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.

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 wear boots on portage and old, mesh-top running shoes in the boat. I made a bag that clips onto my canoe pack to carry the alternate footwear. 

Last edited by scratchypants (2/27/2020 4:16 pm)

RCSpartan wrote:

@trippythings, how are the Salomons in width? I read in reviews that they can be narrow. I have arthritis in my big toe which limits me in terms of footwear and I'm looking at possibly getting some amphibious shoes.
..... Will be a sad day when I have to finally put those out to pasture.

At first I remember thinking they were a bit narrow and uncomfortable vs. some other shoes that I bought to compare side-by-side, but that went away pretty quickly. I've been wearing them as my gym shoes recently (I need to buy another proper pair of gym shoes so these get less wear-and-tear and last longer, but that's another story), and even when I go back-and-forth between these and other shoes, they don't feel narrow at all. So either they've stretched a bit to conform to the foot, or I just got used to them super quickly.

If you have a specific reason why narrow might not work, like you mentioned, then maybe they're not for you. But if you're interested in them, I'd say there's no harm in purchasing and wearing them around the house for a bit, where the soles will stay clean, then decide if it's worth keeping or returning.

I've even debated buying a second pair just to have as a backup once these eventually give out.

For summer time use, I think shoes should fit you well, not come off in a mud hole, provide foot and ankle protection, dry quickly, drain quickly, and have really good grip on wet moss covered rocks. Most trail shoes will have you covered.

But, for me, the ideal shoe should be at least mid cut with proper laces so they stay secure in moose muck which can be thigh deep in some spots. They should provide full coverage to prevent sticks, gravel and sand from coming in and cutting your feet or rubbing them raw (ie not open sandles). I don't try to keep my feet dry. Accept that they will get wet. Rather than water proof, I look for good draining and and quick drying. Really good grip on wet rock is essential. It is different than really good grip on dirt. Most stumbles and falls will happen on rock at the put in and take out and at challenging spots along the portage. Big lugs do nothing to help your grip on wet rock. It is siping in the sole that provides this grip. Siping is razor thin slits in the shoe tread that help them stick to smooth surfaces. These treads wear out quickly if you use them on roads or sidewalks.

I'm sure there are other brands but Astral shoes pretty much nail all these ideal world needs. Either the Rassler or TR1 Merge. The Rassler has grippier soles. The Merge is more of a trail shoe and offers more support.

It's not absurd to want ankle support. I couldn't imagine doing portages without. I wear Vasque hiking boots on trips. When  I wanna air out, I go barefoot around the campsite. I do this year round with thick wool socks. Wouldn't have it any other way.

I have a pair of the TechAmphibians that I wear hiking around and when paddling.  They are ok but the back straps do tend to loosen up a bit and rub on my heel.  I also don't love the lacing system on them. I had Salomon water shoes before and they were way more comfortable.

Around camp I love Crocs.  Super light, breathable and comfy.  And lets not forget how important it is to look fashionable around camp...Nothing more fashionable than a dude rocking a pair of Crocs!

If you have the money to spare, Salomon Men's Quest 4D 3 GTX. These are arguably the very last pair of hiking boots you will ever own. Unbelievably comfortable and tons of ankle support. In the summer months, these boots never come off until the end of the day. They're constantly in and out of water, mud, gravel, rocks, and loon shit. But at the end of the day, my feet love me. So unless you hate your feet, spend the money for quality footwear. Spend once, cry once.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5056-424/Quest-4D-3-Gore-Tex-Hiking-Boots