MartinG wrote:

Neoprene is not waterproof. Neoprene socks like the ones at MEC won't keep your feet dry if you are standing in water. They are water resistant and they provide insulation. The perspiration or sweating some people report could be the water getting through. Neoprene in a wetsuit or sock is designed to trap a thin layer of moisture against your skin where your body heat warms it up and the neoprene provides insulation.

That's what I had thought.
I'm trying to figure out what to do for my footwear for the trip I've got booked for first weekend in May.
I was starting to lean towards the NRS Boundary Shoe that ShawnD had posted.
It's adverstised as waterproof.  However I've never used anything neoprene before and I have a feeling the lack of breathability will have by feet sweating and wet...

Then I was thinking neoprene socks in some hiking boots...
Decisions, decisions...

Last edited by breed85 (4/17/2017 6:22 am)

ShawnD wrote:

I have found it's the best option in cold water. Short of a rubber boot or wearing my waterproof hiking boots and only stepping in really shallow water ( which on many portages is very hard to do) not sure how you keep your feet dry. I just want my feet to be warm and comfortable which I find the neoprene accomplishes.

I always wear heavy-duty self-bailing shoes, and in cold weather I put on Goretex waterproof socks. It keeps my foot dry unless I wade in knee-high water, and it's no less warm when wet than neoprene.

I haven't used the boundary shoe either. Maybe it is waterproof!. Stephen Molson used to wear a pair of Chota Mucklucks which are like the boundary shoe. He said they kept him dry. My MEC socks do not stay dry. Neither do the Neoprene socks in my NRS Work boots. 

I don't really know all the ins and outs of Neoprene. Are there different grades? Or maybe there is multilayer neoprene construction that is waterproof. I just understand the principal behind a wetsuit made of neoprene. I suppose neoprene must pose some form of barrier against the transfer of water. Since the goal of a wetsuit is to trap a thin layer of water against your skin. If water could freely pass through, water wouldn't be trapped. There would ba a constant transfer of water and you would not stay warm.

I could be wrong. Maybe Neoprene is waterproof.

Ok Guys .

So my NRS boundary shoes came today.



I can confirm that they are to my pleasant surprise completely waterproof.

Looking at my MEC moque boots the zipper on the side likley lets water in. These are completely seam sealed.

They should be just the ticket. Very comfy too. 

Last edited by ShawnD (4/18/2017 7:35 pm)

Hey Breed85

So I don't think MEC carries them anymore.

This place in Quebec has them for the best price I could find. Free fast shipping too.

http://www.lacordee.com/en/nrs-boundary-boots

I bought 1 size up because I read quite a few reviews that they run small. Plus lots of people using thicker socks for warmth which I will likely do as well.

I would say they fit true to size though. You can tighten them with the cross strap pretty well if need be. So depends on how thick of a sock you plan to wear I guess plus they only come if full sizes. If you are a half size I would order up for sure not down.

Last edited by ShawnD (4/18/2017 7:45 pm)

I have no experience with neoprene socks but I've SCUBA for years. I use my dive boots for kayaking in cold weather or "yucky" launches. A few things I can offer that may be of help.

Neoprene is sorta mostly a one way valve. For diving it lets the water in but not out, some outdoor and kayak gear it's made the other way around giving you some warmth and remaining water resist. My knowledge of thermodynamics is too rusty to explain why it's warmer trapping the water in than out but it is. Once they're wet they're wet. My boots take 24-72 hours to dry after a dive. They take 5 min to soak at the surface so I often can get in and out of my boat with dry feet. It's almost instant at 10' deep. At least in the case of dive boots stepping to my knees doesn't let water in the top of them, but they fit tight. 

I haven't used them for a long portage yet but intend to on my maiden trip into Algonquin in June. However I've spent all day in them on multi dive days and it's not horrible.... but you're happy to be out of them and dry off your feet at the end of a day. Only time I've been cold is when the water first seeps in (2-5 min warm up time depending on air/water temp) or when ocean temps were in the low 40's, if you're getting into the 30's go with a dry suit. 

As for buying them, I'd try a dive store first, but that's my background. 

Hope that helps.

Just an update on the NRS Boundary Boot that I purchased and used on this years spring trip.
They were super comfy while sitting in the boat, kept my feet completely dry during put ins and take outs.

They have no ankle support, but we had fairly easy portages. If we had some longer or more difficult portages I would think I'd want switch into something with additional support.

I used them the rainy and cold May 5th weekend so it was cool enough that my feet didn't sweat, but they also kept my feet warm enough while wearing a pair of Smartwool "Trekkers".

We ended up cutting our trip real short so didn't get an extended review of them, but my initial impression of them was good.