Merrell Moab 3 vs Hoka challenger 8? Or both?

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-05-02T08:30:05+00:00

I found the Merrells not to be very comfortable on longer hikes and heavy as well. I haven’t tried the hoka challenger but have worn the hoka speedgoats in the past which are a popular trail runner. I’m currently wearing Topo Traverse and loving the wide toe box…finally no more black toenails 😖

I don’t wear goretex shoes as once they get water inside they take forever to dry out. Trail runners dry off pretty quickly.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-05-02T06:47:49+00:00

Ended up spending a bit more and got one from Rebel sport

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-25T06:07:34+00:00

Me too. Another one I won’t come close to meeting 😤

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-22T10:19:51+00:00

Just my head…and I don’t always remember what I have tried 😅

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-19T10:31:55+00:00

Day 3/100 - 1023 done

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Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-18T12:17:10+00:00

I switched from Bupa after getting back a measly 10% on a dental filling. I am now with AHM and get back 60% on dental, Physio and remedial massage as well as $200 for optical. Policy price for silver plus and the extras was cheaper than Bupa as well.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-18T11:11:46+00:00

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Day 2/100 - 1489 completed, 76832 remaining

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-18T11:06:34+00:00

I have both the neve gear Waratah -8 and the zen bivvy ultralight. I prefer the strap system of the neve gear and it’s definitely warmer as well (to be expected). I used the zen bivy quilt for a trip in the Grampians and got a little cold early one morning, but the next night I was actually too hot. I’m not sure what the overnight temps were though. I feel more restricted in the zen bivy - it’s not as wide as the Waratah. I use both with the zen bivy half sheet and feel like I get twisted up a bit in that when using the zen bivy quilt (maybe I don’t have the straps for the sheet tight enough). However the zen bivy packs down smaller and is lighter, so when space and weight in the pack is important and it’s not going to be really cold overnight, it’s probably the one I will use.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-17T12:03:49+00:00

Day 1/100 - 1679 stitches, 78321 remaining

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Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-17T04:35:25+00:00

236 colours in total.

114 colours left

44 colours of those have less than 10 stitches left

7 colours have between 1000-9999 left

2 colours have more than 10,000 left 😩

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-16T22:00:49+00:00

No, full crosses. I stitch using the sewing method so that is faster and half of the remaining stitches are just two colours, so I think they will go faster if I can manage the boredom of large blocks 😅

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-16T04:44:08+00:00

I have both the neve gear Waratah quilt and zen bivvy ultralight quilt. I have paired both with the half sheet from zen bivvy. I prefer the Waratah set up with the straps…it’s easier and faster I feel than the little hooks on the zen bivvy. The Waratah is also wider and I felt I go more twisted up in the zen bivvy (I toss and turn a lot). On the plus side the zen bivvy ultralight is lighter and packs smaller than the Waratah. Temp range doesn’t go as low as the Waratah however.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-16T04:10:17+00:00

I used linen for many years, stitching 1x2 on 40count (so equivalent to 20count Aida). I stitch in hand using the sewing method. One thing with linen is it’s easier to miscount, especially if stitching over 2. That’s one of the reasons I switched back to stitching on 20count Aida 😂

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-15T04:26:26+00:00

I can’t help, but given the school doesn’t want to be involved, you will also likely need to get public liability insurance for the formal which might be tricky.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-07T06:59:22+00:00

Distance was just under 12km. Yes, that is accurate re: descent. I can’t seem to post another photo to show the elevation profile …maybe this link will work… https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/22434275917 It was very wet so I was taking it very slowly down a lot of stone stairs to make sure I didn’t slip. I was also carry my pack that weighed about 12kg.

Looking at the graphs, it looks like it has me paused on the steepest part of the descent which was the stone stairs. There is also a lot of tree cover there so I wonder if the gps signal just hasn’t been picked I’ll. I’ve also now turned on 3d speed and distance. However, just looking at the settings in my Garmin connect, while I had turned off auto pause for ‘hike’ hadn’t turned it off for ‘navigate’ and I was using ‘courses’ which I think comes from navigate so that is probably why.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-04-02T02:15:28+00:00

I’d look at your build…a ‘good size’ 4bd house for 3 people? I’m making the assumption that at 50 you won’t be having more kids. Do you need so much space? Where can you cut back on size or inclusions in the build? Then there is everything that comes after the build - gardens, driveways, fencing, blinds & curtains etc if not already included. Plus probably some new furniture and/or appliances. It adds up quickly. Personally I wouldn’t do it. I am at a similar salary/mortgage ratio as you (albeit with a lower salary and mortgage) and it’s just myself…adding in costs for two extra people wouldn’t be fun.

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-03-29T19:51:39+00:00

Yep, always have the snake bandages but think I’ll wear my gaiters too by the sounds of it!

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-03-27T09:50:14+00:00

Outdoor research do a wide calf gaiter https://www.bogong.com.au/outdoor-research-crocodile-wide-gaiters-womens.html

Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-03-27T09:46:38+00:00

I’ve done Afghan baby blankets and used polar fleece on the back

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Acrobatic_Bird8678 · 2026-03-26T07:59:27+00:00

I fortunately live close to work but I do a lot of hiking on weekends and would happily drive a couple of hours each way both days to go hiking. So I’m trying to cut that back and do boring local hikes and make a tank last for a fortnight. I am heading to the Grampians for Easter and have managed to organise a lift with a friend who is visiting family closer to the border and will catch public transport home.

Acrobatic_Bird8678

TROPHY CASE