Ridiculous.
light gear – Andrew Skurka
Interesting gear tips by one of the top distance hikers in the world.
I wear running shoes year-round. Compared to hiking boots, running shoes are:
* Lighter
* More comfortable
* More breathable
* Faster drying
He favours Montrail running shoes including the Highline.
Andrew has also posted full gear lists from past hikes.
I also wore running shoes on my last hike. Very comfortable!
Cannondale’s LE Carbon clothing
Time Magazine’s annual “Most Amazing Inventions of the Year” issue rates the LE Carbon collection of cycling apparel one of 2005’s coolest inventions.
Cannondale utilizes TrapTekâ„¢ technology to imbed their proprietary QuadTex fabric with activated carbon made from coconut shells. This activated carbon provides Cannondale’s LE Carbon apparel with exceptional moisture management and odor adsorption characteristics.
When the body heats up, Quadtex Carbon’s MicroClimateâ„¢ activates, with 45% better moisture transfer than most fabrics. It keeps a body cool during hot days and heats up during colder ones. This revolutionary new fabric also traps odor during physical activity. The odor is “adsorbed” along with bacteria and is only released during a normal wash and dry cycle, during which the carbon re-activates itself again for another ride. Cannondale LE Apparel also boasts UV protection with an SPF rating of 50+.
gear – Mutha Hubba tent
We already love the 1 and 2 person Hubba tents. The big Mama version is a winner as well.
The mother of all Hubbas. Our lightest, most livable 3-person tent, the Mutha Hubba provides maximum interior space along with two stay-dry entrances and two large vestibules. Use it as a double-wall tent for full protection or as a freestanding tarp shelter with optional footprint to save weight.
gear – Dunham Waffle Stomper
Rick McCharles
I am just breaking in new Waffle Stompers. They are great so far. Dunham is a weird company which does not have wide distribution. But they make WIDE boots. Mine are 4E.
Most everyone else in my hiking circle wears Raichle Kootenays. (below)
question for the gear guy
Can you recommend a folding bike I can load onto an inflatable kayak?
Expedition Gear – Outdoor Gear Advice | Outside Online
Yukon Yak raft, 4 lbs. 7 oz
Swiss Army knife MP3 player
Interesting.
I like the built-in voice recorder for taking notes on the hike.
lightweight tents for two
2006 Outside Buyer’s Guide Gear of the Year | Outside Online recommends the Black Diamond Skylight — the perfect two-and-a-mutt tent. 4.2lbs (1.9kg)
We would compare it against the double wall MSR Hubba Hubba at about the same weight.
Merino wool is back “in”
I heard Chris Townsend on a podcast recently championing wool over synthetics. Especially when worn under a garment. Especially on longer hikes.
On one of his reviews of hiking socks:
Smartwool Hiking is my first choice with the well-priced Fox River Trailmaster a very close second.
Townsend routinely wears a different sock on each foot in order to compare them.
gear – Swiss Champ knife
Amazon.com: Swiss Army Swiss Champ Pocket Knife (Red): Sports & Outdoors
I’m still lugging the 1lb ! (.45kg) biggest Swiss Army pocket knife made.
Heavy — but at least I’ve got the biggest tool in the woods!
32 stainless-steel tools with a lifetime warranty. Essential to me are the corkscrew, tweezers, nail file, pliers, and large knife (which should lock, but does not).
What’s your favourite camping knife? Leave a comment below.
besthike.com 