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Richard Gear's Latest Answers | | Gear news in association with |  |
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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 investigates the dark mysteries of
mountain overtrousers, deals with the dilemma of
foul-smelling, Gore-Tex lined approach shoes and ponders the
veritable minefield that is single-skin tentage....
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Q: Hello, I'm looking for a decent set of waterproof
trousers to head to the mountains in. A couple of questions:
any recommendations for tough trousers, maybe something
Gore-Tex?. Plus I'm confused with the term overtrouser -
does it mean over a set of trousers or a trouser over say
thermals?
A: Gear here, Richard Gear, and I have to say I'm
right over trousers, boom, boom, sorry... Anyway, you seem
confused about what you want, so I'm going to run through
some potential options for you with pros and cons.
Conventional waterproof overtrousers are designed to be
worn over some sort of under-layer. That could be a pair of
baselayer leggings if it's not too cold and you intend to
wear the shell trousers all day. It could be a normal pair
of walking trousers if...'
Full
Answer
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Q: I have a very smelly pair of Merell Gore-Tex
approach shoes. Waht is the best way to wash/prevent the
smell? as I don't want to ruin the membrane in the washing
machine.
A: Gear here, Richard Gear and blimey, what's that
smell? Those shoes really do pong, but hey, that's shoes for
you.
OK, first, I'd strongly advise you not to stick your
Merrells in the washing machine, not because you'd destroy
the Gore-Tex membrane, which would probably emerge from the
ordeal completely unscathed, but because you may damage the
materials used - particualrly any leather or suede - and the
bonding methods used in construction aren't designed to be
washed so...'
Full
Answer
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Q: I have been considering a single skin tent for
summer use to save weight. Are they worth it?
A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Condensation' Gear,
master of the wet sleeping bag and the midnight drip,
ahem... Single-layer tents have advantages and
disadvantages, particularly in the UK, so it's really just a
question of weighing up the pros and cons.
On the plus side, a single-layer tent has the potential
to be lighter than the conventional fly and inner
equivalent, though it's worth bearing in mind that some of
the latest lightweight two-layer designs are also very
light. They can also be cheaper thanks to ..
Full
Answer
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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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