I have been look longingly at the Mukluks but I have never wanted to go into a store with my dry suit on to see if the boots would go over the legs. Has anyone done this? With the short booties my feet always get wet. Dry feet would be nice and worth the big buck. Anyone with experience? What about the lace up ones? Joan Spinner *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, I spent my first winter season with my dry suit suffering from cold feet. My problem was getting my latex booties into some sort of boot with a couple of pair of socks on underneath. My toes would be cramped and without being able to move about, they got cold. And the men's size 10 low Chota boots were so giant on my feet that I couldn't walk once I got *out* of the kayak! This fall I purchased a pair of the high, non-lace up Chotas and have used them a couple of times. They're fantastic! They slide easily on over the latex booties, even with two pair of socks on underneath. The dry suit legs aren't too bulky to go in either. They comfortable to paddle in. Easy to walk in. Warm and dry. Happy feet. Jody ---- JSpinner_at_aol.com wrote: I have been look longingly at the Mukluks but I have never wanted to go into a store with my dry suit on to see if the boots would go over the legs. Has anyone done this? With the short booties my feet always get wet. Dry feet would be nice and worth the big buck. Anyone with experience? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have the lace-up Mukluks and like them a lot. They go on over the drysuit quite well. Get in the water with them over the tops and they do leak though - enough to get squishy inside but not as bad as open top rubber boots. Roger Voeller *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have the knee high chotas. They are like a set of booties that go inside shoes. They are fleece lined, very comfy and warm and do not leak. If they do leak you can return them for another. With the boots going up to your knees you don't really have to worry about water coming over the top, and if that does happen very little does get in because they have a web and buckle that shuts out 99% of the water. I am happy with them and I don't have anything to do with the company either. Kirby Stevens *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a way, these are two separate questions.... I bought mine oversized and they are nonetheless a tight fit around my calves. Still, plenty of room for tucking in the paddling pants I wear. I'm really not sure that the bulk of my drysuit will fit into there, altho pants and a wetsuit work out OK. But insofar as dry feet are concerned, I have changed from ankle gaskets to latex booties and the results are (sigh...) MAHvelous!!! Warmest ever. That's also another reason I bought oversized mukluks -- so the latex booties coud fit.... JP >I have been look longingly at the Mukluks but I have never wanted to go into >a store with my dry suit on to see if the boots would go over the legs. Has >anyone done this? With the short booties my feet always get wet. Dry feet >would be nice and worth the big buck. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Would be interesting to know if anyone who now uses these boots has done any wet re-entries or assisted re-entries with Chotas on. Obviously when you swim them, any insulating airspace will fill immediately, and will be heavy when raised above water level. Am visualizing a wet re-entry for a roll-up and wondering how they'd slide into either of my skiny boats. An assisted re-entry or paddlefloat re-entry might be that much more challenging. Anyone up for the challenge and report back? Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Would be interesting to know if anyone who now uses these boots has done any > wet re-entries or assisted re-entries with Chotas on. Obviously when you > swim them, any insulating airspace will fill immediately, and will be heavy > when raised above water level. Am visualizing a wet re-entry for a roll-up > and wondering how they'd slide into either of my skiny boats. An assisted > re-entry or paddlefloat re-entry might be that much more challenging. Anyone > up for the challenge and report back? > > Jack Martin Many of my winter paddling friends here in Boston wear one form or another of the Chota Mukluks. We've done lots of wet re-entries - solo and assisted, wearing the boots. In mildly cold water and really cold water (Boston, Massachusetts in February/March). The boots do take on water - but not what I would call "immediately". If you tighten the belt around your leg, the rubber gasket at the top makes a seal that isn't perfect, but keeps the water from being a flood. So your feet get "squishy" more than "sloshy". As such, getting the boots out of the water is no big deal because they just don't really weigh that much extra, nor do they seem to expand in volume enough to worry about getting back into even a tight cockpit. In March this year, one guy was in a really small cockpit British boat and spent about ten minutes in the water before we could help him get back in. He was wearing a good drysuit and his Chotas. His feet got wet, but getting him back into his boat was not a problem and the insulation on his feet gradually warmed back up. Roger Voeller *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Thu, 30 Nov 2000 JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > Would be interesting to know if anyone who now uses these boots has done any > wet re-entries or assisted re-entries with Chotas on.... > Anyone up for the challenge and report back? This might be relevant. I was wearing a pair of Chota mukluks (is that in your AHD, Sandy? :) ) while open-boating the Natahala in October. I managed to flip and swim in the entrance rapid about 100 meters above Nantahala Falls, a generally benign Class III rapid, which has nontheless seen two fatalities. Suffice it to say I was swimming hard through some heavy water to get to shore, and I did collect a fair amount of water in my boots, but not enough that they left my feet. I was able to scramble onto the rocks just above the Falls, climb back into the boat, and finish the run. At the worst, they wer no heavier than hiking boots. No, I don't paddle in hiking boots. Steve Cramer (squish, squish) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > > Would be interesting to know if anyone who now uses these boots has done any > wet re-entries or assisted re-entries with Chotas on. Obviously when you > swim them, any insulating airspace will fill immediately, and will be heavy > when raised above water level. Am visualizing a wet re-entry for a roll-up > and wondering how they'd slide into either of my skiny boats. An assisted > re-entry or paddlefloat re-entry might be that much more challenging. Anyone > up for the challenge and report back? Been there, done that. As you suspect, the Chotas pick up quite a bit of water during re-entries (assisted or otherwise). I had no problems doing self rescue or the T-rescue, but did not attempt re-enter and roll. Although the boots fill with water, it is not an unwieldy load. I was wearing a farmer john equipped with a relief zipper, so there was a lot of water entry which ended up in the Chotas. In reality, the most difficult part of the whole scenario was waddling up the beach with bulging ankles. In the water, the extra bulk was not a problem. 'Course, my boat has a large cockpit. The ladies present said it was fitting I got swollen ankles, 'cause that way I might sympathize with one of the effects of pregnancy. I ignored 'em. Pre-eclampsia, my foot! -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have practised re-entry's with my chotas on and they work great. They don't fill up with vasts amounts of water, in most cases barely any gets in. When I do mine up I tighten the toggle on the webbing so it is almost a 100% seal. When I forget to tighten it and they do fill it isn't any different than a normal wetsuit booty. So I don't see what the big deal about them is. Kirby *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Roger Voeller wrote: > don't really weigh that much extra, nor do they seem to expand in volume > enough to worry about getting back into even a tight cockpit. In March this > year, one guy was in a really small cockpit British boat and spent about ten > minutes in the water before we could help him get back in. He was wearing a > good drysuit and his Chotas. His feet got wet, but getting him back into his > boat was not a problem and the insulation on his feet gradually warmed back > up. You probably can't get all that much water into boots. But imagine how much you can get into a pair of paddling pants even ones with just neoprene ankle cuffs. I don't have to imagine this because I witnessed this years ago. A fellow was wearing a pair of such pants and capsized. We had a devil of a time helping him lift himself into the boat. When we landed a few miles later, he went to open up the velcroed neoprene ankle closure and half the ocean poured out. I would suggest that if you are rescuing someone who is wearing paddling pants that you have them open up the seals before trying the re-entry (nothing much can be done for latex ankle gaskets on a pair of dry pants). There have also been cased of a paddler wearing a paddling jacket of getting so much water into the sleeves that it was difficult to lift their arms. It would pour down into the body area but the PFD inhibited or slowed that flow. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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