Category Archives: Hiking Tips

05.23.12
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The OxFam Trailwalker: Make it blister-free!


The Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney is fast approaching on the 24-26 August 2012. 550 teams will walk 100km from the Hawkesbury to the Harbour to raise money for charity. Big distances often conjure up one painful thought – blisters! Thankfully there is a sure-fire way to ‘no’ to blisters with the Injinji sock range, in addition to a good hiking shoe!

On first appearance, you will notice that they have the toes separated. Not only that, but they do so using Coolmax.

Coolmax wicks away moisture and prevents blistering. These anti friction fibres systematically move perspiration away from your feet and through the fabric, allowing you to feel cooler. The individual toe sockets also mean there is less skin-to-skin contact, which means prevents corns and blisters.

It also features a seamless anatomic design, so it is structured around every contour of the foot. This means no hot spots, bunching or slipping (which could also create blister points).

I’m not saying these are the miracle preventative to blisters, but they sure as hell do a good job. We have a huge range of Injinji socks online and in store. We also have shoe specialists in store to help fit you into the right hiking shoe for you. Whether you have a wide or narrow foot, we will find the shoes and socks for you. So come say ‘hello’ to Injinji socks (and us, while you’re at it) and ‘no’ to blisters today!

Yours in a blister-free life,

BareFoot Gen

07.15.11
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5 Great Accessories for Hiking and Trekking

5 Great Accessories for Hiking and Trekking

1) Nite-Ize S-Biner Carabiners

A double sided carabiner shaped like an “S”- these little guys, are extremely useful. The three ideal sizes for backpacking and hiking are the S-Biner #4 ($9.95), S-Biner #2 ($7.95) and S-Biner Key rack ($14.95 for 7pcs). The S-Biner #4 is the ideal size for such uses as hanging water bottles from packs, suspending food bags at camp and hanging wet clothes; with a breaking strength of 11KG, these guys are tough.

The #2 S-Biners (4.5KG breaking strength) are a great for keeping your walking poles as a pair, clipping your camp shoes together on the outside of your pack by the heel-tabs, and clipping zipper pulls together for extra security while traveling.

My favorite Nite Ize prodcut is the key rack S-Biners set. Although the smallest of the range, these bad-boys keep your valuables safe and sound, without the extra wieght. Can be used for Keys, securing your flashlights, suspending headlamps in your tent for a more flooded effect and even with guy ropes. Defiantly one of the smallest and lightest carabiners on the market; but don’t under estimate their performance.

Lightload

2) Light Load Towels

Super absorbent. Multi purpose. Wickable. Machine Washable. These are just a few words to describe these versatile, lightweight lightload towels. Not only do they rival a 50c piece in packed size, they come in two sizes- the Small twin pack, 30 x 30cm ($3.95 2pcs) and the single, 30 x 60cm ($3.95 ea). Fitting a range of uses from a face washer for the gym to a emergency fire starter when paired with a fire striker in survival situations.They are great for use in mess kits for cleaning pots and cookware, these lightload towels are an essential piece of gear for anyones kit.

3) Fox 40 Pealess Whistle.

When the situation demands reliability and faultless performance, Fox 40 says it all. The Fox 40 Pealess whistles are the benchmark for hikers wen it comes to safety assurance. The design of the pealess whistle not only performs in the wet but provides an extremely loud and consistent blow, heard from kilometers. Made from highly durable lightweight plastic; I make sure it is always part of my backpacking essentials. Only $12.95 – a great addition you can make; is to tie a small length of reflective cord to the end of the whistle for visibility if dropped at night.

4) True Utility Tele-Pen.

Having needed a pen on many trips, deciding to take only one can be an issue of reliability. What if it stops working? If it were up to me I’d take a whole bunch so there’s a guarantee that I’ll have no issues with one not working. True Utility have solved this problem. With the release of a lightweight, super strong telescopic pen design means compact pack size when not in use. You’ll never be without a pen as it fits on your keyring and is only just longer than a key itself.

At a cost of $3 or $4 for a dud pen to take your chances with, this whole unit comes with 3 refills at $14.95. This was a smart choice for me on my recent trip to Japan. All your notes can be swiftly noted with Smooth writing and compact sizing; Taken notes on the trails with confidence.

5) Sea To Summit XXS Ultra-Sil Stuff Sacks

Helping with organization by using various different colors ( red, blue, green) and sizes ( XXS at 2.5L $12.95, to XXL at 30L $23.95) they make the separation of gear into categories quick and easy. The larger I use for clothing and the smaller for things like my lighting kit – headlamp and batteries, etc.

My XXS Ultrasil Stuff sack by Sea to Summit has been with me on every trip- and is destined to endure many more.

Built using a 30 denier siliconized nylon creating a slippery finish for an easy in and out of packs. The ripstop construction provides the nylon with a strong and long lasting construction. With an grab handle at the rear and carabiner loop this stuff sack is fully featured. Not only does my kit include these handy, water resistant stuff sacks from sea to summit every time I head out, but it is also on my top 5 list of my favorite gear.

(stows your Nite-Ize S-Biners, Lightload towels, Fox 40 pealess whistle and True utility tele-pen!!)

 

03.07.11
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Don’t Forget to Pick Up your GST Refund Before your Flight

It may come as a surprise to many people that you can get money back on GST if you’re heading off overseas (subject of course to certain conditions). If you didn’t know about it or you want to know how it works, read on:

If you are planning a trip overseas, keep in mind that the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) lets you claim a refund of the GST (goods and services tax) you paid on items bought here within 30 days of your flight. This is how it works:

  • You can claim on items purchased no more than 30 days before you leave.
  • You need to spend $300 (GST inclusive) or more in the one store and get a single tax invoice. This means you can buy everything you need in one go and claim on that one receipt OR (which is often the case) you can buy things from the one store over a few visits and ask them to consolidate all your receipts onto the one invoice. But just make sure before that they are willing to do this as they are not obliged to.
  • It is possible to buy from more than one store, provided it is within those 30 days, and that you have spent at least $300 and that you have one original receipt per store.
  • You do not have to wait to use the stuff you have bought before you leave.
  • Do remember (especially with baggage weight restrictions) that you need to take all the purchases with you overseas to show them at the airport TRS office. They will look for the original receipts, your passport and your proof of travel (ticket, boarding card).
  • Technically you should be taking it all on-board with you (wearing it or carrying it in your hand luggage). But there might be a way of showing the items before you check-in your luggage (yay – refund + lighter hand luggage!). Sydney airport has a customs office on the arrivals floor that has in the past been happy to stamp receipts that items have been sighted. Check with them, but be prepared to carry just in case.
  • When you are returning to Australia, you can bring all your purchases with you. Just don’t forget that the usual customs limits will always apply when you return (remember those customs cards you need to fill out). For example, if the value of those items together with the shopping you have done overseas exceeds a certain amount, this will need to be declared and you might need to pay some GST back.
  • To figure out how much you might get back, divide the total amount you are claiming by 11.

And…voila! Extra spending money for nothing!

To get more information, or read about this direct from the source, go to www.customs.gov.au