The Hiking/Camping/Backpacking Thread

does anyone own a pair of merrells and a pair of keens? how do they compare as far as size and fit?

I just saw that keen makes boots with steel toes so I was thinking about getting some for work and know that I am an 11 in a merrell

 

Keen runs pretty true to size. Merrell, at least to me, is different for respective styles. Merrell's trail running shoes seemed to run a tad small for me whereas the boots felt true. Not sure how much this helps.

 

I bought a pair through our company Orr safety program and they were awful. Way too stiff and never really broke in.

 

Best way to describe my Merrells as well. Don't care for them.

 

3rd on the dislike for Merrells

 

Damn, I love my Merrills. I have 3 pair. Just bought a pair of "water shoes" for slot canyons out here. But i do prefer Salomon's for Trail Running.

 

I love my Moab Mids - probably the best fitting shoes of any kind that I own. I've also worn through two pairs of chameleon stretch shoes. I would buy a pair of the steel toed moabs in a heartbeat but I want something that is also waterproof - hence why I was wondering about the keens.

 

Should have clarified, I was speaking of the Keen's

 

I've moved away from hiking boots / hiking shoes. I exclusively wear lightweight, non-Gortex trail runners with a rock plate. I stick with Salomon, Altra, Saucony or La Sportiva. Considering Hoka for my next pair, as I love my Cliftons on the road... like running on cloud

I prefer a breathable, quick drying shoe to Gortex, as no shoe is completely waterproof. In my experience the waterproofing significantly slows drying from the elements, or even sweat

 

To route back to the Hammock talk. Anybody use underquilts?

Temp rating on them seem insufficient.

 

La Sportiva Wildcats are my backpacking shoe, I'm on board with this approach.

 

My greylock 3 is rated to 20F & was warm in the teens this winter with proper layers and SOLite pad. Warbonnet's winter wooki & JRB greylock 4 are both rated to 0F and they'll overstuff.

 

Not sure about underquilts, but Enlightened Equipment has bad-ass products, if you are looking for an UL sleeping bag option. Wife & I absolutely love our custom Revelation Quilts. They do underquilts as well

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/under-quilts/

 

Thanks, was specifically talking about the ENO products, but seems I should broaden my scope.

I have wiggy bags so I am properly layered up top, but looking for the underquilt. Thank you for your info.

 

Got all of my camping reservations made for the summer (my wife was afraid of missing the perfect camping spot so I booked everything 6 months in advance to the day.)
Going to Shenandoah for a week, Great Smoky Mountains for a week, and my friend and I booked an entire loop at Sandy hook for a 4-day weekend on Labor Day.

 

I backpack in the Sierra with a 20 degree revelation. Zero complaints.

 

Got an ENO double nest the other day. It's pretty cool.

 

blotter Fafa fofo hammock gear has a new economy line of quilts, if you're still in the market

Link

 

Keen is all about that wide toe box. That's my biggest plus with them.

 

You're gonna be an ewok?
I have a Hennessey hammock from almost 20 years ago that I loved but had to stop using it once I started camping with a wife.

 

My REI dividend is burning a hole in my pocket. Thinking about getting a Benchmade pocket knife for EDC & hiking/backpacking. Any model recommendations?

 

Leaving around 6am for a two nighter in the Smoky Mountains.

 

Was good.

 

Where'd you go?

 

Serrated sheep's foot mini griptilian has been my EDC knife the past 6 years while doing general field work, etc.

 

Considering the mini griptilian Or the serrated mini Barrage. Barrage has a slightly shorter & more sturdy blade.



Or the 530, as it is really thin/lightweight

 

Just picked up the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Hiking Boot today using my REI dividend and 20% off coupon.



Looking to pick up a pack. Want it for dayhikes up to weekend trips. Considering the Osprey Kestrel 32 or 38 or the Osprey Talon 33. Any advice or other packs I should/could consider?

 

Those hiking boots look like overkill for a day hike...

 

Those are for more than a day hike. Said I am looking for a pack that will service a day hike up to a weekend (3 days/2 nights). With that being said, considering my ankles will roll just walking down the street, I don't consider them overkill at all with the support they provide.

 

Would try the front zipping pack I think colonelrascals mentions somewhere in this thread. Seems like they have a few around that size.

 

Once my Keens wear out I'm getting some Salomon's. Cant ever go wrong with Osprey. I have a day lite pack and love it. For packs check out Gregory and Granite Gear.

 

I have these boots and love them. Check out Arc'teryx packs. The belts on them are supposedly incredibly comfy.

 

Tried on more and less expensive boots with varying heights and these felt great. Might have to do with my foot shape but these were the ones that gave me the most support and my feet did not slip in on inclines and declines.

Will check out the Arc' packs. Will also look into the Mystic Ranch that Rascals brought up. Hope I can find a place that stocks them as I am a brick and mortar shopper, especially when buying something that requires a fit.

 

I've got a pair and love them. I've put them through a pretty good workload and really don't have a single complaint.

 

I've gone through 2 pair of those Salomon, but in the mid-weight. The outsole is crap after about a month or 2 of serious hiking. Will be buying something else next time. They're very comfortable for the time that they last, though.

 

OK, so I go (car) camping at the end of every summer with a group of families and we always try to find the most ridiculous glamping accessory to improve? our vacation. Coolest idea for this year?
Weight is no option, since we will be walking <100m from our cars to our sites.

 

This spoiler contains the word "Butt" & medical grade silicone - While at work, click at your own risk

Spoiler

 

Apparently the camping thread is no longer safe for work. Thanks asshole. Literally.

 

Fixed to protect the innocent

 

Lighten up. You should probably just stay off this site completely while at work, if that pic concerned you. I spoilered it regardless

 

I mean it's all words on a page and the occasional boot or mountain pic then bam big pink butthole.

 

A Pie Iron is pretty nice. If I had the dough Id get a portable pizza oven, like an uuni or something similar.

 

I have a Hennessey and can not wait to use it.

 

Anyone ever done a trip on the Devils River down in Southwest Texas?

Five guys and I just got back. Fucking fantastic trip. Even had my first experience using WAG bags. Loved it. Such amazing country down there.

 

Stupid question, but I had never heard of under quilts until this thread. Do they act as a hammock or do you use your own hammock and throw the quilt in there? Also whats your normal set up in the hammock, just sleeping bag and under quilt?

 

The ones I've seen have the underquilt wrap on the outside of the hammock.

 

Ooooh. That's pretty. I may have to go that route.

We have pie irons that we use in scouting. I'll have to google portable pizza oven. We've made solar powered ones, as a project, but they never worked.

I was also thinking about one of these:

(or getting one with a motor - even though we have kids that can rotate the chickens).

 

I'm not a hammock camper, but sounds like others in this thread have you covered.