gear for an amature

“im getting a pack and some boots and was browsing ebay for these items. i stumbled across these and wondered if they were worthy of buying. i plan to use them for years in snow, rain, and all types of weather

BOOTS-
1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7726220947&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7726437065&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

3. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7728131000&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

PACKS-
1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8724548633&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8722206284&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I really appreciate any input at all. even a response such as "combo 3 and 1". thanks so much.”

“IMHO you are looking at the two items that I would not buy without being able to try them on. It is critical that boots and the pack fit you very well as they are the two items that can really cause you problems if they don't fit.
The boots you might be able to find in a store and try on but the packs are older models.
The Columbia Bugaboots are a winter boot that will work for hiking but they aren't great for it. They would be too hot in warm weather. I don't know anything about the others, although Merrel makes a great boot.”

“Packs:
Osprey makes great packs, but this one is huge (somewhere around 6,500 cu.in.) and will tempt you to carry too much extra stuff. I'd look for somewhere around a 4,000 cu. in. pack. That seems to be a good size for most hikes.
Tha Alpine pack is also too big.

A pack is also something that you want sized to your frame. Unless you've tried one of these on in a somewhere fully loaded, I'd stay away from it.

Boots:
Boots are such a personal thing as far as fit goes. Unless you've tried on the exact brand/size somewhere, I wouldn't waste your money on something that might not fit exactly the way you want it to. It's one thing walking around running errands or at work, but hiking with a pack for many miles over rugged terrain can quickly point out a bad fit when it's too late.

Just my $.02
last edited: 11/27/05 3:56:10 PM”

“Agreed. Boots especially, must fit well - I would never buy a pair of boots if I wasn't able to try them on. A pack maybe... but not if I was to be carrying 60 lbs in it, which appears to be what you want with those packs... those packs are huge, I'd never figure out how to fill either pack... but that's just me I suppose.”

“Definitely, find something you can try on.

Hiking in bad boots can lead to trouble and your feet are going to take a lot of abuse during a hike. You don't want to end up with humongous blisters!”

“I agree that boots should be tried on. I'd buy them from a brick and mortar retailer where you can get good service.

I also agree with Ski on the packs - they seem too large, unless you have some exceptional need for lots of room, for example you are going to be on the trail two weeks or more without re-supply, or you will be carrying gear for two people.

There are major benefits to trying on a pack first.

I'd also suggest seeing if you can borrow someone else's gear for a trip or two and getting a sense of what you need and want in your gear.
last edited: 11/27/05 4:47:55 PM”

“What ski said, those packs are too HUGE!!”

“One thing I would like to comment on.

"i plan to use them for years in snow, rain, and all types of weather"

Although it would be nice to have gear that was so versatile you could buy one item and use it all the time you are going to have to sacrifice a little.

I would try to make you first purchases with "3-season" use in mind and add from there.

I especially say this because things that you use for the winter wind up being specific to winter use such as the boots, pack and tent. Also they are usually much heavier and more expensive.

Also, if you are going to buy things such as a pack or boots online you should try them on at a local store first.

But, keep this in mind. If the local store is privately owned and they give you great service that helps you make your purchase online... where will they be when you really need them? In other words if they are spending some time to really make sure you get the right fit and price isn't a huge difference. Buy from the local shop.

See if they will budge a little on the price. They just might.”

“"See if they will budge a little on the price. They just might."

"Budge" has got to be one of my favorite words.

Used in a joke:

"Did ya hear about the constipated accountant?"

"Uh......no."

"He couldn't budge it, so he worked out with a pencil."”

“*shakes his head*”

“Buying boots online isn't a bad idea per se. What you need to do is go to a gear store, try on several pair until you find the ones that fit and feel the best, then go home and order them online.”

“aflac!”

“Chili - I agree with Adventurist. If you get the service at a gear store, you should buy the boots from a gear store, not on line.”

“I don't disagree with that, but for those looking to stretch a dollar, you are going to get a better deal otherwise.”

“Duckman: I agree with the others on this: you need to try on the boots and packs. The boots have to fit so that when you are on an incline your toes don't touch the front of the boot, even after hours of downhill hiking. If they do, you'll lose your toenails and not have fun.

On the pack and boots, its not so much 2 season or three season, as what kind of use they will get. Hiking on trails? Off trails? 2 day trips with super compact and light gear? 5 day trips with winter gear? 9 day trips with ropes and climbing gear?

On packs, really you need several different internal frame packs, to accomodate different types of trips. For your first pack, get one that will be right for most of your trips, and will work in a pinch for the extremes on either side of the typical trip.

I carry my gear to the store and load up their packs, and walk around the store fully loaded. Same with boots. You don't want to make a mistake with the boots you buy.”

“you need a really big knife, like so you can defend yousef if you run into a bear or sumtin”

“wow i wasnt that much of an amature, allthough i made it sound like i was. ive done 3 nighters through linville gorge and the AT. i just always borrowed gear from my friends. they too said to try all my stuff on before buying. i appreciate the info on seasonal hiking as well, i never really thought about that.

any preferences to kelty or osprey packs?
or towards merrell or columbia boots?
should i go GTX?”

“I love my North Face GTX boots but after watching Crash Bang trudge through streams in his trail runners I may have to start wearing my Montrails a little more often...”

“Osprey, Merrell and GTX can't go wrong there.”

“NM”

“Buy the lightest gear you can afford from the beginning.”

“I ahave a Jansport Alaska 115 Internal 2000. I don't know where the spec.'s at this link came from, cause mine weighs 7 pounds when empty. The carrying capacities match, however. For me, the extra weight is well worth it. The pack rides beautifully and comfortably on my hips(fanny). The only drawback is carrying almost everything in one sack. To get something out I usually have to just about unload everything and then end up repacking everything. But I do like the way it rides. I guess the straps have a lot to do with it.”

“I agree with Tango. The best advice I got on this board when I first starting purchasing my gear was to buy the best and lightest piece of gear that I could afford. Of course, the second you buy a piece of gear somebody comes out with something better. Not that I am gear junkie or nothin'.”