Get Ready For Backpacking

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Once you've taken your new footgear home, break it in gradually (remember, you're breaking in your feet as well as the boots). Waterproof the uppers (with a silicone spray made for the purpose) between outings. And store the boots in a warm, dry place . . . never dry them in front of a fire.

THE BACKPACK

For one-day (and shorter) hikes, a frameless pack is best however, for longer treks you should have a pack that's mounted on a metal frame. Regardless Of what type pack you select, be sure to find out— before you buy—whether it's comfortable or not. The best way to do this, of course, is to load the carrier with 50 or 60 pounds of gear right in the store, if necessary—and put it on.

Hoisting a loaded pack onto your back involves a certain amount of skill and technique (you'll get it with practice). Basically, what you do is: First, balance the pack on your toe (this is where that reinforced toe comes in handy!). Then spread your feet for balance, bend your knees, take a deep breath, and—grabbing the pack's shoulder straps—heave the pack up onto your raised thigh. Now slip an arm through one of the shoulder straps. (Make sure the straps aren't twisted.) Transfer the weight to your back and slip your other arm through the other strap.

Before going any further, secure the waist strap tightly around your waist and make adjustments between the waist strap and shoulder straps so that a good portion of the loaded pack's weight rests squarely on your hips. Also at this point, check to see that the pack's center of gravity is high and forward (you'll feel a little bit like Neil Armstrong walking on the moon). Make sure the frame fits you . . . it should curve along your spine and angle at the shoulders and waist to fit your contours.

Now walk around the block. Your pulse should quicken . . . but otherwise you should feel no pain. Let your comfort be your guide, and if the pack fits . . . wear it (all the way home).

SLEEPING BAGS

The most critical element of any sleeping bag—as you might well guess—is the filling. Here, you'll have to choose between goose down (traditionally the Rolls-Royce of sleeping bag fillers) and one of the new synthetic stuffings, such as polyester fiberfill or Polarguard.

For light weight, warmth, and compactness, goose down has no equal. (The synthetic fills just won't pack down as small and—pound for pound—don't offer the warmth of goose down.) Down, however, is expensive . . . and when it gets wet, it offers no insulation or warmth whatsoever. The synthetics—on the other hand—provide good warmth even when they're saturated with water.

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