Ever watched any of those crazy noodling videos online where people grabbed catfish with their bare hands and wondered, “is noodling legal in my state?”
Catching fish like this with your bare hands may seem crazy, but it’s possible when you noodle for catfish. We always tell people, “if you like the idea of sticking your hand into a dark hole, to see if something bites down hard on it, then you’ll love noodling!”Now that you know whether or not it’s legal in your state, would YOU try it?
When Fishing The Traditional Way Just Won’t Cut It…
Fishing with a rod, reel and bait… it’s a lot of fun. But, what if you used your hand for the bait!
That’s right, when you “noodle” for catfish, you’re sticking your hand into a hole and seeing if a catfish will bite, so you can pull it out!
If this sounds like a rush to you, and if noodling is legal where you live, then maybe you should try it for yourself!
In this review, I test a classic… It’s a broadhead that hunted with many years ago, many, many times. I’ve taken quite a few animals with it.
But, I realized I had never done an official test on it, and that is the Slick Trick Standard.
So, let’s dig on into it and I’ll show you all the features and then we’ll test it!
For this test, I used the Elite Era bow for most of the shooting. For the flight test, I used the Killer Instict SWAT X1 crossbow. And, then, I used Bishop FOC King Arrows for most of the shooting and Bishop FAD Eliminators for the really hard impact shots. [And for the crossbow stuff, I used the Bishop Bolt called the GOAT.]
Slick Trick Standard 125-grain Broadhead
Let’s take an up close look at the Slick Trick Standard 125 grain head…
Here’s a good look at the Slick Trick Standard. And man, this is just a nice-looking broadhead. It’s hard to believe this was kind of revolutionary when it first came out with its super short design as it is, but so much to like about this broadhead!
First of all, the materials, you’ve a one piece steel ferrule. They call it a super steel. It’s like this super hardened steel there. And then you got the blades that are 0.035″ thick. The cutting diameter is 1″ so pretty small cutting diameter. But you got 4 blades so you’re getting 2 total inches of cut. Really short design. That was what was kind of revolutionary in the beginning. Its length beyond the edge of the arrow is 1.1″. That’s just going to aid in flight as well as penetration.
For resharpening these blades, the best way to resharpen them is to use a Stay Sharp Guide replaceable blade sharpener. And you can use that for pretty much all of the Slick Trick replaceable blades. They work really well with that.
Man, the Slick Trick Standard 125-grain head is just a no-nonsense design. Typically, these fly very well, penetrate very well, and hold up really well in durability. But I was eager to put this to the test and see how it performed…
Durability Test 2 – (2 shots 22 gauge steel plate):
And here it is after the two shots through a steel plate. It’s just in perfect condition, except the tip got slightly blunted there.
Durability Test 3 – (1 shot into cinder block):
Here’s the Slick Trick Standard after all the durability testing, and it did just very well as expected. Did very well through the MDF and then very well through the steel plate, and very well into the cinder block as well. Still spins very well.
So, what do you think of the Slick Trick 125-grain broadheads?
Man, these are awesome heads!
Check out the score for the Slick Trick 125 grain head… 10 golden arrows… wow!
I mean, no wonder I used it for so many years out in the field. It just performed extremely well in every area and it got one of the highest scores of any head I’ve tested, and close to the the highest of any fixed blade head. Really, really impressive!
After months of dreaming, your hiking adventure in your dream location is just around the corner. You have probably meticulously planned your hike, researched the perfect route, and packed your essentials, including your newly bought hiking boots.
However, amidst the excitement, there is a slight problem: your new hiking boots. Why? Because those brand new hiking boots are too stiff and uncomfortable because they have not yet been broken in.
If you ask any seasoned hiker, they’ll tell you that this is an important step to take before you commence your trip.
But no worries—we’ve got you covered!
This guide explains some simple and fast techniques to break in your hiking boots so that you can hike in comfort. and, even though the majority of hiking footwear from reputable online shops don’t take too much work to break in, you should always try your hiking boots out before you embark on your big adventure.
So, let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Hiking Boots
Before you can even think about how to break in hiking boots, it’s important to choose the right pair for your needs in the first place. Here are some useful tips to help you make the best choice:
Type of Hiking
First things first… determine the type of hiking you’ll be doing. Here’s why this is an important first step… Lighter boots will be good for day hiking, and sturdier hiking boots with ankle support should be used for trips like backpacking.
Material
Leather boots have long been long known for their excellent durability and support, but they require more breaking in. On the other hand, synthetic materials are easy to break in and also lightweight and breathable, but they don’t provide the same level of support as leather boots.
Support
Always select hiking boots with adequate ankle support and soft soles, especially when planning to hike in rugged terrain or carrying a heavy backpack.
Fit
The most important factor when buying hiking boots is getting them in the right fit. You can get your footwear from reputable online shops or professionally fitted at an outdoors store.
Now, let’s now explain how to break in hiking boots. Here are some simple and effective ways to break in your boots for those hiking adventures that await you!
Around The House
This one’s easy… simply put on your new hiking boots and simply walk around inside your house. This is probably one of the most common methods used to loosen up the boot material, but it’s quite useful! So, whether you’re doing laundry, cooking in your kitchen, or doing daily household chores, keep wearing your hiking footwear to help with the breaking in process!
Also, be sure to tighten the laces and wear the socks and insoles – in short, the same way you plan to wear them outside, do just the same inside.
This “around the house” process could take from an hour or two to a day or two, depending on the boot. This will help you to note any discomfort or friction and identify any potential issues early on. You can typically return or exchange for a more comfortable pair if you need to.
Now that you’ve worn your brand-new hiking boots for a few hours and gotten used to what they feel like, it’s time to wear them outside! that’s right, put on those hiking boots (the same way you plan to wear them on your hiking trip) and go for walks outside your home.
Start with short and simple walks around your neighborhood or your nearest park. After some time, increase the distance and try various terrains and activities as your boots soften.
Be sure to try different surfaces, such as pavement and grass, and walk on even slightly uneven terrain to simulate trail conditions. If the boots feel good, you’re ready for your adventure!
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11/18/2024 11:18 pm GMT
So, what kind of socks should you wear?
Always wear thick, moisture-wicking socks, like merino wool socks, when hiking. If you’re planning a thru-hike or any long distance, buy liner socks for extra comfort. If pressure points arise, try wearing two pairs of thin socks for a short period of time to create more padding.
Use a Boot Stretcher
If you feel that some areas of your boot are still tight, you can use a boot stretcher. That’s right, a high-quality boot stretcher will help to loosen specific areas of your boots, such as the toe box or heel. If you have leather hiking boots, this simple tool can gently stretch the leather to alleviate discomfort.
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11/18/2024 11:19 pm GMT
Tighten Your Laces
Another helpful way to assist in breaking in your new hiking boots is to simply lace them up snugly.
To keep your foot comfortable inside the shoe, you have to tighten your laces carefully so that your foot doesn’t move much. More movement means more friction, which can result in serious blisters.
Yes, while this seems pretty basic and obvious, many people don’t know to tighten their hiking boot laces, which can cause discomfort and blisters.
So, make sure to tighten those laces well, but not too tight, before you start walking around in your boots. Pay attention to different sections of your foot, adjusting the tightness as needed.
You can also experiment with different lacing techniques to find the most comfortable fit.
The information listed above will not only help you select the right hiking boots, but also assist you in being able break them in. This way, you can quickly turn your brand-new, not-so-comfortable boots into comfortable companions for your outdoor adventures!
Just remember that breaking in hiking boots takes time, and some boots take longer than others. Also, if you experience persistent pain after breaking in your boots, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice or get new hiking boots.
