This topic is always debated, there's no right answer really

Personally, I grabbed a pair of these last year and think they're perfect: https://www.amazon.ca/Salomon-L40016500-Mens-X-Ultra/dp/B073K1P361?th=1

After lots and lots of research, they were the best compromise between water shoes and shoes with proper support. If you look at the second last pic for the yellow colour, you can see right through the shoe. The mesh is extremely breathable and helps the shoe dry quick if you're tripping in decent weather. I wear these at all times while travelling, with regular socks. If I can keep my feet dry during the day, great, if not then I let everything dry once I get to camp. 

Once I'm at camp, I wear a pair of cheap flip flops. Shoes come off and either put away with my gear or set out to dry if needed, and I wear the flip flops until I'm ready to travel again the next day. 

For me, this is the most efficient method. All that needs to be packed is a pair of light flip flops. Plus, the flip flops are really convenient to slide on/off when getting in and out of the tent, etc.

I hate water shoes - they tend to suck in small pebbles that will then grind your feet on the portage. I acknowledge that there are landings and portages in Algonquin where water shoes could be comfortable - and this is where you meet the biggest crowds.. Alternatively one has to dry-foot - not only the landings but also wet spots on portages, and that requires lots of energy, especially in wet season (last May my dry-footing partner had to paddle across some pools, which I walked through). Dry-footing ins and outs of 18/5' ultra-light canoe is cumbersome and more or less futile. I wear  comfortable non-waterproof hiking boots during the day (in icy water I will put on gor-tex socks or NEOS overshoes) and I change for light waterproof sneakers on a campsite.

Permits are done and Equipment is reserved. Now I have over 4 months to obsess over gear, food and packing.

My first concern:  our feet

What do you all do for footwear?  We will be single carrying  - 9 of us with 3 three-man canoes.  
We have 5 portages over 1km with the longest being 2960m.  But the most difficult looks like it could Unicorn Hill at 2345m

Some type of water shoe for loading and landing canoes (and while paddling)?  I could also see these also being good camp shoes and help with shore fishing.

Do you also bring boots to use while portaging?  I have always worn over the ankle boots while backpacking.    I like having ankle protection while carrying significant weight.   Or do you go with a hiking/trail shoe that can do it all?  Packing my boots, keeping them dry, and lugging them around for a week to use 5 or 6 times doesn't seem like too much fun.

I guess my options are:

water shoe of sorts + boots
water shoe + trail/hiking shoe
just a trail/hiking shoe

thanks for the input.  I am learning a lot from all of you!

Uppa wrote:

trippythings wrote:

Would you consider September, or would that not work? And which access points interest you the most?

September is unfortunately very tough for me due to my work (even though it's my favourite time of year to go camping). As to the specific route/access points, I don't actually care much - any trip across the park, regardless of start/end point, sounds pretty good to me!

September is usually easiest for me to schedule long trips, but August might work. I'll think about it more and let you know. Just curious how many nights were you planning?

Cork Lake at the end of the portage from Opalescent.

Last June some park maintenance guys showed up at our site. It appeared they were the Boombox repair crew.
One guy, who I call the Boombox leader, proceeded to recount stories of the massive spiders he encounters when it comes time to close the hole and break the boxes apart. Thanks guy. Thanks. 

 Continuing the WIA as per Bo's comment in the last WIA.  I think this one should be relatively quick to guess...

 

Finally got one.  I remember paddling past that campsite with two guys on it with 2 packs and they were in for 2 weeks.  I would need at
least 4 pack sacks for 2 weeks.

Not a camera guy so no photo to share.  So first come, first one to post a photo.

na na na na na na na na na na.. (Thunder)
na na na na na na na na na na.. (Thunder)

I was caught
In the middle of the woods (Thunder)
Looked around
And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder)
My bowels creaked
And I thought what could I do (Thunder)
And I knew
There was a Thunder Box, Thunder box!!!