You make a good point about a small chest pouch counterbalancing backpack weight. Some companies, like Hill People Gear in Colorado, are starting to make chest packs. I wonder if the chest pack needs to be connected the backpack’s shoulder straps for optimal balancing effect.
Heck yeah man, that works out perfect!! Are you an REI member? If so, they’ll have your purchases in their system. If not, it’s very much worth the one-time membership fee, which is only around $20.
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I would think any weight suspended from the front would help counterbalance the pull from a standard backpack. I believe the trick is to get enough weight up front and that is hard to do.
On the topic of hiking shoes, I have short wide feet with a high arch I love Merrells. I have 3 different models depending on my load and if it is summer or winter. I usually throw away the arch supports and replace them with Superfeet Green for summer Red for winter.
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So I’ve been wanting to say how much I’m enjoying this thread, but have been really pressed for time. This morning I was looking to see what I’ve got photos of and got all worked up. Husband came in…
Me: “Go hiking!”
Him: “Grocery store?”
Me: “No grocery store! Go hiking!”
Him: “!!!”
So we went out for a little bit. I live about a mile from the AT, and it’s all around me. My house, though not taken today:
Where I live, generally speaking (taken from our land):
Joshua Tree, CA:
This morning:
I’ve never done a multi-day hike, though do tent camp several times a year on our property. Like @hrdlvn I like winter/spring hiking best, and like @hrdlvn my husband adores both hammock camping and winter camping. I’m only good until early November, and even then it’s hit or miss whether I go home after the first night.
Here are some of my favorite things:
Great, great thread.
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One fast easy way for shoe length is to do a toe tap with the shoe properly laced. If a do a firm tap/push and my toes touch the front it is a no go for me.
Trail runner are good choice for those who like fast pace and very little to carry. They are built for running.
I prefer a good rocker toe and very or no EVA in my sole. Also Gortex is great if no water is going above your shoe. I much prefer leather lining.
I use to work in the shoes departement of an outdoor store.
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My cousin didn’t take this advice before we did a Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim hike nearly 20 years ago. He didn’t cut his toenails either, at least not until I pointed this out to him at the Phantom Ranch campground while enjoying a July dip in the creek. He had a real hard time keeping up with us on the hike up and out.
Back at Phantom Ranch campground, there was a guy camping at the site next to us who asked me for moleskin… after his feet were already completely blistered. He was wearing low top Converse Chuck Taylors, if I recall correctly.
Somewhat related, he also asked if there was anywhere he could cool off the 18-pack of Bud Light cans he hauled down. I suggested the creek right in front of us, or better yet, walk a few minutes up the trail to the mule-train supplied store at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and buy yourself an ice-cold Tecate. This was probably the best beer I’d ever had. 116 degrees outside in July after a long hike down. Fantastic.
If anyone wonders how I could squat 400 deadlift 500 a few months after starting serious barbell training, well, I’ve always had tree-trunk legs. Lots of biking, hiking and outdoor play as a kid. This was taken over a decade before I had ever picked up a barbell.
I’m not sure how that guy with the blistered feet made it back to the top, but it must’ve sucked. Hopefully his 18 pack of beer made it suck less somehow.
I don’t hike New England as much as I used to. My kid is 20 without much interest right now and my old hiking buddies got into ATV’s. My favorite spots within two hours are no longer the secrets they were when I first came to Maine. Thanks internet. Nobody’s gotten around to blasting out switchbacks yet either, so a lot of hikes still involve watching almost every step as you walk across uneven rocks and roots.
Tumbledown Mountain in Weld, ME used to be a gem of a spot for an overnight or two night excursion. I took my kid up there many times over the decades. Now it is over-run with inconsiderate people who’ve run rough-shod over the landscape. Still a good day hike, not so good for overnighters anymore unless you want to experience the sounds of someone’s howling-at-the moon drunken mushroom trip at 3am.
I still have my floppy green hat I bought at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, albeit with a few stitches and copper buttons that’ve gone green on me. It’s the one piece of gear I’ve had for my entire hiking career, although it gets more use on the fishing boat nowadays.
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@donnerschweer thanks for the tip! I was actually AT REI when I read that lol and I employed the tap technique and found some that I like the way they feel, even if they are hideous.
@TriednTrue bro! Huge help man and I appreciate it! The dude at REI fitted me for a bag and got me all set up and told me some things I didn’t know that will help.
Pictures of the new goodies. Who knows when I’ll get to use them next 
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Look is last on the list. If a bear is chassing you, you will not care about pretty but you will be happy to be able to move.
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I’m trying to meet my future wife out there on the trail 
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The pack and boots ROCK, congrats!! Some women think rugged hiking boots are sexy. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself Did the salesman tell you about how to break in your new boots? They look like they’re supportive and stiff, which means a longer break-in time and possibly some leather treatment. What’s the pack’s capacity? It’s a beautiful shade of blue!
He didn’t mention anything about the boots. I figure I’d wear them on walks around the hoise for a bit.
The bag is a 40l. I emptied my bag and threw everything in the trunk of my rental when I got this one. I just now loaded it sitting at the airport and Idk how i feel about it I lost a couple pockets I enjoyed using. Now it seems everything is gonna have to go in the giant main pouch, which I don’t like. I want to keep safety and first aid stuff stored separately so it’s not getting moved around and messed with a lot. Soooo I might continue looking for a bag lol
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I like the look of the boots but never heard of the name. Do you know how heavy they are?
How much weight are you carrying when you plan to use these boots. Full ankle support is usually for the long-distance heavy pack hiker and overkill for most weekend backpacking trips, IMO YMMV Glad you found an REI you liked. I have been a member since 1972. My membership number is 00326. @wanna_be did I read that right you live in Alabama? I am from Huntspatch(Rocket City). Lived there 13 years 1967 to 1980 graduated from SR Butler HS and UAH. Moved to Colorado in 1980 and have never left.
I hear you, I don’t totally love the one-giant-dump-pouch style of backpack, either. For me, it boils down to comfort when loaded. My Mystery Ranch is a giant dump pouch style with one top pocket but is extremely comfortable, so I bought a couple Maxpedition pouches to hold and organize my gear. For a daypack, I’m ok with the compromise. When I start shopping for a messenger bag or in-town professional pack, I’ll probably look for something with more pockets and an organizer panel. Alpha One-Niner’s Evade pack is very tempting.
@hrdlvn they are extremely light! Extra grippy sole too! Yea I remember you telling me that, I’m a touch south of that! Small world huh?
@TriednTrue yea I’m really not a fan lol. Gonna do some more research on this.
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This is probably the main reason I favor winter and spring for hiking or snowshoeing. I can go onto the AT without being overwhelmed by people. We generally use this time of year to explore logging trails and farm roads. Unfortunately that deprives us of pretty peak views, but it still gets us outside. Yesterday’s walk took us to a tower of some sort, so we reached the top (very close to AT) but meh.
How do you find hiking in hot, dry climates? I was in Salt Lake City two years ago, exactly, now that I think about it, and struggled with the dryer, hotter climate. Same thing Joshua Tree and the other places west and southwest. They kick my ass in a way that Alaska and Ireland didn’t.
I probably have three pairs of expensive hiking shoes laying around unused, generally because I just didn’t love them. One give me blisters, Oboz, I think, though I’d have to look. I wouldn’t tolerate a pack that I didn’t like. My little Gregory is nicely pocket-y.
I love love love my snow boots. Like my Keens, they’re prefect for me. Love love love.
I spend on outside stuff. Every year, pretty much, I buy a piece or two. Shells, snow pants, gloves…all priced for quality, which = warm and comfy.
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What does this mean?
Appalachian Trail.
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This makes much more sense than Arctic tunda, which was the only thing I could come up with
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I did well with it but we approached it with avoiding misery in mind. We did most of our hiking in the morning and afternoon. Mid-day was spent lounging in the shade, exploring the general vicinity of the shade and staying cool in nearby creeks and waterfalls.
I’d also soak my hat and shirt in the creek frequently, which did wonders. Water wasn’t an issue whatsoever on our chosen route.
If not for sensible foresight, I would have ended up more like this.
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Just wanted to say, what a great thread. I would like knowing what brand of packs you guys are using.
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