Reducing pack weight starts with minimizing gear and replacing heavier gear with lighter materials. Ultralight backpackers know all the different methods to reduce excess weight to achieve a lighter pack. But backpackers often narrow their focus to reducing only carrying weight, and what you carry on your torso is not the only thing that matters. The weight of your feet, particularly your shoes, significantly impacts your energy expenditure and sense of load. The U.S. Army has research to support this fact: The weight on the feet is disproportionately more exhausting than […]
Boots
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Are you planning a hike in mountainous terrain or a gorge? Extended descents can put significant pressure on the knees and cause swollen toenails. Here are a few steps you can take pre-hike to minimize painful toenails, black toenails, and eventual toenail loss. We’ve already covered protecting your knees downhill in a previous article. Lacing technique to secure your foot Improper lacing can cause your foot to slide forward on steep descents, causing your toes to bang into the front toe box and bruise. The overhand lacing technique will help hold your […]
Knee problems are common because they are one of the most used and abused joints in the human body. If you frequently experience knee pain during descents or resulting soreness afterward, chances are you need to improve your form or pack weight. Excess weight adds more strain to the knees Your knees and hips are vulnerable to injury because they bear the most weight of your body. A force of three to six times your body weight is exerted on your knee with each level step you take. So, if […]
Outdoor Herbivore reviews the Oboz Yellowstone II hiking boots on a day hike at Rock Jock trail in Linville Gorge. These lightweight hiking boots feature a waterproof (B-Dry) breathable membrane, waterproof nubuck leather shell, and an exceptionally grippy rubber sole. Overall, the boots were comfortable, the break in time short, and the tread provided excellent traction for the wet, slippery rocks we encountered in Linville Gorge. We’ll update you on the durability and comfort after wearing them for longer distances.