OM's geary guru answers questions on upgrading kit, faulty boots and lightweight packs.
Our man Gear, Richard Gear, has been hard at work answering your
questions, racking his brain over the existential dilemmas
surrounding moisture vapour transfer rates and indulging in drunken
pedalo antics, but then don't we all?
So far Richard has answered over 500 of your questions and you can
find all his past answers together with a shonky search mechanism at
the Ask
Richard Gear section of the site.
Browse through his past answers or ask
a question of your own...
This week Richard muses on potentially faulty boots, suggests
which bits of your kit collection you should upgrade first and delves
into the differences between two different Macpac lightweight packs.
Q:
Have you heard of La Sportiva Glacier Evo failing where the join
between the stiff leather and softer ankle fabric where it flexes? My
year-old Glacier Evo's have two points either side of the achilles
heal where the leather folds when the boot flexes around the ankle.
This resulted in the stitching to fail as the leather folded away
from the softer fabric in the heal cuff. Is this a design fault?
Should I be contacting La Sportiva to sort this out
A: Hi there,
Gear here, Richard 'Problematic' Gear. I'm not aware of the
problem you describe, but then there's a lot that passes me by, so
don't worry about that.
With any piece of gear that you believe to be faulty in some way,
your first stop should be the shop where you bought it originally as
your legal contract is with the retailer, not the manufacturer.
Sometimes the shop will simply...
Full
answer
Q:
I have just started to take up hill walking again after 20 years and
have now got together a cheap kit, but would like to up grade this
could you give me advice on the most important areas to up grade ie
boots or waterproof clothing? I shall mostly be Munro
bagging.
A: 'The name is Gear, Richard 'Upgraded' Gear, and I've
come a long way baby. Ahem, the first point I'd make is that even
modern budget gear from the likes of Regatta, Gelert and Wynnster is
now far better than in the past, so don't assume that because
something's not expensive, it won't work.
Before upgrading anything, I'd sit down with my kit and work out
where you personally feel it's not as good as it might be. If your
waterproof jacket is leaking...
Full
answer
Q:
What are the benefits of the Macpac Amp Race versus the Macpac Light
range? I'm looking for a lightweight 20L daypack suitable for hiking,
running and adventure racing?
'The name is Gear, Richard 'Very Light' Gear, for when light is
mostly right. You can tell why I never made it as an advertising
copywriter.
Anyway, yours is an interesting question because it highlights the
differences and similarities between lightweight backpacking and race
kit. Macpac's Amp Race 40 and Amp Race 25 - right below - were
developed as adventure race packs...
Full
answer
Check out the full
Ask
Richard Gear section of the site for a searchable archive of
all Richard's past answers, some of which make sense, or ask a
question of your own...
