Any experienced backpackers here?

[Mojo Rider]

After you go get fitted, come home and wear those boots 24/7 for a couple of weeks to get them good and broken in. DO NOT take a brand new pair of boots out on your first hike!!!

+1000 and ONLY, let me repeat, ONLY wear Smartwool Phd merino wool blend socks....any other kind and you'll regret it terribly.

 

[LACamper]

+1 on the socks. I have a friend that would wear black nylon socks under white cotton socks though. I usually change socks at lunch time and let the worn ones ride in a netted compartment on the outside of my bag to dry. My feet sweat a lot though. your results may vary...
Returningliberty, that's a lot of water! I guess it depends on where you camp.

 

[sealthedeal]

We did about 7-15 miles a day in the mountains of Arizona for a ten day hike, but it really depends on how in shape you are, and/or who you're with...

 

[Mojo Rider]

up to 15 miles a day in the scorching Arizona desert sun....that's pretty impressive...you're in better shape than I am. Oh wait...I see how you did that...you're only 18. Must be nice..

 

[LACamper]

http://www.backpacker.com/lighten-your-tent-by-22-ounces/slideshows/219?

Backpacker magazine has a pretty good website. They run mini-articles that are often worth reading. The one I posted shows how to reduce your tent weight. These guys are trying to cut every ounce. They once suggested shortening the handle on your toothbrush to save weight....

Mojo, you hit that one on the head! Charlie I want to see you redo that trip at 40...

Hiking and backpacking are supposed to be fun. This isn't a trail run challenge or a forced military hike. I want 5 to 7 miles a day max if I have a choice. I want to take time to look at every weird bug, take pics, enjoy scenery, etc. Its not a race.

 

[Mojo Rider]

Agreed....for me the journey is the destination. I've done 25 miles per day and didn't see anything but the ground in front of me..not good.
I've learned to slow down and enjoy the scenery....and yes I've become one of those weight weenies that you were reading about in Backpacker. I didn't want to but I had no choice. Believe it or not just reducing your pack weight by a few pounds makes a huge difference over a 75 mile hike.
We should organize a bayoushooter camping trip...as it is now I'm hanging out at Bogue Chitto State Park at least 2 weekends a month.

 

[Gus McCrae]

+1000 and ONLY, let me repeat, ONLY wear Smartwool Phd merino wool blend socks....any other kind and you'll regret it terribly.

My wife is pretty allergic to wool, any other recomendations?

 

[Mojo Rider]

My wife is pretty allergic to wool, any other recomendations?

Merino wool blend socks are the best and the only other option is a blend of synthetic wicking fibers. Can't recomend a particular brand but there are many. Any of the big backpacking/ camping online retailers will have examples. Check out rei.com moosejaw.com backcountry.com basegear.com When you're outdoors and sweating the enemy is cotton. Cotton holds in moisture and you guaranteed to get blisters. Merino wool and the synthetics will wick moisture away from your skin keeping you nice and dry and blister free. What kind of a reaction does she have to wool? Oh and one other benefit of wool socks....they won't stink like cotton.

 

[troy_mclure]

http://www.backpacker.com/lighten-your-tent-by-22-ounces/slideshows/219?

Backpacker magazine has a pretty good website. They run mini-articles that are often worth reading. The one I posted shows how to reduce your tent weight. These guys are trying to cut every ounce. They once suggested shortening the handle on your toothbrush to save weight....

i was banned from that site, dont bring up guns, hunting, atv's, or dirtbikes.

 

[troy_mclure]

i know guys that backpack in sandals, without socks.

find what works for you.

i have a set of smart wool, a set of a nylon/polypro blend, a set of silk blend.

dont buy bulk in socks until you find what works best for your feet.

 

[troy_mclure]

My wife is pretty allergic to wool, any other recomendations?

alpaca wool is great for those allergic to sheep.

 

[troy_mclure]

merino wool is still sheeps wool. it can be less irritating for those allergic, but it can still cause irritation.

 

[Mojo Rider]

i was banned from that site, dont bring up guns, hunting, atv's, or dirtbikes.

I don't doubt it for a second....most of them are liberal hippie pot smoking tree huggin vegetarians. lol What did you post that caused the banning?

 

[troy_mclure]

Merino wool blend socks are the best and the only other option is a blend of synthetic wicking fibers. Can't recomend a particular brand but there are many. Any of the big backpacking/ camping online retailers will have examples. Check out rei.com moosejaw.com backcountry.com basegear.com When you're outdoors and sweating the enemy is cotton. Cotton holds in moisture and you guaranteed to get blisters. Merino wool and the synthetics will wick moisture away from your skin keeping you nice and dry and blister free. What kind of a reaction does she have to wool? Oh and one other benefit of wool socks....they won't stink like cotton.

merino wool is still sheeps wool. it can be less irritating for those allergic, but it can still cause irritation.

 

[Gus McCrae]

What kind of a reaction does she have to wool?

The bad kind, breaks out and all. Seriously, she can't touch the stuff.

 

[troy_mclure]

I don't doubt it for a second....most of them are liberal hippie pot smoking tree huggin vegetarians. lol What did you post that caused the banning?

i was told that "i do not fit in with their community" lol.

 

[Gus McCrae]

alpaca wool is great for those allergic to sheep.

Thanks!

 

[Mojo Rider]

merino wool is still sheeps wool. it can be less irritating for those allergic, but it can still cause irritation.

I'm not a 100% sure but from what i understand the processing of the merino wool reduces the allergens so most people that are allergic to traditional wool clothing don't have much of a problem with the Smartwool socks. Guess she'll just have to try it and see what happens.

 

[Mojo Rider]

The bad kind, breaks out and all. Seriously, she can't touch the stuff.

Coolmax is the name of the synthetic blend i was trying to remember. This brand is very popular with hikers. I used to wear the mens version of these before I found the smartwools..

http://www.rei.com/product/752346/thorlo-light-hiker-mini-crew-socks-womens

 

[Mojo Rider]

i was told that "i do not fit in with their community" lol.

Yeah, they blame ATV's for destroying the landscape and they blame guns and meat for all the rest of the world's problems.