Coming Blogs

Hey all,
First I want to say thank you to all who have visited the blog and continue to do so. The viewership continues to grow which means a lot.

Footwear topics overall are the most searched for, so I plan on finishing out the reviews on the Meindl Perfekt and the Asolo Sasslong boots. Both of the boots have served me well, and I as sit here typing I am wearing the Sasslongs.

This was a tough year for mule deer hunting, with near success on better deer than last seasons.  I have started a blog on some of the lessons learned from this season.  My desire to pursue Mule Deer only got worse this year and plans are already in the works for next years hunts.This will be the next piece that I finish up.

I will soon be including a link to a website I frequent often as a forum member with an article that is in the editing phase.  This article will be on hunting antelope and covers several tactics, and some success and failure as a hunter.  Overall it was a really fun piece to write and has been a very good experience to learn and grow from.

I am also going to be working on a blog series on how to improve as a field photographer.  I have some work to do when it comes to improving my photography.  Documenting this is going to go a long way to help myself and others.  The first in the series is going to be on overtaking pictures, and by that I mean taking more than one picture of the same thing to have plenty to work with when writing and editing.

There is also going to be a comparison blog between the Seek Outside BCS and LBO.  This will be about what each shelter is good for, and why you would buy one over the other.  The shelters have some similar beginnings, and to some extent shapes but overall are very different shelters.

By late this spring there is also another fun project coming up that I hope will really peak the interest of many.  Currently I own a Kifaru Koala standard in black and a friend from Tennessee owns both models of the Hill People Gear's Kit Bag.  We are both going to do individual write ups of each of them and post it here.  Then I will be shipping my Koala to him to look at, use, and then write a review.  After he is done,  they will both be shipped to me for testing and comparison and of coarse a write up.

Finally, my biggest and likely most ambitious blog is going to be about why I hunt.  I don't have any problem admitting that I trophy hunt for Mule deer, but when it comes to elk I am much more of a meat hunter.  Don't get me wrong that I want to accomplish the task of taking a very large Elk.  However, several years ago I wanted to accomplish the task of eating nothing but wild game meat that I or a partner had harvested myself.  Having recently finished "Meat Eater" by Steven Rinella, that desire is back.  Starting in 2013, my goal is to consume as much wild game as possible rather than store-bought meats.  So, this will be where I document that.

Leave any and all comments of what you would like to find out in some of these topics!  Feedback would be great!

Do I Really Need it?

I am a full time youth pastor and find myself at home before the start of one of the busiest weekends of the year in my profession: Graduation.  This year I will be losing a quite a few of my regular students as they head off to college to continue their education.

During this short down time I have become very distracted by a set of boots.  Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400's on sale at Sierra Trading Post.  I have elevated the Kenetrek brand in my mind quite a bit and am really having a hard time not pulling the trigger.

The biggest reason that i can't justify the purchase is that last season I spent a $260 on a pair of Meindl Perfekts that I absolutely love.  I pulled them out of the gear closet last night and even wore them a while to remind myself of just how well they fit.

For the moment I have talked myself out of buying them and likely won't look again unless there is simply an amazing deal that shows itself.

The point of this blog is to search through and ask the question of whether or not we really need it.  The Kenetreks would be fun after the break in period and would be immensely enjoyed.  However, the $250ish that I would spend on them could be placed in other gear that would be a little more relevant.

Part of the draw of the boots is that feet must be treated well in the backcountry, and are therefore a priority.  So, how do I go about prioritizing my gear purchases every year?

1. How often will I use it.
2. Comfort
3. Weight
4. Effectiveness for the job
5. Price

So, all those factors in mind, several things need to come before any more cash is dropped on another set of boots.  First, a shelter that will be more comfortable for the Mrs. and I.  At the moment it looks to be a BCS from Seek Outside. Second, a new spotter.  The jury is still out on what will come home, but it needs to be a significant upgrade from the current set up.  The Leupold Sequoia has served me well, but needs to be moved to the land of spares in the closet.  Third, is a Duplex Timberline 3 from Kifaru for back packing.

All in all the priorities will win out for another day, would love to hear how others prioritize gear purchases.

Updated: The Lady's Take: Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Hikers

So I recently cam across a deal to acquire some high quality hiking boots for my wife in the form of Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Hikers.   She is new to the west, backpacking, and really anything in the outdoors.  Advice has been given, and heeded that if I am going to successfully have her come on these outings it will be necessary for her to have quality gear from the start.

The boots seem to fit her feet well and after Monday I will have some more to add to this post regarding her thoughts on the overall fit/comfort of the boot.  We will be heading north and trying to get a little bit of fishing and hiking in.

Some things I notice right away that caught my attention compared to both pairs of my Meindl's is that Kenetrek sends wax with the boots.  Very easy to take care of the product that way and my investment.

Because the wax came with the boot it took about 10 minutes for them to have their first coat.  The loops for the laces are much better than the Meindls in design and function.  They are easily moved for application, and twist to be able to get all of the leather the necessary life preservation.

The quality seems to be very high.  There is nothing on these boots to suggest that every inch wasn't thought out and planned.  If this is true then the boot should live up to the hype that has been passed onto it for so long.

The tongues are very different.  Kenetrek seems to leave a much smaller space for getting the foot in as the cost for better ankle support.   It wasn't tough for her to get them on, but it took more effort than my Perfekt's or Alaska Hikers take.

Pictures will be posted as well, enjoy the Memorial Day weekend!

Update:

The verdict is not completely out, but it seems these boots do not fit her feet well.  The heel cup seems to slip is the laces aren't tight enough, and if they are too tight she has circulation issues.

Now, it must be stated that this has nothing to do with the boots themselves, it is simply that her feet do not do the standard width well.  We are going to try a mens 7 and see how they work based on the extra width she can get from a boot like that.