I've worn neoprene muck-type boots which look quite similar to the boundary boot during spring or fall trips when it's a bit cooler outside and I don't want wet feet.  I found them very effective and comfortable both in the boat and on the trail.  It's nice to be able to roll down the upper section so they don't constantly constrict your calves.

I see quite a few comments about getting feet wet when getting in and out of the canoe for portages.  Unless it is a muddy, sloppy landing, I don't usually get in the water and just step right onto land or a rock or a root or something solid.  But I'm deliberate and careful...because I don't want to make a mistake that ruins a trip or puts a damper on the day.  Others may just splash out and dash onto the trail in the spirit of moving on quickly...kudos to them.

I wear NRS neoprene boots on canoe trips, and they are the only footwear I take with me (I don't like carrying extra weight around for "in camp" footwear vs. "travel" footwear.  I get out of the boat early whenever possible to save wear and tear on the hull, I'm just careful not to overstep the height of the boot.  However, the neoprene boots are not great relative to your instep or ankle support, so I put Cur Rex inserts in there.

The upside is your foot remains dry, and so do your pant legs because the pant legs bunch up on top of the boot (its a real fashion statement).  Your feet also remain pretty warm.  The downside is you sweat, so you absolutely create moisture in the boot.  The socks are soaking when I take them off at night.  My trips are generally 4 days long, I've never had a problem, but I could see how a funky fungus problem could result on a longer trip.  At night, I wedge a couple of sticks inside the boots, to prevent them from collapsing on themselves and trapping moisture in there.  They're still a bit wet on the inside in the morning, but at least I've given them some small opportunity to breathe.

I wear those same neoprene boots to snowblow the driveway, to tromp around the snow around the house (in snowshoes too), in the muck of spring, etc.  Mine have a few years on them, and a pinhole has developed in the heel of one.  I'm going to have to replace them (although I'd like to try a bicycle tire repair patch first...), and the NRS style now has those bungee shoelace things on them.  I'm a little concerned about those getting hooked up on all kinds of stuff, but I guess we'll find out when I get around to replacing my existing ones. It is the primary reason I'm delaying replacing them - I like the velcro on the existing ones.     

PaPaddler wrote:

I see quite a few comments about getting feet wet when getting in and out of the canoe for portages.  Unless it is a muddy, sloppy landing, I don't usually get in the water and just step right onto land or a rock or a root or something solid.  But I'm deliberate and careful...because I don't want to make a mistake that ruins a trip or puts a damper on the day.  Others may just splash out and dash onto the trail in the spirit of moving on quickly...kudos to them.

I am in the latter camp... I find it easier to just swing over the side into the shallow water, grab my gear, then lift the canoe right from the water and just walk on to the portage. I used to try and keep my feet dry all day, then would eventually step wrong and it was all for naught anyways. All the time and effort, wasted haha.
I have learned to just live with soaking wet feet for the entire trip. Bring lots of socks, and some light/dry footwear for camp and it is bearable.

That being said, putting on wet shoes on a cold morning is my least favourite thing about camping!

Guyute wrote:

Has anyone tried SealSkinz socks?  Apparently, they are waterproof and keep your feet dry.  I can't imagine they are overly breathable or comfortable though.

Any experiences?

I've tried those!  The issue is then you're holding wet next to your legs (they absorb a lot of water) and it really chills you.  

Guyute wrote:

Has anyone tried SealSkinz socks?  Apparently, they are waterproof and keep your feet dry.  I can't imagine they are overly breathable or comfortable though.

Any experiences?

I find my feet sweat so much anything close to 'waterproof' can't allow my sweat through the waterproof membrane fast enough and I end up with wet feet for a different reason.

I just wear sturdy but not waterproof hiking boots with good wool socks and accept my feet will be wet from the moment I load the canoe to the time I change into light weight camp shoes and dry socks.  I take two pair of 'traveling' socks where I alternate day over day so I'm putting mostly-dry socks on in the morning each morning.

keg wrote:

Almost like I have a twin ;)

There are dozens of us!