I recommend Colin Fletchers book COMPLETE WALKER III.

Everyone here probably has a thousand little things they think you should know with maybe 40% overlap from one to the next.
Fletcher published his approach and recommendations in a well-organized format. (I like to re-read it in the winter to pick up more and more tidbits.)

I prefer to keep my boots dry. Fewer blisters. But depends on what stream bottom is like. I bet Blast wades in boots - snapping turtles and snakes might like bare toes....