Hassie

Lachy, be careful buying "hunting boots" from cabelas. There boots are made for short term wearing (the length of the season only) most of their hunting boots are softer than a custard sandwich (like the donut eaters that wear them). I spent a couple of hours in a shop in the states and walked out with a pair of cableas "mountain hikers" I have found them good and they are goretex lined which is great in the wet. If you have to get steel caps I'd suggest Taipans if not fork out and buy scarpa's, sounds like you are hard on boots so get the best. cheers Hassie

Wal, go the honda everytime, no contest. Tough and go forever. You gettin' old mate?? Hassie

Fellas, been down this road many times with a dog with an injured foot. My advice would be not to muck around with these home made jobs. Best to get on the net and order a set of Muttluks from Basspro or Cabelas. They last longer, fit better and more importantly stay on the dogs foot and in the long run are probably cheaper. cheers Hassie

G'day all, I like a bigger pack, 'cause the smaller ones with the bladders seem to shift on my back. I find that a conventional backpack with water bottle holders on the outside seems more stable and fits into the curves of my love handles better. I also find that with a bladder I tend not to stop as much to look (which is a fault). I like to cover country. Of course the choice of backpack is not as important as the ability to carry one. 5kg is still 5kg cheers Hassie