grysmn
03-07-2008, 13:27
I have just exited the Smokies on a Thru and am at the Bears Den Hostel. Here are some ideas garnered outside of normal hiking gear channels, from cycling and the construction industry. Some of the gear that I have used and am excited about are Neo Socks, NRS neoprene Cycling gloves, Construction hard hat liner, and Dupont Thermolite sleep sack insert. The Neo Socks need to be used with liners. They keep the feet toasty in the snow drifts, though are not comfortable to sleep in. These Neo Socks are good at keeping the feet blister free. The NRS give an advantage in starting out early in that they are warm and easy to grip with, these gloves need to be used with liners. The construction hard hat liner is composed of three different layers of materials and does a great job in keeping the head warm, while being light and practical. The thermolite sleeping sack liner is made with hollow fibers and raises the temp by fifteen degrees and is not dependant on airspace, while also doing a excellant job of passing condensation moisture through to the outside.
A note on home made alcohol stoves is that people are having problems in freezing temps with them.
For the hammock crowd Thermorest makes a sleeping blanket to go with its mattress. This blanket has snaps and a draw string which enables it to be pulled down outside the hammock keeping the bottom side warm. The thermolite insert bag is also of comfort.
A note on home made alcohol stoves is that people are having problems in freezing temps with them.
For the hammock crowd Thermorest makes a sleeping blanket to go with its mattress. This blanket has snaps and a draw string which enables it to be pulled down outside the hammock keeping the bottom side warm. The thermolite insert bag is also of comfort.