BWCA Asheville, Biltmore house and Fitkicks Boundary Waters Gear Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Gear Forum
      Asheville, Biltmore house and Fitkicks     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/10/2018 06:58AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Asheville NC.......if you haven't been and you like to travel, you just might want to put this on the schedule. Smallish town with a big city vibe, but without the negative element which makes you appreciate the police standing on the corner nearby (think New Orleans). You won't find cops around, but you will find lots of art, craft breweries and some of the best food I have ever found, anyplace. Streets are very active with people from all over the country, it's just a fun place.

About two miles outside of town is the Biltmore house which seems straight out of a castle you would see in Europe. Privately owned home, but now open to the public, is simply amazing. Built by the Vanderbilts (yes those Vanderbilts), it is breathtaking in scope and substance. Historically amazing, visually stunning.....well worth at least a day.

Which leads us to our piece of gear. There are numerous gift shops (of course there are) and one of the gift shops is an "Outfitters shop". The grounds are immense, I saw two turkeys, several deer etc.). Naturally, I decided to go in. For the most part it was a bit laughable focusing on high end clothing, but as soon as I saw the Fitkicks, I knew I would be getting a pair.

These shoes will have a very specific role in my tripping ventures. A very small role, but an important one. I detest getting my camp shoes wet so, when swimming, I must bring some sort of sandal. I have tried several kinds. All sort of suck IMO. Keens do not dry quickly and so I tried the water variety which were still unstisfactory and not especially compact.

Enter in Fitkicks........basically a rubber sole with light fabric and some elastic to keep it on. Lighter than a sandal and certainly far more compact. Drying time would be negligible. They might not be for everyone, and I wouldn't use them as a camp shoe, but for some protection while swimming / wading they seem perfect.

Fitkicks review
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
07/10/2018 09:01AM  
Asheville is definitely on the list of places we'd like to visit. One of these days.

Why don't you just wear your wetfoot boots while you skinny dip? :)
 
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/10/2018 09:38AM  
boonie: "Asheville is definitely on the list of places we'd like to visit. One of these days.


Why don't you just wear your wetfoot boots while you skinny dip? :)"


Yup check it out. Fun place, bring a mountain bike as well.

I don't mind wet footing when the waters warm but I loathe putting those boots back on to wade and get cleaned up. Besides, they are already 1/2 way dried. Pansy? Well yea, I guess ;-)

My first Isle Royale backpack trip I neglected any type of camp shoe. It was terrible being camp while wearing big heavy hiking boots. And if that wasn't bad enough the shorelines were so bad I had to wade to fish. Wet boots the entire time even while in camp (Ewwwwww!)

Eventually the sole delaminated on one of the boots and I had to hold it together with paracord and cable ties. What a trip! It was great! (seriously ;-)
 
07/10/2018 07:31PM  
Yup probably the best Mt Biking in the eastern United States. I've been there 3 times. Never had the urge to go to the Biltmore. Many craft beer options and some very good restaurants. The Lobster Trap is damn good.Great Camping next to the Bent Creek trails.
 
DeuceCoop
distinguished member (462)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/11/2018 08:34AM  
Team Deuce just returned from a WW paddling trip in North Carolina. Little Deuce and I spent some time in Asheville including touring the UNCA campus. I agree with everything that's been said. I love that entire area. I highly recommend visiting Highland Brewing.
 
SinglePortage
distinguished member (267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/11/2018 02:32PM  
These are just what I was looking for. BUT, I wear size 15. If the XL went to 14, or even 13 I might give them a try, but I think 12 1/2 would be too much of a stretch.
 
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/12/2018 02:39AM  
They’re compact and light alright but, I’ll stay with my crocks for camp shoes. Much sturdier, zero water retention, cheap, durable, crazy light and much better toe and foot protection. Just my 0.02.
 
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/12/2018 08:45AM  
BnD: "They’re compact and light alright but, I’ll stay with my crocks for camp shoes. Much sturdier, zero water retention, cheap, durable, crazy light and much better toe and foot protection. Just my 0.02."


I love ya BnD but you can take your Crocs and.......well, never mind.

Not my camp shoe BTW.......just what I will use for getting in the water and cleaning up. I hate getting my camp shoes wet.

Crocs are terrific, for walking out to my hot tub and back. Your foot slides around and is not particularly mated to your feet very well. Get them a bit wet and it's even worse. I wore a pair offshore once and while fighting a fish ended up twisting my knee out of socket wearing those hideous things as my foot failed to find secure footing.......so I have an evil eye towards all things Crocs.

But, they are very light, and more or less indestructible.......but they do take up a bunch of space if packed internally. If a fellow is built very sturdily (think Cro magnum types > short, squat with long arms and knuckles dragging on the ground, they probably would be perfect ;-)
 
smoke11
distinguished member (248)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/13/2018 11:16AM  
Glad you enjoyed your visit! I work on Biltmore Estate and as soon as I saw the shoes at Antler hill outfitters I purchased some for my mom and she loves them.The River that flows thru the Estate is also loaded with smallmouth.
 
07/13/2018 09:59PM  
I second that. My little bro has a place on nearby Lake James. Asheville is cool.
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next