Stream crossings? Gaiters or "crocs"

[twunt]

Looking for a little advise from the rokslide collective...

If stream crossings are say knee deep and 20-30' across would gaiters be a viable option for keeping 10" talk boots relatively dry?
Or just throw on a set of crocs or water shoes and have at her?

Ran I to this on a recent sheep hunt and I decided to live with wet boots for the added stability with a loaded pack in swift current.
The flip flops I had along as a lightweight alternative did not inspire sure footed confidence.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rbljack]

I think in that situation you are SOL either way...LOL.

 

[Duidery]

Crocs are what I use for stream crossings on my sheep hunts. They have worked great for me. I also have hiking poles to help since the crocs don't have great tread. Besides, at the end of the day, it feels great to step out your hiking boots and into crocs while lounging around camp.

 

[realunlucky]

Gaiters won't keep your boots dry for long of crossings a couple three steps sure 25' noway

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[Stid2677]

Ah,,the quest for dry feet.

Gaiters are Okay for quick and I mean quick crossing that go over boot tops, over the knees, no way.

I have tried about all the ways I know of, each has pros and cons.

One of the better ways is plastic boots with glacier socks.

Rolled up under gaiters.

Here you see them not all the way up, but unrolled. When needed I pull them up and clip them to my belt for crossings.

This is my son wearing (Wiggy Waders) these are like condoms for crossing,, (very fragile) I consider them expendable and get 2 to 3 hunts depending on crossings and mine are heavily repaired with aqua seal and tyvek tape. Work best when kept from sailing in the moving water with gaiters, the current can and will pull them and cause drag.

I have used just camp shoes too,, I like my Vivos, they are about 1/2 the weight of Crocs and they have laces that hold them on my feet in the current. I have even used these with my chest waders and a wader shoe, since they have a place to clip the gravel guard.

The other item I always have in Rocky Goretex socks, they make a bunch now, but I prefer the thinner ones as they don't make my boots too tight, but after my boots get wet and they always do. I change into dry socks and slip on my Rockys and then back into my wet boots and keep going.

Steve

 

[land cruiser]

+1 on wiggys, I usually get a new set every year. Cheap price for dry feet.

 

[twunt]

Thanks guys.

The only thing holding me back from crocs are the weight. Will be looking into lighter alternatives for sure.

 

[PA 5-0]

Another alternative, similar to Stid's, was required by the guide I sheep hunted with last year:
Lightweight gortex type hip waders with 3mil neoprene booties, worn with Keen hikers and gaiters. Where we hunted in the Alaska range, it was soggy everywhere. I thought the dude was crazy but it was a genius system. Simple system: Waders up when crossing a river or walking in the wetness, waders folded down and tucked into gaiters when it was dry. Only downfall was real sweaty socks by the end of the day so you needed like 3-4 pairs to rotate thru to allow for drying. Also had to turn the wader feet inside out to dry over night. My feet were never wet and I swear we walked thru 600 miles of swampy mess.

Helpful hints: Buy waders with a bungee type draw string at the top which can be quickly tightened and wrapped around ur belt. Keeps them up when the current is pulling them down. Buy waders then boots so u can size them with waders on. Usually gonna need boots a size or 2 bigger. I can get some more details and/or pics if ur interested.

 

[Pac8541]

How about gorilla tape around the tops and down the velcro closure? Seems like it might be a multi-use item to have with.

 

[AKHUNTER]

How about gorilla tape around the tops and down the velcro closure? Seems like it might be a multi-use item to have with.

I've tried elec. tape around the bottoms of rain pants and gaiters over top of them. You just can't get a watertight seal if your in knee deep water for very long. On one hunt, I knew I was going to be hiking many miles down a creek so I wore lightweight wading pants and wading boots. It worked well and I kept my hunting boots dry for hiking the Mts. A similar set-up to what PA50 described, but I changed into hikers.

 

[Ratamahatta]

I've tried elec. tape around the bottoms of rain pants and gaiters over top of them. You just can't get a watertight seal if your in knee deep water for very long. On one hunt, I knew I was going to be hiking many miles down a creek so I wore lightweight wading pants and wading boots. It worked well and I kept my hunting boots dry for hiking the Mts. A similar set-up to what PA50 described, but I changed into hikers.

View attachment 40085

What pack is that?

 

[PA 5-0]

View attachment 40085

Awesome pic Brother.

 

[inupiat1]

You might like Cabela's Millennium Hunting Wader Jeans. They have actual trail boots with good traction. I used them on an Alaskan moose hunt and they keptnme dry and comfortable in all the swampy areas as well as in the lakes/ponds.

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[AKHUNTER]

What pack is that?

That is my old Dana Designs, longbed model I think. I use a Barney's Frame pack now.