As a flyfisherman I have seen water so swift that you could not move anywhere but downstream if it was knee deep. Wading swift water is sort of an art, wheras hopping over has always seemed safer to me, and I hate to get my boots wet.

I would NEVER take off my boots and socks and cross barefooted (I did that once :(), thats asking for badly damaged ankles or something stuck through the sole of your foot.
Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.