Marketing is Funny!

Crappy part of the nation? Where, pray tell. I don't know, maybe it's just grass being greener on the other side of the fence (although grass really is greener back East than the crappy ones out here in the West). :)

I guess i have a confession to make as well, now that everyones airing out their dirty laundry. I rock golite reed's…womens medium. The fit is glorious :D

How 'bout right in the middle? Southeast Wisconsin. The closest trail that anyone would recognize nationally is the NCT, which is about 8 hours due north. There are trails, but they're short and in state parks–and not the type where you can just go find the trailhead and camp wherever, or at any site along the trail. Reservations for everything, permits for parking, etc etc. And these trails aren't even in the decent Northwoods. Oh well, I should be thankful for some things I guess.

I know permits are common for many places, but at least they're worth it!

I've never been to Wisconsin. That isn't Laura Ingalls country is it? :)

Why yes sir, it is! Luckily my family has a cabin up in the national forest. Even though there aren't hiking trails per se, we do have the wilderness literally at our back door. Black bears use the corner of our cabin as a scratching post–until my mom screwed a plank of wood with protruding nails to the corner of the place. Dang bears were chewing planks off the side!!

So, no great mountain trails, but I am fortunate to have the northwoods to myself when I can get up there.

Here is a glimpse of my gender specific pink mat that Ben loves so much. I think that I took that shot to show the pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow. (that gear cost me a small fortune)
Lost the binos since than but still have the socks

Franco
For Travis..
That was the first night after only about 6 hours on a very easy trail. Three days later (it rained most of the time) it was slightly less "new and tidy"

Franco,
Did you just come from the market? Looks like you just went shopping with all those bags!

Oh, and I have the girliest color purple Injinji toe socks (but still "mens!"). They were only $3.50.

Are they suitable for pole dancing. Never seen that in the backcountry. Something for around the fire at night!

Oh, I can beat that. Back in 2007 I was near Crabtree Meadows and I met two girls with HUGE packs (seriously, at least 50lbs each, probably more) and each had a hockey stick. I was going to ask what was up with that, but it was the end of the day and they looked beat. I could just imagine that they were thinking "the next person that asks why we have hockey sticks is getting a beatdown." It could have been me.

Another guy I ran into camped with them one night. They had a huge tent, portable CD player, and other goodies.

The were dubbed "the chicks with sticks" by other people I ran across. Funny how news gets around the Sierra.

As I read this thread, I was thinking about the pink disposable razors I once bought for myself. I bought them because the makers priced them lower than the men's blue ones. Apparently, they wanted more female customers. I just wanted to save money. And Ben, I didn't throw any away until they were dull. But I didn't take them out of the house either.

I also bought one pair each of those REI UL Carbon Komperdell poles when they were on sale. I didn't know the compact pair were "womens". I guess my wife can use them when I'm not.

And my first pair of "discounted" Injinji socks were that same purple (lavender) that Travis got. REI closeouts.

I prefer manly colors and styles, but price and low weight trumps that.

I loved that purple color. ;-)

This thread, and my personal experience wearing women's rain pants (hahahahhahaa) really make me question all the marketing behind products. The combination of that, and seeing how women's gear is often more steeply discounted than mens', leads me to the question…which one of you guys has had experience wearing womens' packs? What were your experiences? Im wondering in a blind test, whether there is a discernible difference in the hip belts and shoulder straps. Any noticeable difference in comfort…Were they more comfortable??? haha it's not a stretch, seeing as how women's sleep pads are warmer. Let me know!

Konrad, a year ago I snagged an '08 medium women's Pinnacle here in Boulder at GoLite's garage sale. Very cheap. I find that it fits me pretty much the same as my '09 large Jam2. Hip belt is fine, with less extra strap to cut off; the shoulder straps are attached a bit closer together at the top (but quite workable). I didn't have to go with purple either, as they had a couple gray ones left. I can feel quite dudely when I hike, unless someone would happen to notice the tiny "women-specfic" logo on the pack. If anybody messes with me, I'll whap him with my hockey stick…

whatever fits

Sarah, the rebar weilding hiker is Atlas. A most excellent dude. It was two pieces of rebar taped together (although looks like he may have ditched half of it in that photo), I picked it up once and it made my scrawny thru hiker arms cry.

First you guys talk of poles and now shrinkage. Geeez…

Michael,
Amazing you know the dude! Now the question: how do you tape rebar together without using 4 rolls of duct tape?

Yeah, there was a lot of tape holding it together. When he wasn't using it as a staff he'd just sling it over his shoulders.

He was going to leave it at the monument if any PCT SOBO's want it…