The forecast was calling for nighttime lows of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) with daytime highs that reached 28°C (82.4 °F). This would be our first true backcountry canoe trip with our 3-year-old daughter. We did our best to pack light but still live comfortably for 3 days, loaded our 16-foot fibreglass canoe on the roof of the jeep, and headed north.

Driving out of the driveway and down the gravel road, I'm running through our packs in my head, thinking about what we might have forgotten and if I made the right clothing choices. I had decided to pack the WeatherWool 100% Denim Jeans as my only pair of pants. I wasn't worried about them on cool evenings, fishing, or around the fire, but it was the hot days I was concerned about as we headed into blue skies and a hot sun. The soft, natural, breathable, wicking properties of wool, combined with a relaxed fit, allowed me to feel confident that wool pants were still the right choice for a warm day of paddling the canoe and wearing around camp.

By the time we travelled north and got the canoe in the water, it was 11:01 am, meaning we would be canoeing the big lakes in the direct sun. We had 4 hours of paddling big lakes, narrow channels and a portage through the woods ahead of us to get to our desired campsite. The temperature was already 26°C (78.8°F) as we paddled through the first lake, but it never even crossed my mind to change out of the wool pants and into my swim shorts.  I was pretty comfortable by rolling the cuffs and letting the air flow through the bottom of the pants and pinching up some wrinkles in the fabric over my thighs to give a bit of room for air flow. Usually on trips like these, I would be wearing my Fjällräven's G1000 pants, a densely woven blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton treated with a mix of beeswax and paraffin. These are a very popular pair of pants for backcountry campers, hikers, and bushcrafters, so I was very curious which pants I was going to like more when the trip was done.

We paddled 6 miles that day and carried all our gear and canoe over a 200-yard portage.  A relatively light trip compared to some of our other adventures, but for our first backcountry trip with a 3-year-old, it was a perfect distance to test her patience in the canoe, and she did very well.  There was a lot to look at. Loons playing hide and seek, beautiful rock formations, wildlife, and clouds making interesting sculptures to drift off into a meditative state.

Because we're camping on crown land (public land), there is no reservation of campsites, so you really never know where you're going to end up, but this spot is pretty well hidden and not often travelled by backcountry campers, and we did get to make camp at the spot we were hoping for.

The Denim Jeans I wore were a production sample that had the weft dyed a warm green. This gives a fun look when rolled up, with the two-tone warp and weft having different colors—something we may bring into production in the future. 

With camp set up, it was time for a swim. When packing for backcountry trips, we're often trying to pack items that can serve more than one purpose. One of those items for me was the WeatherWool Anorak. I figured, if it's warm enough to swim, I'll use it to dry off after I get out of the water. If it's too cold to swim, I'll need an extra layer at night to sleep in. As it turned out, I used the Anorak for both. Despite it being September, the moving waterway we were on stays pretty chilly, so getting out of the cold water and into a cozy Anorak was the perfect move. And, with the oversized hood over my eyes, I even managed to sleep in past sunrise one morning, which was actually a shame as the mornings are so beautiful out here. 

The next day was our family fun day. After breakfast, we headed out in the canoe to do some fishing and hike above the waterfall.  I chose to wear my Denim CPO despite the heat to give my arms a break from the sun, and when I wasn't exerting too much energy paddling or hiking it was comfortable enough. 

My wife Caitlin also packed two WeatherWool items, which, in typing this now, doesn't sound like we were packing very minimally, but once you fall in love with your WeatherWool garments, it's hard to leave them behind. 

She wore her CPO most of the time and used her Hooded Jacket much like I did my Anorak when you just wanted a bigger cozy layer. 

I think my daughter said it best when she said, "Next time we should stay for 8 days". It seemed like it was time to head home a little too soon, but that is often how every canoe trip feels. Next time we'll plan to stay longer.

So all in all, I was delighted to be wearing the 100% Wool Denim Jeans from WeatherWool on this trip. They did everything I needed and felt like I was wearing soft pyjama pants the whole time. Additionally, the zippered cell phone pocket is crucial when it comes to getting in and out of a canoe over the water and along steep rock faces, as it keeps the phone tightly secured. These pants can handle a wide range of activities, so for someone looking to own fewer, but better-quality items, the WeatherWool Denim Jeans are an excellent choice for both semi-formal, casual, and backcountry use.

I hope you all had a great summer and are now looking forward to the best time of the year. Fall !!!

Cody Bokshowan

p.s.

Despite wearing the Wool Denim Jeans and Denim CPO for 3 days after returning home, I put both of those items on again the next morning to start my day of work. Fish slime, sweat, dirt, fire smoke.... no worries. The magical properties of WeatherWool takes care of all of that, so you always have something to wear.