What kind of gear will work? I want to spend a year backpacking around the country and possibly elsewhere, but just in general, are my normal non-really-expensive-hiking-shoes-and-stuff ok? Let's say I spent a summer hiking the adirondacks: wearing my chucks wouldn't ruin me or anything, would it? I'd hate to get out there and find out my stuff isn't good enough.
Never underestimate the value of proper boots. Extra socks. Thai fisherman's pants ROCK. Extra socks. Did I mention extra socks?
Extra socks is really a good idea also a below freezing sleeping bag,Dont go in chucks you will regret it trust me I sat in three feet of snow with only my blue high tops .Not a good idea and oh yeah more socks,more socks,more socks.It really depends on where you plan on going but I still would have all the provisons handy.And really you will regret chucks They fall apart if you have had them to long
hey bro, the only thing i ever buy brand new (other than food and tobacco and coffee) is hikin shoes. if you cant afford new ones, then go barefoot. by the way, im gettin ready to sell an older (1999) alpine internal frame pack. itsd the big one too if you need the space. i want over 100 bix for it, but let me know if ya need one. i spent years livin outa a back pack. its important to have comfortable gear. i'd say in order; shoes, backpack, sleeping bag . . . tent and water filter is not so important, but i wouldnt go without em. socks take up alot of room, and are free almost anywhere, but a set of freshys is nice to have.
Thanks, guys... I probably wouldn't be doing this is snow-able weather, cause then you have to pack more on you. Is barefoot really better than non-hiking shoes? I have no problem going barefoot, but wouldn't lousy shoes at least offer some protection? And where are socks free? Do you mean like borrowing from people along the way?
One tip I have is for buying packs. If the store won't let you adjust the pack to your body and load it up with some weight so you can see if it fits you correctly go to a different store, its not worth the money buying a pack that isn't right for your body type. Happy trails.
I'd invest in the hiking shoes...having gone around alot in bare feet in the past, I can say from experience that your feet will take a beating...you can get a good medium duty pair of hikers at a reasonable price ($50-70) and it wil be money very well spent...not to beat a dead horse, but socks are important too, lots of 'em, and if you can, get some with wicking actrion to keep the sweat away from the skin, your feet will thank you, as may your nose...Love113 has good advice on packs, the wrong pack will make you miserable...as for tents and bags, get a bag suitable for climate you'll be in, and get a decent tent (I swear by Coleman or Eureka tents)...keep weight and packability in mind with the tent and sleeping bag especially, but it applies to all gear
make sure to get wool socks and wear two pair of em. Cotton socks will turn your feet into hamburger. I used Smartwool socks on my '98 Appalachian Trail thru hike and had little problems with blisters. Here's a good a cheap way to toughen up skin on your feet. get a box of cheap tea and make a tea solution with 15- 20 bags of tea. This will be a very strong tannic acid solution. Soak you feet in this solution. This will tan the hide on your feet and will help make em tough and will lessen problems with blisters. Blisters. remember to lance them at the edge with a sterile pin or sewing needle. drain and cover with athletic tape and then with duct tape. make sure to air your feet when you stop and at night while at camp. What ever you do DO NOT plunge hot feet straight into cold water. Doing that will have the same effect on our skin as plunging a blanched tomato into ice water. As I said I hiked the Appalachian Trail and have many friends that have done so. Give me a holler if you have any questions. The Grateful Dead and hiking are my two favorite subjects so I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have. also check out www.whiteblaze.net and www.trailjournals.com for great deals on gear www.campmor.com
get a good pair of hiking boots and some smartwool socks. Those are MUSTS. Get all your clothes and cooking utensils from goodwill or other thrift stores. You're pretty much crazy if you pack jeans, find lightweight pants and shorts that fold up small. Use an alcohol stove (the pop-can stoves work amazingly well if you don't backpack in the winter, and they are also amazingly cheap). Wool is warm when wet so pack at least a wool sweater (goodwill has them cheap) and wool socks (smartwool isn't scratchy and their socks are oh-so-comfy). Polyester is also warm when wet and dries easily. Also make sure to pack a raincoat and rainpants of some sort. And camp shoes, I take flip-flops to wear around the campsite to let my feet breathe. I was able to get gear together for two people for around $350, and I was trying to be conservative in my spending. A lot I got on ebay, but the boots I definitely bought retail. You can find some good packs on ebay for pretty cheap. I got a good size internal frame for $24.00. If you don't know much about gear you should read some on the subject. www.backpacking.net is one of my favorite resources. Check it out sometime.
I've heard a lot of people like Tevas hiking sandals. I've never actually tried them, though. They won't slip off your feet like flip flops or beach sandals, which can cause you to sprain an ankle. Flip flops and cheap sandals are useless for climbing too. If the terrain is gentle and there are no hazards such as snakes or fire ants, bare feet are very comfortable and versatile. Bare feet have an advantage if the terrain is like a rain forest and there is lots of mud. I hike barefoot all the time but my soles are tough from doing it regularly and I know how to step without injuring my feet. You wouldn't want to go on a long hike in your bare feet if you are not used to it, as you will likely stub your toes on tree roots and get blisters, especially if the terrain is rough. Either good footwear or bare feet are the best. Cheap sandals are too risky.
