Hiking kit

BJE said:
BPS knives of Ukraine has some nice models I also like and use, but they need a bit of hand finishing out of the box which I actually kind of enjoy.
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I like this company too and for the price a little sanding is no biggie. Mine did come sharp which was nice. Sheaths are quality but are obviously designed using Eastern Europeans in mind, a little kevlar and some carry.options like lashing holes and molle etc. would be cool but they're usable as is. I get it, leather is fine plus you get beef too, can't eat kevlar.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Any fans of the SAM split?
I keep thinking of adding one, but I’m not sure if I break a leg or arm how much it’d matter. An arm because I can still walk, and a leg because I can’t walk anyway.
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We are issued and trained on SAM splints. They work well (at least in training - never applied one IRL) and I have them in my vehicles, but I’ve never carried one on foot - many other priorities to dedicate my energy to before split material.
 
My favorite stove setup is still the bombproof Snow Peak Gigapower and I’ve used this stove for more than 20 years now.


52586319275_b2e13eda12_b.jpg



An Emberlit as been in the stove quiver for around 15 years and the fine Firebox titanium Nano for about 5 years. I’ve used the Trangia alcohol burner with it and the simmer ring works while sitting up on the Nano sticks. Also have the Primus made isopro burner branded Trangia burner that works well with its wide head and remote canister. Wood is fuel too if needed but we have some very dry terrain that I don’t want to see burned.


The quickest, cleanest and most convenient is the Gigapower and I just refill the small canister as needed. And everything, the stove, canister and Bic fit inside the mug with the upper windscreen wrapping the outside and the lower windscreen nesting below. It is compact and very fuel efficient. It is legal anywhere even in a Stage 2 fire ban and is stealthy.


My first aid kit consists of a pair of Silver Gripper tweezers. Okay fair to fight me for that.


Footwear are Keen Arroyo 2s, very open ventilation holes and the original and very aggressive Natural Foot Orthotics inside to help me travel through the rocky canyons and steep cross country ridges. I replace the shoes every 4 months.
 
SwiftDream said:
My favorite stove setup is still the bombproof Snow Peak Gigapower and I’ve used this stove for more than 20 years now.


52586319275_b2e13eda12_b.jpg



An Emberlit as been in the stove quiver for around 15 years and the fine Firebox titanium Nano for about 5 years. I’ve used the Trangia alcohol burner with it and the simmer ring works while sitting up on the Nano sticks. Also have the Primus made isopro burner branded Trangia burner that works well with its wide head and remote canister. Wood is fuel too if needed but we have some very dry terrain that I don’t want to see burned.


The quickest, cleanest and most convenient is the Gigapower and I just refill the small canister as needed. And everything, the stove, canister and Bic fit inside the mug with the upper windscreen wrapping the outside and the lower windscreen nesting below. It is compact and very fuel efficient. It is legal anywhere even in a Stage 2 fire ban and is stealthy.


My first aid kit consists of a pair of Silver Gripper tweezers. Okay fair to fight me for that.


Footwear are Keen Arroyo 2s, very open ventilation holes and the original and very aggressive Natural Foot Orthotics inside to help me travel through the rocky canyons and steep cross country ridges. I replace the shoes every 4 months.
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Very cool! A question though? You replace your boots every four months?!
 
Triton said:
Very cool! A question though? You replace your boots every four months?!
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Yes every four months. Keens like many footwear choices have EVA midsoles and they simply compress and deform over time. Even if they still look good on the outside the midsoles become compressed and deformed and that makes them unstable as well as doing bad things to the tendons and such in the legs, knees and hips. Most of my gear lasts for many years but footwear is another thing. Footwear with polyurethane midsoles will last twice as long as EVA. Those old style Italian boots that we used to resole lasted forever.


Thanks much for the photo compliment. That is one of the seven major canyons we walk into from home. Lots of vertical and it goes as far as you could want. We had a bear come upon us while down in their drinking our tea. It didn’t notice us until it was about 20’ away. When it realized we were there it stood up tall as it could with arms hanging down and took a good long look before running off like its butt was on fire. Javalina have done the same thing but got even closer. You never know what a javalina will do. Lions and bighorn sheep travel through. A guy set up a trail camera offtrail there and showed all the wildlife that was around. We also have more species of rattlesnakes than any other state. The Tiger rattlesnake only exists in Arizona in the US but also in northern Sonora. That is a beautiful animal and I have a few good photos of them and the more common diamondbacks. Even got a couple short but good videos. You never know what will happen or what you might come across. It’s a wild world.
 
SwiftDream said:
Yes every four months. Keens like many footwear choices have EVA midsoles and they simply compress and deform over time. Even if they still look good on the outside the midsoles become compressed and deformed and that makes them unstable as well as doing bad things to the tendons and such in the legs, knees and hips. Most of my gear lasts for many years but footwear is another thing. Footwear with polyurethane midsoles will last twice as long as EVA. Those old style Italian boots that we used to resole lasted forever.


Thanks much for the photo compliment. That is one of the seven major canyons we walk into from home. Lots of vertical and it goes as far as you could want. We had a bear come upon us while down in their drinking our tea. It didn’t notice us until it was about 20’ away. When it realized we were there it stood up tall as it could with arms hanging down and took a good long look before running off like its butt was on fire. Javalina have done the same thing but got even closer. You never know what a javalina will do. Lions and bighorn sheep travel through. A guy set up a trail camera offtrail there and showed all the wildlife that was around. We also have more species of rattlesnakes than any other state. The Tiger rattlesnake only exists in Arizona in the US but also in northern Sonora. That is a beautiful animal and I have a few good photos of them and the more common diamondbacks. Even got a couple short but good videos. You never know what will happen or what you might come across. It’s a wild world.
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Wow! I replace my running shoes every 400 miles but you sir are next level in terms of footwear! I won't confess to how many years I have had my hiking boots! Seems like a smart idea to me, but pricey.
 
Triton said:
Wow! I replace my running shoes every 400 miles but you sir are next level in terms of footwear! I won't confess to how many years I have had my hiking boots! Seems like a smart idea to me, but pricey.
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And wasteful.
 
shinyedges said:
What would YOU carry? Any other Hikers on here?
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What I carry heavily depends on what I plan to do.

I don't think my outdoor activities count much as hiking, since they are usually sport climbing, trad climbing, "via ferrata", ice climbing, alpine skiing, randonee skiing, canyoning, etc. Most of what I do is above the tree line, so there is no use planning on woodcraft of any kind. Ocassionally I carry a fixed blade and even a saw (foldable or hand-chainsaw) along with a fire steel if I want to show my daughter how to chop wood or make fire.

Anyway, some of "my rules":
- If there are ropes involved, I want a serrate blade (usually spyderco). If it is arround salt water, definitely something from the SALT line.
- If there are no ropes involved and I only plan on cutting food (cheese, sausage, bread, etc.) or NOTHING at all, I carry a slim, smallish, lifhg folder such as the Spyderco Centofante 3, BM Buggout, Spyderco Stretch...
- If there are mechanical gadgets arround (multifuel stove, sky bindings, etc.) I carry an additional multitool (leatherman PS4, usually).

I own a bunch of fixed blades, even home made ones, but the truth is that they don't see much use at all.

Mikel
 
Triton said:
Wow! I replace my running shoes every 400 miles but you sir are next level in terms of footwear! I won't confess to how many years I have had my hiking boots! Seems like a smart idea to me, but pricey.
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It sounds like we are on the same page. My Keens with EVA midsoles are most likely similar to your running shoes. 400 miles is the replacement mark I aim for just like you but sometimes I do go over that mark a bit, my bad. I just confused it a bit with time instead months instead of miles. My fault there. I’m retired, don’t play golf and live right next to the National Forest and a vast designed wilderness so it is easy to slip out the door and walk into that. We did a fine 10k in a different canyon this morning and traveled over to another. It was sublime. So our hikes aren’t long but are frequent enough and the terrain is rocky and steep for the most part. Easy to get a hiking fix in. I actually wish I could do it more but have some other interests that get in the way. lol


About fifteen years ago I didn’t replace the hiking shoes on time, went way over the mark, they became unusable and I tipped over in rough, steep terrain and fell off a switchback. If I’d missed grabbing a shrub I would have been propelled down until a tree or boulder stopped my inertia. Finding replacement footwear on sale is much less expensive than a helicopter ride and a full body cast. lol I just don’t bounce like I used to.
 
SwiftDream said:
It sounds like we are on the same page. My Keens with EVA midsoles are most likely similar to your running shoes. 400 miles is the replacement mark I aim for just like you but sometimes I do go over that mark a bit, my bad. I just confused it a bit with time instead months instead of miles. My fault there. I’m retired, don’t play golf and live right next to the National Forest and a vast designed wilderness so it is easy to slip out the door and walk into that. We did a fine 10k in a different canyon this morning and traveled over to another. It was sublime. So our hikes aren’t long but are frequent enough and the terrain is rocky and steep for the most part. Easy to get a hiking fix in. I actually wish I could do it more but have some other interests that get in the way. lol


About fifteen years ago I didn’t replace the hiking shoes on time, went way over the mark, they became unusable and I tipped over in rough, steep terrain and fell off a switchback. If I’d missed grabbing a shrub I would have been propelled down until a tree or boulder stopped my inertia. Finding replacement footwear on sale is much less expensive than a helicopter ride and a full body cast. lol I just don’t bounce like I used to.
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Ahh gotcha! It's funny I'm religious about replacing my running shoes, but I never thought about replacing my boots after 400 miles. I completely agree, with as much physical activity as I do (and apparently you do also) I want to keep my gear and therefore me in the best shape possible shape. Glad you didn't bounce all the way to the bottom! I'm looking at teens at rei now. Normally that place is a bit two expensive but I have some gift cards so...
 
I am a backpacker and always have a fixed blade usually on my backpack strap and a folder in my pocket. I've rotated fixies between a Bradford guardian and a big i designs lookout. I even had a Mora that I bought this spring but never used. Ended up losing it this spring doing some bushwhacking. As far as a folder, usually something micarta. I have a Civivi Yonder coming that I plan to be my backpacking folder. I used too carry a CRK Inkosi, but Im scared to now after losing the Mora.
 
Wvmntr said:
I am a backpacker and always have a fixed blade usually on my backpack strap and a folder in my pocket. I've rotated fixies between a Bradford guardian and a big i designs lookout. I even had a Mora that I bought this spring but never used. Ended up losing it this spring doing some bushwhacking. As far as a folder, usually something micarta. I have a Civivi Yonder coming that I plan to be my backpacking folder. I used too carry a CRK Inkosi, but Im scared to now after losing the Mora.
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I must admit. Civivi are a master class in selling a product.

 
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