A Few More Gear Tips

Hey all,

Here's a few more sources from keeping your gear in tip-top shape. Make Your Gear Last Forever is a great entry on caring for tents specifically. The comments are pretty informative as well.

As far as gear goes, though, one of the most important pieces are the ones that go on your feet. They say that boots will last you for years, a decade even, but only if you care for them.

Obviously, the lighter the shoe, the more likely it's going to end up like these ones did after a mere 500 miles. Trust me, you don't want this to happen.

When you purchase a new pair of boots, fit is far and away the most important aspect. Looks, weight, and size are all merely secondary. Maybe you're a size 10 with one manufacturer, maybe an 11.5 with another. Immediately after you buy your new best friends, make sure to waterproof them. Do this even if they say they are already waterproofed. You can buy a NikWax like product at your local retailer.

Make sure to break them in nicely. Wear them to the store. Wear them to work. Wear them to the bar. I'm sure they are the height of fashion. The general rule of thumb is that if they are still uncomfortable after a dozen or so miles, then maybe it's time to bring them back. If your boots are not just right, you'll get blisters. I know of no way faster to ruin a trip than suffering through blisters.

After your boots are broken in, take them out for their first trip. Make it a short one. You don't want to be caught out on a long journey with boots that don't fit. At the end of each day make sure to clean them as well as you can, but DO NOT under any circumstances heat them too close to a fire. Inevitably you will forget, or they will fall, and then your new boots will land in the fire and melt. Or simply burst into flames. And then you're really in trouble.