Outdoor

Is a sock liner a vestigial remnant (that means throwback) of a time when hiking socks were made of Brillo pad type wool, or do they have a place in the modern sock era? Wellllllll-- kind of, but not really. That's vague, true, so let's break it down. The Evolution of Wool Socks Wool has come a long way since the old days of Brill-Wool- Merino wool is stock and staple in most hiking socks and hiking/backpacking gear because it often negates the need for wearing sock liners. Check out these socks made with Merino. Plus Merino is even used in base layers like these. The purpose of a sock liner, like Luke says in the video, is to add a hydrophobic layer between your skin and the thicker, insulating layer on the outside. This will allow sweat from your foot to be wicked away from your skin and help prevent "hot spots," blisters or discomfor... Read more

Camping & Backpacking Myths: Budget, Tons of Time & Fitness Le... Read more

It all began standing over a hole in the ice on the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir east of Helena, MT. I was on my first of many ice fishing adventures with my dad (Kit) and my grandpa (Poppy). Although I can't fully remember the entire experience of reeling in my first fish (a big rainbow trout), it somehow instilled a passion into my veins that never left. And when I look at the photo, I can almost remember the feeling I felt..almost. But, what I can remember is having cold toes and a happy heart! Now many years later, my best pal and adventure buddy, Chris Schlenker, and I always take an annual trip to the remote and magical Fort Peck Reservoir. The first few years were a big learning experience being under-geared and uneducated on the massive body of water. Our biggest setback was our old Tecumseh power auger. In fact, it was the... Read more

You did it. Spent hard earn money on a nice pair of Justin's or Tony Lama's. Then it happened: rain, mud, gumbo, pasture land flat tires... or kids, or maybe all that at once. When you want to get your boots back in action and ready for a night out, you need to do it the right way. Want to learn how to stretch your leather boots so they fit perfectly? Below you'll find a North 40 guide to getting your boots shined up like new. Step by Step Instruction on Cleaning Leather Boots 1. Use a damp cloth to remove any mud or residue (you can also use a dry eraser or brush to remove any scuff marks) 2. If your boots become wet or saturated, the first thing you need to do is remove the insole 3. Use an absorbent tissue paper such as a paper towel and dry the boot thoroughly 4. Remember to never put your boots in direct heat as it causes cracking 5... Read more

Every year we head down to Lewiston and fish the Clearwater River for steelhead and salmon.  Each year our intent is to swing flies during the day and pull plugs at night. Night fishing on the Clearwater River and Snake River can be very fun if the conditions are right.  My plug of choice is the Brad's Lighted Wiggler in various colors.  I usually like to run a few different colors to see what they are wanting to eat.  Brad's Magnum Lighted Wiggler also works well. The Clearwater requires barbless hooks, so I prep my plugs before heading out fishing.  I first remove the front treble hook and split ring.  Then I remove the rear treble hook and add a #7 crane swivel to the split ring.  On the back of the crane swivel I add another split ring, a size 4 works fine.  Then I add a Gamakatsu Octopus hook to the split ring.  Having the... Read more

Walk into my garage and do you know what you are met with? A barrage of towering boxes waiting to be unpacked. However, if you side step twice, do a half spin, duck down, then pivot to the right, you will be standing in the ideal place to view my 'wall-o-packs.' So even though my wife's outrageously large coffee mug collection and my favorite morning breakfast toast plate are still boxed up, we did manage to organize the packs that propel our weekend adventures. What can I say? Priorities. Want to check out our selection and colors on the Scrambler 30 by Mountain Hardwear? The latest addition to the 'wall-o-packs' is the Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 Outdry Backpack. Now although the name may seem too long and lack what marketers call "spice", it does virtually tell you everything you need to know about this backpack. How's the Size on ... Read more

My name is Bryden Martinez.  I'm 10 years old.  My Dad took me to North 40 for some car parts and he let me buy some hiking socks for my birthday.  He says everyone needs socks for their birthday.  Smartwool was the name, in pink or blue.  I picked blue.  When we got home I tried them on and felt like I was in heaven!  They felt warm and I had a perfect amount of room for my toes to move. My friend and I went camping for my birthday, and I got to try them outside with my hiking shoes.  I felt like they were better to hike in than any other sock.  I tried them with my Keens too, and got them wet when we were making a pool in the creek next to our fort.  It was so hot out, so I just let my socks dry in the trees like my Dad sometimes does with his stuff.  They were dry pretty fast and I used them again at night to keep my feet ... Read more

What are you doing this Father's Day weekend? If you don't have plans, residents and visitors alike will be able to fish for free that weekend so if you don't know, now you know. This statewide tradition has been in effect since 2011, and will continue this Father's Day weekend, June 17th and 18th, 2017. We have equipment for gear fishers here and an entire site dedicated to fly fishing right here. Everyone can fish for free and we have some great employee resources. If you're interested, but haven't tried it out before, come in and ask about a setup to get you out this weekend and check out our #RippleEffect program designed to help new anglers get outfitted without breaking the bank. Remember to follow Montana's state regulations when you're out there. Here's some great waters to try out: Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, Bitterroot and ... Read more

You know it, we know it: Alpine Touch is the business. What you may not have known is that this local Montana company started in Whitefish out of a concrete mixer behind a grocery store. When Whitefish became too "touristy" for the owners, they went in search of a "quieter existence" and settled finally in Choteau, Montana. Who Owns Alpine Touch and Where are they Based? I got to catch up with Chad Ekegren, the owner of Alpine Touch and a dedicated small-town man, "What better place to live and work than on the Rocky Mountain front?" Chad bought Alpine Touch from the previous owners (Choteau residents as well) in a joint venture with his dad, the owner of a John Deere company in Choteau as well, "My family bleeds green and yellow." Here is our selection of Alpine Touch products you can order online. Chad went to school for a degree in bus... Read more

I'm not sure when exactly the transformation occurred, but at some point in my life socks went from being something that "required a thank you card" to "the must have item of the holidays." The reasons that drove such a transformation are highly debated, but regardless of how it happened, wrapping my feet in soft fluffy products rivals most of the other gifts that make their way down the chimney. If you are in the market for some summer socks, then we've got a wide selection right here.  The Smartwool Hiking Medium Crew Sock My most recent sock purchase was the Smartwool Hiking Medium Crew. I don't think it is necessary for me to divulge my "opening a new sock for the first time routine," just know that 1: I have such a routine, and 2: If you have not developed such a custom, I encourage you to do so. Upon completing said tradition, the... Read more

  North 40 Outfitters of Mead 1.) We live in an area here where we have great access to dozens of lakes, streams, rivers and a plentiful selection of game to hunt within a quick drive.  The spring turkey season is a big kickoff to the sporting season with fishing opening up at that time too. The deer and elk seasons in late summer/early fall also show big numbers of sportsmen. Fishing can be a year round thing here too, with limited waters open all year. This last ice fishing season was pretty much a bust around here due to the mild weather, but normally the northern lakes are a hit in January through February. There are also several places to coyote hunt year round to get that hunting fix when most other game seasons are closed. To sum it up, there is always some sort of sporting option in our area. 2.) I guess the first thing I ... Read more

North 40 Outfitters of Mead 1.) The area our Mead location is in offers a wide range of outdoor activities literally within minutes of our doors. From turkey hunting in the spring to ice fishing in the winter and everything in between. If it is something related to hunting, fishing, shooting, or any other activity you do outside, we're only minutes away from the action. 2.) I want our customers to know that while we offer a wide range of products, we also have a very knowledgeable staff behind the counter ready to assist with any questions or concerns related to hunting, fishing, shooting, etc. We also offer a full service archery shop, mounting and bore sighting rifle scopes, and we wind fishing line on reels. We really are a one stop shop. 3.) One product line that continues to surprise me is Vortex Optics. They have an unmatched warr... Read more