Image by davidking via Flickr

Big changes are coming!

Changes in my habits, changes in my lifestyle, changes in my diet and changes to my life… Both offline and on!

I bought a domain which better represents my voice and experiences as a hiker and will be transitioning away from the Diary of a Day Hiker blog hosted at WordPress to a new self-hosted blog adding more features and giving me more control over look and feel.

The change also means I can unify my voice across the social media platforms, creating one easily identifiable handle which corresponds to my URL. Something I wasn’t able to do before.

So what does this mean for you?

It means a new look, feel and name for the blog. It means more content, better content including trip reports, reviews and guest posts. It means you’ll have access to new multi-media features including video reviews, a photo gallery and a newsletter. But most importantly it means… NO MORE ADS! I hate those f***ing ads that WordPress inserts at the end of every post!

So stay tuned!

Image by Cajie via Flickr

This whole adventure started… At least for me, as a way to get up, off the couch, and get outdoors! It started as a way to get active! I began this blog so you can come along with me. So you can share in my victories and learn from my mistakes. I intended for this blog to be not only a resource for the novice hiker, but a source of inspiration for everyone, everywhere to turn off the television and head outside.

Lately I’m thinking that might not be enough!

Don’t get me wrong… I’ve come a long way. We’ve come a long way. I’m walking, I’m hiking, I’m leading an active lifestyle, but far too many years of a sedentary lifestyle combined with far too many bad habits and far too much bad food has taken a toll. A toll which may require more than a few simple changes to pay.

So I’m going to be making even larger changes in my life. Changes in the foods that I eat, the choices that I make, the things that I do. Changes which go hand in hand with my new active lifestyle which will make me not just a happy hiker, but a healthy hiker!

I’m not talking about a fad diet or an over-priced piece of exercise equipment seen on late night television! I’m talking about small, specific, progressive changes in my behaviors and choices which in aggregate will eventually transform me into the healthy person I want to be.

Things like:

• Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods including more fruits, vegetables and whole grains while eating less red meat and fatty foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight for my height and body type
• Adding exercise into my daily routine, including both cardio and strength training
• Reducing the stress and negativity in my life as much as possible
• Challenging myself to try something, learn something, accomplish something daily

Each of the larger tenets above will be comprised of many smaller actions, choices and changes, and you know what that means! That means you can share in even more of my victories and learn from even more of my mistakes… Ummm, saying that out loud sounds strange, so lets hope there are more of the former than the latter! Because I still I intend for this blog to be a resource for the novice hiker, and a source of inspiration for everyone, everywhere to turn off the television and head outside… I’d just like to add and become a healthier, happier human being to the end!

So watch for posts detailing the changes I’m incorporating into my day to day life and feel free to share your own!  I want to hear what changes you’re making to become healthier too! Leave me a comment below!

Injinji Footwear offers patented Performance Toesocks™

If you’ve been following my blog you know that I wrote a guide a while back outlining some points to consider when choosing the right hiking socks which caused quite the debate on twitter and eventually spawned the ultimate sock showdown… The Great Sock-Off 2011!

Point6 was the first sock tested and you can read my evaluation of their pros and cons and see how well they measured up in my review here – A Day Hiker Reviews Point6 Socks for Sock-Off 2011

Thorlo was the next sock up and you can read my evaluation of their pros and cons and see how well they measured up in my review here - A Day Hiker Reviews Thorlos Socks for Sock-Off 2011

Injinji is the last sock up so once again I hit the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail, this time field testing my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks with the following criteria in mind:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the Trail

Now I know what you’re thinking, because I was thinking it myself… Toe socks? What’s the reason for toe socks? Well… Besides the kitsch factor anyway?

But it turns out the folks at Injinji are focused more on function than fashion! The anti-friction fibers of their Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks wick moisture preventing chafing & blistering while the seamless individual toe sleeves eliminate skin on skin friction to help prevent corns and blisters while also increase stability, gripping and balance!

Injinji Performance Toesocks - Outdoor Series Crew Toesock

Price and availability:

Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks will set you back about $16.00, which is middle of the road as far as hiking socks go. They seem to be available just about anywhere including REI, The Sports Authority, Backcountry or if you’re tired of paying retail, you can do what I do and Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com

Comfort and Fit:

Since Injinji socks have toes they are foot specific. I have to say that putting them on for the first time was a bit awkward, however with that being said once you have them on you realize just how comfortable they actually are!

Putting on Injinji toesocks for the first time can be awkward

The sock forms to every contour of your foot and is the most comfortable fitting sock of the three I tried.

Padding and Support:

This is the one area I found Injinji lacking in. The socks are quite thin… Too thin for my tastes. I prefer more padding in a hiking sock and I just didn’t find it in my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks. If there had been a little more padding on the sole of the foot and at the heel I would have really appreciated it.

Durability:

As in previous tests, I have to say this is a wash. A hike of 8.5 miles is not nearly long enough to test the true durability of any sock. However I will update this after several more hikes, and several more washes to let you know how they held up.

Overall Performance on the Trail:

I was pleasantly surprised by my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks. My knee jerk reaction upon seeing them was to scoff and yet Injinji’s unique design allows for natural free movement while eliminating skin on skin friction to prevent blisters which is the perfect combination for hiking!

In fact, if they simply had a bit more padding on the sole I would have ranked them as the winner overall and found a new favorite hiking sock. Alas as they are I have to declare them a very, very close second after Point6 and one of my two new favorite hiking socks!

Next week I’ll recap all three socks reviewed in the Great Sock-Off 2011 and officially declare the rankings so stay tuned!

Full Disclosure: The Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks used in this review were provided to me by the manufacturer at no charge however this did not influence my review in any way. I always give my honest opinion, finding, belief, or experience on the products I review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.

What do you think of the Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks?  Do you have any questions about them?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Image via Wikipedia

Did you know that Diary of a Day Hiker is now on Facebook?

It’s true!

Diary of a Day Hiker has a Facebook page and I was hoping you could head on over there and “Like” it!

I know… I know… Way to be cutting edge.

Yes, I’m a little late to the party, and I know you are already on Facebook using the chat feature to annoy your friends, uploading funny pictures that will probably get you fired if not divorced, commenting on every single status update your ex makes, posting hilarious FAIL videos from YouTube, or simply wasting time at work.

So right now you’re asking yourself, “Why should I Like your Facebook page? What’s in it for me?”

Well… Because I’m asking you to. I’m even asking you nicely! Please “Like” my Facebook page. You can find many of the things you would find on almost any Facebook page, but you can also find:

• Pictures of me that don’t appear on the blog
• A calendar of events and hikes that I will be attending
• Videos featuring trail and gear reviews

So if you are already on Facebook give me a “Like”. Become a fan and keep track of me wherever I go, whatever I do, comment on every single status update I make, or if you have a funny picture that will probably get you fired if not divorced, or a hilarious FAIL video you can’t stop watching, or if you’re just looking to waste some time at work post it on my wall!

Chances are I’m just wasting time at work as well… Why do you think I created the Diary of a Day Hiker Facebook page to begin with?!?

Injinji offers patented Performance Toesocks™

So far I have reviewed Point6 socks as well as Thorlo socks for the ultimate sock showdown, better known as The Great Sock-Off 2011.

Next up for review is Injinji! I will be putting my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks to the test this weekend and then offer my opinion on their performance.

After two rounds of reviews I have Point6 in the lead. Thorlo socks are a quality product I just felt the 100% merino wool Point6 socks were more comfortable, better fitting and had better moisture wicking qualities than the synthetic fiber Thorlo socks did. We shall see if wool retains it’s crown as the superior fiber this week!

I will be hitting the trail once again. This time wearing Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks made with natural moisture wicking NuWool™ which is supposed to adjust with the temperature, keeping feet warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Just as in the previous weeks I will put my Injinji socks to similar tests, evaluating their pros and cons, and then compare them to see which sock reigns supreme!

As with the previous socks I’ll be hiking one of my favorite trails, the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail. A loop starting at the Swallow Cliff parking lot, the wide trail hugs the base of the bluff as it heads eastward, eventually circling southwest to McClaughry Springs and then to the top of the moraine above McClaughry woods. The trail then weaves down through the Laughing Squaw Sloughs and continues west across the Sag Valley, named for the former Saganashkee Swamp.

Injinji Performance Toesocks - Outdoor Series Crew Toesock

The Gear:

Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks in Keen Targhee II’s

The Criteria:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the trail

Point6 is ahead in my book… Can Injinji top them? Who knows? Follow hashtag #Sockoff2011 on twitter for more information!

But don’t just take my word for it! Remember to read Adam’s reviews at his blog HikingTheTrail.com, and Dave’s reviews at his blog DaveCreech.com, and of course you know where to find mine right? So stay tuned for the results!

Better yet, instead of just reading about it… Why not participate? Get up, get out, and get hiking! You can Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com So join today and get yourself a pair of Injinji socks and participate in The Great Sock Off 2011!

Well guess what?

They actually accepted me!

I know… Right? I can’t believe it either!

Afterall it’s not easy getting in! Alltop is a Palo Alto-based tech startup launched by Guy Kawasaki, technologist, best-selling author and one of the top small business influencers on Twitter, and each site selected must meet Alltop’s strict publishing and quality requirements before submission.

Being selected to appear on Alltop is a great honor for me and I’m happy to be able to share the news with all of you!

Not only is it nice to be recognized in my field it’s also pretty satisfying to receive confirmation that I do indeed kick ass!

P.S. Special thanks to Adam at Hiking The Trail for suggesting that I submit!

Point6 was the first sock tested and you can read my evaluation of their pros and cons and see how well they measured up in my review here – A Day Hiker Reviews Point6 Socks for Sock-Off 2011

Thorlo is the next sock up so I donned my Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks and hit the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail once again. Field testing my Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks with the following criteria in mind:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the Trail

This is not my first time wearing Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks, in fact I own more than a few pair. However, this is the first time I have systematically and methodically tested them based on pre-defined criteria and as with last weeks review… I was more than a little surprised at my findings.

Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks

Price and availability:

My Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks set me back $13.99, which is actually pretty inexpensive as far as hiking socks go. I purchased them from Dick’s Sporting Goods but you can find them just about anywhere including REI, The Sports Authority, Campmor or if you really like a bargain, you can do like I do and Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com

Comfort and Fit:

As I said I have worn Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks before and I am used to their fit, which can be a little loose. If you’ve never worn them before the first thing you will notice is their thickness. They are quite thick, perhaps twice as thick as the wool socks reviewed last week, yet they are still comfortable.

Padding and Support:

I expect padding and support from a hiking sock and Thorlo excels in this category. My Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks offered supportive cushioning across the instep as well as under foot without being bulky or constricting. Thorlo definitely has the upper hand in this category.

Durability:

Just as last week, I have to say this is a wash. A hike of 8.5 miles is not nearly long enough to test the true durability of any sock. However I will update this after several more hikes, and several more washes to let you know how they held up.

Overall Performance on the Trail:

I have to be honest here… I came into this thinking the Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks would run the table in this contest and yet I have to report… I’ve had a change of heart. Although Thorlo claims their all synthetic fibers help pull moisture away from the foot, unlike natural fibers like wool which tend to absorb your sweat and cling to your foot, I found the exact opposite to be true. My feet were much drier after hiking in my Point6 socks from last week than they were after hiking the same hike in my Thorlo socks this week. Although still a good sock I think  overall Thorlo socks did not do as well as I expected in The Great Sock-Off 2011 and I may have a new favorite.

We’ll see what happens with the next contender… Stay tuned for the next Great Sock-Off 2011 review featuring the Injinji Outdoor Series Trail Toesock!

Full Disclosure: I purchased the Thorlos socks used in this review myself, they were not provided to me by the manufacturer nor their distributors. I was not compensated in any way to provide an opinion on their products, services or website. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.

What do you think of the Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks?  Do you have any questions about them?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Image via Wikipedia

When I first began hiking I would hit the trail with little more than the lint in my pockets and then find myself losing steam halfway through my hike.

In fact most times I would reach the end of an outing drained of both energy and patience…

Afterall a hungry hiker is a cranky hiker!

Needless to say, I soon realized the importance of bringing along some essentials, including snacks. The truth is you don’t need to be a long distance back-packer to bring food on your hike, even a day hiker needs sustenance!

So I’ve put together a list of the five best snacks to take with you on the trail, not only to keep hunger at bay, but to help you stay energized.

GORP: (Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts) Also known as trail mix, is far and away my favorite snack on the trail. GORP is tasty, economical and available anywhere, in a multitude of varieties and flavors. Whether you buy it or make it, in whatever flavor you prefer, with whatever ingredients you prefer GORP is as close to the the perfect food you’re going to find when you’re out on the trail.

Snickers: “Snickers really satisfies!” is not just a product slogan, it is gospel out on the trail. The Snickers bar is the OG (Original Gangsta) of energy bars, and is far and away superior to all of the overpriced, over-hyped new age energy bars. They are cheaper, available everywhere and best of all… They don’t taste like sawdust!

Hard Cheese & Crackers: Hard cheeses are one of my favorites out on the trail. Granted it takes a little preparation before hand, you’ll want to cut the cheese before you hit the trail (no pun intended); but the small amount of effort required is definitely worth the rewards. Nothing beats a few wedges of Asiago, Coverdale or cheddar cheese on a cracker halfway through a hike.

Granola: Granola like GORP is tasty, economical and available anywhere, in a multitude of varieties and flavors. It is easy to find, easy to pack and tasty to eat!

Beef Jerky: Beef jerky, real beef jerky is a fantastic trail snack. It’s tasty, lightweight and offers a great balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. It is readily available at most stores and keeps really well in a backpack or pocket.

That’s my list, although far from comprehensive these snacks always seem to find their way into my pack. How about you? What trail snacks do you recommend? Do you have any favorites that didn’t make my list? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Diary of a Day Hiker has won an award! The Hiker’s Choice Award – Top Outdoor Blogs, to be exact!

I know… Right?!?

Seriously though!!! I really did win!

You can read about it at My Life Outdoors, which put the whole thing together.

It began with a post asking readers for nominations of the best outdoor blogs, which yielded 50 of the best outdoor blogs on the web today.

Those blogs were then put to a vote in order to determine the top ten and somehow Diary of a Day Hiker ended up in that Top 10 list!

Diary of a Day Hiker actually ended up in a very respectable fifth place on that list and for that I would like to thank you all! Your votes are appreciated more than you know, and I promise I will do everything I can to live up to your confidence!

And while we’re on the subject of thanks, I would like to send out a special thank you to Steven at My Life Outdoors for organizing the contest and thanks to everyone who participated as well as congratulations to the ten finalists:

1. Hiking Fiasco
2. Smokey Mountain Hiking Blog
3. Hiking in Finland
4. Scandinavian Hiking
5. Diary of a Day Hiker (Yay!)
6. Meanderthals
7. Appalachia And Beyond
8. Bedrock & Paradox
9. The Gear Caster
10. Hiking The Trail

Thank you again for your votes! You really have no idea how much they mean to me! In the words of Sally Field… “I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!”