NEOS makes Trekker waterproof overshoes - they are knee high, light (about 1.5 lbs a pair) and easy to put on/off your favorite hiking boots.

If you are using them for shoulder seasons and want a warm pair, the Kamik ones from Canadian Tire are great.They are usually 60 bucks, but regularly go on sale for 40-50. They are the ones with a removable liner. I gave up on rubber boots without liners a long time ago because your feet just get damp from sweat, then cold and clammy.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/kamik-insulated-rubber-boots-black-boys-men-s-0872668p.html#srp

I use them for ice out trips, late fall trips and even as backup winter camping boots. The key is to get them slightly oversize, and put a felted insole in the bottom or wear big wooly socks. 
 

Whatever you go with, unless you're taking them off in the canoe, Get boots with some sort of closure at the top! If you flip with boots on they'll quickly fill with water, making it virtually impossible to swim, and if you can't EASILY kick them off or stop the water in the first place, you can end up in a world of hurt!
I use the Kamik hunter-style boots with a laced cuff at the top that I can snug up just for that reason

So......I've got a trip scheduled for May 17-19, mostly paddling.  One portage, a 200 meter shorty. Day two I visit Baden Powell, there's a 400-something on the way, and I understand a beaver dam to overcome.

This is my first ice-out trip.  It had not occurred to me that I might need anything other than my usual hiking boots.  I'm prepared for cold weather with base layers and even have neoprene gloves for paddling, but boots I hadn't thought about. 

Can you help me assess the need here?  Is the primary concern dumping the boat in very frigid water?  Are the portage conditions super-different at that time?  Something else?  All of the above? 

By the way, Shawn's boot looks like a pretty good option.  

What Rob said..
And to this point

RobW wrote:

 the folks who are wearing hiking boots and practicing their gymnastics to get in and out of the canoes while keeping their feet dry.

Drives me crazy!! A buddy i canoe with refused to give this practice up for the longest time.  I had to position the canoe in just the right place for him so he could keep his feet dry.. Finally got him into a pair of water/hiking shoes for wet foot entries and exits in summer and he uses rubber boots in spring now.

And dontgroandaddy.. best price on those boots I have, is usually here..https://www.lacordee.com/en/nrs-boundary-boots

 

Last edited by ShawnD (4/03/2019 5:19 pm)

OK, I took the plunge this evening and purchased a pair. Thank you very much for the guidance, and goneagainjon, sorry if I kind of hi-jacked your post, but I'm sure glad you posted to begin with.  Once again AA and the regulars come through with terrific advice.

pjr2013 wrote:

For those who bought the NRS shoe/boot:

1.  How do they handle on long(ish) portages 1.5-2.0 km or so)?  Do they let your feet breath?

2.  I suppose most important is the fit - I have done the online boot purchase thing before and it was a disaster.  First pair too small, second pair too large with nothing else in between.  Overall I was out duty plus 2 x shipping for the returns.

I am in the SW Ontario/London area - is there a store that carries these?  I would much prefer to try a pair on...

So my 2 cents. These boots are good for colder weather. they keep my feet dry and warm. I would not want to be wearing them if it were hot out , but I would say the same thing about any kind of rubber.or neoprene boot..They do not offer the same support as a good pair of hiking boots but you can cinch them down with the strap on top quite a bit. I have never had a problem..

In terms of fit, I take the same size in these that I do for most other footwear so  they fit true to size.

MEC used to carry them but I don't think the do anymore. 

The site I linked to above does offer free returns for orders over $49.

ShawnD wrote:

So my 2 cents. These boots are good for colder weather. they keep my feet dry and warm. I would not want to be wearing them if it were hot out , but I would say the same thing about any kind of rubber.or neoprene boot..They do not offer the same support as a good pair of hiking boots but you can cinch them down with the strap on top quite a bit. I have never had a problem..

In terms of fit, I take the same size in these that I do for most other footwear so  they fit true to size.

MEC used to carry them but I don't think the do anymore. 

The site I linked to above does offer free returns for orders over $49.

Thanks ShawnD - In the summer I wear keen sandals 100%, in the boat and on the portage.  I find them quite spectacular - enough support/protection (toe protection - this is shockingly important!) on a portage, but free enough for summer.  I would use the boots only for the shoulder season - this year my spring trip is booked for the 13th and the plan is to base camp at Linda Lake (any tips on sites anyone??) and explore /day trip from there.  Perhaps find the old portage route on Jeff's map, explore Linda Creek/Iris Creek (on Iris L).  The route into Linda has 4 portages with the longest @ 1315 m...