The hiking thread!

I can only comment on the CAT Intruder shoes that I wear as I have never hiked in anything else
On my 2nd pair now and they're almost dead

Will buy a 3rd pair this year. Never once had problems with them, ever

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Haha, it tastes perfect, Maybe they have milk powder in the flour mix, I am not sure, But it tastes same as homemade pancakes, everyone loves them

On day hikes I carry the large stuff yes, but on multi dayu I have a small frying pan and tiny kiddies spatula
Show him the pics
 
I can only comment on the CAT Intruder shoes that I wear as I have never hiked in anything else
On my 2nd pair now and they're almost dead

Will buy a 3rd pair this year. Never once had problems with them, ever

View attachment 1237156

View attachment 1237158
How long do the CAT's last, kms or months wise?
My Salomons are about a year old and have done 750km and will probably need replacing soon so looking at better alternatives.
 
How long do the CAT's last, kms or months wise?
My Salomons are about a year old and have done 750km and will probably need replacing soon so looking at better alternatives.
First pair was 8 years, no hikes at all in the begining, just my daily shoes to work and back and every day on weekend, and then I started hiking in 2018 and they lasted another 6 months.

2nd pair now Ive had for around 3 and a half years and only use them for hiking. Averaging 500km per year. Normal use I guess. They will last this year then need to be replaced. So I would guess about 2000km of use. That is 50/50 walking on flat terrain and steep/scrambling terrain.
 

Many use it for hiking and it was recommended as a good hiking and trail running shoe.
So I don't have experience with this particular shoe, but what I can say is that some shoes have a fairly soft sole, after a while you can feel every rock, stick and root. Good for running, not good for long hikes.

The mid-boots and full-boots tend to be more rigid and harder, designed for multi day hikes carrying a heavy load, like 20kg+

Also, weight is a factor, for heavy people I would always recommend a boot, as the sole gets a pounding.

I have tried Keen, K-Way and now Merrell. Merrell seems to be the better of the lot for now, the Keens were comfy but started to fray, K-Way was utter dog poo..

Solomons also look good, pricey though.
 
No, splash proof yes, but not rivercrossing takkies
Ah, deal breaker for me, very important on multi-day wet hikes. The last thing you want is wet boots and there's no sunshine to dry them out, that's a receipe for mother blisters
 
Ah, deal breaker for me, very important on multi-day wet hikes. The last thing you want is wet boots and there's no sunshine to dry them out, that's a receipe for mother blisters

Agree 100%, and I am different where I will stop, take shoes and socks off and cross river and cool my feet and sit down.
7 minutes later ev erything is dry I put socks and shoes back on and carry on hiking
 
PS. I to this day have never in my life had a blister. Not even in the army with those kak boots (and they were painful every day) . I guess I just have good genes
 
Ah, deal breaker for me, very important on multi-day wet hikes. The last thing you want is wet boots and there's no sunshine to dry them out, that's a receipe for mother blisters
Don't your feet get hot with waterproof boots?
 
Don't your feet get hot with waterproof boots?
Firstly, socks. The big no-no is Cotton, don't ever wear cotton, it is impossible to dry when it gets wet.
As for heat, proper wool or synthetic socks are just as breathable as any other normal sock, albeit slightly thicker.

I don't think a non-waterproof boot is any more breathable than a waterproof one, at least not from what I experienced.

But yes, your feet get warmer in a boot as opposed to a thin pair of takkies, but it's only for a few hours on the walk, then you loaf around in plakkies.

And rather warm feet, than drenched socks and inner.. Waterproof boots won't only save you from water, but from long muddy, swampy routes.
 
So this thread is exactly what I was looking for as I need advise.

I want to start hiking. Last time I did anything remotely similar was 22 years ago when we still farmed. So, I started getting back into shape about 6 months ago, lost 15kg with another 15 to go for my ideal weight. Walking 5km per day 5 days per week for now.

I don't have hiking gear as such so really just need advise from the seasoned hikers as to where to start, where to find a group in my position as my current friends don't really share this interest.

Any input would be valuable especially if any of you hike with your dogs? Not many place are pet friendly but I do know of at least one pet friendly camping spot with some hiking trails.
 
So this thread is exactly what I was looking for as I need advise.

I want to start hiking. Last time I did anything remotely similar was 22 years ago when we still farmed. So, I started getting back into shape about 6 months ago, lost 15kg with another 15 to go for my ideal weight. Walking 5km per day 5 days per week for now.

I don't have hiking gear as such so really just need advise from the seasoned hikers as to where to start, where to find a group in my position as my current friends don't really share this interest.

Any input would be valuable especially if any of you hike with your dogs? Not many place are pet friendly but I do know of at least one pet friendly camping spot with some hiking trails.
I wouldn't really recommend hiking with a dog, unless it is for a short stroll. The terrain can get very rough where you have to climb and tread carefully.
Example, I nearly slipped on the waterfall at Kromrivier in December. That was a very horrifying experience for everyone that saw that... :notworthy:

Hiking gear, go to Cape union mart and get a 22l K-Way back pack for day hikes.
Get a decent boot.
Get a pair of hiking socks, and compression socks. Wear both at the same time.
Wear light clothes.
Get a hat because the sun will get you.
Get lotion or something for your skin.
Get a micro fiber towel.
 
So this thread is exactly what I was looking for as I need advise.

I want to start hiking. Last time I did anything remotely similar was 22 years ago when we still farmed. So, I started getting back into shape about 6 months ago, lost 15kg with another 15 to go for my ideal weight. Walking 5km per day 5 days per week for now.

I don't have hiking gear as such so really just need advise from the seasoned hikers as to where to start, where to find a group in my position as my current friends don't really share this interest.

Any input would be valuable especially if any of you hike with your dogs? Not many place are pet friendly but I do know of at least one pet friendly camping spot with some hiking trails.
Well done, you are almost there!

Where do you live? - want to suggest some hiking clubs (however, https://community.hikingsouthafrica.co.za/ has many people all over the country, easy to join a hiking group via this platform)

I say, keep it simple - you can hike in takkies, and use an old back-pack - if you get hooked, then go and buy some gear.

Most important, Boots and socks - the bag and all other kit can come later. If you are older, have weak knees or are doing multi-day hikes, trekking poles are also very handy, they take the strain off the legs and transfer some to the arms.

I like to hike with a "bladder" in my hiking bag (some people call them Camelbak's, but that's just the brand), and a loose water bottle to fill up from rivers etc.

Just a high level list of the important items if you are going to buy (day hike only):

1) Boots and Socks
2) Bag
3) Bladder and Bottle
4) Full Rim Hat
5) Sun Glasses
6) Trekking Poles
7) Synthetic material shirt ad pants (quick drying)
 
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