MEC Swellies are high-cut neoprene boots similar to Chota, without fleece liner or laces, sold in Canada: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=676791&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=134973&bmUID=1061509918332 There was a discussion of both models a while ago (not much difference was found). My running shoe size is 9.5, but Swellies are in either 9 or 10. I've tried them today on medium-thick sock . Size 9 was just "tight", like some sock, not even a millimiter of spare room. Not painfully restrictive. Size 10 was noticably loose, with about 1/2-3/4" of room at ether toe or heel (or half of that room at both ends). Both 9 and 10 would fit into my kayak (I'm wearing #10 running sandals on water now). I understand this is all subjective, still wonder how loose or tight these boots should be? I don't plan long portaging or mountain climbing, just short trips around the dock or campsite (and of course paddling). Pacific NW in the fall or spring is not the hottest place on earth, and tight footwear might not provide enough warmth, I suspect. Alex. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Does anyone make wide sizes? I'm only a 9E or EE and Chotas are too narrow. Anyone else out there with short, duck feet find a solution. Short of operating... on the boots. Thanks, Kevin *************************************************************************** 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 21 Aug 2003 at 17:13, alex wrote: > I understand this is all subjective, still > wonder how loose or tight these boots should be? I prefer them not to be so loose that my foot can slide in them and risk a twisted ankle. While you don't plan on portages, one day you'll be doing something that will make you wish the boots wouldn't slide around. My Swellies are on the big side, so I can go with lots of insulation. The smaller size was too small. However, I put an insole into them to take up some of the room and provide a better fitting footbed than the plain Swellies have. It has the second benefit of stiffening the sole a bit so walking on rough surfaces is more comfy. So the answer is - loose enough to be comfy but snug enough to so that you wear them and not just live inside them. Mike *************************************************************************** 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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