The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[mickythefish]

Forester1965 said:

I really like the Scarpa Rush mid boots. They're light and grippy. Looking at some of the reviews online there are reported issues with waterproofing and sole wear, but I haven't experienced either of those.

Think i might give the adidas sky chaser a go. Seems for me to tick most of my boxes and can be bought for 120 quid.

[Matt..]

Ultimately the only thing that really matters for most hiking footwear is fit. That’s impossible to know without trying many options as all our feet are so different.

[Faust66]

OldPal said:

Trying to get back in a bit of hiking and wild camping.

Looking at the msr freelite 2 , does anyone have any experience of it? Probably just use throughout the summer in Scotland.

Not heard great things about MSR tents recently... know a couple of people who returned theirs due to leaks and poor build quality.

I'd be looking at pitch outer first tents... I'll NEVER go back to a pitch inner first. Putting them up in the rain, and then trying to get the flysheet in place in strong winds is not much fun.

Terra Nova are a good bet (missus has a few of these and loves her Pioneer 2).

I really love Hillebergs (I've got a Nallo 2 I bought new and a second hand (only used a couple of times) Allak 2) but they are a 'bit' expensive. That being said, it's still less than the price of a decent holiday abroad, so...

[StoutBench]

Faust66 said:

OldPal said:

Trying to get back in a bit of hiking and wild camping.

Looking at the msr freelite 2 , does anyone have any experience of it? Probably just use throughout the summer in Scotland.

Not heard great things about MSR tents recently... know a couple of people who returned theirs due to leaks and poor build quality.

I'd be looking at pitch outer first tents... I'll NEVER go back to a pitch inner first. Putting them up in the rain, and then trying to get the flysheet in place in strong winds is not much fun.

Terra Nova are a good bet (missus has a few of these and loves her Pioneer 2).

I really love Hillebergs (I've got a Nallo 2 I bought new and a second hand (only used a couple of times) Allak 2) but they are a 'bit' expensive. That being said, it's still less than the price of a decent holiday abroad, so...

You can pitch the outer first on some of the MSRs, I did that on the TMB when it was raining. Tent held up perfectly.

[Faust66]

StoutBench said:

You can pitch the outer first on some of the MSRs, I did that on the TMB when it was raining. Tent held up perfectly.

Every day is a school day...

[mickythefish]

Matt.. said:

Ultimately the only thing that really matters for most hiking footwear is fit. That’s impossible to know without trying many options as all our feet are so different.

I've found out my feet are actually size 12. As all the 11s have been uncomfortable whilst hiking. Went up to 11. 5 on my addidas solos and fit great so look at 11.5-12 now. Prefer the extra space to too tight and feet swell as well.

[OldPal]

Faust66 said:

Not heard great things about MSR tents recently... know a couple of people who returned theirs due to leaks and poor build quality.

I'd be looking at pitch outer first tents... I'll NEVER go back to a pitch inner first. Putting them up in the rain, and then trying to get the flysheet in place in strong winds is not much fun.

Terra Nova are a good bet (missus has a few of these and loves her Pioneer 2).

I really love Hillebergs (I've got a Nallo 2 I bought new and a second hand (only used a couple of times) Allak 2) but they are a 'bit' expensive. That being said, it's still less than the price of a decent holiday abroad, so...

Thanks Faust

Looks like I’ll give it a miss, always thought msr had a pretty good rep, sad to see it’s changed. Big Agnes copper spur 2 is a similar price right now so I’ll probably pick that up instead!

[ben5575]

Thought this might be of interest to some:

The excellent Hiiker app is currently on offer at £10.50 for 12 months.

It has all the major worldwide apps, including downloadable (and printable) OS and Harvey Maps for the UK. Much easier to use and more stable/reliable than the OS Map app. It also logs your hikes, syncs with Strava/Garmin etc.

Not an affiliate link, just a great app going cheap in the BF sales: https://hiiker.app/uk-offer

[yellowbentines]

mickythefish said:

Think i might give the adidas sky chaser a go. Seems for me to tick most of my boxes and can be bought for 120 quid.

I've got a pair of Mammut Ducan High GTX that can be found on offer at that price. I've worn them everywhere, in all weathers, and will buy another pair when they wear out.

I've a pair of expensive Scarpa boots and a pair of Salewa shoes also, but unless the terrain is really hard going/bad weather, or really hot, I put on the Mammut as they are such a great all-rounder and much tougher than they look.

[silentbrown]

mickythefish said:

I've found out my feet are actually size 12. As all the 11s have been uncomfortable whilst hiking. Went up to 11. 5 on my addidas solos and fit great so look at 11.5-12 now. Prefer the extra space to too tight and feet swell as well.

Not all size 12's are created equal. Boots are one thing it's well worth buying from a 'proper' store where they know how to measure and fit correctly, and will let you wear them in 'at home' and return if you're not happy.. Some brands come up shorter/slimmer than others. I've lost toenails to badly fitting boots in the past.

[Matt..]

silentbrown said:

Not all size 12's are created equal. Boots are one thing it's well worth buying from a 'proper' store where they know how to measure and fit correctly, and will let you wear them in 'at home' and return if you're not happy.. Some brands come up shorter/slimmer than others. I've lost toenails to badly fitting boots in the past.

Definitely. It's the same with any hiking footwear. Different brands and models within their ranges all fit differently and all our feet are different. Some models will have a very different shape compared to others, and sizing between brands and models are not at all consistent. The only way to get good hiking footwear is to try as many options as possible and find what works for you. Get it wrong and the waste of money could be the least of the problems!

[thepritch]

ben5575 said:

Thought this might be of interest to some:

The excellent Hiiker app is currently on offer at £10.50 for 12 months.

It has all the major worldwide apps, including downloadable (and printable) OS and Harvey Maps for the UK. Much easier to use and more stable/reliable than the OS Map app. It also logs your hikes, syncs with Strava/Garmin etc.

Not an affiliate link, just a great app going cheap in the BF sales: https://hiiker.app/uk-offer

Thank you! Just bought a years subscription. Now that’s my morning gone - I’ve discovered the historical map, and now looking at the area as it was in the late 1800’s (now trying to pinpoint the exact date).

Think I’ll enjoy this little app - cheers!

[mikeiow]

ben5575 said:

Thought this might be of interest to some:

The excellent Hiiker app is currently on offer at £10.50 for 12 months.

It has all the major worldwide apps, including downloadable (and printable) OS and Harvey Maps for the UK. Much easier to use and more stable/reliable than the OS Map app. It also logs your hikes, syncs with Strava/Garmin etc.

Not an affiliate link, just a great app going cheap in the BF sales: https://hiiker.app/uk-offer

That looks a bargain for a year.
Must make a note to consider cancelling it after the one year….then look for BF offer next year if I get the value from it

[mickythefish]

Couple from this week.

Snowdon, Oaken Clough and Coombes Clough in the Peak District. Love a waterfall scramble

Edited by mickythefish on Sunday 1st December 12:21

[ben5575]

Looks like a full week. Great photos

[Faust66]

Great pics Micky.

Anyone bagged any decent Black Friday deals?

I've got a Flextail 5.0 airbed pump/light (half price).

Garmin GPSmaps 67 with full OS 1:25k maps (604 quid down from £850 ish). I mentioned getting a GPS a while back on this thread. I decided to go for the official maps rather than the Talky Toaster cheaper ones as I read that they can get a bit pixelated when you zoom in.

Osprey Atmos AG 65 pack (£207 down from £300).

I've been saving up for the past few months anticipating some deals... also had some back pay from work burning a hole in my pocket.

[mickythefish]

ben5575 said:

Looks like a full week. Great photos

Thanks. I usually don't post but usually do something .Snowdon I've been 4 times, 2 summits. Out of all the UK mountains I've done my favourite. Just missed sunrise as too unfit.

[mikeiow]

mickythefish said:

Thanks. I usually don't post but usually do something .Snowdon I've been 4 times, 2 summits. Out of all the UK mountains I've done my favourite. Just missed sunrise as too unfit.

No such thing as too unfit: that was just an alarm set too late
(I am of course kidding…I am way too unfit, & now too old….& I can only influence one of those!)

[mickythefish]

It was funny really I met this guy had a few beers, he had done Snowdon 100 times, ex para, I was proper struggling took me about 2.45 minutes in pyg, but is was covered in ice.

He said he can do it in 1.5 hours. But better getting out then staying in.

Mountain fitness is definitely the hardest fitness I think.

[Faust66]

mickythefish said:

It was funny really I met this guy had a few beers, he had done Snowdon 100 times, ex para, I was proper struggling took me about 2.45 minutes in pyg, but is was covered in ice.

He said he can do it in 1.5 hours. But better getting out then staying in.

Mountain fitness is definitely the hardest fitness I think.

There is always someone fitter than you: don't let it bother you or get competitive and just go at your own pace. "Hike your own hike" as the saying goes.

You're 100% correct on mountain fitness - I've not been out in the Peaks for 3 weeks due to st weather and a bout of illness. Did an easy 9+ mile route on Saturday (Derwent Edge) and I could tell it'd been a while.

I'm in awe of people who compete in events like the Spine Race (especially the winter race). 56 hours to run the whole Pennine Way? It'd take me about 3 weeks... I wouldn't even dream of having a go at endurance running like that though.

Edited by Faust66 on Monday 2nd December 09:34