Hiking

Merino wool is an excellent fabric for keeping your feet dry, warm and comfortable. But you've probably noticed that many of the merino wool socks available contain a blend of merino wool and other synthetic fabrics. The reason for this is very simple. 100% Merino wool socks do not last as well as blended socks. While popular sock companies like Smart Wool are working on new knitting designs to improve the durability of merino wool socks, nothing lasts today as well as a blend of merino wool and some other popular synthetic fabrics.

You will typically find that merino wool hiking socks contain nylon or polyester as well as a small percentage of lycra/spandex. The lycra/spandex is there to help the sock stay up and keep its shape. Nylon and polyester are very durable fibers. When added to merino wool socks, they extend the life of the sock dramatically. A few years ago, I bought 2 pair of 100% merino wool socks. After just one summer of wearing them hiking, the heels and toes wore completely out of them. I bought the same model sock from the same company after they had changed up the sock a little and had added in some nylon. So far they've lasted me a whole summer of hiking and will likely last a couple more.

So, when you're shopping for some nice merino wool socks that you expect to last more than just a summer, you'll want to get a pair that have some nylon or polyester blended into the fabric.

Do your feet stay wet, cold and clammy when you're hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, exercising, etc? You might want to try some thin polypropylene sock liners by Fox River Mills (children sizes). Polypropylene sock liners are great for warm or cold weather. The polypropylene fabric is designed to keep your feet nice and dry helping your feet to regulate their temperature better. Polypro sock liners are especially nice in the winter time because they add a layer of warmth to your feet while keeping them dry. Polypropylene retains more heat than any other fabric and it also absorbs less water than any other fabric. If you have trouble with smelly feet, you'll want the Fox River Polypro socks with x-static. X-static is an anti-bacteria fabric that prevents odor causing bacteria from developing in your socks.

Check out this new directory that keeps track of all the hiking, backpacking, and trail running blogs out there. HIKING BLOGS

When You Take Hydration Seriously, Camelbak Has Your Back Covered

As the originators of the world leading hands-free hydration systems backpacks, Camelbak's name is synonymous to the desert camel that travels extensively through arid regions, with a unique source of nourishment contained within the humps on their back!

The Camelbak hydration systems work in the same manner, where many sports enthusiasts such as mountain and motocross riders have openly adopted this hands-free convenience of Camelbak's unique systems. When it came to safety at all levels of their sport, a Camelbak hydration system was a popular necessity.

With more athletes taking their sport to the extreme knowing that they can count on a reputable hydrating system, they were capable of concentrating more on their activities, versus worrying about where to find their next water source to get hydrated. Soon the Camelbak backpacks became so popular, a great number of different athletic groups adopted the same hydrating convenience as the mountain and motocross bikers!

Before you knew it, not only were there cyclists using these systems, however, now you noticed more hikers, runners, snowboarders, skiers, and outdoorsmen increasing the use of these Camelbak packs, and experiencing their true benefits.

Why Would You Choose A Camelbak Hydration Pack Over Others Out There?

Sports in the new millennium have become more extreme, and many athletes are pushing their physical abilities harder than ever before. So when it comes to maintaining their energy levels, strength, dexterity, and their all-important mental focus, then a proper hydration system to keep them fully hydrated during their intense activity was a must. The bottom line is if the Camelbak's are good enough for the majority of the US Marines, and Army, then they're sufficient for many professional, and intense leisure athletes out there!

How Much Water Should You Drink, And How Much Do These Packs Hold?

On average it's recommended that many athletes that are exerting moderate energy in approximately 80° degree weather or hotter, should consume a minimum of one litre of water per hour.

Keeping that in mind, if you plan on spending an entire day on large mountainous trails, or in that isolated marathon where you're not going to have access to any water sources, then the appropriate hydration system to accommodate your needs will be required, and you can view a select few of popular packs below:

· Camelbak H.A.W.G.® 100 oz. Hydration Pack: The H.A.W.G. is the best choice for mountain bike riders that are looking to spend most of their day on the most extreme terrain. With a 100 0z reservoir bladder with tethered cap, and the taste-free Pure Flow™ tube- incorporating in the polyethylene liner, your water will be tasting fresh, and keeping cool with the 5 mm cell phone insulation for the best body absorbtion while you're hitting those challenging trails. You will feel confident that the Ergo Hydrolock that places the Camelbak's Big Bite Valve™ in the ergonomic position will maintain a proper position for drinking!

Combined with the strap management system, slider sternum straps, and the Air Director™ back panel that provides an AirMesh harness for proper ventilation, you will have not only the most effective hydration system, but also a very stable and comfortable backpack with tons of storage for all your biking accessories, and additional reservoirs.

· Camelbak M.U.L.E.® 100 oz. Hydration Pack: This pack is very similar to the one above, but the M.U.L.E. has very little differences that cater to the ultimate hiker. It's comfortable enough for hikers that plan on spending many hours on the trails, and it offers plenty of space for storage. This pack includes one more zippered compartment with a total of 3, a Bungee Cinch System™ that allows you to lash on additional gear, and 2 mesh overflow compartments for more storage space. With 500 cubic inches, you will have no worries about taking all the necessities required to get you through any weather that comes your way.

There are other models available with many water hydration system options, and if you don't require a reservoir as large, you can find a selection of smaller ones to suite your athletic needs.

Remember this one tip! Only being in the sun for a couple of hours without consuming enough fluids can quickly drain your energy level and impair your endurance, and can prevent you from keeping focused and alert while participating in very extreme activities, especially in hot weather.

A hydration system, including the highly recognized Camelbak system is a great solution to your hydrating requirements. It carries more clean fresh water than the standard water bottles, or canteens, and I highly recommend that the Camelbak should be your choice over many of the other systems available online, and reason for this is that they only do one thing, and that is making the best hydration systems!

About the author: William is the owner and Author of "Hydration Backpacks.com" - your source for Camelbak Hydration Backpacks! Visit our site to read informative articles on quality Camelbak systems that come in a variety of backpack styles and options for all your hydrating needs.

If you're a hiker, backpacker, camper, or otherwise outdoor enthusiast, this is a blog you'll want to journey to. The author of Two-Heel Drive is Tom Mangan and there is plenty of news, tips and information for hikers and backpackers and the like. Not only does he provide plenty of his own helpful recreational posts, he also does a good job of keeping up with the outdoor world leaving link trails to recent articles and events on the web. If you're visiting his blog for the hiking tips and information, take a look at his categories list down the right hand side. Once you're finished there, don't forget to check out his well selected outdoor related links on the left hand side. Two-Heel Drive is updated daily, so you'll want to bookmark it so that you can come back for more. Here's the link: http://tommangan.net/twoheeldrive/

Shoes
Your hiking shoes or boots may have the greatest impact on you comfort level during a hike. If your boots hurt your feet the whole time, you're in for a long and painful experience. I found this article that explains all about how to select the right hiking shoe. The article was written by Tonia Moore with the Consumer Health Interactive. This article titled: How to Choose Hiking Shoes and Boots will walk you through some of the most basic scenarios for hiking and give you advice on selecting the right hiking boot for each scenario. Read it Here

Clothing

The next most important part of your hiking gear is the clothing you wear. Most avid hikers have developed their own clothing system for each type of hike they take. I found this article that explains in detail what I mean by a clothing system. Read it Here .

Main Clothing- If you are looking to just get away from everything for a few days, or even just overnight, backpacking is the way to go. Peace, quiet, and tranquility are all provided compliments of Mother Nature. If you are new to backpacking, you'll want to know some important dress rules that will keep your clothing from being a major distraction on your trip.

It is first necessary to assess the type of backpacking trip that you will be taking: What will your elevation be (high elevation=cold/snow)? What time of the year will you be going? What is the weather forecast? That last question can be a bugger. There are always those rare occasions when an unforcasted storm can roll through, but as a general rule, you can get prepared for a trip based on the immediate forecast. Later on I'll mention some items that are handy to have along for those surprise storms. Now that you know what to expect from the elements, you can dress based on whether you trip will be a cold one, a hot one, or a little of both.

Cold weather backpacking trips require a developed clothing system known as "layering." You can check my articles section out for more in depth info on layering. Layering is just that. You layer your clothes, typically 3 layers, so that you can better manage your body's heating and cooling system. Your first layer should almost always be a long, thin, synthetic layer. Synthetic materials wick or pull moisture away from your body to keep your skin warm and dry. Polypropylene works great as it is typically the least expensive and dries faster than any other material. Leave the cotton at home. Cotton gets wet and stays wet. The middle layer should be an insulating layer. Synthetic or wool (especially merino wool) works great here. In general, the more air your clothing traps inside the warmer it will be. Finally, the outer layer should be windproof and breathable. It should also be waterproof and breathable if you are expecting some rain. In some follow ups to this post, I will list some great layering systems including brands that I would recommend. So, this will pretty much cover you for a cold weather trip. See future posts below for Accessories to wear such as socks, hats, gloves, etc.

Now, if you are planning on hot weather, you can skip the long underwear layer. If you're a lady, you'll need to look into a nice wicking sports bra that breathes well. There are assortments of them nowadays since there has been such a push for athletic clothing manufacturers to make athletic clothing that actually fits a woman. Women no longer have to improvise with men's stuff that altogether fits wrong. Synthetic, wicking briefs are a must for men. There is nothing as uncomfortable as cotton briefs that stay wet your whole trip. Some men and women, for that matter, prefer boxer style briefs. I personally don't like them due to the tendency for them to ride or bunch up. But, that's just my own preference. Not too long ago, Patagonia started
producing their capilene material in the form of a thong for those ladies who like to floss. Anyway, the point is, wear as little as possible against your skin, and what you do wear should wick well and dry quickly.

The next layer should be light weight and breathable. A nice athletic t-shirt made of polyester works great. If you prefer to stay out of the sun, loose fitting long sleeve shirts are also available in polyester or similar synthetic fabrics. I can't stress enough just how important fast drying, synthetic fabrics are for outdoor activities. When you finish hiking and start making camp, the last thing you want is the discomfort of all that cold wet cotton garbage clinging too you. Trust me on this one. In fact, one way to tell if fellow packers are newbies is by their apparel. Cotton = Newbie, Synthetic = Veteran (or well informed newbie cloaked as a veteran). You get my point. For hot weather, your pants can vary. There are so many products out there that you really just need to stick to lightweight and breathable and you'll be fine. By this time, I no longer need to add "quick drying" and "synthetic" to the description. Shorts work great for backpacking, but you might prefer long pants to save your legs from scratchy brush. I always were a pair of zip-off long pants so that I can make that decision on the trail.

You're all set! Stick to these basics and you'll be a happy backpacker. I'll get some more posts on here about backpacking accessories as soon as I get a chance. The good thing about most of this gear is that it is interchangable with other outdoor activities. So, once you buy your backpacking thermals, you also have your ski thermals, your snowshoeing thermals, your snow camping thermals, and so on. The key is just to get them in the right materials. Please post comments if you think I left something out that you feel is vital or otherwise important. Also, I guess I forgot to mention the handy extras to take along "just in case," so I'll add those in another post.

How often do you go backpacking? Once a year? Once a month? Once a week? If you are going as often as once a week or even once a month, then you probably know a thing or two about backpacking. Even so, there are always new techniques being developed and new things you can learn that can make a big difference on your next adventure. If you only go once a year, then you can likely learn a thing or two from the experts that will save you a lot of grief on your next backpacking trip.

One site that I have found to provide trustworthy information on the latest backpacking equipment, gear, and techniques is from Backpacker Magazine. They have been around much longer than most of the other sites out there and so their information comes from a long history of experience in the outdoors and particularly in backpacking. They have a vast archive of information relating to backpacking destinations, backpacking gear, and helpful backpacking techniques for the beginner as well as the grizzled veteran. They also have a community with a vast membership that allows the members to discuss any outdoor related subject. Their forum is one of the most helpful backpacking forums I’ve found for sourcing helpful information on my backpacking woes.

The next site on the list is The Backpacker. Most of the reviews and information on this site come from everyday visitors like yourself, who have had personal experience with a particular piece of gear or a specific trail. The writers of The Backpacker also provide handy tips and how-tos as well as other interesting articles relating to backpacking. The site is really designed as one big backpacking community aimed at bringing all backpackers to a common goal of enjoying the great outdoors.

One last notable resource is a great review site for backpacking and other outdoor gear. Gear Review was started by a group of outdoor enthusiasts who spent lots of time doing what they love outdoors. They began testing gear and writing reviews on the stuff that they used in an effort to educate fellow enthusiasts on what types of gear really works and what gear doesn’t measure up. Their reviews are some of the most objective you will find on the net. Unlike the visitor reviews you find on The Backpacker, the writers for Gear Review are very professional and over time have developed a detailed and systematic way for reviewing gear which really gives you a great overall view of each product.

Keep in mind that there are many other resources out there for backpacking information. The three that I’ve highlighted here have offered a wealth of great information that has really helped me avoid many of the pitfalls made by beginners. Things like: the types of clothing materials to wear. How your pack should fit on your back. Who makes the best lightweight backpack. So, if you’re just getting started, these sites should be your first step in preparing for your trip. If you have been at it for some time now, you will want to stay up to date on the latest gear and techniques. And if I’ve left a great resource off that you feel needs to be mentioned, please add it to the post in a comment.

If you've been on a hike recently, you probably noticed some of your fellow hikers trekking along with what looks like ski poles in their hands. The first time I passed a fellow hiker on the trail in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, I commented to my wife how silly it looked "Why would you need to carry along two poles on a hike. It seems like they would only get in the way. How silly!" I said. Over time, I began seeing more and more hikers and backpackers carrying those useless poles. On rocky hikes, I could hear them coming down the trail before I could even see them. Well, that was one piece of gear that I was sure I would never purchase.

That same winter, I was getting ready for a snowshoeing trip and I purchased 2 sets of telescoping poles made by MSR for my wife and I. I used them a few times for snowshoeing that winter and then put them away. When spring came, my wife and I geared up for the first hike of the season. I had just purchased some ankle gaiters to keep the dust and debris out of my shoes and I was excited to test them out. As I was digging through the rest of my gear I saw the poles and thought, "why not just take them along and see what all the fuss is about." So I tossed them into the back of the car and off we went. At the trailhead, I handed my wife a pair of poles which she blatantly refused. Off we went. I must admit that I felt a little funny hiking along a the flat part of the trail swinging those poles along. They weren't helping me at all. Things changed when we hit a sudden slope. The kind that make your legs swell with blood and burn by the time you reach the top. Now, I am in better shape than my wife, but I made it to the top without even slowing down. She had to stop for a breather before reaching the top. Somewhat convinced of their effectiveness, she took the poles from me on the next hill to give them a try. I didn't get the poles back after that. Needless to say, after just one hike with trekking poles, we were sold on trekking poles. I later bought some Lekisport Absorbers that have a nice cork grip and a built in shock absorber that both dampens the blow of planting the pole and quiets some of the noise that most trekking poles make.

So, let's look at all of the benefits of hiking with trekking poles. First of all, as I mentioned earlier, you can hike up hills much easier. They help you do this by allowing you to use your arms as another set of legs to thrust you up the hill. Your posture also benefits from trekking poles as you are more inclined to hike standing up straighter rather than bending forward. This ability to use your arms to hike being able stand more upright puts less stress on the legs and, more notably, the knees each time you hike uphill leaving your legs with more energy to hike greater distances without feeling fatigued. While this may seem like the single greatest advantage from using trekking poles, the next benefit can be a real life saver.

Have you ever been hiking along and stepped on a rock, only to have the rock move causing you to sprain your ankle? Spraining your ankle is like getting a flat tire on your car and not having a spare. You can't just "shake it off" and keep going. If the injury is bad enough, you may require emergency help to get you off the trail. Ankle sprains and fractures as well as knee strains are some of the most common injuries related to hiking and backpacking. More ankle and knee injuries occur during backpacking due to the extra displaced weight being carried. Trekking poles, when used properly, can almost completely alleviate the menace of ankle and knee injuries. With a pole planted firmly on the ground, if you do happen to slip or roll on a rock, you can shift the support of your weight to your arms to prevent a potentially dangerous injury.

Now that we've discussed the major reasons to use trekking poles, let's talk about some of the little bonuses that you can also enjoy. Have you ever crossed a creek, balancing on rocks or a log as you go? How easy is it to loose your balance and slip in? With trekking poles, you are sure to keep your balance the whole way. Have you ever had some sort of varmint come after you? Trekking Poles can become your first line of defense against these critters. I personally haven't experienced this bonus, but I feel a little more secure having something in my hand to swat at an unwanted guest rather than just my hand. Now, I'm sure that with a little more thought, we could come up with a larger list of additional uses for trekking poles. But we'll pretty much end with one last area of use. In the last few years, there have been many advancements in hiking and backpacking products to make them lighter, thus allowing hikers and backpackers to lighten their overall load. A lighter load means less aches and pains when all is said and done. A lighter load on your back can allow you to wear lighter shoes that do not have as much ankle support. I personally wear some low top nikes that weigh ounces instead of pounds. The use of trekking poles pretty much assures me that I won't sprain an ankle. Wearing lightweight shoes to hike in is like taking five or more pounds off your back. Here again, you will be able to hike farther with less stress on your body. There are also several companies that make tents to utilize your trekking poles as tent poles. As a result, instead of carrying a 5-10lb tent, you can carry a sil-nylon tent that only weights a few ounces and your trekking poles double as your tent poles. This lightens load significantly.

Are you convinced now? If not, just go to this hiking and backpacking forum on Backpacker.com and type in trekking poles. You'll find countless testimonies from experienced hikers and backpackers on how much they love their trekking poles. So do your legs and ankles a favor and get some trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip. If you are still unsure or just don't want to invest a lot of money in some yet, visit a local thrift store. Many thrift stores like salvation army or goodwill carry old ski poles that you can buy for just a few bucks and use them for a test run. Your knees and ankles really will thank you.