Went shopping for summer-weight long hiking/travel pants at our local outdoor activity outfitter today. Ended up getting the Kuhl Kontra Pants. Spent more than I wanted but I wanted to support our local outfitter.

Afterwards, I went downstairs to look at their backpacking gear. The salesman asked what I needed. I told him I was just browsing as I was pretty well set for my backpacking trip this summer. I asked if they sold Keen shoes as my current pair of Voyageurs might wear out before July. He was concerned, telling me that these shoes were not really designed for backpacking and they would only be good for wearing around town or on day hikes. I was abut to ask (rhetorically) why it is then that so many people thru-hike the AT in trail runners, which are less substantial than what I have, but then decided to just let it go. Ug.

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