Blurring the line between work and play is why most of us get into the outdoor industry. 

As Bedrock has grown, more of our work is spent behind computer screens compared to when we started making sandals in our garage nearly 15 years back. We used to build a dozen or so pairs of sandals a day, livin’ off a couple hundred bucks a month. Not much need for admin time and running the “biz” those days.

These days both our team and responsibilities have matured. With two toddlers now, my adventure proximity is typically fairly close to home, and this summer, with increased travel to our partner factory in South Korea, I didn’t think I could swing a multi-day backcountry trip. A last-minute opportunity arose with our director of ops and photographer to packraft a river that’s been on my list for years. 

We headed out gleefully from the office in the evening and drove up to the trailhead, where we’d camp before hiking in the next day. I was stoked to hike and packraft through Montana’s backcountry with friends and coworkers. We talked about our products, our business, and creative goals as we hiked, put into the river and fished during the evenings. Moving forward through the river, we shared moments of pure stoke as well as more serious teamwork descending rapids safely together.

Along the way, we met a badass crew of backcountry rangers at a wilderness station. This year, the staff was sadly running super thin, but they still were able to take some time and chat with us about what to expect along our adventure and offer some Tang and cookies! I was hyped to see one of the rangers rockin’ Bedrocks, and another a proud clog owner. The third ranger’s footwear was pretty worn out (to put it mildly), so I gifted a pair of prototype sandals for him to rock for the rest of the season. It was interesting to learn that folks working in the backcountry there are trained to be first responders to wildfire, and this year with massive federal budget cuts, they were wildly short staffed to respond to fire and maintain trails. We need these folks out there maintaining our public lands.

Throughout the trip I experienced quiet moments of awe and wonder. It's incredible to be immersed in the wilderness, along a pristine headwater river. I also experienced the joy of cliff jumping into gin-clear water and the satisfaction of building sandals that allow me to swim so freely. In other moments, I noticed footwear limitations, and brainstormed ways to create new products or to make small product adjustments for the future.

Questions and comments like this arose between the team:

“Have you ever tried tightening the heel strap G-hook a few slots before swimming? It totally changes the feel.” I always love extended opportunities to experiment with our footwear.

“What happens when you cross the river with this new $&@$ prototype on - does it hold onto the foot well? What about outsole traction?”

“How does this angle look for studio shots of the new $&@$ sandal that we’ll be shooting this summer?”

“Do you think using our split toe sock will work to filter coffee?!” Spoiler: It did in a pinch one morning.

We spent 3 days on the water, all with my phone in airplane mode in an area with only satellite reception. With the only distractions being the occasional eagle caw and cutthroat trout jump, I had lots of time to “work” amidst some serious fun-having.

Was it fun? Was it work? I’m happy to report both, indeed.