Richard Gear's Latest Answers

By Jon

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Our man Gear, Richard Gear returns to the Gear pod for 2008 with more of his handy kit advice.

So far Richard has manfully answered over 500 kit queries and you can find all his past answers together with a 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 helps a newbie find a way through the maze of brand choice, or tries to, gives advice on the most effective way of packing a rucksac and suggests a way of having your cake and eating it when it comes to footwear choice for a Lands End to John o Groats epic trek.

Q:I'm very new to walking / mountaineering but have already been bitten by the bug. I am looking to purchase some solid, top line winter gear and have been looking at Arc'teryx, Berghaus, Mountain Equipment and Rab clothing but am a little bamboozled by the array of gear! Do you have any feedback on the above brands.?

A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Brand Aware' Gear, tragic victim of outdoors fashion and overall sartorial disaster...

There are lots of different brands out there and the good news is that most modern kit, and certainly most of the stuff from the top-end brands you list, is very well designed using effective materials.

In your question, you say you're looking for 'solid, top-line winter gear..'
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Q: How do I pack a rucksac?

A: The name's Gear, Richard Gear, jack of all packs and, erm, that didn't really go anywhere. Anyway, you don't say what size pack you're referring to, but there are some basic principles that will help to make your pack easier to carry and your day smoother and more straightforward.

Sometimes you'll have to make a compromise decision, but these are the factors I'd bear in mind. First, try to pack heavy, dense objects close...'
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Q: What footwear for Lands End to John o Groats - will a waterproof lining be too warm - I've been advised that I need a three-season leather, Gore-Tex lined boot, but other advice is that Gore-Tex in hot weather could lead to hot sweaty feet and blisters?

A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Can of Worms' Gear and my trusty can opener is ready and waiting...

I mention the worms since there's currently a bit of a debate over waterproof linings in footwear. According to Trail's gear tester Graham Thompson and Leeds University, differences in comfort levels between boots with and without a waterproof lining are negligible, but...
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...

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Discuss this article, 1 of 6 messages, read more:

Peter Clinch

Posted: 13/02/08 09:49:48 48

Richard write:

"On smooth paths, you can pack higher to place weight close to your shoulders, but frankly I don't see the point."

The point is that with the weight up high (and I mean really quite high, really should be higher than your shoulders so it'll only happen with a big pack) you can get the centre of mass vertically over your own with just a small forward lean. That will potentially reduce fatiguein the longer run, but will also make the pack unwieldy on any sort of rough stuff.

That's why external frame packs (they haven't actually died out and are still popular for really big loads in many places outside the UK) have the frame go up so high, and why various folk used to portering loads ...
Read more...

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