I have used my Chotas for three long kayak trips in Greenland [Aasiaat, Qanaaq and Kulusuk, if anyone cares]. I never put anything on my feet on any trips but the boots. I have the cheapest mukluk style. Hiking on rocks and pebbles was no problem for my very tender feet. I did a lot of climbing and walking, the longest walk was probably about two hours. I intentionally got the boots a little large and wear very heavy fleece socks over sock liners. Warm feet, good cushion. I have a pair of Swellies as well. I bought them fitted to my real shoe size a little better, so I only use them in warmer weather or on trips where I don't expect to do a lot of hiking. I find no difference in performance. Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Evan Dallas" <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com> wrote: >> Also, I noticed that there are three versions of the Chotas: the "regular" ones with a 3mm sole (seems thin if you're going to be walking on rocky, barnacle-covered stuff) for US$75; the "nunavut", which apparently has a regular sole and heel (perhaps making it better for canoeing?) for US$93; or the quicklace model with a 7mm sole for US$93. Which one is more appropriate for kayak touring? >> Steve Holtzman has already hit most of the points in comparison of the Chota variations. Like Steve, I own and use the lightweight model, and have walked on barnacled rocks to a limited extent. Because most of my touring is on sandy beaches, the lightweight sole works well for me. The other variable here is whether the stiffer-soled ones will allow your foot to fit inside the yak. Mine have fleece inside, and sure, it gets wet after several days of touring, but the fleece still provides some insulation, where you need it. If I use them on a day trip and return home, a couple hours on a cheap boot dryer brings them back to dry and toasty. Something no one else has mentioned is that in a full-immersion situation, with Chotas sealed to the __outside__ of a farmer john wet suit, seam leak __in the FJ__ will flood the Chotas and make them water balloons after you get back inside the yak. Does not take much swimming to achieve this, and the only cure is to find land and empty them. For that reason, it's better to wear them __inside__ the farmer john legs, if you can get a fit that way. -- 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 the cheapest mukluk style. Hiking on rocks and pebbles was no problem for my very tender feet. I did a lot of climbing and walking, the longest walk was probably about two hours. What I use too... I have installed hiking boot inserts into these and they help greatly for walking on small rocks, etc. Easy to remove for drying as well. Keeping the strap tight minimizes waterlogging. Some people had mentioned that they get pinhole leaks from blackberry vines etc. but this has not happened to me after a coupla years of use.. Joe P. *************************************************************************** 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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