"What shoe do you hike in?"

I have people ask me all the time what shoes do I usually hike in?  For the past two years I have been using the Keen Targhee II low hikers and really like them.

 They have a durable leather upper with Keens customary toe cap and a lugged sole that provides good traction. The Targhee II is a waterproof shoe, using Keens waterproofing system.  This waterproofing has held up well, keeping my feet dry in all types of conditions.  I like the low hikers over the mid because they give my ankles free range of movement and I find I don't need the support of the mid.  The Targhee II hold my heel securely and my feet don't move around in the shoe.  I have had no blister issues while wearing them as well. The lows have a slight weight advantage over the mid hikers as one would expect. They have good traction in many different conditions and terrain, including wet rocks, mud, roots, leaves, and slopes.  These shoes felt great out of the box and after a few trips mold well to my feet.  My personal experience has been that they tend to run on the small side so I have been buying them 1/2 size bigger than other shoes.  Best to try them on before purchase. For day hikes to longer backpacking trips I have found they can handle the various weights I am carrying.

I like the Keens and will be hiking more miles in them.  I will also be trying some other manufacturers trail runners/hikers in the future but for now I will be sticking with the Keen Targhee II low.


Disclaimer: Andy Fenn purchased the Keen Targhee II low hikers with his own money.

Kelty Redwing 32 daypack

I have been thinking that it was time to upgrade my daypack for awhile and with a trip planned to New Hampshire I decided that now was the time.  I had looked around and settled on the Kelty Redwing 32.  It is a little bigger than the Outdoor Products 26L pack I have been using and offers some other features found on bigger packs that I liked.

From the Kelty website, the description for the Redwing 32 states;

Seize the day with ease! Our iconic Kelty Built Redwing houses plenty of storage to hold your gear for a day in the woods or commute around town. With a U-zipper for convenient access to everything in the main compartment, durable lightweight aluminum suspension to balance loads, and an airflow vent for added comfort, you can carry a lot with little effort. Make life simpler by making this pack a part of your everyday routine.

This pack features a HDPE framesheet that provides load transfer and support.  The larger Redwings also have an aluminum stay for support.  The suspension has a hip belt, a sternum strap and load stabilizer/compression straps.  For the pack, it has panel loading which allows for both top loading or front loading.  There are a number of pockets, 2 side pockets, a front pocket, top pocket, and the large main pocket and water bottle pockets on both sides.  Daisy chain, ax loop, and a carry handle. 

Features I liked about the pack.  The hip belt and frame sheet did provide support for those times I carried a little extra.  There was plenty of room for all of my gear and food without stuffing it overfull.  I liked the top/front panel loading, it made it easier to find things in the pack when I was on the trail, as well as easier to pack at home.  The compressions straps held everything in place.  I really like the fact I can reach my water bottles on both sides and put them back without stopping and taking the pack off.  It rode well and fit my body well.  I think my torso length may be just outside the recommended range, but it still felt fine on the trail.

Things that could be better.  The frame sheet makes it a little hot, even with the airflow panel.  Better airflow would help.  It says it is water bladder compatible, which I did not use.  But I saw no hole for the hose to go through which would mean sticking it out the zipper.  

All in all I think this is a good pack for longer day hikes where you need to carry just a little more.  It rode well and handled the weight and gear I put in it.  I will be putting this pack to the test more and expect it will continue to perform well where ever I go with it.

Here is the link.

www.kelty.com/product/redwing-32

Disclaimer:  Andy Fenn purchased the Kelty Redwing 32 with his own money.

Gossamer Gear Mariposa - A year in review

Let me start out by saying that I love this backpack!  When I made the switch from a traditional internal frame backpack to the GG Mariposa I was unsure what to expect.  Would it be uncomfortable?  Would it shift around or ride funny?  It has done none of those things.  It rides like a dream, holds everything that I have stuffed into it and is very comfortable.  I have used it both loaded to its 70 liter capacity and with a small amount of gear as well.

This version of the Mariposa is made with 140 denier Dyneema Gridstop fabric.  This is a tough fabric that has performed great with all the miles I have put it through.  It does a pretty good job of keeping water out, though I still use a trash compacter bag as a liner.  The suspension on the Mariposa is similar to most any backpack, consisting of shoulder straps, a hip belt, load lifters and a sternum strap.  The unique part is the light weight aluminum stay that provides the support for the pack.  The Mariposa also comes with a removable sit pad that fits into the pack and rests against your back.  It provides some support as well and may be all that is needed for ultra lightweight loads.  All of these components lead to a comfortable fit and feel that makes the miles go by.

I like the configuration of pockets on the Mariposa has as well.  It has a total of 7 pockets.  On the left of the main compartment is a long pocket that could hold a tent or other sizable gear.  I usually keep my hammock tarp and ridgeline in this pocket so it is easy to get to and set up.  On the right side are two pockets.  The top one is a good size for a cook kit, which is how I use it most of the time.  The bottom pocket works great for my water bottles.  Lately, I am using the 1 liter size Smartwater, but I have used Gatorade bottles as well.  The elastic band at the top accommodates all of these with ease.  I also like the position of this pocket as I can reach back and grab a bottle and put it back without having to take the pack off.  On the back of the pack is a large mesh stretch pocket that impresses me with how much I can stuff into it.  Everything from my fleece jacket, water filter, ground sheet, tent stakes, fuel bottles, you name it, it seems bottomless! On the hip belt are two pockets, one on each side, they hold small items, such as snacks, camera, etc.  On the top of the pack is a zippered pocket.  This is a nice spot for maps, headlamp, anything that you want to stay dry but need easy access to.

The main compartment is quite large as this is a 70L pack.  There are times it is difficult to see into the bottom because the top flips down into the way.  This can get a little annoying, but it can be rolled back out of the way if you are going in and out of the pack.

It was an easy transition for me to go from a traditional internal frame pack to the GG Mariposa.  I recommend anyone looking for a new pack to check out GossamerGear.  The Mariposa was just updated (summer 2014) and the new changes look exciting. 

Disclaimer: Andy Fenn purchased the Gossamer Gear Mariposa with his own money.