Gear and Kit
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Gear and Kit |
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Boots Some people would say that boots have no place being in a canoe, and I would tend to agree with them except that I happen to believe that if you don't have boots on while you are at camp or when you are in the woods you are a serious liability. Since you are more likely to sustain a foot injury while at camp, hiking, or portaging, it is a good idea to have something substantial on your feet for these activities. I have seen purple toes and ripped off nails and see these types of injuries as avoidable. Unless you are out for a Sunday paddle leave your sandals, Crocs, and water-shoes at home.
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Aqua Hikers At the very least you should have a good pair of hikers for around camp. If you want you can get aquatic hikers. Mountain Equiptment Co-Op caries these and other brands of water shoes retailing for about $70 and up. |
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They are no doubt a solid shoe but I like a little ankle
support which is why I go for the boots. People wear these on canoe and
kayak trips as they double as a pair of hikers and they can reduce
weight on their trips by not bringing a second pair of footwear. For the
size and weight of my extra hikers, I never have to deal with things
like athletes foot on longer trips. Wet feet are a given on the water,
but I like them to be dry and healthy the rest of the time. My boots are
one of the few times I was willing to spend a bit more, but if you can't
walk because you feet are being attacked by fungus, what fun is that?
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Maine Hunting Boot The Maine Hunting boot has been an excellent all round waterproof boot for a century now. They are as close to a moccasin as you can get and very rugged. Although you have to treat the leather uppers occasionally everything made by LL Bean is 100% guaranteed for life. You can treat these like you stole them and if every anything goes wrong the company will replace them. |
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So long as it is not something stupid like being cut in
half by an axe. The boots retail for about $100.
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Anphib Boot They call this the Deep Sea Anphib Dive Boot and it is quite simply the best piece of canoeing equipment that you can own. Its not like those little neoprene water shoes that will get sucked off your feet in fast moving water, or tear at the slightest snag, and it has a tough sole with a good grip for portaging, unlike the |
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conventional dive boot. Normal
dive boots are not suitable for walking in the wilderness and also they
look like some kind of god awful moon boots. You could actually wear the
Anphib boot into the gas station on the way to put in spot and no one
will notice. This boot was designed for US Marine Recon guys so they
could come ashore and hit the beach running and not have to stop and
change into their regular combat boots immediately, or be forced into a
dangerous situation without any foot protection. I don't much care for
all that army stuff, but they are an excellent boot to be wearing in a
canoe, for wading in the water, and most importantly for portaging. You
just wear them bare footed and tie them tight, cinch the Velcro, and hit
the water. At the end of the day you can take them off and not have to
worry about drying them out. If when you go to put them on again they
are too cold for your liking, just warm some water on the campfire and
pour it into them. I wear something dry around the campsite though, wool
socks and hikers are my favorite for working in. They are better suited
for camp chores and exploring. Not to say you couldn't go exploring in
the Anphib boot, its just I want mine to last for a while. The only
place I have been able to find them is at an on line shop called the
SOCOM Store
they cost about $60
US plus shipping fees and duty.
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NRS Storm Boot If you need something even more aggressive than the Anphib Boot the latest and greatest thing to come along is from NRS. I have not yet succeeded in wearing out my Anphib boots but if and when I do I am going to give these a shot. They are a bit more expensive but they come highly recommended. From the NRS website comes this info. |
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| These aggressive river boots will keep your feet warm and comfortable all day. We built the sole out of the world's grippiest rubber, Hypergrip, for unsurpassed traction. It is a marking sole. The supportive lug sole with a defined heel is rigid, yet flexible. These boots fully support the arch and securely lace down with a lace-lock closure system. A quick release, adjustable Velcro closure provides optimum ankle support while the 7mm insole offers cushion and shock absorption. The reinforced rubber toe box adds protection and stability. 3-mm Ultraspan neoprene upper helps keep the water out; a removable insole provides support and comfort. Mesh drainage and a conveniently placed fin tab round out these outstanding river boots. And they float! These boots are worn by boaters, military personnel, and canyoneers | |
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