"Show me a person who has never made a mistake and I'll show you somebody who has never achieved much."Joan Collins
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Backpacks for Camping, Scouting, Hiking, or About Town
There are a variety of different kind of backpack styles and brands. Consumers may feel a bit overwhelmed. So, let's take a look at the principle backpack types, and along the way I will make a few recommendations.RucksacksThe principle feature of this ...
Carved Hiking Sticks - Make Your Own
What do you need to make your own hand carved hiking sticks? A pocket knife and a walk in the woods. Be sure your knife is solidly built. You don't need more than a three-inch blade, but it needs to be strong enough that it won't snap on you when you hit ...
Choosing Hiking Boots
If you’ve ever been 5 miles from the trailhead with painful blisters, or even a sprained ankle, you will appreciate how much your hiking enjoyment rests literally on your feet. The selection of the correct hiking boots can be the difference between a ...
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Great hiking socks are critical. Do yours deliver in all these important areas? Learn how to pick the hiking sock that is smart for your trip.
Your hiking socks are probably like you at work... they do a lot more than they're given credit for. They must be comfortable, wick moisture, protect against shear, support your natural posture, keep your feet at a good temperature, distribute pressure, promote circulation, absorb shock, and be tough. That's no small order.
They are almost as important as your boots and shoes when it comes to your comfort. Here are some things to consider.
Blood Flow- This is the circulation of blood through the foot. A decrease or cut-off in blood flow can be caused by unyielding fabrics in hiking socks. Acrylics in combination with other fibers and a terry weave can help with this and shear.
Moisture- With exertion one foot can sweat 1-2 pints of vapor/fluid per day. That's why wicking technology in hiking socks is so important. Without it bacteria and fungus can become a problem. Hungry yet? ;-)
Position- If your hiking socks don't help to maintain correct anatomical alignment this can cause premature fatigue. Correct posture also helps to correctly position your foot in your boot or shoe to make it feel like it's an extension of your body.
Pressure Areas- Pressure can cause discomfort and lead to damage if it's not addressed. A good example of this is a bedsore. Most people hopefully won't experience pressure to this degree, but it's something you want to keep in mind when looking at hiking socks. Padding is especially important around bony areas like the heal and ball of the foot.
Shearing Force- This happens when your tissue is moving in opposite directions, like when jumping over a stream, or descending a steep slope. Part of your skin is moving one way and the tissue under it another, this causes a tearing action just under the surface of the skin. This is the most common way of getting blisters.
Temperature- Good hiking socks need to be appropriate for their intended use, from a warm weather day hike to a week-long mountaineering trip. Once in their appropriate environment they should maintain a consistent comfortable temperature.
Like a shoe or boot your hiking socks should be matched to the type of hiking you'll be doing.
Liners- Thin socks called liners are made to be worn under your hiking socks next to your skin so they can wick the moisture away and keep your feet dry...
If you'd like more information on hiking socks please click here for the entire article. Also you may want to take a look at this related article on hiking boots and what's important regarding fit and construction.
About the Author
Marc learned about quality gear when his pup tent flooded forcing him to sleep in his tiny 2-seat Honda CRX. His hiking equipment & camping gear guides & reviews save you time & money. Subscribe to his camping & hiking newsletter & get the most usable info. FREE! © Marc Wiltse. Reprint permission if author, copyright, links & this notice are intact.
Written By: Marc Wiltse
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Custer State Park to Host Snowshoe HikeRapid City JournalThe Lover's Leap Snowshoe Hike will guide participants through a dense pine forest, meandering near Grace Coolidge Creek. The three-mile hike is geared toward beginners, allowing participants the opportunity to try the recreational event and explore ...and more » |
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In Photos: Hiking Galvin Ranch With Save Mount DiabloPatch.comThe nonprofit leads its last guided hike of the property Saturday, now owned by the East Bay Regional Park District. By Adalto Nascimento Hikers maker their way to Galvin Ranch's summit rocks. A group of approximately 20 hikers joined Save Mount Diablo ...and more » |
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Go take a hikeDurham Herald SunAlthough I really like saying we're going to hike the Grand Canyon because it sounds so hardy and robust and, well, grand, right now, that's not precisely our plan. When we hike the Grand Canyon we're not planning on doing the grand part of it. |
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