I have gone to the archives to view suggestions on boots, gear, etc, but I would like to post it here to get more recent opinions and suggestions. Anyone wanting to share their knowledge, I'm grateful!
First off I'm new to hiking, I've only done one hike, Waterfall Trail, but I plan to get into this and want to make good choices rather than too much trail and error. That's where you all come in
What brand names do you recommend? What one's to steer clear of? Where do you shop? Reasonable? Sales? I've been told about the REI stores, so I plan to go there to take a look around. (Phoenix area)
What I feel I need first off is boots, hydration pack, hat, cool (well cool to look good too, but meant not warm lol) clothing, back pack, etc. What else? I don't plan to go camping, so plan to use these for day hiking only.
I see why everyone is tauting about REI and Popular Stores, I went to the ones on Southern in Mesa and Tempe yesterday. In my opinion, each has their good points and I'm glad to have the choices available.
Thanks for all the good tips on hiking and gear. Keep them coming!
Sherileeaz
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.
Here’s what I’ve found useful over the years. Start out buying through Popular, Kmart and Wal-Mart. This way you get started on the cheap and decide if you really want to continue without a big investment. Also subscribe to Sierra Trading Post, Campmor catalogs and Backpacking magazine. This will help you learn what is out there, how to select and where the best prices are. Then, if you decide to keep on backpacking you can start to replace your gear selectively. What I do is use the Backpacking Gear Guide edition (March issue?) to look for things I want, need, or desire such as:
Free Pack Vestibule* Gear Loft*
Tent Standing Length Weight Capacity Doors sq ft size price price Price Where Comments/Additional Plus'
Kelty V2 yes 7' 10" 7#, 7oz 2 2 38.5 19.6 yes $139.00 Campmor Website Bathtub floor
Eureka Timberline 2XT yes 7' 2" 7# 8oz 2 2 12.5 yes $9.99 $119.97 Campmor Website Bathtub floor, Vestibule for rear door $34.99
Eureka Clip Timberlite XT-2 7' 6" 4# 15oz 2 1 31 9 yes $9.99 $149.99 Campmor Catalog
Eureka Clip Timberlite XT-2 7'6" 4#15oz 2 1 31 9 yes tbd $129.00 Campmor Catalog
Kelty Tao 2 7'4" 5#14oz 2 1 30.4 10.6 yes $139.00 Campmor Catalog
Kelty Zen no 7'8" 5#8oz 2 1 30.7 3.8 $129.00 Campmor Catalog
Kelty Zen "old style" no 7'8" 4#12oz 2 1 30.7 3.8 $109.00 Campmor Catalog
Kelty Aero 2 SINGLE WALL no 10'10" 3# 12oz 2 1 26.2 12.3 Campmor Catalog SINGLE WALL
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlite yr2000 no 7'5" 4#5oz 2 1 32 6 $159.00 Campmor Catalog 2000 model
Kelty Windfoil
Walrus Arc Rival XV no 4#,4oz 2 1 $99.00 REI
Kelty Cricket
Goals
Required Under 5#
Required Under $150
Required rain fly cover entire tent
Desired Bathtub floor
Desired 2 doors
Desired Vestibule
Desired free standing
* IF PRICE INCLUDED THEN ITEM IS PURCHASED SEPARATELY
From all this I bought the Coleman Inyo 2 man tent from Sports Authority for $100. What did I give up? No bathtub floor and not free standing. Also, I would hate to spend more than 12 hours in it since it’s so small. I’m 6’3” and, with my 16 yr old son, that doesn’t leave much room! BUT…it’s under 4 pounds, the rainfly fully covers the tent and it has 2 doors (great for when my son has a night call and I want to sleep).
Same kind of consideration went into sleeping bags, sleeping pads and backpacks. It starts with how much weight will my purchase save verses cost. I just bought the MountainSmith Ghost for $170 but it saves me almost 4 pounds over my Lowe Alpine Contour 4. Doesn’t have as much room but that just forces you to decide what is really necessary, gets used and minimize weight/volume.
The only problem with REI is that I have to stop at Starbucks first and bring a latte with me so that I fit in there. But seriously, I decided to stop going to REI when the salesman there scolded my one year old daughter for picking up a roll of film.
The Hiking Shack has been very good to me.
Popular has gone way above and beyond the call on many occasions. Their staff, while not always the most knowledgeable at times, has been very, very helpful.
"I'd feel better if we had some crampons. Oh, what the hell, let's go for it..." — Common climbing last words.
This isn't fair....I've been a good hiker and have avoided Popular for at least a week now.....all this talk has given me the Popular bug again!!!! Ohhhhhh my poor wallet.......oh well, I can always use some more of those $9.99 cargo shorts.....
All Who Wander Are Not Lost, and I do walk to the beat of a different drummer.....'cause I lost my drum
You have will power for sure or is it "won't" power. Just a pair of shorts?? When I was there which was for the first time yesterday, I wanted one of everything! Well, except one of the hats I tried on and my daughter busted out laughing.
After seeing all the great gear, I'm ready for my second hike. Next on our list is Piestawa Peak sometime next week early morning. I'm thinking the next hike after that may be Peralta Trail. Friends recommended that and I looked it up and sounds like a nice hike.
With all the talk of REI vs Popular, I was thinking maybe I should have named this forum "What's your preference: REI or Popular" .
Sherileeaz
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.
After seeing all the great gear, I'm ready for my second hike. Next on our list is Piestawa Peak sometime next week early morning. I'm thinking the next hike after that may be Peralta Trail. Friends recommended that and I looked it up and sounds like a nice hike.
Peralta is a great hike. Wait until you get to the saddle...the view of Weaver's Needle is awesome.
One suggestion though is if you plan to hike this now...obviously you'd want to start pretty early because of the heat and also because its a healthy climb.
Sheri.....I have at least one of everything already, and 2 and 3 of others!!!! Nobody in their right mind should have that much stuff........but who said I was in my right mind?
All Who Wander Are Not Lost, and I do walk to the beat of a different drummer.....'cause I lost my drum
next time your in mesa, you should stop at Laradas army surplus on Main and Extention. (big, yellow building on the northeast corner) Lots of good stuff and cheap.
Hoppy47m: :idea: Hey, open up your own used hiking & camping gear store! Hoppy's Surplus! I know I felt like a kid in a candy store when I went there, hard to resist buying.
M&M: I will take your advice on waiting til cooler times, my daughter and I went to Border's at Arrowhead area and at 11 pm it still felt very warm. We may need to wait on Peralta Trail.
So on to Plan B, I think we will try to go to South Mt or Canyon Lake area and watch the sunset.
Again, thanks for the advice.
Sherileeaz
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.
Here is my 2 cents on footwear. I might get stoned for this, but "just say no to boots." Try cheap but good quality running shoes, something on clearance or closeout from a major brand that you like (everybody has their own preferences for their own reasons, but generally they are all pretty good) They are light and nimble, dry quickly and are cooler. As you get into it more you might want to move to "Trail Runners". They are a little beefier but also a little heavier, but worth the extra bulk if you are getting into tougher trails. I don't feel like you need any more than that. I agree with Cindy--- trail runners and teva's (or comparable knockoff). I have hiked in the Canyon with a heavy pack on trail runners and the Tapeats Creek/River Trail/Deer Creek loop in sandals. No blisters, always comfortable.
The boot crowd will argue that you "need ankle support" and a "sturdy sole". I submit that you need stronger ankles. You are in the unique position of starting from ground zero. Your hikes at first will probably be limited by cardio fitness, general fitness, and at this time of year heat tolerance, more than anything else. So... you might as well start in light lowtops and slowly build up your ankles as you go. As you hike on uneven surfaces you will strengthen all the accessory muscles in the area and not just your calves. The energy you would have spent lugging heavy boots along the trail can now be invested into the hike. I also like the fact that light footwear gives me a better "feel" for the trail and the flex allows me to react to the surface more precisely. For that reason I also don't care for "hiking shoes" which are essentially low cut boots. They still have a stiff sole with no feel.
Experiment for yourself. See what you like. Since you may already have a pair of running shoes, it's a cheap way to start.
Mike T
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Less is more
I agree with Mike T. on ankle support. Short of an exterior, stainless steel contraption, ala "Forest Gump", no boot will afford you ankle support, you need to strengthen your ankles. Joe Bartel got me into hiking sandals last year. Except for dirty feet, I love them, especially on the downhill portion of a hike, no more jammed toes. I tend to be more sure footed with sandals, I think it's because of the increased flexibility of my feet and ankles. I’m not sure investing in “Tevas” is necessary either, I’ve done well with the less expensive knock-offs. I no longer have to carry my assortment of mole skin, bandages, and medications for blisters that I used to as well.
Mother nature seems to like humans, and not just because they taste like chicken
MikeT and Snick33: Thank you for the advice about shoes vs boots.
I will try out my crosstrainer shoes first, they are broken in and have a good sole. As I progress in difficulty with each hike, I will consider whether I need to move up to the next shoe/boot then.
I did the same with my backpack, I bought one at Walmart although it was tempting to get a camelback for $30 or more at REI or Popular. I would rather use the Walmart one for $15 and see what it lacks (if it does) and move up to the one I feel would suit me more. The Walmart backpack has a place for a water reservoir and hose that I can add later.
So for now, I'm going easy and cheap. I may stand out at first as a "newbie" but hey, that's ok too!
Sherileeaz [/b]
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.
I concur regarding ankle support (I'm a big Jardine fan). If you think of boots, they keep your ankles supported but offer no means of strengthening thyem. I've always hiked in running shoes (New Balance) and although I may take some missteps, I've never sprained or injured my ankle. As long as you have strong ankles, you'll be better off with some sort of running shoes. Some people say that pack size is a large consideration with shoes. I've carried packs as heavy as 55 pounds with my shoes and was fine.
Another benefit is that they are airy and dry quicker than boots, hence less blisters.
Go with running shoes and determine if you really need boots or not.
Route Editor
Route Scout
Sheri.....I have at least one of everything already, and 2 and 3 of others!!!! Nobody in their right mind should have that much stuff........but who said I was in my right mind? 
