Backpacking?

[Deuce]

Ms. Heather, I've been looking at the NEO pads and agree they look pretty impressive. Which one do you have?

[summerbee]

Shameless plug for the Ozark Society: they DO good things for our natural resources. Join them whether you pursue backpacking or not. You will make some great friends and see amazing things.

[Lupe]

Ms. Heather, I've been looking at the NEO pads and agree they look pretty impressive. Which one do you have?

I have the original large (wide) one that is a full rectangle. When my shoulder nerve issues happened I HAD to sleep on my back and since I didn't want ANY discomfort or pressure on my shoulder I got the wide one. The width is great but it's ridiculously long, so I actually followed cool instructions a guy put out on YouTube on how to cut it down and reseal it using an iron. Crazy to cut up such an expensive pad, but I didn't want to lug like a foot extra length with me on all my trips! Obviously voids your warranty, but I did it and it's worked great so far. So I have a nice wide pad that is perfectly sized to my height.

The newer ones are even lighter, and also warmer (the NEOair can be a little too cool on my winter trips), but I'm good with my original. I have a very thin piece of closed cell foam that I add in the winter to up the insulation factor.

With this cool front moving in, I'm starting to think about getting out into the woods again soon! Woot!

[cpresoz]

Luke,
Here's a good deal on a used large NeoAir: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/show ... hp?t=58967" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But, as I was posting it, it looks like somebody snagged it, pending funds, so you could get in line and say you'll take it if that deal falls through. This, along with several other sites, have good gear coming and going all the time.

[Cowper]

And we tend to fill the pack we have, so if you have a huge pack, it can be much harder to resist the temptation to throw a few more odds and ends in there.

Evidence:

Richards canoe.
My truck.
Any woman's purse (got this one from debo so don't be jumping on me)

Case closed!

[summerbee]

I don't think you can understate the importance of good footwear. I've had 3 foot surgeries and refuse to quite hiking but I HAVE to be very, very particular about the fit of my boots. Go to a good out door store and try on several different brands and models. They should have some kind of incline ramp where you can feel how your feet behave in the boot. Toe jam and heel slip are not ok. I need lots to toe box room and a super rigid sole. Read up on something called the "last" in the anatomy of a boot, makes a huge difference for me.
After years in Vasques and Lowes, I switched over to Oboz and will likely never go back.
Gear Up! The season is nearly upon us!

[Deuce]

Thanks everyone. Great input. I signed up over on Backpacking Arkansas and have found that to be very informative as well. I bet I can find some good gear on the hammock forum gear swap. GREAT resource.

[Deuce]

Oh, and by the way, don't be knockin' the toe jam. There's no better fire starter known to man.

[Deuce]

And we tend to fill the pack we have, so if you have a huge pack, it can be much harder to resist the temptation to throw a few more odds and ends in there.

Evidence:

Richards canoe.
My truck.
Any woman's purse (got this one from debo so don't be jumping on me)

Case closed!

Case reopened; my raft, AKA the Gear Pig, on a weekend Buffy float. Case reclosed.