybe it is just my backpacking background? Should a person bring multiple pairs of shoes into the BWCA?

Your feet are going to get wet. I don't try to waste any time with it and get them wet when I get out of the car. Chota's or anything similar are nice because they don't hold a lot of water (weight)and dry fast... kind of.

It's nice to be able to get your feet out of wet socks/shoes and into something dry or drier while at camp. After being soaked for so long my feet and probably others as well start to need "manditory drying".

I've used cheap tennies, sandles, and moccasins at camp... setting up... hanging the "foodbag"... gathering wood. I'd do it all barefoot if I thought my feet were up to the challenge.

here here on the Steger Mukluks BogwalkerMN!

Hex in da U.P.

I always bring two pairs of footwear with the bulky pair the ones worn during the day and the small ones packed for use at camp. When you reach camp it is good to take the pair you have worn all day off, usually to dry in the sun and breezes while putting some dry socks and dry footwear on.

In summer it is ususally water shoes like TEVA's or similar as they also work great if you want to go swimming where there are lots of sharp rocks etc. They work fine around camp and dry quickly.

Spring and Fall my second set is a cheap pair of canvas tennis shoes. They are light, pack down small and give better support and warmth in cool weather. Because I do not go swimming spring and fall these are the choice.

You wil thank us for convincing you to bring two pairs. Both for your comfort around camp, but especially when your boots are reasonably dry the next day.

TEVA type shoes are not a good all day option as they usually do not give enough support for portages and the open toe design leave lots of room for injury from portaging, especially the toes. You need at least a closed toe pair if you go that route.

I always always bring two pairs of shoes. one wet pair, one dry pair. for a wet pair(for wearing in the kayak/canoe/walking in the water), i usually bring a good pair of tevas. for my dry shoes, i have a really nice pair of columbia hiking shoes and also a nice pair of columbia strap on sandals for hotter days. keep your feet dry also by getting some quick drying socks made of wool or something similar. avoid bringing any thin cotton socks(they take forever to dry out)

Go to a store that will fit you with the right boot for what you will be using them for. Everyone has a different foot and they can match you up with what you are looking for. They have all kinds to choose from and can fit it to you. A bad pair of hikers in the back country will wreck your trip!!! What someone says they like could be the wrong thing for you. I always have 2 pairs of footwear. One, good support and one pair of sandals to lounge in. Good Luck

Do you guy use gore tex or not?