Kleemen - Recent messages

I'm interested in how much you look at quality and "brands"? I'm buying a new backpack around 20-25 liters and comparing prices and brands a bit. I've checked backpacks from The North Face, Montane, Mammut, Salewa and Mckinley and there's almost no price difference between them, even though for example all 3-4 brands are at least twice as good as Mckinley in quality? I looked online a bit too and in terms of quality The North Face is supposed to prevail over all, then right away Mammut and Montane, Salewa isn't really such a quality brand by name as they hype it in Slovenian stores - interesting, given that some products are even more expensive than The North Face. What's your opinion?

I'd like to buy the pouch on the link below, but I can't find it for sale anywhere here or even on eBay?

https://www.salomon.com/en-int/shop-emea/product/rs-insulated-belt.html#color=19702

https://www.decathlon.si/podlozena-jakna-trek-100-id_8573829.html

https://www.decathlon.si/pulover-iz-flisa-mh500-id_965282.html

I'll try these two and see if they're OK regarding price and quality.

On the Decathlon site it says they have a satisfaction guarantee. Does that mean the product can be used for 30 days and then returned even if it has been used? If not satisfied, of course.

Great, then fleece and windbreaker will be ok for those few-hour snow hikes, thanks. If needed, I'll get some thin "down jacket" like from McKinley or some "budget" brand, they can be got on sale for 30-40eur too. If nothing else, it'll be good for breaks when windbreaker is not enough.

For one-day winter hikes to 1500m max, of course. That's why no need for a down jacket and it bothers me because it starts smelling when sweated in. So is a warm fleece enough for hiking around 0 degrees? Windbreaker over it on top and descent so no blow through.

Thanks to all for the tips. After reading, I think it's almost better to buy a warm fleece for during the hike and a windbreaker over it on top so no wind blows through. Because I sweat quite a bit while hiking, I think a down jacket would not be suitable. It's probably warmer than fleece + windbreaker, but up to -5 degrees it would probably be ok.

Thanks for the info. Yes, it's true, but you can get good down jackets under 100 EUR at sale prices. One from the brand is reduced from 200 EUR to 90 EUR, I'd take it but the feather smell when damp bothers me. So rather a warmer hiking jacket. Or do you recommend more a warm fleece and over it a water/windproof windbreaker?

Buying a hiking jacket for winter hikes (up to max. -10°C), budget 50-80 EUR - some deal given the current time. I'd buy a down jacket, but it bothers me that the feathers start to smell when they get wet (sweat, moisture...). Any suggestions? Thanks for the tips.

Thanks, Janezs, for the advice. So as I understand it, it's better to keep size 42, which fits like a glove, and if it pinches a bit by chance, loosen the laces a little and it'll be OK. Better than 42.5, which seems to have too much space (especially at the toes) and I'm afraid it would start to dance and flap after some time, which I think is not OK.

Ah no, I think the original insole is best. I'll wear them for a while and see, but 42.5 I think leaves too much room at the toes, so probably not. For 42 I loosened the laces a bit and the difference is noticeable, so they're good for testing; the question is only how they'll hold up on a longer tour. The only fear is blisters because they fit like a glove.

Otherwise they seem excellent and very comfortable + biggest plus very light for mid-high ones, durable and Gore-Tex. Maybe someone has this model to share some first-hand information?

I bought new mid-height hiking boots Salewa from the link below and can't decide between size 42 and 42.5. I tried both, 42 fits like a glove, I'm afraid they might blister on a long hike since the sides fit tight to the foot, but the end has about half a cm left so length is no issue. 42.5 is looser, but I'm afraid there's too much room, especially in length with surely 1 cm between the big toe and the end of the boot. What do you recommend?

https://www.kibuba.com/obutev/srednje-visoki-pohodniski/moski-c2197/moski-srednje-visoki-cevlji-salewa-ultra-flex-mid-gtx#attr-4813

Thanks everyone for advice. I contacted this guy from Srna store, maybe he has something useful at a good price.

I had Alpina Tibet 2-3 years ago and never again. Huge, robust and especially very heavy boots, and Vibram sole (at least on Tibet) was a disaster. Now I have Adidas Continental sole and incredible grip, never Vibram or Alpina again. Plus they are very heavy, both boots surely around 2kg, if not more.

Of course I don't know what I want, that's why I'm asking on the forum, if I knew I wouldn't ask. I just know I want high and light hiking boots. I already have low ones, but I don't dare go to high mountains with them.

All listed are 150-200eur+ If I were looking in that range I'd take Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX I'm looking for around 80-100eur. Thanks for the tips.

Buying high and lightweight hiking boots for high mountains. For smaller hills I have low Adidas Terrex and they are great, but for high mountains I need somewhat more robust and tall ones. It is important that they are light, comfortable and have good grip of course.

https://www.kibuba.com/obutev/srednje-visoki-pohodniski/moski-c2197/moski-srednje-visoki-cevlji-salewa-ultra-flex-mid-gtx#attr-4813

Something similar to the link would be great, but price range about 50 EUR less.

I have Adidas Terrex Swift GTX and I'm extremely satisfied with them. They are a low model though and I'm interested in your opinion on using them in the high mountains, where most recommend high hiking boots. Is it just for ankle protection or why is a high boot important in the high mountains? I had high and robust hiking boots before, but they weren't as comfortable as Terrex, and the grip on these is much better.

I got the North Face backpack, already tested on two hikes, more than excellent and worth every euro. Exactly the one I was looking for, 22l just right size, quality, back very breathable, of all backpacks I've had surely the best, very practical, everything at hand and also nice looking. So again big plus for The North Face.