I have quite a bit of gear purchased over the last few years. (Including having made a number of cock-ups along the way, while I worked out which gear worked for me, and which really didn't work for me.
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I am planning on doing the Overland Track in January 2019. Maybe on a guided tour, or paying for a private guide such as Wes Moule, or maybe be super-brave and go by myself - I've yet to decide. I will be leaving my then 3 year old with grandparents for 6 days. I would love some input and advice on a couple of gear equipment items from you super-experienced folks.
1) FOOTWEAR
I have a pair of Scarpa Proton trailrunners, with Superfeet Berry insoles. I wear that combo all the time. Never injured myself (touch wood).I like the "proprioception" as you folks call it.
However a number of websites on the Overland Track say you
HAVE TO have boots. eg) Tas Walking Co, etc.
Sigh. I was thinking to get Zamberlan Trail Lite Evo GTX boots. Mountain Designs sold out and shut down. I tried Salomon, La Sportiva, but feet and ankles weren't loving them. Found compromise option which is not too bad for me: Keen Gypsum II women's hiking boots. I know they're more day hike boots, but they feel good in store and I didn't feel any spots where they were chaffing on my ankle bone or squishing one of my toes, and they didn't feel so clunky. eg I still had some "proprioception". They'd cost me around $185 - $215 to buy.
However Will Wood and ZPacks did Overland Track, admittedly they had a good run on weather, in trail runners. Heaps of hikers these days do everything in trail runners. So can I get away with trail runners on the Overland?
Can I convince a tour group to let me join even with my comfy trail runners? (For extra clarity, the Scarpa Proton that I have are the deliberately non waterproof model, so yes they get wet, but they try out quick too. I realize I'll get wet feet, and that they may get muddy.) I have got Sea to Summit Quagmire canvas gaiters with me.
2) GLOVES - Recommendations for all-weather gloves, suitable for Overland Track & range of weather?
At the moment all I got down is possibly to look at Northface Women's etip gloves. But any ideas would be great. I do use trekking poles if relevant. Planned date of Overland Track is Jan 2019 if relevant. And I don't do Winter hiking generally, although obviously Overland any weather is possible.
3) TENT
I have a Sierra Designs Flash 2 FL tent which I love. It weighs 1.87 kg. It's proved to be pretty strong in wind tunnel testing from all angles. Am I ok to take this rather than have to get a new tent? I realize it will be a bit blowy due to the ventilation through the "wings" with mesh underneath - what Sierra Designs calls "gear lockers".
I could buy a whole new tent to cut 800 odd grams for a Tarptent, or cut 1.2 kg on a Zpacks cuban fibre tent. But it's a big splurge financially, and I do love my Sierra Designs Flash 2 FL. It makes me happy in my heart when I am in it, with good privacy to change, but I can peer out when I want and enjoy nature and it has good ventilation.
Thoughts?
My current working draft set-up is here:
https://www.lighterpack.com/r/6qpuiuBest,
Emma