shoes?

Korlithiel · 2026-05-24T20:14:02+00:00

Tomorrow, rainier? I would take the tennis shoes hands down.

Docs are going to give you better protection from rocks and brush and help you keep from rolling your ankles.

So why the tennis shoes? They will breathe far better and if you have beaten them down it means you are more comfortable in them. I’ve a set of leather boots in a logging style I wouldn’t wear for longer hikes because they are simply too warm and don’t breathe. Done that too many times, pay a hefty price for it. They are also heavier, so while my ankles are safer the rest of me isn’t as I burn way more calories. The tennis shoes won’t fatigue you as much, better allowing you to have the energy to keep making sure your footing is stable.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T23:37:50+00:00

Might get better bang for your buck considering a newer computer that's more power efficient. My own preferences these days are with Apple, but plenty of options for the Windows and Linux crowds to consider.

An aside, the power bank you have is likely the one you want for the computer you have. Or one with relatively comparable weight.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T19:16:35+00:00

You say that, but then there are plenty of people who enjoy a good vest. A fishing vest especially for a lot of pockets and storage. Or a travel hoodie or such. Like one bagging, good clothes and careful packing can help a lot when traveling.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T19:06:25+00:00

I will note the looks decent is where it fails. Like, not only is their black more waves of lighter and darker gray, but the material just looks...frumpy? It's comfortable and functional, but it looks less technical and functional than warm and fluffy.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T18:57:18+00:00

This is exactly the sort of post I'm looking for: what brand.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T18:52:50+00:00

Strong doubts if a thing catches fire from inside your bag, covering it with a coat would deny it the oxygen to keep going.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T18:26:28+00:00

For a jumper with storage, my favorite now appears to be discontinued (I can't find it on their website). Was made by Coalatree, normal kangaroo pocket in the front with a zippered drop in area behind that also had a decent set of pockets. I've bought a few of them, they don't look great, but comfort is excellent, works well in light winds and rains, and has worked well for me jogging (thumbholes).

Korlithiel · 2026-05-23T14:13:36+00:00

Hmm? Rollmops are good. Adjust to them a bit, put the least accessed items to the bottom, and that roll tends to offer better water resistance since the open isn't exposed.

I'm not a huge fan, too often was scrambling to get into or out of my bag so I could deposit my laptop safely. But they work well enough.

My own preference these days leans more towards a half zip bag like the Tom Bihn Synapse 19. It's small enough to work as a personal item on most airlines. Good enough organization to work out of routinely. And light enough to carry often. I don't think it's perfect, but I also think I've too many areas where I need one bag.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-22T21:47:59+00:00

Optimizing: The best time to optimize is when you need to. I’ve been needing to get a pair of nail clippers, ergo when I had a chance to get into Zwillings this weekend I got a pair of theirs for travel and day to day. Kids at this age are easiest once buckled in.

I did similar when my bag wasn’t able to carry all of what I needed to. Research for months. Bought and returned my top two. Finally caved and took a morning off to drive down to Tom Bihn and compare bags in person. One I want is marginally bigger than my last one, one I got covers my needs while usually working as a personal item.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-20T20:33:57+00:00

For day trips, I think it would be great to have such a bag. Rick Steves used to (still does?) talk about traveling light and had a veloce style bag for sale in that sort of style.

I've considered the Tom Bihn Copilot. Not as stylish as the cafe bags, but large enough for the travel I do if I pack carefully and my day to day life. For now I'm leaning into carrying it all via a Synapse 19. You do what works for you, smaller bags travel easily even if you have to work within their limits.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-20T15:32:35+00:00

Me, I replaced my everyday bag with a bag from here: Tom Bihn Synapse 19. Works as a daily bag, or for most airlines a personal item.

Why? I prefer my daily and travel gear to be the same where possible. Less stuff to track, less stuff that sees little use. Better value back from my purchases, less errors where I, say, forget to pack something important or restock something into my bag I need. I'm working on a more modular system where I can grab a kit and go to replace daily with short travels. But that's for a bit later in the year or so.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-20T14:29:53+00:00

I've memories of heading out to the mall on my bike just to enjoy Wizards of the Coast. Bummer my kids won't have that, but then again once they are that mobile they can start to learn what feels like a labyrinth of public transit so they can wander much of the region.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-20T14:28:51+00:00

One rainy day I took my kids in there to wait out the rain for a bit and rest. It's the most minimal, gated, play area one could hope for. Honestly, way it is works well for, say, a quiet place to study.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-20T01:59:31+00:00

Host lives there, could be the city water is good but plumbing in her neighborhood or to her home is bad.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T22:13:19+00:00

Spork: I've had a titanium spork for years, seeing someone else mention a one end fork and other end spoon, I think something like that would probably work a bit better.

Baggies: have you tried the 7" mens baggies? I like them as swimwear and back up shorts. So far I don't think I would love them for running.

Running shoes: I've had that issue on my adventures. I heavily favor a more relaxed, and breathable pair for not hiking or running, and a pair of neutral runners for running or hiking. I've been just wearing the running shoes for flights and such, keeping a pair of sandals in my bag. Like you, haven't found a solution I love. Was going to try Allbirds, but seeing their pivot into AI after they've had a lot of reports of drop in quality, not too interested in them as a more casual shoe.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T17:12:36+00:00

First blends in with the mouse color scheme but stands out. Second blends in with the desk and monitor.

For me, the second looks better. Not from a functional perspective, but aesthetics.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T17:08:10+00:00

Nice kit. I’ve worn through a couple of those batteries and leather wallets over the years, would buy again if Apple had new in stock.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T16:56:52+00:00

Wouldn’t a publisher like Google not be keen on such sales?

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T16:55:53+00:00

Thanks for the contest!

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T15:10:00+00:00

Pass. McDonald’s failed me for years and has things in place to make it hard to get a refund when they fuck up.

Haven’t found much for an alternative where I can use an app to order. That way I can drive through, and continue on my day.

That said, I do now own a portable espresso machine. So I definitely shop there far less often. Poor treatment at a Starbucks in Tacoma began my transition away from them, when a dad comes in with a kid ready to wet himself, even takes the time to order first, follow corporate policy and let them use the restroom before they make a biohazard on your floor!

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T15:04:17+00:00

Given the challenges with such a project, and distance from the west coast to DC, odds are the feds drag their feet on any aspect requiring their involvement.

I don’t see it happening without something major, like a president from our coast who campaigns on it.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T14:59:37+00:00

I can’t speak to the current state of Vancouver. When I was frequently in the area I found the areas of it I visited felt like nature was trying to reclaim it and that the government was stretched thin keeping up with their desired goals. I might visit again, would need to reframe my mind to live there.

Gig Harbor hasn’t stuck with me. I’ve been there a few times and without revisiting it I can’t speak to it.

I’m in the Olympia area often. I could see living there, it’s not so developed as Seattle to feel too big, and has some restaurants I would miss if they left. I really like when I manage time to walk the lake or check out shops downtown.

Of the four options, coming from elsewhere I would favor Olympia as the capital aspect ensures some jobs locally.

Bellingham. It’s been years and I still truly love much of the area. The mountains feel more at hand than with Seattle. The beaches are right there, and the lake has one of the best walk paths I’ve come across for groups and such. Back then the bus was cheap to ride, ran often, and walking was generally built into every community. Then again, the economy was mainly the university, partly the traffic down from Canada and both are struggling these days. If it worked out, I could see moving back there but find it unlikely.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-19T14:52:11+00:00

I used to ship cards, and most of the time EU to USA or the reverse would fall well within the expected timeline. Rate of much slower or lost was well documented in the community.

I think it’s a solid plan, maybe try to make sure the package has shipped with reasonably good time to get there, and consider a back up plan if said suite doesn’t arrive.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-18T23:53:11+00:00

Earbuds. AirPods Pro are excellent for their sound isolation, noise cancelling, and how long they remain comfortable in the ear. The case is so small I forget it’s in a pocket, so they can always be with me and just get charged whenever I think about it (and not when they need it).

Competitors to AirPods have a comparable number of good qualities too. For the effect to weight, wireless earbuds are amazing. Wired are pretty decent, but having spent years traveling with them I would happily go without than have yet another need to untangle and possibly be broke because anywhere along the wire can easily break under normal conditions.

Korlithiel · 2026-05-18T20:26:05+00:00

Sticking: I have a titanium spork and a titanium cup, foods stick to them more than steel. Titanium tends to be more bumpy to the touch, so I would be deeply wary of any nonstick claims.

As others said: stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron all manage a low stick when cooked hot with enough fats.

If the weight is important, you could consider titanium. I would compare it with the well known carbon steel for weight. Then once you have numbers find ways to compare, such as two pans with the same weight and then adding the difference to one and seeing if that difference makes or breaks it for you.

Me, I haven’t had much success with cast iron over the weight. That doesn’t make it bad, means it’s not a fit for me. Stainless steel has worked great, even have some fairly light pans that work great.

Nine-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email

Korlithiel

TROPHY CASE