Gearing up, from Head to Toe
As a newly-converted fastpacker, these products are actually field-tested. The plan - a test of the most high-tech, yet featherlight products - for three off-corridor Grand Canyon Backpack trips. We culminated in a rugged 5-dayer on the long, remote Nankoweap Trail - with no more than 20-30 pounds of gear each. Here's how the goods performed under pressure.
The Big Ticket Items
The Aether 45 superlight back pack is Ospreys' newest model in the ultralight line - a streamlined and innovative bag that should hit store shelves in January 03. This bag, empty, is a bantam-weight marvel of restraint. The 45 is a simple, yet comfortable, multi-night 2800 cubic inch sack. Two mesh side pockets offer the only pack 'extra' - but mesh doesn't add noticable weight. No daisychains, zippers, nor metal backstays: just comfortable foam support. The supple, minimal hip belt rests comfortably over small hips without seeming like the bulky sofa rests found on trad packs. A drybag-like closure eliminates the weight of a top pocket from the entire affair. The bag was an easy carry, though my Nalgenes popped out every time I scrambled around chunky sandstone blocks on the primitive South Bass Trail. Deeper mesh pockets would help.
Teva's stylish Elden Trail is the first trail running shoe to be introduced into the Teva family. Once broken in by a few local hikes, the rigid heel cup breaks down enough to become a very comfortable, reliable, ultralight backpacking shoe. Their River Rubber outsole resisted abrasion over 75 miles of uneven trails. The Elden transferred energy comfortably from heel to forefoot during pounding strides. The web lacing system does need to be cinched through supplemental top holes to grip the foot properly over steep, rocky terrain. The toe box placed uncomfortable pressure on the big toes on high-gradient downhills, though. Suitable for people with strong ankles carrying backpack loads under 25-30 pounds - for even week-long trips on primitive trails.
Alternatively, BITE's new hiking sandals did not perform as well as advertised. This kind of primitive trail was probably not what they were designed for, but the foot bed itself was problematic. There was no 'give' in the sole, no arch support. Quite frankly, they hurt to hike in after three hours (the bottoms of my feet ached). Plus, they were simply not suitable for hiking sans socks, wearing holes on top of my feet - even with the innovative neoprene lining. The patented 'Claw' soles do provide aggressive traction, but I wore the points off most of the "claws" after 2 days use. High note: the high, stiff toe guard is a great innovation, and prevented many "stubbed toe" moments.
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