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  1. K

    Seized pack zips

    Hot water could free up hardened skin oils and dust, etc. Otherwise try a lubricant, any of: , soap, glycerin, rubber preservative, silicone spray. If it's a metal zipper and corroded, the vinegar suggestion might work, but once freed follow it with a thorough water rinse and a protective...
  2. K

    Waterproof Jacket

    My experience with "breathable" waterproof jackets is they are waterproof only for awhile, days to months, don't breath enough to justify the claim, and remain sweatboxes long after the waterproofing is no longer is reliable. Over the years I've been fooled by a number of them (what's wrong...
  3. K

    Shoe width and swelling?

    If anything feels wrong about a shoe initially it is likely to become much worse on the trail. Another area to inspect is immediately over the toe joints - some shoes have a seam there which I haven't noticed initially but soon wears a groove into the tops of my toes. I need a large toe box...
  4. K

    Trail runners on the Norte

    I've found the North Face Ultra 110 (there might be a newer model) to have good grip and sufficient protection and support for hilly trails with regular or only moderately irregular surfaces. When hiking on more irregular surfaces, off trail, or when carrying more weight I use hiking boots for...
  5. K

    Which poncho?

    Anything waterproof should work. We're happy with our (Stephenson) "Warmlite" brand ponchos made of Siliconized nylon, very light weight and with zippers on each side that extend from generous arm holes down to to the hem. They also can be sized to cover a pack, and have a system for gathering...
  6. K

    Recommendations for Wide and Light Hikers with Gortex layer for Trail Running

    Gor-tex doesn't last long in shoes/boots, but it always will make you hotter (your feet, that is). If your feet are wide front and back, consider Keen's offerings. If wide in front/ narrow in back I've had good experiences with Northface Ultra 110 which grip well and are durable, this might...
  7. K

    Gore-Tex in September's First Week? (Sarria)

    My experience with a number of pairs of shoes and boots is Gortex reduces ventilation and lasts only a short while as waterproofing (a day to a few weeks of hiking).
  8. K

    Choosing between Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp/Poncho and Regular Tarp/Poncho for Short People

    The Warmlite poncho has zippers up the sides, no snaps.
  9. K

    Choosing between Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp/Poncho and Regular Tarp/Poncho for Short People

    We're very happy with our "Warmlite" (Stephensons Warmlite) ponchos. They cover our backpacks and length is adjustable for when not wearing a pack. Material is Silicone infused ripstop nylon. When we ordered ours one could specify custom lengths and colors, even having each panel (including...
  10. K

    Pairing Injinji toe socks with waterproof socks - experiences and advice?

    I don't believe there's any one, absolute solution for keeping feet dry. I prefer to wear wool socks over thin breathable liners and in wet conditions carry a sufficient quantity of wool socks that I can change to a dry pair multiple times throughout the day. If there are no drying facilities...
  11. K

    Recommendations for Wide and Light Hikers with Gortex layer for Trail Running

    - Fit depends entirely on one's own feet. Mine are wide and deep in the toe while narrow in the heel which rules out Keen (wide both in toe and heel). The North Face Ultra 110 trail running shoes work well for me, when home I rotate between 3 pair at a time and wear them everywhere, in town...
  12. K

    Experienced pilgrims - opinions on waterproof socks?

    I haven't used commercially available waterproof socks, but have used thin plastic bags (bread bags) under hiking boots when necessary - these are cheap and easily replaced, but slippery, especially when one doesn't have shoes on. While waterproof socks will prevent outside water from getting...
  13. K

    What size rucksack for two weeks on Frances

    There's no substitute for trying out several packs loaded with what you will be carrying . Pack selection is a very individual process, many people love Osprey while I think have good quality and features but can't get comfortable with their suspension system, however Deuter and Kelty packs fit...
  14. K

    Sleeping bag versus puffy blanket

    There are so many variables involved that there's no one best solution for all. Do you sleep cold, warm, on your side, do you change positions, are your head and neck sensitive to drafts? What temperature range do you expect, how clean will the sleeping surfaces be? Do you have weight and...
  15. K

    Female Wide, Big feet : Size 11 (US) mens. Still searching for the perfect walking shoes.

    Glad you found a solution. Suggest you record the size and model and, if you continue to like them, consider ordering several pr. at a time, sufficient to last a year or two, so you always can be wearing a pair that has aired out thoroughly, avoiding internal mildew, etc. But don't get too...
  16. K

    Packing list : How to keep your feet dry in case of Heavy rain - A Cheap and light weight hack

    I also grew up in midwest winters, we didn't use plastic bags as kids, just wore rubber pull over boots and suffered numb feet in winter, but since the early 70's have used bags to keep vital insulating layers, like socks, dry when feet were likely to be wet for long periods - they've worked...
  17. K

    Female Wide, Big feet : Size 11 (US) mens. Still searching for the perfect walking shoes.

    My feet are about the same size as yours, wide and deep in the toe area but narrow in the heel. Of the many shoes I've tried for walking/hiking only two fit well, the New Balance 990 and North Face Ultra 110, both mens' (I'm a man, ~ 200lb). Though they're very different designs they both fit...
  18. K

    Packing list : How to keep your feet dry in case of Heavy rain - A Cheap and light weight hack

    Bagged feet may sound odd but I and many others have been doing this routinely for decades in situations ranging from rainy hikes with stream crossings to winter backpacking on skis and snowshoes - results: dry socks, warm feet, no blisters, no discomfort. Provided one uses thin bags and...
  19. K

    Packing list : How to keep your feet dry in case of Heavy rain - A Cheap and light weight hack

    Have hiked for years in Sierra winters using plastic bags for vapor and water barrier, no problem sliding around. Also when bicycling. It conceivably could cause a problem with loose shoes. Agree wool socks, and wool clothing in general, is better than many other fibers when wet, but better...
  20. K

    Packing list : How to keep your feet dry in case of Heavy rain - A Cheap and light weight hack

    This works fine if it's not too cold outside, but one's outer socks still could get wet resulting in wet inner socks (from body moisture condensation). To avoid this, especially in colder environments use two bags per foot, place the first bag over the sock that's against your skin and the...

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