Читать книгу One Night Wilderness: Portland. Quick and Convenient Backcountry Getaways within Three Hours of the City онлайн

23 страница из 73

Once you have taken care of the footwear, it’s time to turn to the rest of your body. Today’s hiking clothes feature all kinds of terrific, hi-tech, lightweight fabrics that keep you warm on cold days and cooler on hot ones, that magically wick moisture away from your skin, resist getting smelly, and even have built-in bug repellent. Buying everything new would be prohibitively expensive, so focus first on investing in a pair of the new, decadently cushy, wool-blend socks and one of those nifty new undershirts that wick sweat away and are very comfortable. Once you are convinced of the benefits of the new clothing, turn to buying hiking shirts and pants that are made of a thin but remarkably tough nylon-blend fabric that stops the wind and dries extremely quickly.

As with clothing, almost every other piece of backpacking equipment has recently undergone design upgrades and changes in materials to make it noticeably lighter, stronger, and easier to use. Tents are now wonderfully light and easier to put up. Packs are better designed to fit your body. Sleeping pads are impressively cushy and comfortable. Sleeping bags fit better, last longer, and are much warmer. So if you are not satisfied with your current gear, head for the nearest sporting goods store, check out the product ratings in the hiking magazines, and do a little shopping. Your top priorities should be a comfortable pack and a lightweight tent.