Hiking Then and Now

As someone who has been on the trail for many a mile, there are definitely aspects about the “good ole days” that I miss. Well-maintained Forest Service roads and fewer traffic backups. Better campsite availability. Fewer fees to access trails. Kennedy Hot Springs (buried by a landslide). But one thing I don’t miss is the gear.

For gear, we are hiking in the best of times. Thanks to affordable, lightweight performance gear, I am doing some of my longest and most challenging hikes now — 40 years after I first started hiking. I recall with no nostalgia how miserable I used to be backpacking with a ridiculously heavy load — often suffering through wet and cold due to inadequate gear and clothing. 

So join me as I reflect on the gear and gadgets that I don’t miss one bit — and express my gratitude for the gear that gets me out there today.

Photos by David Nordstrom (left), Altra (right).

Footwear

Then: Old footwear was heavy, hard to break in, made your feet sweat and, even with the required socks and sock liners, caused countless blisters. 

Now: I hike almost exclusively in trail running shoes and lightweight low-top boots that breathe, dry out rapidly and are super comfortable. And they require a single pair of durable, lightweight poly-blend socks.

Photos by Doug Diekema (left), Julie Mahieu (right).

Backpacks

Then: While some old timers love their external frame packs, I don’t. They were heavy, held onto odors and chafed your back or shoulders. Durability wasn’t great either — the zippers rusted and the material broke down in the sun.

Now: I love the array of durable form-fitting packs available today — including frames for women and body-hugging running packs. You can even find waterproof packs!

Photos by Laura Norsen (left), Craig Romano (right).

Cooking Gear

Then: My old backpacking stove weighed nearly two pounds and I got quite an upper body workout priming it. 

Now: My MSR Pocket Rocket weighs 3 ounces and the isobutane-propane fuel is lighter than white gas. 

Photos by Andrea Laughery (left), Christopher Tezak (right).

Sleeping Bags & Pads

Then: My huge sleeping bag was cumbersome and had to be attached to the outside of my pack, where it was exposed to the elements. My blue pad also used to dangle from the outside of my pack and snag bushes.

Now: My lightweight down bag squishes to the size of a water bottle and is safely stuffed in my pack. My lightweight sleeping pad is just a tad larger than my sleeping bag.

Photos by Joe Haupt (left), Biolite (right).

Lighting

Then: I remember hefting flashlights and big heavy D batteries. Then I remember how excited I was to get my first headlamp, even though it was huge and the alkaline battery was heavy. 

Now: Modern headlamps put out amazingly strong light and half the time you don’t even know you’re wearing the darn thing because they’re lighter than a hat.

Photos by Doug Diekema (left), Britt Lê (right).

Navigation

Then: A good ol’ fashioned map has always been in my pack — and it still is, on every trip.

Now: While I have wholeheartedly embraced GPS, maps — specifically Green Trails Maps — always come with me. A GPS can’t show the big picture of a landscape. When used with a map however, it’s a perfect combination.