Boot Tips
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Canoe Digest - November 9, 2002
From: Drbobwilborn@aol.com
Our Troop went on its first NT treck this past July. I found leather Army boots at a government surplus warehouse and the best part is the boots only cost $2.00 per pair. I could not find enough complete sets to outfit our entire group, and several Scouts bought the Jungle boots. My two sons and I wore the leather boots the entire trip and did not have any problem at all.
I put them on in the morning and took them off as quickly as I could when we made camp and set them out to dry. I wore an old pair of New Balance running shoes in camp. Each morning the boots and socks were almost completely dry. IMHO I think the jungle boots are great, but if you don't want to, or cannot afford them, any good leather boot that provides ankle support will work for Northern Tier.
Dr. Bob
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Drbobwilborn@aol.com writes:
> . Each morning the boots and socks were almost completely dry. IMHO I think
> the jungle boots are great, but if you don't want to, or cannot afford
> them, any good leather boot that provides ankle support will work for
> Northern Tier.
> Dr. Bob
Dr. Bob did what Sommers required back in the olden days before the Vietnam war gave us Jungle Boots and medevac helicopters among other things my 55,000 friends paid for with their lives.
Remember to say a special prayer of thanks for these men and women this Monday, November 11, 2002.
Good quality, new or used, leather boots work very well on the canoe trail. If that soggy boot full of water bothers you, then punch a couple of small drain holes just above the sole in the instep region to drain the water out. That is what the eather punch on the old Scout pocket knife was for.
Canoecountry portagers have been doing this for eons. Welcome to the Voyageurs way.
John LeBlanc
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Canoe Digest - November 8, 2002
From: Bluecanoe2@aol.com
The first time I went to NT (then called Sommers) they required each person wear "leather boots" in the canoe. They warned "they will get wet" to which I thought, "not me, I'm not going to ruin my boots, I'll take them off and keep them dry and only wear them to portage and on and on and on" UNTIL I got there. First day, first hour I got my boots soaking and they stayed that way until the end of the trip.
BTW, I still have those boots and wetting them did not ruin them. They logged a couple of thousand miles in the next 40 years before I retired them.
Water does not ruin good quality boots.
1966 was before Jungle Boots were readily available.
Quite frankly Jungle boots, the real ones for $65.00 of so are the best available boots for the Canadian Shield canoe routes. The pseudo jungle boots for $20.00 will as Bing says fall apart. They are made of cardboard and water soluble glue. Go figure.
Another company has come up with a boot worthy of recognition. Choata Boots makes a model called the Quetico. An ankle high boot made for wading and portaging the canoe trails in where else, Quetico. Has drain vents. I own a pair and have used them on several canoe trips. I like them. They are a little more comfortable than jungle boots and just as protective.
OK, now for the reason for jungle boots or leather boots in the first place.
The Canadian Shield rocks are sharp, jagged and cut like a knife. Duh! Knife lake is named for the rock formations there.
You will be portaging on some really sloppy "trails". In some you may be knee deep in mud. You can't see through mud. You can't see what your ankle bones are sliding against. It may be mud. It may be sharp jadded rocks.
Wear sturdy, protective boots. The ones you choose are your choice, but I'd think it really stupid if you choose some of the cheaper low quarter water shoes and sliced open an ankle. Really stupid.
For those of you new to this NT game, I'd heartedly recommend your reading EVERYTHING on the Sommers Alumni Association website at www.holry.org. When you are there, find my essay entitled "A Charlie Guide Can Make The Difference". Read it then read all the other essays there also.
It's a part of the preperation process.
John LeBlanc
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Canoe Digest - January 4, 2001
Subject: Chota Wading Boot Review
From: Bluecanoe2@aol.com
Dear River Rats,
I purchased a pair of Chota wading boots about a month ago. I promised a product review on them as soon as I returned from a week long canoe trip. Here goes.
This evaluation is based on a 7 day, 83 mile canoe trip on the Lower Canyons section of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in the Texas Big Bend region.
Due to cold water and air temperatures, I wore them with a pair of 1/8" neoprene booties for the entire trip. They were very comfortable for both temperature and fit.
As far as usability and meeting the needs of the canoeist, I rate them excellent.
They fit well and are comfortable to wear hour after hour, day after day. I had no trouble with scree entering the boots. Mud, sand and rock were excluded from getting into the boots all of the time. The two vents or drains performed very functionally, allowing water to drain rapidly from the boots thereby emiminating that sloppy boot full of water sensation.
At one point I felt a buildup of sand but upon inspection it was more imagination than sand.
The felt inserts on the soles wore as expected based on owning several felt soled wading boots. There is still plenty of felt left for a week or more worth before needing a replacement.
The felt inserts provided superior traction on wet, muddy and/or slippery rocks.
Although the rippled soles provided good traction and all that I needed, they were not quite up to my standard. I am a rock hopper and very demanding on boot sole design. My absolute favorite are the old standby but environmentally unfriendly Vibram Montagna soles. Waffle stompers we called them in the 60's.
Again, the Chota tread design is very adequate.
The leather and mesh construction of the boot held up well and I expect long life from them. They have a special waterproofing on thet leather.
The elastic lacing system proved adequate and was fast to lace up and fasten and even faster to loosen for removal and it "allowed foot movement while keeping the laces snug.
On one boot, the outer sole separated from the midsole for about 4 inches. More than likely a factory defect. A call to the place of purchase was all it took to get them exchanged by the manufacturer for a brand new pair. In fact, the manufacturer called me at home to find out what I thought about them and was very nice. He sent me replacements ones via UPS next day service.
I am demanding on boots. I buy the best and put them through their paces. I depend on them to protect my feet and the Chota's did that job very well while still being very lightweight to wear.
The only complaint I have is that they were cold, very cold each morning. Well, not cold to youse guys, but cold to us ignorant Southern boys. However, that was solved by a dip in the hot springs along the river or a judicially poured cup or two of hot water. What a wuss I am.
What more can a canoe tripper ask for?
I am making a little sign for my boots like the one I have in my hat. It will read "Hell No They Ain't Your Boots, Put "Em Back. You Can Buy Your Own Boots At Southwestern Paddlesports, 1-800-937-2335".
They are worth the money!
John LeBlanc O (____/_______) ~~~~~~/~~~~~~~~~ Bluecanoe2@aol.com************************************************************************
Editor's note:
You might want to check out the paddling equipment at PlanetOutdoors.com.
They carry a great paddling boot from Northwest River Supplies.
since January 5, 2001