Testing....testing..... Gear!

[snijmann]

With only 3 weeks to go, and having trained in a glorious South African summer and now autumn weather (25 degrees C!), winter came suddenly with a lot of rain... So, we walked! So glad we did! We had gear failure with our "waterproof" jackets, our hands were frozen and we were soaked to the bone (legs).

Here are my humble thoughts:

1. Buy the best rain gear possible. I prefer rain jacket and pants. Even with our normal long pants on, our lower bodies got soaked, which resulted in us getting very cold. Rectified with better jacket with peek-typed hat attached (K-Way) AND rain pants...really waterproof!
2. I walk with one walking stick resulting in your hand(s) being exposed... After 20 kms, I struggled to do anything with the numbness...Rectified with waterproof gloves.
3. All of us wear waterproof boots or cross trainers (goretex). It got soaked! Nothing I think is truly waterproof after 26 kms in rain. And with the cold wet weather, it took at least a day and a half to dry. Any suggestions?
4. Layering really works!!
5. Waterproof backpack covers work really well!
6. My sockliners (bridgedales) have a toe seem that irritates me....all across the middle of my toes... Rectified with ladies knee high stockings! They are wonderful, lightweight, dry quickly and are cheap! And best of all...NO blisters. Old army tip I hear.
7. Even with a good rain jacket, my bum bag's contents got damp from either rain or sweat....rectified with ziplock bags.
8. With the cold wet weather and wind blowing, the lightweight beanie worked a charm over the ears, until it became damp...rectified with bigger and better peek typed rainjacket.
9. Hot coffee and a muffin halfway worked a charm. On previous outings we would have a lunch halfway. After 2kms all of us got stomach cramps and we felt lethargic the rest of the hike...better to eat smaller and regular snacks me thinks.

Day counting!!! So excited!

 

[dougfitz]

2. I walk with one walking stick resulting in your hand(s) being exposed... After 20 kms, I struggled to do anything with the numbness...Rectified with waterproof gloves.

If you are walking with poles, consider shortening them a few cm - enough to make sure that your forearm slopes down and the rain doesn't run down into your rain jacket sleeve.

Regards,

 

[snijmann]

Thank you Doug, great tip!

 

[Kiwi-family]

#3. Non-waterproof shoes dry out more quickly. It's just the way it is.

 

[Kitsambler]

Depending on how your body responds to threshold temperatures and Goretex water vapor impermeability (yes that's right - this stuff is not as breathable as the adverts would have you believe), you may want to consider an Altus-type raincoat (available as the Ferrino Trekker from Amazon) combined with gaiters. Gaiters will reduce the water-in-shoe problem also.

Personally, although I use Goretex Jacket and pants when hiking in my nearby Cascades, I find them much too warm and wet if the ambient temperature is over 45 degrees F.

Regarding your Bridgedale liner socks: you did turn them inside-out before putting them on your feet, right? That puts the rough seam away from the skin.

 

[snijmann]

Thanking all for the comments!

 

[Al the optimist]

Thanks for the tip about the Bridgedale liner socks Kitsrambler! I recently had a rash on my ankles that may have been from the elastic on the tops. This should prevent that. Great idea man!

 

[snijmann]

Pleasure Lisa T.

 

[snijmann]

Lise T...sorry!

Al, it works!!! Hope it doesn't wick to the inside now!! Heheheh :-/