I use the Quick access list for that, and have Explorer set to open in it by default. I also take care that the folders all start with different letter, so I can blindly type Win+E Letter Return to open any one of the folders.
You can also add shortcuts to folders in the taskbar and use Win+Digit to open them.
I use the quick access list but the experience of scrolling and searching through a long tree view is not the same as having fixed toolbar buttons always in one place. And there is a lot of free space on the toolbar i could use. If only Windows allowed tad bit more customization!
You can also add shortcuts to folders in the taskbar and use Win+Digit to open them.