Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
My own strategy to avoid friction — to reduce blisters — is to wear oversize shoes, but tied tight to the ankle. I also buy the widest hiking shoes I can get.
If you haven’t found a system that works for you, start with understanding the mechanism of how and why blisters form.
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Kraig Becker posted some tips:
Keep your device batteries warm, of course. The cold can kill them. 🥶
He linked to this video:
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I’ve made hundreds of flight over the years with camping stoves in both carry-on and luggage — and only really had problems in New Zealand. They are VERY strict on all camping equipment, not wanting to introduce foreign pests.
But in 2021 I’ve had stoves questioned twice. The were not confiscated.
Friends had stoves taken and not returned!
Air Canada last week — for example — took my very clean JetBoil and had to have it approved by SOMEBODY before I could take it on the plane.
Here’s the Air Canada policy on that.
Here’s some advice from Backpacker magazine.
And some advice from CyclingAbout.
And advice from MSR.
I’m flying to Europe Nov 1, 2021 with a NEW camping stove in the box. In my carry-on.
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JetBoil has finally perfected the hiking stove. It’s called the STASH.
When my MiniMo (orange) finally retires, I’ll switch to the smaller, lighter Stash.
UPDATE. I just bought the Stash for my upcoming trip to Portugal.
I’ll fly with it in the box — unused — so the airline can’t claim it’s a flight hazard.
Read Adventure Alan’s detailed review.
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One option is the Drift Camp Pillow from Klymit.
BUT the regular size is 19 oz / 540 g. Bulky and heavy.
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For many years I’ve been sleeping well with an Uberlite small sleeping pad as my pillow, wrapped in a shirt.
Much smaller and lighter at 6 oz than the Drift Camp 19 oz. BUT much more expensive.
I partially inflate the Uberlite. And stuff it with clothing. An adjustable-sized comfortable pillow. Good fully inflated sitting up reading, as well as partially deflated for bed.
I sleep on a (more durable) NeoAir short. If it ever starts leaking, my “pillow” is my back-up sleeping pad.
IF I were to switch, I’d want something that weighed less than 6 oz.
Perhaps one of the Sea to Summit AEROS pillows. If you use a sleeping bag with a hood, it will probably stay inside even if you roll over side-to-side.
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The biggest surprise for me on the sunny 😎 John Muir Trail 2021 was the number of hikers wearing sun-hoodies rather than the more traditional button down shirt, buff and/or bandana (that I was wearing).
Sun-hoodies are particularly popular with the ladies.
Should I switch?
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Julie has been wearing the Columbia Hiking Sun Shirt. Her daughter thinks she should switch.
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I’ve customized my NEW 2021 Checkpoint ALR 4 for Bikepacking.
Transportation to-and-from hiking trailheads. (VIDEO)
BUT … occasionally I’d like to take off the panniers and use the aluminum gravel bike for single track.
So far, so good. So long as I keep my tires on the ground. The suspension is … not great.
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BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
In the Himalaya, porters build benches at regular intervals so they can easily rest while carrying heavy loads.
I do the same — when I can — on logs and rocks.
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MAGGIE SLEPIAN: Best Backpacking Packs of 2020
Maggie’s article includes my own current favourite, the Hyperlite 3400.
NEW to me is the Mountainsmith Zerk 40, Editors’ Choice Award 2020 from Backpacker Magazine.
It’s quite different. More pockets. More features. Yet astonishingly still weighs only 1 pound, 9 ounces if you remove some of the extras.
Looks ideal for trail runners and fast packers.
I’m intrigued. Having carried a frameless pack for most of my life, I’d mostly use the Zerk frameless and without the hip belt.
It was designed in consultation with thru hiker The Hiking Viking, Tom Gathman.
I’m not a fan of the look, however. And it’s not waterproof.
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Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
besthike.com 