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Carrying maps when hiking

H

Harayasu

Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
1,863
I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I would like to know how you carry your maps when you are hiking and why that is the way you prefer to carry them.

I usually put the map that I use in a inner pocket of my vest or jacket, or put it into the cargo pocket of my pants. Today I've been searching a bit on other ways to carry maps and already found out about army style map cases. But I would like to know about other ways of map carrying.

Thanks,
Harayasu
 
I leave originals at home in most cases. I have a map CD that covers most of the areas I hike/hunt, so I print the maps I need on 8.5" x 11" paper and put them in a gallon-size zip-lok bag. Folded twice, they fit in the cargo pockets of my hiking and hunting pants.

I need to do some experimenting with fixative sprays....
Maps printed with my home inkjet printer are NOT the tiniest bit water resistant and can be destroyed by water. I'm wondering if artists' fixative spray or some other product will make them a little more durable (safer).

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I do the cargo pants thing too. I live in a dry climate, so water is never a problem for me. However, I've been contemplating some high sierra wanderings, which has me also contemplating adding a Maxpedition Monkey Admin Pouch to my belt for the fold-down map case that it has.
 
I use a waterproof mapcase with a neck strap. If I'm in a familiar area and not using the map, it will be in my pack.
 
desmobob said:
I leave originals at home in most cases. I have a map CD that covers most of the areas I hike/hunt, so I print the maps I need on 8.5" x 11" paper and put them in a gallon-size zip-lok bag. Folded twice, they fit in the cargo pockets of my hiking and hunting pants.

I need to do some experimenting with fixative sprays....
Maps printed with my home inkjet printer are NOT the tiniest bit water resistant and can be destroyed by water. I'm wondering if artists' fixative spray or some other product will make them a little more durable (safer).

Stay sharp,
desmobob
Click to expand...


I have just started printing my own maps. You are correct in that the slightest bit of water will make the ink run. Also, the paper can be a bit fragile. I keep mine in an Ortlieb A4 waterproof case, which is soft enough to fold and carry in a trouser cargo pocket.
 
I print all my maps from one software or another (either Terrain Navigator or DeLorme with the downloaded quads). So, they all go on 8.5 x 11 paper.

I keep a "spare" set in my pack that is not for use. Just in case. Made as waterproof as possible.

The set I use is folded to a quarter page. At 7.5minute scale, you will stay within in a quarter page for quite a while, and then can refold when you need to. I usually have these in nothing, knowing I have a spare, or if really needed in a ziplock bag.

Have the super small map in my hand allows me to thumb the map easily.

I am also experimenting with Rite In the Rain's paper that is sold in 8.5 x 11 sheets. I already have some, but haven't put it to the test yet. I will soon. If that works out well, I can ditch the ziplock on my "user" set.

Odaon said:
Maxpedition makes a pretty sweet tear away waterproof map case with another pouch attached for a gps or compass or whatever.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1166&idcategory=53

There's a video of a guy showing how it works somewhere. I'll try to find it.

EDIT: Here it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPQsNE9YKCo&feature=channel_page
Click to expand...

Maxpedition is sending me one of these for review :D Can't wait to see what it is all about.

B
 
Ramm9 said:
Hiking, I don't have any need for a map case, the map just goes in a shirt pocket or pants cargo pocket.

I used to use map seal a lot with good results, I think it was the same as this Aquaseal product.

http://www.aquaseal.com/map-seal.html
Click to expand...


From the Map Seal webpage:

"Please note: Map Seal® is not suitable for maps printed on ink jet printers. It will cause the ink to run just as water does."

Bummer... I thought Map Seal may have been the answer.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I don't use inkjet printers, so I don't know about them. But, Thompson's water seal has also worked well for me on laserjet and old school maps.

B
 
Last edited:
When doing nav in thick scrub, I wear it in a map case round my neck. It's a bugger, as it makes me sweat more, but I don't think there's really any other option when offtrack.
 
desmobob said:
From the Map Seal webpage:

"Please note: Map Seal® is not suitable for maps printed on ink jet printers. It will cause the ink to run just as water does."

Bummer... I thought Map Seal may have been the answer.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
Click to expand...

Yeah bummer! I used it on zoomed photo copies of topo maps. At worst case you could make a photo copy of the printer page.

I've still got some someplace, I think it was from Campmor. Maybe it was originally non PC solvent based instead of water based. I'll update if I find anything because it was great stuff for waterproofing paper and made it very tear resistant.
 
Shotgun said:
Have any of you guys tried using the waterproof paper you get at REI and such?
Click to expand...

I have the Rite in the Rain stuff. While I have had extremely good luck with their paper notebooks with pen and pencil, I have not yet had enough time to really put the printer paper to the test.

Assuming that it prints like normal paper and is good as their other stuff, it will work great. Extremely nice stuff.

B
 
i print my maps onto 8.5x11 and fold them into 4 like everyone else. i usually toss it into a ziploc bag as its pretty wet over here.

that maxpedition setup looks great. i've also looked at the tactical tailor version which is also good but now that i've seen that maxpedition one i think its the better of the two..

maxpedition:
0215f_1238_detail.jpg


tactical tailor:
playbook_350.jpg


the tactical tailor one is strapped onto the wrist and opens up into a map panel with 3 sections.
 
I use a map case or a Zip Loc but I really like the idea of those chest bags (Bushman5 showed one in a thread on vests) where the front flops down and the map is supported right in front of you. You can use a compass/GPS without having to hold the map in your hands. Very handy.

DancesWithKnives
 
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