{"id":299,"date":"2016-09-11T17:39:22","date_gmt":"2016-09-11T22:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santiagoinlove.com\/en\/?p=299"},"modified":"2016-12-16T08:25:46","modified_gmt":"2016-12-16T13:25:46","slug":"equipment-essential-component","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santiagoinlove.com\/en\/equipment-essential-component\/","title":{"rendered":"Your equipment’s essential component"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing the right equipment, what a poser…<\/strong> There are so many options, choices, recommendations\u00a0and things to take into account! A pilgrim who’s used to hike may\u00a0find it enjoyable<\/strong>, but more often, the task is\u00a0a true nightmare<\/strong> to those who never (or hardly never) went for a long walk…<\/p>\n

Despite all the catalogs and the advice one may\u00a0find,\u00a0the most important thing often remains in the shadow<\/strong>. Do you know the crucial element of\u00a0an\u00a0ideal pack<\/strong>? Are you aware of the essential component that will help you\u00a0find the perfect gears<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

The (surprising?) answer, right here…<\/p>\n

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Obvious, isn’t it?!?<\/a> \u00a0 ~ \u00a0 But then, what can one do?<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0~ \u00a0Know yourself an your gears will become perfect<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

\"2016-le-puy-gears\"<\/p>\n

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Obvious, isn’t it?!?<\/h2>\n

The essential component\u00a0of your gear… is\u00a0yourself!<\/strong> You’re in no catalog, of course. And you’re without a doubt\u00a0lost in all the recommendations and advice. But are you aware that\u00a0you<\/strong><\/em> are the measure<\/strong>\u00a0that will enable you to chose your gear with relevance?<\/p>\n

\"2015-shoes\"
As many choices as there are pilgrims!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, yes, some tests and feedback, some obviousnesses greatly reduce the scope of possibilities. Yes, one can present gears to you, guide you, make suggestions, make you try gear and try it again. But\u00a0no one can tell in your place what will fit you or not<\/strong>. Whether it is for shoes, a backpack, clothes, gadgets or guidebooks,\u00a0everyone has his-her own advice, fondness\u00a0and personal experience<\/strong> to share. Skilled pilgrims (and overall, hikers) are often\u00a0very\u00a0<\/strong>enthusiastic<\/b>\u00a0 regarding their equipment when they like it. Or\u00a0very negative<\/strong> when they don’t. Store clerks are usually\u00a0more moderate and more neutral<\/strong>. In any case, these “experts” have\u00a0a great influence on the pilgrims-to-be<\/strong> and the choices they have to do. For better… or worse!<\/p>\n

Beware<\/strong> to keep in mind that what fits one may not fit the other! Just like every individual is unique, there is\u00a0not 2 perfectly identical packs<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n

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But then, what can one do?<\/h2>\n

Not to have a very good knowledge and not to trust other people\u00a0too much<\/em>… gather one’s equipment seems to become a quite complicated business!<\/strong> How to manage the task then? Again,\u00a0you are the solution!<\/strong> Here are 2 battlefields to explore as of now:\u00a0on the one hand,\u00a0increasing one’s knowledge<\/strong>\u00a0concerning hiking and traveling gears. On the other hand, confronting the advise of the more skilled to\u00a0make one’s own mind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Theoretical individual study<\/h3>\n

On the one hand,\u00a0being a beginner doesn’t last long<\/strong>. With a few hours of research, anyone can\u00a0have an idea\u00a0<\/strong>of what is to be expected and how to get there. It’s a theoretical knowledge that remains\u00a0a bit fuzzy and vague<\/strong>, but it’s some knowledge anyways! For instance,\u00a0knowing the basic principles<\/strong> of hiking, like the layers’ trick or filling a backpack, helps to\u00a0get used to the practice<\/strong>. Likewise,\u00a0discovering gears and their\u00a0<\/strong>specifics<\/b>, like sleeping bags and their different shapes, fillings, uses depending of the season; it is all part of elementary knowledge concerning one’s future equipment. There are many articles, forms, magazines, books, blogs, websites that can\u00a0help to\u00a0do researches and get the basic knowledge one needs<\/strong>, step after step. The pilgrim-to-be can then go\u00a0from total beginner to initiated beginner!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Examples of raining gears:<\/span>\u00a0same use, numerous variants, chosen preferences…<\/p>\n