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From: <HRobinson_at_lakelandcc.edu>
subject: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 14:00:35 -0500
"i'm looking for information from those of you who have used both chota
boots and rubber boots in COLD ocean water. has anyone found a clear
advantage/disadvantage w/ one v. other?"

I used the Chotas for 5 weeks of greenland paddling.  I never had cold
feet.  Combined with Gortex sox and lightweight woolen sox underneath,
 my feet stayed toasty and dry!!

Heike
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From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 13:14:21 EST
In a message dated 2/17/2003 12:57:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
Ellen.M.Nacik-2_at_tc.umn.edu writes:

> ... chota boots and rubber boots in COLD ocean water. ...

I can cinch my mukluks tight at the ankle and below the knee so that even 
when swimming (under current conditions) the water ingress in minimal and I 
can use my feet for prpulsion (especially with appropriately sized scuba 
fins). I know of no rubber boots that would allow me to do this. My mukluks 
are sufficiently large to allow wearing pretty thick socks, so that I do not 
suffer unduly even when when taking the boat to and from the put-in / 
take-out -- again under current conditions of snow and ice. 

Best regards,
Ralph

Ralph C. Hoehn
Ralph_at_Atlatl-Kayaks.com / Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com
www.Atlatl-Kayaks.com / www.PouchBoats.com
phone: +1-203-324-0901

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From: <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 13:23:38 EST
In a message dated 2/17/2003 11:57:22 AM Central Standard Time, 
Ellen.M.Nacik-2_at_tc.umn.edu writes:


> i'm looking for information from those of you who have used both chota
> boots and rubber boots in COLD ocean water. has anyone found a clear
> advantage/disadvantage w/ one v. other?
> 

If you own or want them make a decision on them based on the type of support 
you want for your feet. I have the ones that are boot like and they were good 
companions on a 6+ mile hike in the bogs and hills of West Chichigof Island. 
My compadre Jimmy had the kind that were unsupported at the ankle and he was 
irritated he overlooked the heavier duty type. Additionally, the hole he 
earned on them would have been prevented had he bought the sturdier type.

That being said, I paddle more low volume boats these days and now barely can 
fit them in the kayak. So, I just put on an oversize water shoe on my dry 
suit booty and call it a day. Another significant gripe is that when 
practicing rescues they do take on water when pared with dry pants or dry 
suit, but very little when pared with a wetsuit bottom. When wet they take 
forever squared and a day to dry. My wife loves them dearly and wears them on 
all outings.

Back to the 2 cents thing,

Rob G


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From: <Kevin50110_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 13:55:08 EST
I'm a bit sensitive to very cold water due frostbitten toes, but it can't be 
too bad as big old boots in a low volume boat are worse. I use standard 
Chotas River Runners with the sole in the toe area cut at an angle. Wet, 
sucks like a pump when you take them off, but if you anticipate getteing out 
of your kayak in unforeseen places they work. Take a look at Brooks Wetsuits, 
you may find some interesting options and their products are great.

Kevin

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From: steen <bondos_at_paradis.dk>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 22:08:51 +0100 (CET)
On Mon, 17 Feb 2003 10:25:30 -0600, e nacik wrote:

Hi Ellen,

>i'm looking for information from those of you who have used both chota
>boots and rubber boots in COLD ocean water. has anyone found a clear
>advantage/disadvantage w/ one v. other?

I've seen quite e few Scottish people use rubber boots, but nowhere
else. Few male got the room in their boat to wear them, while paddling
- and it's a hassle to put them on even in the smallest surf. Besides;
I wouldn't like to go swimming in rubber boots.

Personally I got a pair of MEC High Cut Swellies (cheap pendant to
Chota) - as long as you don't go too deep for the leg, they stay dry on
top of leg/longjohn.

TIP: You can extend the time in deed water, before the MECs gets
wet, by adding a pair of waterproofs, with anglestraps, on top.
Additionally the waterproofs keeps the wind from chilling your wetsuit.

One thing there came to my mind: Could a pair of latex neck-gasket be
fitted to the bootleg, this would make them a whole lot more
sealed......

Regards
-- 
steen
---



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From: al.m <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 21:06:39 -0800
> Personally I got a pair of MEC High Cut Swellies (cheap pendant to
> Chota) - as long as you don't go too deep for the leg, they stay dry on
> top of leg/longjohn.
>
> TIP: You can extend the time in deed water, before the MECs gets
> wet, by adding a pair of waterproofs, with anglestraps, on top.

Price of Swellies compared to $90 Chotas is good, too good :-): $US 28, or
$CDN 42 here in Canada, and you partially confirmed my suspicions.  They
look like Chota, and neoprene seems so be thicker.  Could have cost less
than $US 50 with good gaskets - and people would like them better.
Q: what do you mean by "waterproofs"?

> One thing there came to my mind: Could a pair of latex neck-gasket be
> fitted to the bootleg,

Aquaseal glue (used for neoprene) should be able to do the job.  There is
also Brooks wetsuit glue (have strong suspicion that it's same as Aquaseal,
but not sure). There is an instruction on http://www.kokatat.com how to
repair latex neck gaskets in drysuits, using Aquaseal (see Care --> repair
*without* gasket repair kit). MEC website has an instruction on use of
Aquaseal for neoprene repairs:
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10103&FOLDER%3C%
3Efolder_id=497117&bmUID=1045542712172.htm

Alex.

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From: steen <bondos_at_paradis.dk>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 09:18:25 +0100 (CET)
On Mon, 17 Feb 2003 21:06:39 -0800, al.m wrote:

>Q: what do you mean by "waterproofs"?

Trousers, meant for hiking. Lightweight wind and waterproof- mine are
Vango, unfortunately without any strap around the ankles.

>Aquaseal glue (used for neoprene) should be able to do the job.  There is
> [cut]

Thanks!
-- 
steen
---

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From: Shawn Baker <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:33:52 -0800 (PST)
Similarly, I wonder about the size of the MEC Swellies.  I wear a size
14, and wonder if a size 13 Swellie [their largest :( ] will fit over a
medium-weight merino wool sock and Goretex bootie?  Is a size 13
Swellie "Brit size" or "American size"...or "Canadian size"?!

"Rick Ramos" <ramos_at_lanset.com> wrote:
> My wife is questioning the sizing of the Chota mukluks.  do they fit 
> well with wide feet? 

I have only tried Mukluks once...those size 12's were a bit too short
for my feet, but seemed wide (I have narrow feet)..I couldn't comment
whether they were "wide" or "normal", but they were definitely for a
wider foot than mine.

shawn

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From: Eric Unrau <eunrau_at_yahoo.ca>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 09:01:19 -0800
MEC uses US sizing, but I found that I needed to go up one size to get a
comfortable fit that would allow for a pair of socks.  YMMV

~Eric~

> -----Original Message-----
> 
> Similarly, I wonder about the size of the MEC Swellies.  I wear a size

> 14, and wonder if a size 13 Swellie [their largest :( ] will fit over 
> a medium-weight merino wool sock and Goretex bootie?  Is a size 13 
> Swellie "Brit size" or "American size"...or "Canadian size"?!
> 
> shawn


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From: steen <bondos_at_paradis.dk>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rubber boots/chotas
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 22:00:38 +0100 (CET)
On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:33:52 -0800 (PST), Shawn Baker wrote:

>Similarly, I wonder about the size of the MEC Swellies.  I wear a size
>14, and wonder if a size 13 Swellie [their largest :( ] will fit over a
>medium-weight merino wool sock and Goretex bootie?  Is a size 13
>Swellie "Brit size" or "American size"...or "Canadian size"?!

I'm a 44 in DK size, I got a pair of 11/XL from MEC - they fit with
thick socks. To play it safe, I mesured my foot and gave them the
length.
-- 
steen
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