What I Learned about Boots - Why they don't fall off.

There are times in life when we get an explanation to something that we didn't really know we didn't know.  Like when I was talking to the Boot Salesman at REI, he told me something that made total sense, and explains why boots are made they way they are.

If you look at most hiking boots, there are laces that go over the top of the foot, and laces that go up the ankle, however the eyelet/hoot where it turns is almost always farther down and back than all the other eyelets.  That is because, as explained by the REI Boot Salesman, you want the boot to be loose over your toes and at your ankles, but you want it to be tight between your heel and top of foot.  This is shown by the green line in the picture of the boot.

As shown in the red lines, if the boot is too tight across the ball of your foot, your foot can't move and it's much more difficult to hike.  If you boot is tight across your ankle, you lose flexibility in your ankle, making it harder to walk.  Both of the above lead to blisters.

Taking this a little further, this is why shoes are laced at the ankle, to fasten your shoe to your foot yet still allowing flexibility. 

(Full Disclosure:  These aren't my boots.  I borrowed this picture of Merril Phaser Peak hiking boots from the REI.com website.  I'm sure I'm breaking some type of copyright law.) 

What I Learned about Hiking Boots - Longitudinal Rigidity.

The other week we stopped by REI to pick up some birthday gifts for our daughter and I talked to one of the guys regarding hiking boots.  I have a pair of hiking boots, but they're a couple of years old and I'm not certain if they're the right boots for the hike.  So I thought I'd ask an expert.  Of course, I was aware of a number of the features he indicated, but one of the things he mentioned I hadn't thought of.  I later found out it was called Longitudinal Rigidity.

When hiking on uneven terrain, the question you need to ask is how much support you want the boot to provide.  I'd always thought of this as stiffness of the sole between the heel and toe (perpendicular to the foot) but never parallel to the foot.  For instance if you stepped on a rock on the left side of your foot, how much would the sole flex side to side.  The salesman took a shoe, and holding the heel in one hand and the toes in the other, twisted it.  A tennis shoe will twist greatly, however, a hiking boot should provide resistance.

I came home and tested my boots, and they were more rigid than I initially thought.  However, given my ankles and knees are not the strongest, I may be looking at a stiffer pair of boots.  I have to make up my mind soon, for I'll need some time to break them in before the trip. 

Here are a couple of links that give you some of the basics.  (Full Disclosure:  I'm not endorsing products that these links offer, nor am I getting compensated for linking to these pages.) 

Links
http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-boots/hiking-boot-features.asp
http://www.consumersearch.com/hiking-boots/important-features

Gear: Headlamp

One last item of gear for this round is the headlamp.  I received this for Christmas this last year from my lovely wife, Gail.  I guess she took the hint when I tore out the REI page and circled something.

My daughter first got a headlamp a few years ago, and it seemed pretty handy, so I figured that I'd like to get one as well.  This particular headlamp was chosen because it was cheap and it has two different lighting modes, one LED spotlight, or three LEDs which throw a wider range.

This particular model looks to weigh about 3 oz.

New GPS (or, why we buy things at REI)

About 18 months ago, we decided we'd get a GPS, however, we were more interested in using it for Hiking and other outdoor activities, so we didn't get a vehicle GPS.  We decided we'd get a GPS with Topographic maps instead.  Furthermore, we decided to go to REI to get our GPS because REI is really good at helping poor misguided souls and answering really basic questions.

So over a year ago, we got a Garmin Oregon 400t which was great with only one flaw.  The roads that were on the GPS didn't match the roads we drove on.  Many times, the roads would be off by 50 feet or more.  This didn't bug us too much until we started doing more geocaching.  The GPS would get to the right coordinates, however, at times when geocaching in an urban area, we'd go down the wrong street because the map was off.

So, last week, I took it back to REI and asked them if this behavior was expected (remember, misguided souls with stupid questions).  They said that this shouldn't do this, so they offered to exchange the maps.  When the map came, I came back and tried the new map but it didn't really work.  When the supervisor couldn't figure out how to make the exchange, he asked me if I wanted to replace my old unit for a new one.  I said sure, if it'll fix the problem. 

So, without batting an eye, they exchanged a 18 month old GPS for a new one that has a built in camera and a few more features.  I was happy, until I tried to track my path on the way home. 

The maps are still off.  I guess I have to do some more work to figure out how that should work. 

Gear: Tent Groundcloth

OK, they probably don't call them groundcloths anymore, but it is wise to have a vapor barrier between the tent and the ground.  So the next item on the gear list is a Groundcloth.

So, I can't remember if I got this when I got the tent, or if we went back to REI at a later date, but now that I'm reading the instructions, it looks like it's more than just a groundcloth.  Apparently, this "Fast Pack Footprint" can be used as a ground cloth, or in conjunction with the fly as a shelter in it's own right.  With this little device, I guess you can leave the tent at home.  Amazing what you learn when you actually read the directions!

I have no idea how I'll be using this, but it looks like I've got some choices.  Given that this is a bit smaller than the items so far, I've pulled out our postage scale to weigh this item.  Coming in at 9 oz. wrapped, it's the Fast Pack Footprint! 

This ought to be fun setting it up.

Gear: Tent

Of course, the next largest piece of gear that I'll be using when backpacking is a tent.  The tent was more of a "huh" purchase than the backpack.  A year or so after we got the backpacks, we went back to REI to look for tents.  I may have had an excuse like my birthday or something like that, but I can't remember.  Needless to say, Gail came along and gave me one of those looks when I told her I wanted to buy a tent.  She went along with my lunacy, and I now have a tent that's been sitting in the garage for a couple of years without being used.

The tent is a Sierra Designs "Sirius" model.  It's nominally a 2 person tent (friendly people, that is) and has a host of features, including 2 doors, 2 poles, a 4' x 4' vestibule (for the dog or the pack) and is 39" high at the peak.  According to the tag, it has a trail weight of 4 lbs.  According to my Borg, it looks more like 5 lbs.  Needless to say, it's lightweight and small.  I erred on the smaller size for I figured if you're hiking around, the idea would be to be outside.

As part of the preparation, I'll have to learn how to set it up and the like.

Gear: Backpack

So, while I had the scale and camera out in the Garage yesterday, I thought I'd take the opportunity to weigh some of my gear that I'll be taking along.  Of course, the starting item will be the Backpack. 

When I first had visions of life without kids, I thought it would be a good idea to get a backpack.  So Gail and I went down to REI, tried on a number of different packs, and I found one that fit me well, didn't cost too much, and was brown (i.e., the color of dirt).  I finally picked out an REI 65 backpack that has two main compartments and a number of different compartments for stuff.  (Gotta have places to put your stuff.) 

My first experience with this backpack was while I was traveling with my daughter in Europe.  We spent February wandering around the Mediterranean a couple of years ago, hauling our possessions on our backs.  She used Gail's pack and I hauled around mine.  It worked fairly well, and it was comfortable.  So far, I am pleased with this particular pack. 

Although you don't get a good view of the pack, you can see with my highly accurate scale that this piece of gear weighs 5 lbs.  (It's probably closer to 3 but what do you expect from the Borg?)