2 questions from anewbie

“I just purchased my first pair of good hiking boots(LL Bean Crestas all leather). My question is are they supposed to fit snuggly across the ball of my foot? I have a wide foot and I purchased the wide model. I guess I'm not used to a snug fit. Will they loosen up a bit once they're broken in? Are boots supposed to fit perfectly from the start? Second one. I want a tent either eureka timberline or tetragon, which one should I get and why. Thanks in advance.”

“As the first responder, I am obligated to say this: TROLLLLLLLL!”

“That's at least 3 questions by my reckoning.”

“Please wait patiently, a customer service representative will be with you shortly....”

“Is this not the right place to ask these questions?”

“The boots don't fit, don't wear them and bring them back for a bigger size. They will not "give" unless you wear them for years where they will not get bigger, but perhaps get more flexible.

You should be able to wear them with a thick sock and still have wiggle room.”

“Its Friday. What did you expect!”

“1) They will loosen up a little as you break them in, but if it's really uncomfortable, you may want to take them back and go up a size.

2) Which Timberline? Assuming a two-person, I'd go with the Timberline because it has aluminum poles.
last edited: 2/03/06 3:32:14 PM”

“Stand in a pool of water till they get good and soaked.
Then hike in them till dry.”

“All leather suck!

eureka timberline or tetragon Suck.


Next!”

“rub them down real good with saddle soap to condition the leather...this will soften it and make them easier to break in”

“For the boots question, if they fit well everywhere else except the ball of your foot, you can get them stretched. Any shoe store (and the place you bought them can do it.) The length is very important also.

As for the tent, use the search feature here to look up tent threads.

Good luck”

“don't fret the troll colling. It's a newbie hazing ritual. Your hiking questions are welcome and we're honored to answer them.
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I'm not a boot expert. I usually go to REI and get my boots and the people there always do a great job of finding the perfect boots for me. My favorite brand is Asolo.
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BTW welcome to TT, I hope we don't scare you away. TTers are really cool. I've met a ton of them on hikes and I'd hike with any of them again, anytime!”

“also, tell us a little bit about yourself. Check out the trips page. If you see a trip in your area, consider signing up, TT trips are always a ton of fun.”

“If the boots fit really snug right off, you may need a bigger size. Your feet will tend to swell a little bit after you hike in the for a few miles.

They will loosen up a bit though as they break in - the saddle soap thing works pretty good.”

“Wet em and hike em dry...STOVE YOU LOL>...heard that many years ago. Rather than listen I wore my combat boots for a couple of hours a day, then extended it. When I hit the field they were comfy...the water and walkem dry...BLISTER city...NOW Ecks...you have a 50 50 response...that is democracy in action”

“poor ecks, some of you guys are aweful! hehe

Ecks, before you buy more gear do more research. TT is also good for that.

As earlier stated I too would recommend going to REI or another quality outlet where they know how to fit boots for backpacking. And don't try the "soak and walk" method unless you want some horror stories for future campfires!

As to the Timberline, it was my very first tent (in, ummm, dare I say, 1974?) and it served me well for years, even in winter. I know someone else who has one now and likes it. it would not be my first choice these days but hey, everyone starts somewhere, even the sometimes over the top knucklheads in TT! :-)
Before you buy, make sure to search the outlets, like REI Outlet and other sales as there are much better tents to be had for relative expense.

Welcome to TT - consider filling in some bio info; meet up with fellow TT'rs for hikes; eat, drink, be merry!”

“I've owned the Crestas and was happy with them. They were reasonably comfortable right off the bat. If you spend a few hours inside the house with them on, they should not be too uncomfortable - if they are quite uncomfortable, then you should take them back.

It does depend partly on how many people you expect to fit in the tent. Be aware that a lot of 2 person tents are not comfortable for two, unless they are very small and like each other a lot.

Any shoe that gives meaningful support should be a little snug at first, but not painfully so.

For your first tent, I'd tend to lean towards the less expensive if money is at all tight, the lighter one if money isn't so tight.”

“Many of the answers depend on where you might be hiking and how often. If you only plan on hiking a few times a year in a mild climate then I wouldn't recommend spending $300 on a tent. If you're only going to be hiking a few miles here and there i wouldn't recommend spending hundreds on a pair of boots either. As they say in West Virginia...it's all relative.”

“There is nothing worse than boots that are too tight or don't fit. Your feet will expand a half size on the trail from just swelling. I would suggest exchanging them.

I like Eureka tents and own three of them. But I shy away from my A-frame because I like more head room.”

“welcome to the crazy house.

I would suggest renting a tent first. Or better yet, hook up with some backpackers. I don't know one without multiples of most gear. They are usually pretty open about lending their old equipment too.”

“the boots will stretch side to side, they will not gain in length. If the boot is terribly tight, follow the advice of the others...return them for a larger half size.

have fun, welcome to TT. It can sometimes be a daunting place.

marc”