Jack Stucki led a great discussion on new gear coming into Black Creek Outfitters. He also fielded questions on general gear options based on conditions, time on trail and durability. These are bullet item highlights of the discussion.

The Guru Discussions occur every Wednesday evening, with pauses in the series based on availability as well as breaks for planning and actual outdoor adventuring. If you are in the Jacksonville area and would like a session dedicated to a specific topic you can reach out to me or ask for Jack when you visit the store.

• Footwear is the most important when it comes to fit.
• People who wear boots tend to be older folk (Jacks notes on trail he sees people his age in boots.)
• 40 lbs or more, consider a boot (though Jack considers 40 lbs a reason to question how the hiker has packed.)
• Boots are good for ankle support along with snow conditions. Most boots will be water proof. Hard to find ones which aren’t. Warmth and structure are your gains.
• Jack noted day hikes in low top shoes didn’t impact his ankles or knees so he knew the problem was weight. (Lowa boot was the session example)
• Salomon X D is the recommended low top show.
• They need no break-in (I can attest to that).
• Vibram is the standard for sole, however Salomon does not use Vibram.
• They’d prefer to not use Goretex but their contract with REI requires it.
• Jack showed how the Salomon has a high degree of tortional rigidity: as much as the boot.
• Climashield is Salomon’s proprietary waterproofing.
• If Goretex gets wet on the inside, it takes a while to dry. Note that.
• Jack has over 1,000 miles on his Salomon shoes. Salomon doesn’t promise they’ll last that long.
• Hiker, trekker and PHD. Those are your Smartwool options. Your version is based on your environment.
• FITS makes a light, medium and rugged sock. The mill that makes FITS used to make Smartwool. When Smartwool went to China, the mill made FITS.
• You can’t go wrong with FITS or Smartwool.
• But Darn Tough may be the best sock out there.
• Jack sharing Outdoor Research Backcountry Boardshorts. Great, light weight hiking short. Feather light with some give.
• Jack is wearing Vissla on the Wonderland Trail. Super light weight with great stretch, and quick drying.
• 150 weight Merino wool icebreaker shirt is his go to shirt. No SPF.
• The shirt has a tag with a number. Go to the site. Put in the number. You’ll get the location and sheep that shirt came from.
• ExOfficio 91% polyester shirt is also a solid option. But polyester is petroleum based, if you are concerned.
• 200 weight Merino wool Icebreaker 3/4 zip is a solid long sleeve base layer.
• 200 weight Merino wool Icebreaker “long johns” pants are the complete package.
• Comparing fleece anything to the Arc’Teryx Atom jacket. Spend the extra money and go with the Atom.
• OR rain gear from 2 weeks ago was our example of the rain proof outer layer.
• Looking at OR Versaliner gloves. Cool zipper for glove rain cover.