Friday, June 19, 2009

Backpacks and boots!

photo by danielle. hence it being out of focus :p Notice to world map in the background and the thumbs up as if to say "I'm awesome."

Danielle and I went down to the city to Camper's Village and bought some stuff for our trip on Wednesday.

Off the list:
Backpacks
Boots

First off, it's pretty much the best store I've ever been to if you're into the sort of adventure/travel/camping kind of thing. Not to advertise for them, but they don't get commission and yet are extremely helpful. I think it's because they're all adventure junkies and like helping people out.

Anyway, we purchased backpacks and boots for our adventure of epic awesomeness.

We went with Eagle Creek backpacks, which are from my understanding the top of the line in terms of technology, but thankfully not price point. We were going to go for Asolo bags but were talked out of it by the clerks.

I went with the Thrive 65L (right), and Danielle went with some kind of Tubular 55L for women, which I think has the model name Thuist (the straps are slightly different).

Mine is more in the shape of a rectangular suitcase with a backpack attached to it, and Danielle's is pretty much a tube with a little detachable fanny pack.

They are sweet, they were the best purchases I ever bought. Anyway, once again not to advertise, but they feature detachable day pack thing, rain covers, fully adjustable straps and supports, random material, and mine includes a cover for the straps so it's easier to carry around before you get into the airport.

They were both about $250.

As well we also bought boots. I don't have the box in front of me, but I believe they are Keen brand Targhee II's. Danielly got the girly couloured ones.

They have a breathable, waterproof membrane, leather on the outside, and what the sales guy called "sink heel principle," which is a fancy way of saying arch support.

What's potentially the most important thing is that they could be considered "trail runners" meaning that they're somewhere between boots and running shoes. It makes them comfortable and versatile, and will probably help reduce the type of shoes I'll bring with me on the trip by one pair.

Maybe it's because I've been wearing flat-bottomed skater shoes for the best... 10 or so years, but my god, these are the BEST shoes I've ever warn. Not only are they structuarlly designed for the whole backpacking/travel thing, they're simply the best shoes I've ever felt on my feet. Once again not advertising, just saying.

They ran at about $150, making them the most expensive shoes I've ever bought, but then again I'm cheap. The second most expensive pair was probably... a $39.99 pair of pro skater shoes by some guy I can't remember that was on sale, and after that, it's been Wal-Mart since like Grade 9.

But Seriously, they are the best, most comfortable, and I assume the most durable shoes I've ever had. I say assume because I've owned them for 2 days, but I've been wearing them in the spirit of breaking them in, but really just like wearing them.

Lastly, we bought cool socks for travelling. I've never owned fancy, expensive socks, so I'm just seeing if they're worth the hype. They're some random company's wool from some place I don't remember. But they're supposed to have the wick effect, pulling moisture away from your feet and all. So I'm testing both the shoe and the sock out.

Anyway, it's all part of gathering supplies for the world trip. The reason I can afford these stupidly expensive (for me) things is that I've cut almost all of my other stupid expenses. Note that cutting expenses doesn't mean giving up cool things, it means giving up stupid things, like say, pop, chips, smokes and drugs for ultimately more actually awesome things like skydiving and world travel.

And finally, for those who don't know who Danielle is, here she is fake packing her pack so we could wear them and feel cool!

1 comment:

Mark said...

Yeah, Campers Village is an awesome place. I got my sleeping bag from them. A goose-down mummy bag rated for -30.

Of course, I can't afford to do much camping anymore, but it's still handy to have for when the heat goes out.