[Randall Chalnick]

I would say that the most important piece of gear to bring would be knee-high warm, muck boots. Without them, your feet will be wet and cold all day long. It is nearly impossible to get in and out of your kayak without stepping into water. I always say if your feet are warm and dry then you will feel warm, but if your feet are wet and cold, you will feel cold. And once you buy them, you could use them all the time. You could use them in the winter to shovel snow, and in the summer I use them in the garden. I often say now, how did I ever get by without a pair of muck boots lol !

[Andrew Chalnick]

This is so right.  I didn’t know about Muck boots my first trip down the Allagash and my feet were always cold and wet. Once I got a pair of boots (I actually got Boggs) it was like night and day.  They are an essential piece of gear.

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[Jonah Chalnick]

You honestly don’t know how good you have it till you have it. Muck boots are an absolute must!

[Allagash Guide Service]

I always thought Mucks were uncomfortable. Maybe it’s just my feet. We just use crocs, with wool socks. they can get wet, but still keep you warm! When we get to camp, we put a dry pair of socks on, and put on our Xtratuff boots and wet socks dry out at camp, usually we help them dry by using our camp quick dry towels to absorb the water.. and if they dont we put them back on wet as they will get wet again anyway!

You also want to be careful with big rubber boots, if you go in the river they can weigh down a person if they fill up with water, and if they aren’t a good swimmer(or if the water is cold and they go into shock) it can be a bad situation, or if it’s not a bad situation like that, they are going to be wet until you get home to get them on a dryer. – not trying to be a debby downer on your idea. Just wanted to put my two sense in.

 

-Britt

[Andrew Chalnick]

Ah, totally hear you about the boots weighing you down.  I was really worried about this when my wife tipped on little Allagash stream and I had to rescue her and her kayak. Luckily, my dry pants were cinched pretty tight around the boots that my boots stayed mostly dry even though I was in the water for a bit.  I could totally see how this could be an issue if dry pants dont have a tight gasket.  Thanks for the tips!

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