Love the high tec shoes and gear these days. My 7 kilo leather boots got heavier and heavier as they were always wet. Add a 20 kilo pack to a small 55 kilo woman, well, back in those days. I overbalanced so much with that pack. No wonder that first day was exhausting. I always wore two pairs of socks and gaiters. Cotton and polyester pants and top. Yes, we survived. No fleecies, just wool. Buffs didn't exist. Heavy, knitted jumper. Used a light sarong for lots of things.I still have it.I had a blue rain jacket. Bought my first gortex one the next year to do Routeburn. It had just been invented! I did have my ski pants. Nylon. No extra footwear. Too heavy, just wore our boots unlaced. Always had undies drying from our packs. The signature item of the track. Oh and of course gaiters. Love your dog!
@@BeckTreksAustralia It's changed a lot. There was only a small section with boardwalks the trek looks a lot more civilized that it was. When I was there around 5th Jan it snowed and rained most of the time. We didn't see much of the mountains. My most vivid memory is walking into Waterfall Valley I though it was amazing. We were actually 1 day late as the weather forced us to stay put one day.
@@bigbird130 Woah crazy to get weather like that in the middle of summer! I was hoping I would get some snow on my trip but it was warm enough it just rained :( I will certainly be trying this hike again in the winter! The huts and board walks are very welcomed! Helps make the trip a lot more comfortable and enjoyable!
@@BeckTreksAustralia I'm hoping when I go back that the sky will be clear enough that I can take in some of that amazing scenery that you shot on your video series. I think it would be nice to do it in Winter the landscape would look so different you'd probably need to take snow shoes.
An absolute hands down YES! We flew across that track with these runners on! They were even great when it rained as they dried so fast! In the middle of winter when there is snow however I would move to boots for 2 reasons, your feet will get wet and freeze and because you wear, in general, a heavier pack due to the extra warmth you carry.
@@boysbrigade1stbrisbane61 You will be the fastest on trail, but just note, if you go runners, your pack needs to be on the lighter side as you dont get the cusioning and sturdy-ness of a boot. My pack hit a max of 15kg with a base of around 7-8kg. If your in those ranges you will be fine with runners for sure!
@@BeckTreksAustralia thanks for your advice. I purchased wilderness thread works Ossa UL Pack and purchased Altra hiking shoes and completed the Larapinta trail in 10 days. I kept the weight in the range you recommended. And we completed the trail with relative ease. No blisters, no injuries.
Love the high tec shoes and gear these days. My 7 kilo leather boots got heavier and heavier as they were always wet. Add a 20 kilo pack to a small 55 kilo woman, well, back in those days. I overbalanced so much with that pack. No wonder that first day was exhausting. I always wore two pairs of socks and gaiters. Cotton and polyester pants and top. Yes, we survived. No fleecies, just wool. Buffs didn't exist. Heavy, knitted jumper. Used a light sarong for lots of things.I still have it.I had a blue rain jacket. Bought my first gortex one the next year to do Routeburn. It had just been invented! I did have my ski pants. Nylon. No extra footwear. Too heavy, just wore our boots unlaced. Always had undies drying from our packs. The signature item of the track. Oh and of course gaiters. Love your dog!
Hi Beck Thanks for the video series. It brings back some memories of when I did the track 34 years ago. Good job
Certainly a great time to revisit it then! Has it appeared to have changed much?
@@BeckTreksAustralia It's changed a lot. There was only a small section with boardwalks the trek looks a lot more civilized that it was. When I was there around 5th Jan it snowed and rained most of the time. We didn't see much of the mountains. My most vivid memory is walking into Waterfall Valley I though it was amazing. We were actually 1 day late as the weather forced us to stay put one day.
@@BeckTreksAustralia I will go back.
@@bigbird130 Woah crazy to get weather like that in the middle of summer! I was hoping I would get some snow on my trip but it was warm enough it just rained :( I will certainly be trying this hike again in the winter! The huts and board walks are very welcomed! Helps make the trip a lot more comfortable and enjoyable!
@@BeckTreksAustralia I'm hoping when I go back that the sky will be clear enough that I can take in some of that amazing scenery that you shot on your video series. I think it would be nice to do it in Winter the landscape would look so different you'd probably need to take snow shoes.
Hi Beck were your inner socks Armaskins? I use them and never get a blister anymore, love them
Nah they are Bridgedale Coolmax's. They are super super thin, perfect for preventing blisters as they help wick sweat away quickly
Hey Beck great videos. How do rate your trail runners on the overland track. Yes or no.
An absolute hands down YES! We flew across that track with these runners on! They were even great when it rained as they dried so fast! In the middle of winter when there is snow however I would move to boots for 2 reasons, your feet will get wet and freeze and because you wear, in general, a heavier pack due to the extra warmth you carry.
Thanks for the feedback - I look forward to sporting trail runners on the trail!
@@boysbrigade1stbrisbane61 You will be the fastest on trail, but just note, if you go runners, your pack needs to be on the lighter side as you dont get the cusioning and sturdy-ness of a boot. My pack hit a max of 15kg with a base of around 7-8kg. If your in those ranges you will be fine with runners for sure!
Beck Treks Australia excellent yes definitely moving toward an ultra light pack set-up
@@BeckTreksAustralia thanks for your advice. I purchased wilderness thread works Ossa UL Pack and purchased Altra hiking shoes and completed the Larapinta trail in 10 days. I kept the weight in the range you recommended. And we completed the trail with relative ease. No blisters, no injuries.