I realize this is heresy against the footwear in my blog’s logo, but a post at Uncooped the other day reminded me I ought to throw this out there and see what sticks. When I was auditioning footwear awhile back…
Gear
Boutique hiking gear makers
by tom • February 27, 2008 • 6 Comments
I’ve added a list of small companies that build cool gear way down on my right-hand rail. It’s not like this is really free advertising because these links generate about three clicks a century — they’re really just there so…
Montbell ThermaWrap: perfect for Bay Area weather
by tom • February 23, 2008 • 2 Comments
Last winter I picked up a Montbell ThermaWrap jacket mostly because it was on sale, but it’s turned out to be something I wear almost every day during the cool, rainy months. It’s not toast-your-innards warm and it’s not defy-a-downpour…
Shoe-lace strategies for finicky feet
by tom • February 22, 2008 • 2 Comments
Here’s something that never occurred to me: you can adjust your shoe-lacing method according to the shape of your feet and whatever aches and pains they might be sending your way. For instance: Wide forefoot with narrow heel 1. Separate…
Hiking shoe experiment: Reebok Walk DMX Max
by tom • February 21, 2008 • 3 Comments
UPDATE: No dice with these over long distances, which might be why they aren’t on the market anymore. The air pocket in the forefoot is very cushiony, but the constant repetitive up-and-down motion of long walks causes friction at the…
Hiking in the rain: How do you stay dry?
by tom • February 20, 2008 • 13 Comments
Beyond staying indoors, that is… I’m pretty much convinced there is no such thing as a “breathable waterproof” outer shell, though perhaps there are miracle products out there I haven’t been apprised of. For my money there’s no substitute for…
Panting over hiking pants
by tom • February 8, 2008 • 3 Comments
Acquiring gear seems forever fraught with the potential for buyer’s remorse, but one purchase I made a couple years back continues to satisfy: Columbia’s entry-level nylon hiking pants. I’ve logged what must be over a thousand miles in these guys…
Great outdoor gear deals in Berkeley
by tom • February 6, 2008 • 2 Comments
Rick from Hike Halfdome was up there the other day. He suggests: North Face has a huge outlet store – a real outlet, not a Gilroy come-on. They had 50% off winter jackets. Thank they deities that winter is almost…
Hikers’ insight on insoles
by tom • February 6, 2008 • 11 Comments
I’ve got the orange Superfeet insoles for a couple pairs of hiking shoes whose fit is less than ideal. They seem to improve comfort a smidgen, though not as much as a better-fitting pair of shoes would, I suspect. I’m…