subject: 3 Ways Technology Has Changed Hiking Gear [print this page] The best hiking trails remain largely unchanged. The hiker of today enjoys all of the same views and experiences as the hikers who walked the trails over many decades. What has changed, however, is the camping gear the modern hiker will be carrying and wearing. Over the last 15 or 20 years, technology has radically altered hiking. Today, it is far more difficult to get lost, get injured or get wet than it was in simpler times. Here we will examine three areas where technology has impacted the hiking world and discover how beneficial or superfluous these improvements have proven to be.
1. Clothing
With the invention of GoreTex in the late 70s, life started to become a lot more comfortable for people who love being outdoors. A hiker doesnt really need to understand the processes of thermo-mechanically expanding polytetrafluoroethylene with different fluoropolymer substances to know that this type of fabric, plain and simple, keeps you dry. Wax jackets also kept hikers dry in past decades, so why is this technology important?
The difference is in the breathability of GoreTex. It allows water vapour (basically, sweat) to escape through its membrane without letting rain water in. The hikers comfort factor was improved to no end with this product.
Other, similar fabrics have entered the market in recent years and the price has reduced to make this kind of waterproof-yet-breathable outdoors wear affordable for all. Is this technology a move forward or just a gimmick? These days, the overwhelming majority of hikers would not be without their modern fabrics, so this technology is definitely a vast improvement.
2. Footwear
Arguably the most important item for any hiker, footwear has improved dramatically over recent years. In days gone by, you had just one style of walking boot. It was a heavy-soled leather boot which extended just above the ankle. You had to buy a new pair and wear them in for ages to ensure that they moulded to your feet and did not cause blisters. This meant plodding around the house in them and not actually wearing them for hikes for some time. They were not particularly waterproof and were heavy to wear.
These days, modern, lightweight materials and production methods mean that if you shop around you can actually buy walking boots that are comfortable from the first time you wear them. They may not be made of leather, these days, either. Newer soft but tough materials are often favored, especially for hiking in the milder seasons.
Specialist sole manufacturers develop new and innovative products which lessen the impact of walking on the joints and provide extra grip. These sole manufacturers often do deals with large footwear manufacturers so that you see these soles on many different brands of boots.
GoreTex has also found a natural home in the lining of the modern walking boot, making them waterproof and breathable. Everyone is thankful for having breathable boots when they are taken off at the end of a long hike!
3. Navigation
Are the days of paper maps and the magnetic compass numbered? Some people may argue that the practices of unfolding huge paper maps, plotting with a compass and dead reckoning are over thanks to modern technology.
Handheld GPS units designed for hikers can pinpoint your position within a yard or so, show your altitude, superimpose your position on an on-screen map and also store your route to put onto your PC later. This is all well and good but there are some drawbacks. Often coverage in heavily wooded areas is patchy so you may lose the satellite connection. They run using batteries which could run down and carrying spare batteries adds weight to your pack. Finally, these devices themselves are not particularly light.
So, although they provide many benefits to the hiker, it is still a good idea to have the old-fashioned paper map and compass in the backpack just in case.
Hiking is a growing pastime so we can expect manufacturers to continually research and develop new products to sell in this niche. Deciding on the overall benefits of new technology and whether those new products actually helps us in going for a walk in the country is something that each individual hiker needs to consider very carefully before buying any new gear.
