Category: gear

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GORE-TEX® – the fabric of deceit

Who was it that coined the truism? Author Tim Cahill, I believe.

I’ve never had any faith in the so-called waterproof material or any of it’s competitors.

Frank and Sue in Australia are similarly suspicious:

We are a skeptical pair here at “Our Hiking Blog” and the concept of waterproof hiking boots has been high on our list of “urban myths”. We have always accepted that our feet will get wet and have usually blamed it on water running down our legs into the boots or that the boots were, well, just not waterproof.

After one particularly soggy outing, Sue was given a refund by Snowgum for her faulty GORE-TEX boots. Nice customer service!

Now Frank is checking his boots for … “leaks”.

Men\'s Merrell Moab Gore-Tex XCR

Men’s Merrell Moab Gore-Tex XCR

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best camera bag on the hiking trail

Me, I’m a slave to fashion.

My palmcorder / camera is well hung from my fanny pack — like batman’s utility belt — at all times.

But if you are not quite so cool as I. Or have a bigger equipment than I … check out this variation of a bicycle messenger bag recommended by Trailspotting.

Kata T-214 GDC Torso-Pack

Kata T-214 GDC Torso-Pack

… We’ve been testing out Kata’s T-214 Torso Pack for the past six months we love how rugged, secure compact and comfortable it is, plus it’s easy to swing it around from back to front for easy access to the double-zippered top. Much better than other sling-bags we’ve tried. …

Trailspotting

Related: Two-Heel Drive – Fanny packs: who’s got one?

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does Tom Mangan walk the talk?

Tom Mangan’s Two-Heel Drive is the most popular hiking blog on the Google.

But does Tom Mangan actually carry Tom Mangan’s 10 Essentials for Day Hiking the Bay Area on the trail?

I’ve assembled my version of the 10 things I need for a happy hike in the Bay Area, where the notable absence of such climate annoyances as blizzards and hurricanes means we don’t have to dwell on the 10 Essentials for Wilderness Survival unless we really, really screw up.

1. A water supply
2. A reliable map
3. Comfortable socks
4: Comfortable shoes
5. Underwear that doesn’t chafe
6. Something to keep crud out of your shoes
7. Nylon hiking pants
8. Something to block the sun
9. Nourishment
10. The real 10 Essentials

I’d love to tell the world that Tom actually hikes barefoot — with only a Diet Coke for provisions. But it was not so on our hike last weekend.

Tom Mangan hiking
Tom Mangan

Unfortunately for me, Tom walked the talk on the first 9 of 10. (I’m only assuming his underwear were comfortable.) Tom even had healthy snacks. (I stopped at Rotten Ronnie’s on the way to the trailhead.)

Once again, Tom Mangan makes me, the best hiker, look bad by comparison.

Dang.

Here are a few of the 10 real essentials Tom left at home:

3. INSULATION.
4. ILLUMINATION.
5. FIRST-AID SUPPLIES.
6. FIRE.
7. REPAIR KIT AND TOOLS.
10. EMERGENCY SHELTER.

Mangan’s 10 Essentials for Happy Hiking – Two-Heel Drive

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Mountain Hardware Scrambler day pack

I’m giving a mixed review to my new $55 day pack:

Weighing only 10 ounces, the ultra-lightweight Mountain Hardwear Scrambler is the perfect approach bag to stash in your pack. Ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps and a removable EVA back panel make the Scrambler comfortable for peak ascents and long day hikes.

Details

* Removable EVA pack panel adds structure to the pack …
* Self-healing, silicon-coated 100D Cordura …
* Front bungee web for external storage and load compression …
* Top access with draw cord closure
* Doubles as sleeping bag stuff sack

scrambler.jpg

larger image and details on WinterFix

Pros: Weight, size, appearance. I really like the look. (Mine is black.)

For day hiking, actually, it is perfect for me. But for trail running or scrambling, it is too unstable without a hip belt. While running, anything near the top of the pack shifts left and right too much. The straps loosen too easily under vibration. And the position of adjustment buckles rub against my biceps at times.

Other reviews: Trailspace

Durability is a real question mark. It may not last long if I use if I continue to use it for trail running.

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more Parks require bear-proof canisters

From National Park Traveler:

Grand Teton National Park … beginning this Saturday, March 15, all backpackers camping below 10,000 feet in the park’s backcountry will be required to use approved, portable bear-proof canisters for food storage—except at certain designated backcountry campsites where food storage facilities are provided.

Although food canisters are not required for areas above 10,000 feet, proper food storage will still be compulsory in those locations. It doesn’t sound as if rangers will allow you to use the Ursack or UrsaLite food storage systems. …

Bear-Proof Food Canisters Mandatory for Most Backcountry Travel in Grand Teton National Park

Steve Sergeant of the Wildebeat is an expert. In a comment on that post:

Bear-resistant food canisters are also required in most of Sequoia/Kings-Canyon National Park as well. In addition, large areas of wilderness on Forest Service land in the Sierra Nevada also require you to use such canisters.

We explored the history and effectiveness of bear cans in a two-part edition of the WildeBeat:
The Story of Bear Cans, part 1
The Story of Bear Cans, part 2

Personally, I have learned to love my canister. I often take it on hikes even when not required. The extra weight is often worth the convenience.

This is the one I use:

Bear Vault Model BV400 Bear Can

Bear Vault Model BV400 Bear Can

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take a Mcflurry spoon hiking

Currently I’m carrying only a light metal spoon as “cutlery”. (Once in a while I use my Swiss Army Knife in the kitchen, too.) But Mcflurry spoons have done the trick in the past for me.

Another great idea from As The Crow Flies:

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read more – Mcflurry spoon doubles as long handled spoon and tent stake holder

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things white people like – Outdoor Performance Clothes

This blog is going crazy on the interwebs right now:

#87 Outdoor Performance Clothes

… When white people aren’t working, they generally like to wear Outdoor Performance Clothes. …

When you see white people wearing these, it is important that you do not discuss business matters. Instead you should say things like “where did you get that fleece?” and “what’s that thing holding your keys to your shorts?” White people will be more than happy to talk to you about their sustainably produced possessions.

The main reason why white people like these clothes is that it allows them to believe that at any moment they could find themselves with a Thule rack on top of their car headed to a national park. …

white-people.jpg

If you plan on spending part of your weekend with a white person, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a jacket or some sort of “high performance” t-shirt, which is like a regular shirt but just a lot more expensive.

things white people like

Faux outdoors people.

What are you going to do?

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more hiking gear innovations

They’re endless.

But here are two posted by Frank in Oz that I’m seriously considering for my Adventure Racing kit. Click through for details.

injinjisocks.JPG

Blisters? – Not this time, Sue tries Injinji hiking socks with success – Our Hiking Blog

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Ultralight D-Ring for your pack – Our Hiking Blog