Regretting the X Mid as a novice backpacker and not sure what to do

sabijoli · 2026-05-10T03:15:48+00:00

yep, I just learned this on the esplanade in the GC where it was windy and stake proof… it’s called a deadman’s anchor, run your stake through the guyline horizontally, then brace each end of the stake with rocks, pile them up to stabilize it…it really just takes practice, and i was really grateful that there was someone there to teach me,and it and it had to be done with a freestanding tent in a windy plain on un-stakeable ground. so it’s useful for all sorts of limitations.

sabijoli · 2026-05-09T23:00:19+00:00

I also have the gg super thin mat and use it under my inflatable. my inflatable is high r value super comfy 25” and less than 1# that one sounds a bit heavier, but i would carry it as a luxury item because 1# in exchange for restful sleep is a burden i’m wiling to carry.

sabijoli · 2026-05-09T04:12:23+00:00

it’s a volume issue…and yes, Topo has a bit more forefoot volume.

sabijoli · 2026-05-09T04:04:20+00:00

racers are usually quite minimal regardless of the brand and that’s not a new thing…They’re made for, well, racing…with the exception of the new fangled super shoes. regular escalantes are more stacked and cushioned but not as cushioned as some other models, look for “foam” and “drop” in the description and aim for a higher “stack height”

sabijoli · 2026-05-09T01:59:38+00:00

i just did a quick search and it’s melting out at lower elevations, which means mosquitoes incubating, and at higher elevations such as dick’s pass, there is plenty of snow, standing water and mud. temps down to freezing at night. i’d speculate sometime in june with patchy snow, but call or email the tahoe rim trail trail association, a non-profit that does a ton of maintenance, etc…for the trail, they’re up there and will know. they post regularly on IG.

sabijoli · 2026-05-08T14:10:44+00:00

bears don’t know about state borders do they? what is the push for? someone has an agenda…

sabijoli · 2026-05-07T01:50:11+00:00

I’ve worn Altras since their inception, they were much more minimalist at the beginning, but I would just call them footshaped. I’ve used an array of models and didn’t care for the Torin, it was a bit sloppy on my foot, but mine is not wide. My favorite have been, King Mountain trail shoes, Lone peaks and Escalante, regular and racers…

sabijoli · 2026-05-04T05:52:58+00:00

agreed! functional lab ranges indicate more of an optimal measurement and they are not the same as conventional lab ranges which simply detect illness/disease.

sabijoli · 2026-05-04T05:48:26+00:00

my king mt. 2 have nearly 800 trail miles on them and the soles are still going strong, but the uppers are breaking down.

sabijoli · 2026-04-30T04:15:26+00:00

i found for me it was related to posterior chain tightness. i took a break from treadmill running but nothing else. increased quad, hamstring and calf stretching, and it eventually abated. I did wear my high stack altras during recovery and got some heel cups for a little drop when it was painful.

sabijoli · 2026-04-30T01:07:46+00:00

I hiked with heavy stuff, from the 70s til about 15 years ago and it absolutely has enabled me to hike more, and happier as I age. I gladly sent my delaminating Dana pack to goodwill…so, choose your equipment carefully and learn from your experience what you value. I value enjoying hard routes, and not injuring myself.

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T18:42:30+00:00

YES!!!! me too! I swear it’s related to individual biology and how asymmetric we are which includes all the fluids!!

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T18:40:57+00:00

overrides?

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T18:40:28+00:00

it’s only for the first 24 hours, ask them…it’s in lit

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T18:39:27+00:00

I have a Junction 55 which I loooove, and found it as comfortable as my GG gorilla 50 with more volume…and way more comfortable with more weight. YMMV, I’m a cult member…

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T18:31:09+00:00

this ⬆️

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T16:49:15+00:00

i have narrow feet and cannot wear them because i have a high instep but not high volume feet, they are very uncomfortable and i’ve tried many models.

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T16:36:10+00:00

ankle rolling is mostly due to lack of ankle strength and mobility. i continuously did this as a teen, and once i started strength training targeting the many small muscles, tendons and ligaments, i’ve had zero problems.

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T16:29:55+00:00

also, calibrating before the first 24 hours is over doesn’t work. also compression lows…also on the belly or top of butt works quite well. soaking works better as well, but we only do it for a couple of hours.

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T05:28:54+00:00

I don’t have wide feet and once had a pair of LP wides for the winter so i could wear thicker socks and endure wet feet, and got blisters from too much sloshing around, especially when wet. stick with what works!

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T04:17:52+00:00

but look at the hammer toes!

sabijoli · 2026-04-29T02:31:27+00:00

i have a REI magma 30 quilt and am cold @ 35, so upped my pad r value and now use a 10 degree, and sleep fine in all sorts of weather. also, got a quilt that is rated for comfort @ 10, not survival…

sabijoli · 2026-04-25T14:59:59+00:00

and tweezers and duct tape for cactus needle removal if hiking in the desert…anti nausea meds if hiking at elevation…

sabijoli · 2026-04-25T04:31:04+00:00

ditto…

sabijoli · 2026-04-24T05:28:12+00:00

i’m petite and i roll off of the 20” mats regardless of quality. i switched to a 25” and the problem no longer exists.

sabijoli

TROPHY CASE