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View Full Version : Question for Ring-Wearing Hiking Gals



becfoot
12-11-2016, 22:04
I keep seeing ads for Qalo silicone rings. Until this popped into my feed, I hadn't even thought about wearing or not wearing my regular wedding band for day or section hikes--although now that I think about it, I can see the advantages--especially if you're used to wearing a ring (and don't want to go without) and don't want to deal with swelling issues, or the potential safety hazard if it gets caught on something. What, if anything, are you folks doing/have you done about rings? Does anyone have any experience with wearing a Qalo ring? Any reason to not bother and just go with your regular wedding band or another option? Truth is, I'd rather not go bare-fingered (is that even a phrase?!) but not so sure that this silicone ring is necessary. Your thoughts? Thanks.

kizzybean
12-11-2016, 22:56
I didn't wear my wedding band and engagement ring for any of my section hikes. Generally went bare handed if short hike or if longer and wanted a band I had a cheap costume band I wore. For my 2017 thru hike I am planning on getting an inexpensive thin plain band so no worries if lost, scraped or decide to take off. Point of thin is so I'm not fussing with it when dirt, sweat and grime get under it. I never had an issue with swelling of my hands to the point of concern with wearing a ring if I chose to. I don't have any experience with Qalo rings, they are cheap and an option. I've been married 39 years so even without my wedding band on, my finger has the ring indent that would take a lot longer than a few days of hiking to change. Think it's a personal choice. I'd say do what you want. Depending on what part of the trail you're hiking may influence your choice to wear a ring or not. NH and Maine, lots of rock scrambling with hands and feet I wouldn't wear my nice wedding band set, too many chances to get caught, scraped and damaged, IMO.

becfoot
12-11-2016, 23:10
Thanks, Kizzybean. I'm only hiking the end of NY to the Delaware Water Gap but doing it in the middle of the summer and I know the NY section in the heat can be brutal, so I was thinking about swelling in that case. I'm rocking the 17 year indent, so yeah, a week might not cause that to go away too quickly. Thanks for your input and sending you good vibes for an awesome thru-hike!!!!

gbolt
12-11-2016, 23:14
Not a female but searched this two years ago when my wife got mad because she found out I was leaving my wedding band in the car during backpacking trips. I purchased from here: http://www.saferingz.com (http://www.saferingz.com/). I now wear this anytime I am on the trail. It was cheaper than what you are looking at. Works well and washes up nicely. Just so you have options if your husband is like my wife! :eek:

Macpaks
12-12-2016, 01:19
Also not a female, but I love my Qalo ring. I also don't like to go bare-fingered and the Qalo has solved all issues for me. I don't even notice it's there. When I had a metal band I would mess with it constantly and was always concerned I would lose it when my hands were cold. No issues now. A well spent $20 for sure.


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la.lindsey
12-12-2016, 04:33
I wear a diamond right hand ring from my parents and a thin gold ring from my sisters. I never take them off. They've done well on short sections, a 3 week summer section, and, so far, my 5 week winter section, but I'm only a few days in.

I use poles, so my hands don't swell that much in the summer. I guess I should probably clean this ring at some point. It's seen over 800 miles this year and I haven't bothered to clean it yet :)


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Engine
12-12-2016, 04:56
My wife and I bought a pair from http://www.saferingz.com/ and we are very pleased with the product they make. A finger injury in the backcountry combined with a ring that won't come off due to swelling could be a really bad way to end a trip.

Turk6177
12-12-2016, 08:08
I have worn my wedding band on all of my hikes and never had an issue. That being said, it is smooth. I don't think you would have an issue wearing your ring.

Mockernut
12-12-2016, 08:09
I wear a Qalo full time as I hate the feel of a hard metal band. Wore gold the first 10 years of marriage, no ring for the next 10, and the Qalo for the past year. Holds up well. I bought mine a size larger than what I am sized for and it's perfect. Luckily, my local outfitter had them in stock so I could try them on. Wife is much happier now.

Sandy of PA
12-12-2016, 09:15
No rings for me on the trail, easier to keep clean no chance of losing them.

Maui Rhino
12-12-2016, 11:26
After my wife lost her wedding ring, I jokingly suggested getting a tattoo ring. She liked the idea, and within a few days had booked appointments for us both. We've been very happy with the results..... No ring to lose or cause injury, and it looks unique.

MuddyWaters
12-12-2016, 11:38
After my wife lost her wedding ring, I jokingly suggested getting a tattoo ring. She liked the idea, and within a few days had booked appointments for us both. We've been very happy with the results..... No ring to lose or cause injury, and it looks unique.

Interesting.
I cant wear rings in plant at work, no ring policy.
For first few yrs I took it off, left in desk
Then started just not wearing at all to work to prevent loss
Pretty soon, forget to wear on weekends either, and it feels as strange as day first put on to wear now. Only wear when get dressed up for the most part. thats the only time I remember to put on.

I get attention of women sometime that obviously think Im single because dont have a ring on
Tattoo would be kind of interesting.

I certainly dont wear my ring hiking, or feel a need to
I suppose OP wants to fend off unwanted advances...or believes they need to for some reason.

imscotty
12-12-2016, 11:55
Not a female but searched this two years ago when my wife got mad because she found out I was leaving my wedding band in the car during backpacking trips. I purchased from here: http://www.saferingz.com (http://www.saferingz.com/). I now wear this anytime I am on the trail. It was cheaper than what you are looking at. Works well and washes up nicely. Just so you have options if your husband is like my wife! :eek:

Sorry for the thread drift, but I do think this is kind of funny. Do people really think a ring makes any difference in their fidelity? I borrowed a ring for my wedding ceremony (27 years ago, thank you) and except for that half hour I have never worn a ring in my life.

My wife does not care, she either trusts me or she doesn't. She knows what matters is what is in the heart.

I have had women comment on my lack of a wedding ring. I am surprised some people actually check for these things. Is that a thing? I guess it is. I have known single guys who claim that they have better chance picking up women in bars if they are wearing a fake wedding ring. I guess some people are looking for 'no strings attached' fun. Me, I am totally clueless about such things. I just hate the feeling of rings, watches or jewelry on me. I don't wear any of them. I find wearing clothes burdensome enough.

To the OP, I suggest do what makes you comfortable and feel safe. Myself, I don't see the need for a wedding ring on the trail.

bigcranky
12-12-2016, 13:33
My wife stopped wearing her engagement/wedding ring set years ago, and we got her a nice gold band with Celtic engraving. Looks nice, doesn't snag on anything, can't lose the diamond. :)

At a brewery the other day, the barkeep was wearing one of those silicone rings and raved about it. She said her wedding set would cut holes in gloves and was otherwise uncomfortable to wear all day on the job (hands swelling), and the silicone ring solves everything. She has several in different colors. :)

The Solemates
12-12-2016, 15:55
my wife wears her band, but not her diamond. after losing mine on the trail a few years back, i leave mine at home now too.

Farr Away
12-12-2016, 17:27
I leave my engagement ring home and wear my band to hike. If my hand seems to be swelling, I take the ring off and hook it in the band of the watch I'm wearing.

-FA

BonBon
12-12-2016, 18:05
I left my diamonds at home on my thru- but I wore my husbands original wedding ring (too small for him now) on a gold chain around my neck. My hands swell up sometimes when I'm hiking, especially if I'm not using my poles, so that was comfortable for me. I loved having that ring with me and it never got in the way.


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gbolt
12-12-2016, 19:36
Sorry for the thread drift, but I do think this is kind of funny. Do people really think a ring makes any difference in their fidelity? I borrowed a ring for my wedding ceremony (27 years ago, thank you) and except for that half hour I have never worn a ring in my life.

My wife does not care, she either trusts me or she doesn't. She knows what matters is what is in the heart.

I have had women comment on my lack of a wedding ring. I am surprised some people actually check for these things. Is that a thing? I guess it is. I have known single guys who claim that they have better chance picking up women in bars if they are wearing a fake wedding ring. I guess some people are looking for 'no strings attached' fun. Me, I am totally clueless about such things. I just hate the feeling of rings, watches or jewelry on me. I don't wear any of them. I find wearing clothes burdensome enough.

To the OP, I suggest do what makes you comfortable and feel safe. Myself, I don't see the need for a wedding ring on the trail.

Totally understand what you are saying. It can be a trust issue. But for a different perspective, to my wife it is not about other people or trust. It is a symbol between us and our commitment to each other from day one. I am just as clueless as you about such things. But it is such a simple thing asked of me by my wife, why not find an option that won't cost me my finger on the trail or damage the more expensive Gold Band. Yet, at the same time, allow me time on the trail that is not a shared activity with the wife. She's with me in spirit as a symbol around my finger.

I agree with you... What matters is what is in the heart. In this case, my wife appreciated me finding a rubber ring to wear.

Back to the thread which now has people mentioning Saferings, Qualo's and now possibly Tattoos!

PaulWorksHard
12-12-2016, 21:30
You must have more important things to worry about. I have backpacked thousands of miles with a simple gold band. No issues whatsoever. It's probably more dangerous wearing a wedding ring off the trail, in terms of accidents. Maybe, there is a chance of a little dirt under the ring, but dirt and hiking go together.

H I T C H
12-12-2016, 22:23
If you do chose to go Silicone check on Amazon.
You can get sets of 5 or 6 rings in different colors for around 10 bucks.

Hitch

becfoot
12-14-2016, 10:33
So many thanks! Also, I really love the tattoo ring idea, but for now I may just go with one of the silicone options. Really grateful for all of your input.

Traillium
12-14-2016, 19:04
As a male who's 44-year gold band is locked in by an arthritic knuckle, this isn't an issue that I can solve. Hasn't been an issue in all those years with getting stuff caught under it either.
Wearing our rings is totally a symbolic thing that isn't changeable anyway …
Having said all of that, a tattoo is an intriguing thought!

hikehunter
12-15-2016, 18:01
I did the tattoo thing as I worked in the electrical field for many years. The tattoo took care of a bucket list item as well, two birds one stone.

One Half
12-20-2016, 21:44
I've never taken my wedding band off since the day I got married except when it got too tight when I was pregnant. Other than that, with the exception of certain cooking tasks, my ring stays on my finger. Working on electrical, lifting weights, etc - I wear my ring. My engagement ring actually saved my life one time. It caught on the door knob of my basement. It gave me enough time to grab the knob before I fell down the stairs and likely breaking my neck. I suppose if I lost enough weight I may need to secure it somehow but since I weighed quite a bit less when I married, I guess I won't worry about that.

Meesh
01-06-2017, 18:36
My step son recently got a silicone ring to wear in lieu of his wedding band and he really loves it. I don't wear rings for work outs and hiking due to potential injury, swelling and wear and tear on the ring. I'd go with that as an option or no ring(s) at all. In the end it is personal preference and most people don't have an issue but it would suck to lose it on the trail.

Deacon
01-08-2017, 12:44
I have worn my wedding band on all of my hikes and never had an issue. That being said, it is smooth. I don't think you would have an issue wearing your ring.

My wedding ring has not been off my finger for 49.5 years. Ive worn it swimming, doing construction, hiking, whatever.

bettybadass
02-21-2017, 16:34
I dont wear rings at all when I hike. My hubby knows how much I care without them. But its one less thing I have to worry about losing, and my hands always end up swelling anyway. ;-)

wayside_mn
02-21-2017, 20:08
I couldn't wear a ring working or camping so I would take it off and set it on a table. Well I finally lost it! Then I discovered the silicone rings the OP mentioned. I bought one in camo! I love it. I can wear it anytime now! I do take it off at night and put it on the nightstand to let the finger air out.


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AlpineKevin
02-22-2017, 00:29
Geez, I never knew wedding rings are such a big deal. You people understand that when you take it off you do not magically become unmarried right? If I ever get married I'm certainly not wearing those stupid things.

Five Tango
02-22-2017, 11:27
My father never wore a wedding ring because he worked around machinery and told me it was dangerous.I tried for a brief period to wear mine,felt "funny",as does a wrist watch.So I told the wife I wasn't wearing one until it was necessary to repel unwanted attention.Never was a problem.LOL!(But it's only been 40 years)