Input on essential gear, please.

Sufler

Sufler

Gold Member
I'd appreciate some input and suggestions on some quality footwear for hiking. My old pair seems to need a replacement and I'm totally out of touch with the current technologies or brand names. Give me some hints as to what to look for in a waterproof boot - throw some brand names out here too.

I'm also looking for recommendations on a quality compass.

Thanks much!
 
Boots Danner 453 GTX.

Compasses I'm in the market too. Looks like I'm going with the Suunto MC2G with the global needle or one of the K & R's from thecompassstore.com
 
I've got some Merrell boots I've had for about two years, and they've held up great. They're insulated and waterproof(Had to put some of that waterproof spray stuff on when I first got em, but haven't needed to reapply it since). A little warm for hiking on warm summer days, but other than that I have no complaints. Super comfortable, Vibram sole, warm, waterproof, and durable. I don't remember what model they were, but I'd highly recommend Merrells. When these boots bite the dust, I'm definitely going to look for another pair of them.
 
Never had them myself, but check out Limmers. Custom or production, very nice, and spendy. Been around a long time and their reputation is solid gold. A set of production Limmers will be my next boots.

Have had good luck with all leather Scarpas myself.
 
I think my last few hiking boots have been Merrells. I've been pleased with them. Wear a good sock too.

For a compass, I'd stick with one of the better name brands: Suunto, Silva, and Brunton. My main is a Silva Explorer Pro.
 
I have a pair of vasque sundowner boots that are great for me... tough, waterproof, and comfortable but stiff enough for good ankle support. They're a bit on the heavy side, but are pretty much bomb proof.


As for a compass... do a search of this forum or check woodsmonkey.com. Somebody from WSS (Brian Andrews, I think?) just did a very comprehensive compass review and what to look for article a few weeks back.
 
I like my Vasques as well. Once broken in, they are very comfortable and seem to last forever (can't even remember how many years I've had these).
 
Like those Vasque boots. I bought some for hiking and liked them so much I started wearing them to work.

They are tough, durable and competitively priced.

Robert
 
Different brands of boots fit some people better than others. You need to focus on fit among the several quality brands. The wide Asolos fit me well. In heavier boots, the wide Meindl German boots, from Cabela's. I've also had good luck with New Balance for light trail shoes.

Suunto has been a good compass brand.

DancesWithKnives
 
Lowa and Meindl make good hiking shoes, I use a couple of Lowa Renegade GTX for about 10 years now.

My most used compass is a Silva Ranger, I also have a Silva DS50. Both are good compasses and easy to use with a map.
 
Ive got a pair of Meindl Island Pro, goretex membrane makes them waterproof, theyre ankle-high and provide excellent support in rugged terrain. Just remember that your socks are almost just as important as the boots.
http://www.meindl.de/english/

For compasses i recommend Silva and Suunto. Ive got a Silva Ranger 3, which is a pretty basic baseplate compass that has served me well. I tend to avoid all the bells and whistles on some of the higher-end compasses.

Silva is here, just click on the left for the different models: http://www.silva.se/en/Products/Compasses/

Suunto: http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/article_1column.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673939780&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723697223466&catid=2
 
Danner's for boots and as far as a compass the one I use the most is the tried and true Cammenga GI lensatic.

I have bought a lot of boots but once I discovered Danner I quit looking, fit my foot very well, no hotspots or blisters and they take a beating and come back for more.

A lot of the same can be said for the GI lensatic, it is bigger and bulkier than some but has all the features I'm looking for and is as dependable as a rock. Chris
 
I just replaced my 6 yr old Merrill Moab with Merrill Pulse II. They have full leather (fake) tops because I needed them more dirt proof than the Moabs were. The Moab was an excellent boot, but it has mesh uppers and a lot of dusty dirt would get in when I mowed the grass. New ones were $125 at Sports Authority here in S Fla
 
Thanks for all the good suggestions, guys - really appreciate it.

How about gloves? What kind of gloves do you wear to protect your hands? I've been using nothing more than the old cotton gardening gloves with the silicon palm imprint. Maybe it's time for an upgrade? You?

And, as for socks, in seasons like we're beginning to be in now... I wear a thick wool suck over a thin cotton sock.
 
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I prefer a thin polypro or silk sock for the liner. I also have some really thin Smartwool liner socks that work well. I agree with merino wool for the outer---as long as they don't suck.:D

DancesWithKnives
 
Forgot to address the glove question. I have some neoprene-like gloves from Northwest River Supply that I use for rafting/canoeing---even skin diving in moderate water. Good in really wet conditions.

In cool, dry climes I've got some fleece half-finger gloves from North Face (with friction material on the inside) that work fine. For colder weather hunting I use some of the so-called glomits (glove/mitten combo). They are a thicker half-finger glove with a mitten front that can be folded forward over your exposed fingertips in cold weather or back in warmer weather (or whenever necessary to expose your trigger finger).

Also have some insulated Gore-tex mittens for colder weather---but you can't get them off to shoot or perform other chores as quickly as the glomits. I even have some old wool Dachstein climbing mitts from the 70's and waterproof shells to put over them. Still work!

Needless to say, it's worth having leather gloves in your truck or gear bag. Put some Sno Seal on them if you're in wet conditions a lot. I also like to haul along some longer length rubber dishwashing gloves for cleaning game. Medical gloves work too but they aren't as durable and are more of a one-time use item.

Neglected to mention the Hatch Friskmaster Spectra/Fiberglas-lined gloves (leather exteriors). Good when you are working with a blade under less-than-ideal conditions and want to add some cut protection.

DancesWithKnives
 
Limmer boots, if you don't mind the price and break in time they can be expected to last until your feet grow out of them.

I think to find a boot you need to take the time to try a bunch of quality brands mentioned and find the "last" that fits your foot best. If you want to wear a liner sock poly pro, silk, or even wool would be much better than cotton.

Stick with Suunto or Brunton compasses. The Silva brand marketed in the US is made in Asia and it shows.

A compass thread...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687266&highlight=compass
 
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