Hello, list.

[Ralph Alcorn]

Jennifer, in footwear, you have to decide between trail shoes and lightweight
boots.  Do not get heavy boots.  If you have strong ankles and are used to
walking with low topped shoes on uneven ground, then you can save weight by
using trail shoes.  Among long distance hikers, I think New Balance 80x series are
the most popular.  The current one is 806.

Boots must feel comfortable when you first put them on, and remember that
your feet will swell when you are walking 10-13 miles a day.  Be sure your toes
are not at all cramped, and will not hit the front of the boot when going down
steep hills.  Now I'm using Lowa Renegade GTX and like them - used the lowest
cost Vasque's when doing the Camino, but they finally wore out.  My wife used
a lightweight Lowa model on the Camino. www.backpackgeartest.org reviews boots
and trail shoes.

On pack, etc. really work to keep the weight down - something like 15 lbs
before food and water. We both used a Golite Breeze pack.  If you want a waist
belt use something like the GVPGear G4, which I used on a John Muir Trail
thru-hike.  It has a slot for a sleeping pad.  On the Camino, we didn't carry a
sleeping pad, and always had a mattress to sleep on, but frequently worried about
having to sleep on the floor.  Carrying a pad would relieve that worry.  We
both carried lightweight umbrellas, and there were both some hot days and rainy
days where we really appreciated them.  There is a lot more info on our camino
web page, so I recommend that you read it soon: <A HREF="http://www.backpack45.com/camino2.html">Camino Website</A>.

Ralph Alcorn
www.backpack45.com
Shepherd Canyon Books
Publisher of We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill: Tales and Tips from
Seasoned Women Backpackers
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