Hikers

[Frosty]

hiked a SMALL piece of the AT (laurel falls very impressive with all the rain) today was cool seeing all the camp sights and such. And paid attention to all the hostels. (Hampton TN) was surprised there was so many options for hostels at one “exit” my daughter is getting more excited about the possibility of our trip we will see how she feels as a teenager lol

and yes was sporting my exofficial 9” 2.0’s with full cushion boot cut darntough socks lol but unfortunately I was wearing “dad new balance shoes” because my new hiking boots came in the day I left for the trip.

Wore my exofficials for the first time today, worth every penny!

How was the hiking?

 

[cg21]

Wore my exofficials for the first time today, worth every penny!

How was the hiking?

Pretty great and really cool since I am an aspiring backpacker / hiker. Wife a little complainy since there were so many stairs. but it was a really great day.

 

[cg21]

Which model underwear are you guys rocking the 2.0 or originals?

 

[Frosty]

Which model underwear are you guys rocking the 2.0 or originals?

I got the 2.0. Got nice and hot today wearing jeans, didn’t even notice them. My old cottons would have been pinching and twisting something awful by 10!

 

[Frosty]

Pretty great and really cool since I am an aspiring backpacker / hiker. Wife a little complainy since there were so many stairs. but it was a really great day.

Awesome! I plan on doing a lot of hiking whenever we get back down there. My wife just bought me a starter backpack for my birthday, now I need to get some of the essentials!

 

[ditcherman]

hiked a SMALL piece of the AT (laurel falls very impressive with all the rain) today was cool seeing all the camp sights and such. And paid attention to all the hostels. (Hampton TN) was surprised there was so many options for hostels at one “exit” my daughter is getting more excited about the possibility of our trip we will see how she feels as a teenager lol

and yes was sporting my exofficial 9” 2.0’s with full cushion boot cut darntough socks lol but unfortunately I was wearing “dad new balance shoes” because my new hiking boots came in the day I left for the trip.

Probably be a lot more enjoyable for the others if you wore something more than underwear and socks. Maybe that was the wife’s problem?

 

[Frosty]

Probably be a lot more enjoyable for the others if you wore something more than underwear and socks. Maybe that was the wife’s problem?

He said he had on the new balance shoes That’s fully clothed by Ingo standards!

 

[ditcherman]

He said he had on the new balance shoes That’s fully clothed by Ingo standards!

Ah, you got me there.

 

[cg21]

Probably be a lot more enjoyable for the others if you wore something more than underwear and socks. Maybe that was the wife’s problem?

i think you’re underestimating how good I make these look.

 

[cg21]

Well at least 1 pair of the exofficial the 9” 2.0 has serious pilling in the thigh area after a week of wearing and washing.

 

[smokingman]

Lets talk sleeping bags.
I am not a huge fan of down bags. Yes they have a weight advantage,but when they get wet they are useless. I have also seen to many with areas that have no insulation(bunching of feathers into clumps) and the result is a night of misery.

I am looking for a new cold weather bag. My summer bag will likely last me many more years of use and it has been a great bag.
What I have now. My summer is a Thermarest space cowboy(1lb 3oz will be tough to beat unless a new material hits the market and it has been a great bag). My winter bag is a North Face Elkhorn(0F bag) that has not been made in about a decade.

The Elkhorn has served me well. It has kept me warm on countless adventures when everyone around me was complaining about their bags not being warm enough. The zipper is 100% bullet proof. The materials have held up amazingly. It still does not have a single tear or hole. It does not loft quite as well as it used to though, and I think it is time for a new winter bag. It was always a beast to carry and pack. It weighs a ton. I have killed many a compression stuff sack making it "fit".

What I want is a 0F bag that is just as reliable. I am actually considering a North Face Wasatch 0F. I actually wanted an LL Bean bag that is no longer made(had Primaloft gold+ with aerogel and was the lightest 0F bag made I think without down).

Any opinions on a good winter bag(non down)?

 

[CheeseheadHoosier]

Lets talk sleeping bags.
I am not a huge fan of down bags. Yes they have a weight advantage,but when they get wet they are useless. I have also seen to many with areas that have no insulation(bunching of feathers into clumps) and the result is a night of misery.

I am looking for a new cold weather bag. My summer bag will likely last me many more years of use and it has been a great bag.
What I have now. My summer is a Thermarest space cowboy. My winter bag is a North Face Elkhorn(0F bag) that has not been made in about a decade.

The Elkhorn has served me well. It has kept me warm on countless adventures when everyone around me was complaining about their bags not being warm enough. The zipper is 100% bullet proof. The materials have held up amazingly. It still does not have a single tear or hole. It does not loft quite as well as it used to though, and I think it is time for a new winter bag. It was always a beast to carry and pack. It weighs a ton. I have killed many a compression stuff sack making it "fit".

What I want is a 0F bag that is just as reliable. I am actually considering a North Face Wasatch 0F. I actually wanted an LL Bean bag that is no longer made(had Thermaloft gold+ with aerogel and was the lightest 0F bag made I think without down).

Any opinions on a good winter bag(non down)?

If you’re looking for a winter sleeping bag, you probably want to look for one rated for colder than 0F. I believe that rating means you won’t die at 0F, but you won’t be comfortable even if the outside temp is 10-20F.

I’ve always used down bags and liked them.

 

[smokingman]

If you’re looking for a winter sleeping bag, you probably want to look for one rated for colder than 0F. I believe that rating means you won’t die at 0F, but you won’t be comfortable even if the outside temp is 10-20F.

I’ve always used down bags and liked them.

I have used the Elkhorn in -12F wearing two layers of thermals,down jacket,beany cap, and good socks on the Superior trail in MN,it was not a great couple of nights but I was never miserable or cold sleeping. Getting up in the morning was the challenge lol. My wife at the time thought I was crazy of course(we lived just a few miles from the trail)and worried something would go wrong. I had hiked that section of trail many times though and wanted to try it in snow shoes. I made it but it did take me a full day longer than I had planned(4 instead of 3,hiking in snowshoes with gear means making few miles). Over all though it was a fun hike with only the wolves ever causing me any real concern(I was armed though). Oh,and I cooked with wood,my stove simply would not work well when it was that cold out(BrutonAF stove you failed me when I needed you!). It was eerie quiet most of the time. The evening I saw the wolf I heard it before I saw it(we had them around our house pretty regularly). The night sky though was amazing 2 of the 3 nights. I miss living up there sometimes.

I do understand the limits of bags and where I plan on using one 0F with proper gear served me well even in the Presidential range in October.

I have heard many complain about being cold sleeping and more often than not it is not the bags fault. It is what they wore in that bag and a lack of proper gear.

 

[Frosty]

Finally hit my 1,000 feet of elevation gain goal. My hamstrings hurt

 

[cg21]

So I got the goruck boots. I would be mad had I paid the normal price of $200 but got them on clearance for $90.

so they offer practically no ankle support / stability.

I hate that they do not have the rapid lace style fittings.

and the insoles are terrible feet hurt badly.

have put only a few miles on them 20ish.


the good… they are light they dry quickly wide toe box and they were $90



so my question to the pros….. is there an insole I can buy to replace the factory one to help me? Don’t really want to waste $90 but they are not returnable.

I would be food for the vultures if I took these on the AT LOL

i know feet will hurt but these things make the bottoms of me feet unbearably sore. is there somewhere for shoe experts? I am having a heck of a time finding something that works going on 7 pairs of boots in under a year

 

[Frosty]

So I got the goruck boots. I would be mad had I paid the normal price of $200 but got them on clearance for $90.

so they offer practically no ankle support / stability.

I hate that they do not have the rapid lace style fittings.

and the insoles are terrible feet hurt badly.

have put only a few miles on them 20ish.


the good… they are light they dry quickly wide toe box and they were $90



so my question to the pros….. is there an insole I can buy to replace the factory one to help me? Don’t really want to waste $90 but they are not returnable.

I would be food for the vultures if I took these on the AT LOL

i know feet will hurt but these things make the bottoms of me feet unbearably sore. is there somewhere for shoe experts? I am having a heck of a time finding something that works going on 7 pairs of boots in under a year

That’s ridiculous that they are that uncomfortable at that price point! Even $90 boots I’d expect to be comfortable! Hell my hiking shoes weren’t much more than that but they are very comfortable and supportive. Granted I wouldn’t take my current hiking shoes on the AT just because I don’t feel like they’d last long enough. Ok, I’ll stop, I have no helpful advice just feel bad that you’re having such a tough time finding something!

 

[cg21]

That’s ridiculous that they are that uncomfortable at that price point! Even $90 boots I’d expect to be comfortable! Hell my hiking shoes weren’t much more than that but they are very comfortable and supportive. Granted I wouldn’t take my current hiking shoes on the AT just because I don’t feel like they’d last long enough. Ok, I’ll stop, I have no helpful advice just feel bad that you’re having such a tough time finding something!

I wonder if I just have wimpy feet is that a thing lol because ive bought some high dollar boots

 

[smokingman]

I have used "Easy feet" and they did/do help my feet. You will need to unlace then put them in and lace them again with your feet in them. If you do not they will never feel right. I have the "black"

I know some others who hike with Freet rock plate inserts, but to me they take away to much "feel" of the trail for my liking. They make it hard to tell where your foot is on a rock without looking at your feet sometimes,which can lead to a twisted ankle. The upside is your feet are never sore from rocks. The Freet seem pretty popular for hikers and have a variety of insoles.

Rock Plate - Freet

Provides protection to the foot on stony/rocky terrain Lightweight, thin & strong PVC material Place directly under the Freet Flexile or OrthoLite Insole Choose larger size and trim to fit

freetbarefoot.com

EASYFEET Shoe Inserts & Insoles

EASYFEET shoe insoles provide plantar fasciitis - high arch - flat feet - pronation - back - ankle - knee - neck - lower back - joint - posture - heel spurs - metatarsalgia - shin splints - bunions - Morton's neuroma support and pain relief

easyfeet.store

 

[KittySlayer]

I do understand the limits of bags and where I plan on using one 0F with proper gear served me well even in the Presidential range in October.

I have heard many complain about being cold sleeping and more often than not it is not the bags fault. It is what they wore in that bag and a lack of proper gear.

In addition to where you pitch your shelter and what you wear is an appropriately rated pad(s). This website has some good discussions on insulation, pads, ratings, etc.

Consider a combination of more than one pad to get the appropriate R-Value.

https://support.enlightenedequipment.com/hc/en-us/articles/218688487-How-to-choose-a-sleeping-pad

Also as you look for a bag consider combining your summer bag with a winter bag to boost your temperature ratings. Maybe mix and match a synthetic bag with a down bag.
https://support.enlightenedequipmen...0588-How-to-layer-quilts-for-sub-zero-camping

I moved to a 20F (down) quilt a couple years ago although I rarely camp below 25F. Have been really happy with the quilt as I am a side sleeper and flip flop around a lot. The quilt gives me more freedom to move and a wider temperature range. I did my shopping on Enlightened website as they have a nice interactive site. Ended up buying my quilt from Warbonnet.com as I had previous good experience with a tarp from them and liked their fabric selections better. In my research both companies were very similar in design. The baffling has kept my down from drifting and leaving cold spots.

Interestingly they only go down to 20F for their synthetic quilts but lower for down. Perhaps a bulk issue (pack size/weight) rather than an insulation issue. In addition I am not sure I would go down to single digits or below with a quilt and think a mummy bag might be the wiser choice.

Warm and Toasty at 30F.

 

[Frosty]

I wonder if I just have wimpy feet is that a thing lol because ive bought some high dollar boots

I just bought my wife some hiking shoes, one of her demands to go hiking with me again She wore them to work a few times to get them broken in a little and see how they feel, she said they’re great for about half the day then they start hurting her. Maybe they just need broken in a bit?