Hiking gear?

[hawkward]

Hello again! I come to you with a gear question. I've just recently taken up hiking, and absolutely adore it. I found the best hiking shoes ever (Vasque Breeze GTX's), and just bought a set of walking poles. What I'm missing is a daypack. I used a standard school-style backpack the last couple of times, and it was inconvenient because it chafed my

Comments

[kindredsgirl]

Hi. . . not sure about the backpack. But, re: the jeans, often jeans are discouraged as hiking garb because they are heavy and useless when wet (meaning they don't keep you warm when wet). I don't know what length or seriousness of hike you're thinking about. Jeans are fine for hiking around for a few miles, near civilization, but less good for backpacking, or hiking in high mountains.

*sigh* I used to love backpacking and hiking and haven't done much lately. Thanks for the nudge to think about doing some more.

Laura

[kindredsgirl]

http://photo.net/nature-photography-forum/00Pgh6

Here's a link with a discussion of jeans wearing.

:)

[kindredsgirl]

Can you tell you've inspired me? and gotten my Google-Queen skills working for you. :) :)

http://www.rei.com/category/4500355/q/Plus+Size
http://www.junonia.com/products/anyaction-stretch-convertible-pant/427102-1-543-50.htm
http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Women/Womens--Plus-sizes-16W-26W/Womens-Plus-Pants-Capris--Shorts/index.cat

Hope this helps. :) and have fun hiking

Laura

[hawkward]

Wow, thanks for all the links! The hiking I'm doing for now is cold-weather (Yosemite and Big Sur in late March will probably still be pretty cold). I'll do some research on the clothing situation. Already have 3 pairs of wool socks -- one of them is a blend of wool and bamboo; had to try those out -- and they feel so much better than cotton socks when hiking around here.

Oh, and one other thing: My name is Laura too! Nice to meet you! :)

[hawkward]

After chatting with Ronee at the Live Help section, I got a couple of recommendations for packs (the Osprey Kode 30 and the REI Venturi) and for pants (REI Ultra Lights, with long underwear underneath). I'll comparison-shop at Eddie Bauer and Junonia for the pants, for sure. :)

[kindredsgirl]

Awesome! It sounds also like going to an outdoor gear store and having an employee help you with finding a pack that fits might be a good idea.

Nice to meet you, Laura!

[madlori]

I am an AVID CRAZY hiker. I use an Eddie Bauer daypack and I love it. Of course I can't find it on their website to show you. But I've seen it in every outlet store if you have a Prime Outlets near you.

I never hike in jeans. Stay away from cotton. For cold weather hiking I recommend a wicking base layer. Target has really nice long underwear that's silky and doubles as a base layer if you don't want to shell out for Under Armour (it's pricey!). Always always dress in layers. I always wear cargo pants hiking (again, Eddie Bauer - their ripstop cargo pants are THE BEST, I actually paid retail for them which I never ever do).

For shoes, if you like yours great, but I also highly recommend Keens. My low-top trail shoes are Keens and they are the bestest. My high-top hiking boots are Timberlands.

[hawkward]

Awesome. Atlanta is surrounded by outlet stores; I'm sure there's an Eddie Bauer around here. I will look for the daypack!

Thanks for the heads-up on hiking pants. It never occurred to me that jeans don't dry or wick, but somehow, on a subconscious level, I knew this...I'll look for those Target undies! Thanks!

[madlori]

Cargo pants, canvas pants, nylon pants, these are all much hardier and easier to move in than jeans. Carhartt makes really awesome and sturdy canvas pants too but their plus sizes are kinda limited. I bought a pair of 20s from them (my usual size, and what I wear in Eddie Bauer sizes) and they were too small.

The daypack I have is orange and silver, I got it for $30 at the outlet. It has kind of an egg-crate thing that's against your back behind a layer of mesh, so it can breathe. It has an across-the-chest strap and an under-the-boob strap so it's super comfortable.

[synj_munki]

Now here's a topic I have a ton of experience on! I'm a contract archaeologists, and I pretty much make my living by day-hiking (surveying areas where things are to be built). I've worked in Michigan in December and Texas in August, so my gear spans a whole host of weather and terrain. I'm not sure your figure, but i'm an exaggerated plus size hourglass with swayback (i'm shaped like an 8 ), with 48-50" hips and bust, 34-38" waist, 40-42" modern rise waist, 45" high hip (where the pack waistband sits

[hawkward]

Okay, you officially have a Cool Job. :) I'm 5'9" with kind of a pear shape (somewhat short torso, two spare tires, big hips and saddlebags) but also with big boobs.

Thanks so much for all the information -- I never would've thought to look in the cycling department. Also, thanks for the valuable information on the bite valve and winter cover. I don't mind paying $$ for a good pack.

At least I know I'm on the right track with the Smartwool socks! I love 'em. ;) My hiking boots are gore-tex, but I don't know if they have the thinsulate (I think they do).

Ho boy, that pee funnel thing is a bit intimidating. I'm going to ask my trip advisor (also my hiking buddy) whether we'll be out for more than a few hours at a time...I'd rather have the funnel if I need it, but I'm kinda hoping I won't need it, if you get my drift. ;)

[fakymcfakerson]

You are awesome. I'm stowing away all this info for future use.