What hiking boots?

Going on a canoe trip in the Boundary waters this summer, and there will be portages. Not sure how many; I know that the longest one is also the flattest one, and that is 1/4 mile. We'll be getting into Quetico, if that changes things.

I need ankle support. I don't care about keeping my feet dry; they sweat enough that they'll be soaked in a waterproof boot anyways. I do care about something that dries fast. I don't want something super heavy, but if that is the right boot I'm not afraid of weight either.

Also, any experience like this with the Merrell Moab Mid, or the Keen Targhee ii's?

Many variables here, an many different portages in that very big area!

I've done a couple of trips into Quetico- for paddling and portaging I wished I had something to stand up to MUD. Like ankle deep suck your boots off mud. Not to mention shoving off in shallow water with a gear laden canoe. A good fitting taller rubber boot would have been perfect. Then when you get to your destination you can put on your hiking boots or whatever.

We always went in June though, so heat wasn't an issue. I'm not sure about a summer trip. Stock up on deet!

Sorry, we're going in June--so I guess that isn't quite summer yet, although I will be stocked up on deet for sure.

not sure on boots.. but these might help keep your feet dry:

Showers Pass High Viz waterproof sock on Amazon

Without even a shadow of a doubt, the best hikers I've ever had are the Meindl Perfekt Hikers sold in the U.S. by Cabela's. I've had mine for at least 15 years (probably closer to 20) and they're still great.

There are other variants, which I've not tried, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so if needed. The quality is excellent.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/footwear/men-s-footwear/men-s-hiking-boots/men-s-mid-high-hiking-boots|/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104383080/i/104104980/cabela-s-124-meindl-men-s-34perfekt-8482-34-7-34-hikers/748580.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fmens-mid-high-hiking-boots%2Fcabelas-by-meindl%2F_%2FN-1101188%2B4294534032%2FNe-4294534032%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

I've got many years and miles on a pair of Solomon 3D gore-tex hikers. Everything from Maine beach rocks to desert mountains in AZ to filthy, sweaty muck of a too wet West Virgina trip... to frozen waterfalls in upstate NY. They also work well for sloughing thru urban jungles wearing a laptop in a backpack. Motorcycle foot protection in a pinch too. They are old and ugly now - but they are still my go-to for anything where I'm on my feet but not actually running.

IIRC they were north of $200 but worth every penny.

Here is what they looked like in 2009 when they were new:

I was there in june last summer. We did 2-5 portages per day, most short but some were about 1/2 mile or so. Longest was about a 20 minute walk - so maybe 3/4 mile? IDK exactly.

I would say being consistent with your group is more important (ie. if everyone is wearing one shoe the whole time and you are constantly switching into and out of boots that will be annoying).

I wore keen sandals for the paddling and portaging - actually I pretty much wore them all week. Image below. Everyone in my group wore similar. A pair of crocs is great for the campsite time too. They are fishing sandals so the bottoms are made to grip wet rocks. (they are not the felt bottoms though). And they have good straps (and a rubber toe cover) so they stay on in mud. They were perfect for the trip since they are quick on and off, fast drying, and are tough enough. It rained all day on us 2 out of 7 days. Boots would have been wet the whole time. If you do wear boots, keep your feet out of them when they get wet. On for a few hours at a time is ok, but 18 hrs per day of wet feet will be a really bad idea.

Asolo 520

I got ~7 years of abuse out of my first pair, with one retread done by local cobbler, and almost 9 years of slightly lighter use out of my second pair. I'm due for a new pair, blew the heel out of my left one last spring, and haven't replaced them yet. I will be buying a new pair of Asolo 520 GV to replace them.

I'm another Asolo fan. I have a different model, but they have been through lots of miles and different terrain and have held up very well, and have great ankle support. Not cheap, but will last many years.

First, mosquito repellent, take all of it and soft screens especially for the back of the neck.

Second talcum powder and wool socks for your feet.

Third, I got the hook up on a pair of Under Armour tactical boots last year and have been shocked at how good they are. And I normally can't stand Under Armour shoes, to the point that I have about 14 free pairs that I've only worn 2-3 times each, in general they run far too narrow for my feet, the boots however are fantastic.

Robbie wrote: I was there in june last summer. We did 2-5 portages per day, most short but some were about 1/2 mile or so. Longest was about a 20 minute walk - so maybe 3/4 mile? IDK exactly. I would say being consistent with your group is more important (ie. if everyone is wearing one shoe the whole time and you are constantly switching into and out of boots that will be annoying). I wore keen sandals for the paddling and portaging - actually I pretty much wore them all week. Image below. Everyone in my group wore similar. A pair of crocs is great for the campsite time too. They are fishing sandals so the bottoms are made to grip wet rocks. (they are not the felt bottoms though). And they have good straps (and a rubber toe cover) so they stay on in mud. They were perfect for the trip since they are quick on and off, fast drying, and are tough enough. It rained all day on us 2 out of 7 days. Boots would have been wet the whole time. If you do wear boots, keep your feet out of them when they get wet. On for a few hours at a time is ok, but 18 hrs per day of wet feet will be a really bad idea.

My issue with the sandals is that I've got a tendency to roll an ankle. Still an option though.

I should have mentioned in my initial post that I have the same trouble with my ankles - most footwear is insufficient to keep them fully stabilized. The Meindls are more rigid (and thus supportive) in every respect than any other boot I've tried; they're the only boots I have that don't leave me fearing a turned ankle in the middle of nowhere. Somehow they manage to do this while being fairly light and supremely comfortable.

This is why I didn't wear sandals during portages:

The first year I went I took two pairs of boots, I was glad I did.

Merrell Moab Mid is a good boot and I have a pair I use for cold weather. I doubt it's going to dry fast though. For most warm weather hiking, I used to use the Moab Ventilator because the boot makes my feet sweat and I don't need the ankle support. The last set I bought didn't fit worth a damn. Either Merrell changed the last they use, or my feet changed. I've switched to Keep shoes. Most days I wear Keen Kovens now. I also doubt they dry very fast.

Edit: I would hit the store and buy whatever feels the best. Try to do your shopping at the end of a long day when you have been on your feet a lot.

Look up white water rafting shoes. http://www.fiveten.com/us/canyoneer-3-yellow?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping&gclid=COSc6-Hw28sCFQiUaQodmIMEdA

And the next time you go to one of those massive water parks, be the nerd and where those everywhere. I do.

If you have an REI near you go there. They will help you find the boot that will fit and support you. Just tell them what you need and where/when you are going. They have always been helpful for me.

These are cheap and work well in the swampy areas

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olive-Drab-Leather-Military-Jungle-Boots-/260605456198

I went with my brother on a 10 day canoe trip in the boundary waters with his Boy Scout troop.

You should just accept that you'll likely getting your feet wet on a daily basis. Its been several years and I dont remember what old pair of boots I had on that trip. They were my hiking boots for maybe the ten years before this trip and I let them go once we got home. I did take a lightweight pair of old running shoes to wear around the campsite after a day of paddling.

I am about 5 or 6 years into a pair of the aforementioned Merrill Moab boots now. I like them. They arent very waterproof but a nice sturdy, lightweight, comfortable boot.

the mosquitos are certainly brutal in that area. I wore my raincoat around the campsite every night because they couldn't bite through it.

For ankle support back country tromping work I have a pair of Merrill Sawtooth boots. They are very comfortable. I beat the everliving crap out of them. Over a year after I bought them (and a whole lot of miles wearing heavy gear, 30+ lbs) the sole split. I called Merrill to see if they could resole them. They just sent me a new pair for free. I have similarly beat the crap out of that pair for much longer and they are still going strong.

I don't think they make the Sawtooth anymore, but I'll buy whatever their replacement model is when these wear out by the way the boots feel and the way the company treated me.

pilotbraden wrote: These are cheap and work well in the swampy areas http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olive-Drab-Leather-Military-Jungle-Boots-/260605456198

I had an extremely similar set of these my uncle wore through Vietnam. They became mine in the late 90's, and I got probably 8 years of use out of them on top of their age. I don't remember the ankle support specifically, but they were some of the best work boots I ever had.