I've always worn a $15 pair of knee high swampers. They dry fast when you do fill them and they have good traction on muddy trails. I wear wool blend hikin socks as they insulate both from cold but also heat. Only draw back I've had is on very warm sunny days they can get hot. The fix is to step out of the boat in the water and they cool off fast. They also keep my pants clean longer as I useally wear them with the pant legs tucked in. I also wear the pants with the zip off legs that double as shorts. Just one less thing to pack. $0.02