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Chota Quetico Trekker
By Matt Smith
As always, I am in search of the ideal canyoneering footwear.
Unfortunately, there is no single product that can perform well in every
situation. One type of footwear that is good to have around is something
you can hike in all day long, with a moderate pack, yet not have to be
concerned about getting your feet wet. For me this means some sort of
a boot. One of the products I came across was the Quetico Trekker by Chota.
The Quetico Trekker was actually designed for canoe portaging. The sole
has relatively good grip, but the rubber is not as sticky as the soles
available on shoes from other manufacturers such as 5.10 and Merril. The
cuff of the boot is relatively high and rigid for a water boot, which
I found to my liking. The mid sole is stiffer than many of the other water
shoes on the market. Lacing the shoes is a snap. The elastic cord slips
through the clasps easily and locks off securely.
After breaking the boot in for several miles I felt it was ready for
the true test, a steep, wet canyon. I carried a 35 pound pack and headed
down the trail. As an approach shoe, the Quetico Trekker was fair, but
not excellent. I did enjoy the ample room in the toe box, a fact I would
later regret. Since the boot is not designed for technical applications,
the laces stop fairly high. The elastic "QuickLace" system made cinching
up my shoes quick, but the very nature of the elastic made me feel like
I could never get the laces as quite as tight as I wanted them. The toe
box, while very comfortable, allowed my foot to move around much more
than I like while scrambling and rapelling.
The following day it was time to try out the Quetico Trekker as a river
walking shoe. After several miles of wading over uneven rocks, I was thankful
for the extra stiffness and support. I found the Trekker to be quite comfortable
overall. The high cuff kept me from rolling my ankles several times. The
shoes drained well and were mostly dry after sitting out over night.
Summary: I think this is a great shoe for wading or canyon hiking on
mostly flat trails where you plan on getting your feet wet a lot. At $86
the Quetico Trekker costs about the same as other comparable boots. I
would not recommend this product for steep terrain or technical canyoneering.
Matt Smith is the Canyoneering Editor for GearReview.com.
For more information, contact:
Chota Outdoor Gear
Bryant Sales Company, LLC
PO Box 31137
Knoxville, TN 37930
(423) 690-1814
E-mail ChotaAKONA@aol.com
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