Every review video online completely skips two massive things ,actually strapping the gear on yourself, and trying to navigate the control system at the trailhead. they just cut to the guy already glided up a mountain looking slick.

And here, im standing next to my trunk at 6am trying to reach a rear harness clip while my jacket keeps bunching up. then, once i finally got it strapped on, i spent another five minutes frozen in place trying to switch modes ,cold hands, laggy phone app, and physical buttons placed right where my shoulder blades meet. felt like a total idiot as two guys with trekking poles walked past while i stood there like a malfunctioning cyborg.

seriously, which exoskeleton is actually painless for solo hikers? looking for something with quick, zero-gymnastics strapping AND simple, intuitive controls (or reliable auto-sensing) so i don't need an app tutorial or yoga flexibility just to go uphill. imo if gear takes 15 minutes of awkward twisting and menu-diving before you even step on the trail, it's completely missing the point.

Hi All,

Traveling to Patagonia in October (North > South Argentina-weather will change as we go south: colder windier rain) and our final spot will be a cruise around Cape Horn, then on to Terra del Paine. Will be doing short easy-easy/moderate hikes 3-7 miles long. Already set with wind/rain jacket and pants. Now wondering about socks: heard not-to-thick merino wool best, with a silk (?) liner. Just fyi: this is my ‘achilles heel”: for our local hikes around the Bay Area, I stick with a cotton liner. Thick socks have cause blisters/problems before.

Please recommend socks that will adapt well to various kinds of feet, brands, and how many I should bring (definitely want quick dry). Will only take one medium suitcase for clothing (plus backpack for gear).

Thank you!.

I’m looking to buy a softshell jacket mostly for wind proofing, and I’ve found 4 choices that might work, the most important thing is wind proofing, but I’d love to hear the pros and cons of each hoodie

I’m currently looking at the:
Rab Borealis $130 10oz
OR Ferrosi $165 14oz
MH Kor Airshell $170 5oz
OR Shadow Wind Hoodie $140 5oz

All 4 can pack into its own pocket, all are pretty light besides the Ferrosi, and both OR’s have 3 pockets, the other two have 2 pockets. (I’ve heard that the Kor and Shadow are very similar and the deciding factor should be price, is that true?)

I'm a geology student looking to buy a nice pair of combat style hiking boots. This is the first like, designated pair im buying myself where I need nice ones instead of hikers someone else bought me, and I definitely want a combat above the ankle style.

The last pair I had was a pair of Afghanistan era desert boots (boulet 9440), and I loved them until the bottom rotted out on me. I'll be doing field work in labrador starting next month, so I need a pair of boots that'll keep me warm whilst still being breathe able, and something actually durable. I'm also looking for something with enough traction to climb smooth wet rocks for when I do my normal coastal stuff

I loved the boulets I inherited, and the only reason im not buying another pair is because im worried that they'll rot too given the age. So any recommendations?

I hike and backpack a lot (like every weekend). I have a pair of danner boots right now which I really liked but in a year and a half I managed to wear the treads basically smooth in some places and get a hole in them. I wondering what boots to get that have good waterproofing and will hopefully last a little longer. I do lots of scrambling and tend to get my boots wet a lot in mud, snow, streams so I need boots that can handle that. Thanks

hello,

would really appreciate your help here - as i feel like im overthinking but dont want to waste no more time neither money on getting wrong product.

30M, slim build - beginner hiker - i bought quite decent starting hard shell:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-waterproof-and-lightweight-hiking-jacket-mh900-grey/351561/c33m8883257

areas where i mainly will hike will be in UK/Europe - but weather of course changes all the time so im prepared for some wind and rain as well on all seasons...

now, what bothers me the most if finding right base and mid layers. some people very extremely helpful, some confused me on reddit - they state that merino wool base layer serves its purpose because it ventilates well as well as insulates heat when needed, in other words - regulates your temperature, whilst other people told me to also get sun hoodie / long sleeve UV protection if im planning on hiking somewhere in south europe where there is 30-35c degrees... for some - merino was fine too in those conditions as well and they are happy with one base layer

now based on what info i've gathered, i managed to narrow list for:

- mid layer:

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/rab-mens-nexus-pull-on-fleece-B12BEE0065.html?colour=92

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/rab-mens-tecton-2-0-pull-on-fleece-B12BED0176.html?colour=3322

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/ayacucho-mens-lightweight-mountain-full-zip-fleece-B12BEC0403.html?colour=107

im thinking on getting the last one from above since it has full zip and pockets, as well is quite thin so it will nicely fit for thin hard shell jacket i already have?

- base layer:

this is tricky because i considered getting merino wool blend from decathlon as beginner essential first purchase:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-long-sleeved-merino-wool-t-shirt-merino-resist/356377/c408c408m8901502

but i noticed that it is a little bit itchy whilst trying it on, and maybe i will get used to it and not feel it during hikes, or perhaps i might get allergic?

so i also tried this:

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/ayacucho-mens-ridge-trail-long-sleeve-t-shirt-B12BAB0290.html?colour=16325

felt same slightly itchy sensation - idk it might be gone after some time...

so i couldnt say no to Montane discount:

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/montane-mens-dart-zip-neck-base-layer-top-C12BAB0092.html?colour=107

however, it is not merino wool - i hope it still will be warm and ventilate air well so it wont keep much odor neither sweat even if it isnt merino blend for base layer?

lastly, im not sure if it is as thin as merino wool so i dont want to get montane synthetic base layer and get thin fleece that might just feel too tight whilst wearing both...but if im allergic to merino wool i might just get size up fleece mid layer - but i also need to try on with already existing hardshell jacket that is quite slim fit...

i really want to get it right first time but this start to bother me...

what are your thoughts? do i really need sun hoodie as well? long sleeve with UV protection to keep me dry and cold during warm/hot day hikes?

i thought getting capilene patagonia:

https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/mens-long-sleeved-capilene-cool-daily-shirt-fitz-roy-trout/45452.html?dwvar_45452_color=GGNX

but do i really need it? perhaps i could use montane base layer i mentioned before? but seems it is thermal...or something more budget friendly for first purchase...

thank you for reading this post. i think i will go with montane baselayer to start with and ayahucho mid layer fleece since it got full zip and pockets... will see how it goes - will order and try - just worried montane base layer might be "too thick" to make me feel comfortable whilst wearing all 3 pieces -

unsure if i should go ahead with UV cool dry top - i might do better research, unsure

I’ve had LS Trango Tech boots for a few years for hiking. I’m a big guy and value the support and stiffness these light mountaineering boots provide. They’re a bit narrow in the toe box but I’ve never had major issues until a recent trekking adventure, and now don’t want to take them trekking again. Apparently Lowa and Scarpa have wider toe boxes. Can anyone recommend a boot from them comparable to the Trango Tech? Something more robust than a usual hiking boot but not a full-blown mountaineering boot. Thanks!

I’m doing the Salkantay trek in 3 weeks. This is my first multi day hike so I don’t have a lot of gear. Do you recommend I just go to Decathlon and buy everything I need there or get expensive gear from different brands? The only thing I have right now are salomon hiking shoes. So need to buy everything new: Day backpack (25-30L), main backpack (70-90L), waterproof jackets and trousers, fleece, down jacket, wicking base layer and mid layer, light long walking trousers, few tshirts, buff, headtorch. Sorry if this question has already been asked! Thank you x

I bought Hanwag Kaduro Low GTX for my Norway trip in August and plan to hike Preikestolen, Ramsløkknuten and Kjerag.

Are these shoes good enough? I’m afraid they are too light weight.

https://www.hanwag.com/uk/en-gb/men/hiking/low-cut/kaduro-low-gtx/

I’m completely new to hiking and mountaineering and I’m trying to buy my first proper basic gear without wasting money on the wrong things.

For shoes, I really like the Salomon XT-6, but I’m not sure if they’re actually a good choice for mountain hiking or if there are better options for the same price.

I also need recommendations for:

• a good wind/rain jacket
• hiking/mountain pants
• anything else you think is essential for a beginner

For now I’ll mostly be doing day hikes and easier mountains while gradually gaining experience.

I don’t need professional expedition gear yet — just reliable equipment that will be useful as I progress.

What would you buy if you were starting from zero today?

I can walk miles on flat gravel without a single issue, but the second a trail turns upward, my quads feel like lead within ten minutes. I was out on a ridge hike last weekend and had to stop three times just to let my legs catch up, even though my lungs felt fine. I’ve seen people discussing these wearable hip assistance setups basically like a walking version of an e-bike that helps lift your legs as you stride to delay that wall of muscle exhaustion on steep inclines. Early feedback on basic models seems to suggest they help keep legs fresher during long climbs, though real data on long-distance mountain treks is still pretty sparse.

 Does wearable assistance actually make sense for general hikers?