Thursday, March 5, 2009

Halbury Gear

So I think that I am hitting another step in the evolution, or maturation, of a blog writer. This step is the “should I be writing all of this about myself? I don’t want to present myself as being a self centered, inconsiderate, egocentric ass”-step. Do not worry, I am fighting off the demons of those thoughts…but it is a bit hard. I DO only write about myself, my thoughts, and my experiences on this blog, but then again I feel like it is also a way for me to share these very personal things with you. A public diary, if you will.

Any who, I thought it would be good to write a blog about some of the gear that I wear while traveling. Now I do not claim to be an expert traveler. Actually, in comparison to the many world travelers out there, I am but a mere novice. I guess I just wanted to write a blog about the gear that I am wearing and why I appreciate it so much…specifically for traveling.

Lets start form the ground up, shall we?

Footwear:

There are 2…well maybe 3 very necessary types of footwear for a traveler (again, my opinion).
#1- a great walking shoe. While traveling, you walk a lot! Scaling the downtown plan of a large city can be exhausting work and if you choose the wrong shoe, perhaps for fashion or simple lack of planning, can ruin a great opportunity.
My walking shoe- the “Desert Trek”, the Originals division of Clark's shoes. First of all, they have a gum-type sole. When I say “gum” I mean the consistency of those old style erasers, the kind that are light beige in color and kind of fell apart when you tried to erase something with them…That. Imagine walking on that! It is a very forgiving shoe that contours to your foot and glides SO smoothly along the ground. They have a cool style with a trade-mark seam down the center. They can pass for semi-dressy if need be too! Perfect shoe number one!

#2- a great hiking shoe. We all know that great traveling must include getting close to nature. Nature can be the single reason that we visit a place, and if you are not prepared with correct footwear then you cannot experience all that natural beauty has to offer. In Chile I did not have hiking shoes. I had New Balance 544’s. I used these shoes on the Inca trail and when I hiked in Patagonia…they did fine, but I learned form my mistake. I now have a beefy “trail running shoe.” Now this shoe could not survive the apocalypse like some very intense hiking shoes that I have seen, but they serve very well for casual hiking AND running (be it trail or street). These shoes are the Solomon “XA Comp 3 GTX Trail Running Shoe” (Whew, Mouthful). They are great. Breathable yet strong. Stylish yet practical. Great tread and the classic draw sting shoe lace that all Solomon shoes offer.

#3- a relaxing shoe. This can be a night time shoe/slipper/sandal or as simple as a flip flop. Something comfortable. This is a must. You need to change out of your day shoes into something that feels different, lounge-able, relaxing. Currently, I do not have one of these. In the past I have utilized the famous Croc's or a standard flip flop. A moccasin or sheep skin lined slipper serves well too. Right now I just walk around barefoot, like god intended.

Socks:

Briefly- I wear very breathable socks because unfortunately I am a classic “foot sweater.” That’s right, my feet sweat. Moist feet=stinky feet. It is something that I have had to deal with my entire life. I wash them and scrub them til I am blue in the face, and yet they still smell nasty. For this reason I need a breathable sock. Spending a little extra to get a sock that will bring some air into you sole (and a little of your soul) is very worth it. I have some under armour “no show” breathable athletic socks.

Pants:

Here is a simple fact: most countries around the world do not wear shorts. People wear pants…everywhere folks. I’m sorry, I (like my good friend Ryan Leacy) love the short. I utilize it often back in the states, even when weather does not permit it. I need to wear pants over here. I wear the Mountain Hardware “Runout” pant. They are great because they are the most durable pant that I have owned. It is a very tough canvas type material, much like Carhart but more mobile and flexible. It comes with a sturdy synthetic braided chord belt (the type of material that backpack straps are made out of…how else would you explain that material?) already sewn into the pant. The back pockets and a utility pocket that sits just above the knee have zippers on them. These zippers are very important when traveling in a big city. Pick pockets don’t even try! It is also a great investment in piece of mind. You are going to know when someone is tugging hard on your back pocket zipper. Also, the bottoms of the legs have great draw strings for hiking the pant up your leg (in case of biking or attempting to convert into a short for warmer weather). Great pants. Almost bought some for my dad for x-mas.

I also wear the Kavu Chili Lite pant. Very light canvas pant with a similar built-in belt. The material is really the best appeal to these pants. Soft, comfortable, casual, and practical.

Top:

This can vary from trip to trip. I almost always pack the following: A breathable shirt and a comfortable “feels like home” shirt. My comfortable shirts of late have been Under Armour “Heat Gear” simple T-shirts. Stretchy, soft, comfortable and keep me cool in warm hostels, bars, restaurants, buses, etc. The “Feels like home” shirt has been my Michael Franti and Spearhead shirt that is bright yellow and says “Spearhead Rockers” on the front with a big # 10 on the back. I can’t explain it. It just feels like me. It is also developing that natural soft feeling that is reserved only for old t-shirts that have seen many days and made many trips to the washer/dryer.


The most important part of my travel gear: a simple Pendelton Flannel. I have worn the same flannel in every weekend trip that I have taken. It has a collar, so in a STrrreeeeeTCH it can be used as a shirt. It is 100% virgin wool, so it is very warm. I am a big fan of the ol “roll up the sleeves” look, but when its cold….roll em down man! Gives you the warmth of a sweatshirt but is much easier to pack, much more stylish (I guess that’s subjective), and much more comfortable.

Headwear:

Simple. You need a comfy floppy yarn hat made by someone very near to your heart. This hat does not offer warmth, but thought. Thoughts of home, friends (or family), and gives your travel style a little taste of home-life.

Very important and versatile: Buff. If you have not heard of a buff, it is utility headwear. The only limit to the uses of this thing is your imagination. Wrist band, neck scarf, a sleeping/night mask (slip over the eyes), a head band, bandanna, ear warmer, hat, pirate style hat, ninja mask (?), etc. Whatever you can think of. They were made popular by the crew of the popular reality TV show “Survivor.” Most males wore them as head bands, and females as tops.

That’s about all I can think of for now. Maybe I will write about some other pertinent travel gear at another time. For now, I need sleep.

You can check earlier post pics for evidence of all of this Halbury Travel Gear in use!

3 comments:

Susan Iverson said...

Please don't stop writing about yourself! It is sometimes my only connection to you for days! I am glad to know your fashion sense has not abandoned you in your travels. I do find it to be so "you" to travel with three different kinds of footwear though. You do love your shoes! Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

Stop thinking that you are being egotistical! We want to hear about you, otherwise we wouldn't be reading The Traveling Halbury!!

:)

Anonymous said...

What about, "kavu brown fleece vest"

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