Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I'm looking to buy a pair of booties and I basically have no idea which ones I need haha. I was looking at some of the NRS kinds. I need something pretty warm because I'm cold natured. They need to be able to fit in my boat but have a good sole because I do a lot of walking. I'd like to hear about y'all's experiences with different shoes. Thanks guys.

What kind of boat do you have? I like the NRS Attack shoes I have (bought on sale) and they fit fine in my XP10 but they don't it in my Superstar.

It's a booster 60. There's actually quite a bit of room in there (for someone with average feet) but I wear I size 13 in a regular shoe so my big ole feet are still kinda squished.

Sir_Parks,

I too have rather large feet (13-14 depending on brand). The closest fitting shoe I have foound is the NRS Kicker Remix. They fit well in my XP-10. My old NRS Kickers were too long. I am sure there are others out there that would fit, this is just my personal experience. I've used them on the Buffalo in March and my feet stayed warm even when wet.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I was looking at those last night but I just didn't know if they'd be warm enough. I might get them and then get a high top later. How were they on sizing? I wear a 13 in runnin shoes and like it to be good and snug.

I just bought a pair of NRS Freestyle booties about a month ago, and so far, I think they're great. They're super comfy and warm. I'm a cold-feet person too, but in these I find myself much more comfortable in cold water than I had been before. In fact, on the Buffalo last weekend, I had to walk in the water sometimes in order to cool my feet off.

They don't have thick soles, but in hunting them up just now on the NRS website I saw the Desperado Boot, which seems pretty similar but has a stiffer sole.

I wear a men's size nine, so I can't speak to your concern about fit on bigger feet. But I can say that these are comfortable and very toasty.

Yep, I noticed where they use to call the freestyle the desperado sock. I like the desperado and the kicker remix. What I might do is get a pair of kickers for now then for fall get the desperado a little larger so I can wear some socks underneath .

I have the NRS Sasquatch.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1169

I've worn them in 33 degree with sleet and snow falling in a open canoe and by themselves my feet got cold on a Little Missouri float from the campground to W Oldam Rd. Thats about 4.5 hrs at the flow we did it..

After that I started wearing a medium weight wool or poly/wool blend sock with them and my feet stay warm. I haven't tried that combo under the same conditions again but they have worked great kayaking 35 degree weather. ( and yes they still get wet:) )

I had intended to pair them with the NRS Titanium wet sock but I think this is working for me now.

For what it is worth: I have switched over from the various neoprene based inner sox for cold weather boating to size up my wet shoes and wear really thick merino wool sox.

I think tight fitting shoes contribute more to cold feet than we realize.

I also went to a dry suit with gore tex booties sewn in and same for dry pants with dry top in cooler weather.

Even in summer time except in the warmest days I am wearing light weight merino wool sox inside paddle shoes even when paddling in shorts.

I have NRS Attack shoes, good fit and traction. My feet are always cold. Dry or wet, always cold. Don't think it is the fault of the boots.

I like the Keen Hydro Guide sandals http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/produ ... uide/black" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; with a pair of NRS HydroSkin Wetsocks http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1168" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

If the wetsocks don't provide enough warmth, you can always go to the 2mm neoprene socks http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1168" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Sir_Parks wrote:Thanks Chris, I was looking at those last night but I just didn't know if they'd be warm enough. I might get them and then get a high top later. How were they on sizing? I wear a 13 in runnin shoes and like it to be good and snug.

Jake,

They sized true for me, I was able to use the size 13's and I sometimes wear a 14 in a running or other type shoe. You might get by with a pair of 12's. The Keens that Steve S mentioned are good shoes (I have a pair of their Hood River water shoes) but, the toe protection on them makes them way to big for me to wear in my kayak. If you suceed in finding a boot style water shoe that fits in your kayak let me know, as I also have been looking for a pair of those.

Chris

Thanks for the info guys. I went ahead and decided to try some desperados, they should be here tomorrow. I'll let y'all know how they work out.

I already have a pair of NRS Boundary Shoes for cold weather, and I've found that since my arches are seventeen feet high I need a stiff sole when kneeling or I'll get cramps in my tootsies, so I think I'm going to take Steve's suggestion and go with a hydrosock/sandal combo. In case anyone else is looking, Amazon has the Keen Hydro Guides for $60 and free shipping if you're a Prime member.