Friday Ramble 02/11/22
This week: The most sustainable gear is already in your closet. Eat to win, and then eat some more. Plus, the siren song of false spring.
Here’s a gear conundrum. I was thinking about buying a new pair of hiking boots to get around in the snow/slush/ice that dominate New England winters. To be clear: When I go hiking, which isn’t often, I wear trail running shoes that are lighter and offer more flexibility.
So, my primary need for hiking boots is for what retailers used to hilariously call urban adventures, like slippery sidewalks and slushy curb cuts when the muck is up to your ankles. You may notice the word “need” doing a lot of heavy lifting in my consumer calculus.
Honestly, those icky winter conditions last only a few days. When the sidewalks are cleared, my old boots go back in the closet until the following winter when I contemplate replacing them again. Considering the fact that I bought them when I was in college, they're due to be upgraded, right?
After researching various makes and models, I settled on a pair that met my needs at a reasonable price that looked kind of cool, or as cool as clunky hiking boots can look. When it came time to buy them, though, I balked. I didn’t really need them because the ones I have still serve their intended purpose.
It's interesting that everyone wants to sell so-called sustainable gear these days, when the reality is the most sustainable gear is the stuff you already own.
