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I’ve used Crocs and concur, except that steep grades around camp make them less-than acceptable as camp shoes in those instances. I’ve got some Chota Mukluks, but they’re too hot for summer use. The Keens are worthless for me due to the pebble issue. I have a hard soled neoprene shoe that is as good as anything in the boat, but for portages, a good hiking boot is worth the weight. I don’t think there’s a single footwear that will cover everything. If someone invents it, I’m in for as many shares as my pension fund will buy.
The nice thing about them is the material. It’s much more durable than the Columbia stuff that I’ve tried, burned holes in, froze in, and was unable to get a belt through the loops. Not as heavy as the Carhartt jeans I’ve used that take forever to dry. My one complaint is the stitching. It’s not as tight as it should be and doesn’t appear to be that durable, although I haven’t had problems to date. Not worth the $70 bucks I paid, but then, I’m cheap. Try the Coolmax pants from Duluth Trading. They’re a little cheaper, and very well-made.
I like the Bending Branches Explorer Plus. It’s not too expensive, light, and durable. Carbon is nice but dropping that kind of cake on a paddle is hard to do.
What’s the traffic on the river like? Good camping? Is there plenty of wildlife? Where did you start and end and how long did your trip take? Is there a reliable outfitter available to shuttle? We’re looking for a river in ME to do next year.
I’ve been there and plan to return next year. Great fishing. I’m not sure it qualifies as bona fide wilderness in my book. Way too small and saturated with humans to be that. By Eastern standards, it’s still pristine and the virgin timber is unique. When you get to the farthest reaches, there’s still road noise in the distance and human foot traffic on the trails so skinny dipping with the old lady becomes iffy. The water quality is good, and the campground is clean and well-maintained. They get a fee for everything there, and you can’t camp in the backcountry without a site-specific permit. You can’t buy that except on the day you enter, which means you have to wait for the ranger station to open at 8:30. Purchasing the backcountry permit online avoids this, but who can tell in advance what the weather will do to an itinerary? If you want to move each day, a windy or stormy day will mess everything up. Other than the fees and excessive bureaucracy, it’s a nice place to visit.
