C-Forum

With size 15 feet, I have to be real minimalist. I start with NRS rodeo socks, and first I glue on a thin extra layer of neoprene on the sole, for a little protection. Then I glue one or two layers of neoprene on the top to cushion my feet when they are lying top down on the boat bottom.

It is better to do the fitting and glueing while wearing the socks, and while in the position the added neoprene will be in during use. Otherwise the added neoprene may make the socks harder to don.

Had these new merrell in my hands two weeks ago they are very flexible twisting them but not so much bending backwards, and the heel felt to me it was too much and could still catch pretty much like running shoes.

Let us know whenever somebody tries them in a C1: the ones I saw didn't fit my feet and didn't try them in a boat... Maybe they aren't that bad after all...

Lappie wrote:this look good and at a good price! http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1169

I thought so, too (NRS Sasquatch). However, I probably won't be putting the dry suit on again until next fall, so... I'll put off purchases until I have greater incentive again and have a chance to try on something.

Thanks for the heads up on those merrells!

I just went down to rei and bought a pair today. Low risk buying from rei with their awsome return policy.

I'll be testing them out this weekend.
Rubber seems sticky. I hope it is.
They flex backwards just good enough for me. They fit fine in my pure xl, yes, it is a huge boat but the cockpit is lower than a burn. Doubt they'll fit in my playboat, but maybe. size 11.5, and They are small shoes!

OK used them all weekend...
They are great until you step on wet rock. Then they suck. zero trackion.
they're going back to place of purchase.

think I'll try these next....

http://fiveten.com/products/footwear-de ... ter-tennie

I picked up a pair of wetsuit booties designed for surfers. They're Infiniti's by Xcel Wetsuits. $57.00 retail. They're 5 mil Neoprene, bamboo fiber for insulation, reinforced rubber soles and toe area. The verdict has yet to come in on durability and ouch-factor on portages. I did wear them on the crushed 2b stone in my driveway without any pain at all so things are looking up. They're really comfortable too...my feet were going to sleep when I had them in tennis shoes in the C1 so that was my motivation behind this purchase. It's dumb to go barefoot on any creek or river.

Oh yeah, they claim to be made form recycled fibers using clean hydro-electricity which means that some river got dammed up. So maybe the thumbs up gets neutralized for that!

I will NOT let this thread die!

A buddy sent me this link.. check out the rs15. very exciting!


http://www.jettribe.com/main_jettribe_p ... 96_040.htm#

Has anyone tried felt soles?

Those race boots look nice but maybe still a bit bulky for me.

Felt soles have been associated with the transport of "rock snot" on and between rivers, and therefore should be avoided. I just learned about the invasion of rock snot to my favorite river: http://newhartfordplus.com/2011/03/30/d ... er-by-dep/.

I use a pair of neoprene socks/booties with a thin rubber sole. I forget the model but I think it's another company's equivalent to the NRS Desperado http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1168

They're better than neoprene socks without any rubber sole added, but they don't grip as well on rocks or offer as much rigidity as I'd like for moving around in a hurry outside of my boat.
They're about the heaviest and stiffest shoe I can go with though because a lot of other things feel like I'm going to get trapped under my deck.
I have a pair of Keen water shoes (Newport H2) that are great for walking in and around rivers when not C1ing, but I tried them in my boat on dry land and got both of my feet very stuck the first time I sat down! No good at all for boating.

...A belt sander can do wonders for a chunky heel that's close, but not quite small enough.

I've sworn by NRS Kickers for years. Today I got an e-mail from Cabelas & this shoe looks decent. Anyone tried it? http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear ... 170835.uts

We've got a happy camper here!

I just got a new pair last week and they are all I wanted finally... Not too soft sole not too big/stiff, zipper entry and grippy enough.

http://belugaworld.com/?p=produits.item&pid=168&pg=1