AHON Trail Socks and Gaiters Review: Mt. Marami Dayhike

Conquering the ruggedness of any trail or mountain requires more than just physical preparation. Whether you are trail running, trekking or mountaineering, wearing the right gear can help you perform better. In this article, we review two of the widely used outdoor apparel- the AHON trail socks (Kalinga design) and AHON gaiters (CAC design).

AHON is a proudly Filipino brand which manufactures and sells outdoor gears such as trail socks, dri-fit shirts, gaiters, etc. Its founders are also some of the renowned figures in the local trail running community.

Ahon Socks and Gaiters Specifications

Below are some of the basic info you need to know about these products:

Ahon Trail Socks

• Full terry knit (thick all-over)
• Hand-linked toes (no seams)
• Snug fit Y-heel
• Arch band support
• Mesh top
• Weighs <200 grams a pair
• PRICE: PHP 600

Ahon Gaiters

• Made of four-way Spandex and Lycra
• Has a velcro strip to be attached at the back of your shoe
• Has a metallic hook to be attached at your shoe lace
• Not waterproof, but do not hold water either.
• Very light (< 100 grams a pair)
• PRICE: PHP 950

SIZES:

SMALL-MEDIUM: US men’s 6-9 / women’s 6-10.5

MEDIUM-LARGE: US men’s 9.5-13

Here is a nifty video detailing how to put on Ahon gaiters:

For MORE INFO: Visit AHON PH’s FB Page

Proven Blister Protection

One of the things you want to avoid when doing outdoor activities is for your feet to have blisters. Not only are blisters painful, when they became worse and turn into wounds that exposes you to bacteria. Aside from prolonged friction between your feet and the insole of your shoe, gravel and other small rocks inside your shoe can also hasten you getting blisters.

During our hike there were several instances that the Ahon socks and gaiters helped me in this regard. The Ahon gaiters were excellent in ensuring not one small pebble get inside my shoe. It covers the shoe nicely without getting in the way of the natural foot strike motion.

Meanwhile, the Ahon socks were hefty enough to provide extra cushion for your feet. Another thing I like about the socks is its quick dry material, which is also useful when you remove your shoes while crossing a river, and you need to quickly put it back on.

Pros and Cons

The duo of AHON trail socks and gaiters were fantastic of giving your feet the best comfort in any trail. I love how it performed during the hike. Cleaning them afterwards were also quite easy which is a plus. Below are some of the products pros and cons:

Pros

• Both products were made of quality materials similar to some of the international brands
• The price point is much more affordable
• The designs reflect our unique Filipino heritage
• Delivered the comfort and support you need on the trails

Cons

• You need to purchase velcro strips for the gaiters every now and then
• The sock’s cuff caught a tear after a few use (personal experience)

Conclusion

Overall, I am more than satisfied on how the Ahon trail socks and gaiters’ performance. The Ahon gaiters were wonderful on protecting your feet from sand, pebbles, grime and other small debris. The Ahon trail socks were very comfortable, breathable and provides the right amount of support for your feet. The brand proves that our local brands can compete with other international brands in making outdoor apparels and products that can tackle our mountains and trails.

How to Order AHON Products?

You can get AHON products through the following:

1. AHON is also available on Basekamp and Lagalag stores accross the country.

2. Shop online through www.AHON.ph

3. Email your orders at ahon.ph@gmail.com and tell them what product you are ordering, their sizes and the quantity. You can also try reaching them at AHON’s Facebook page. They will then ask you to deposit the amount of your orders before shipping/ delivering your items.

Mt. Marami Day Hike

Mt. Marami is one of the only few hikable mountains in the province of Cavite. Famous for its Silyang Bato rock formation atop its summit, Mt. Marami is situated at the quaint town of Maragondon. Its peak is 405meters above sea level (MASL) and overlooks the nearby province of Laguna and Batangas.

My brother, Andrie, and I decided to hike the mountain because it’s by far the nearest climb were we live. It took us roughly 3 hours to get to drop off point in Barangay Ramirez in Magallanes. Here you have to pay the barangay PHP 20 for registration and another PHP 20 in a shack/ store midway into the hike. Our hike began at 9:00 a.m. and the ground was muddy because of heavy rains for the past couple of days.

Before we can reach the foot of Mt. Marami we have to hike a gradually rolling Nuestra Senyora trail (named after a chapel which you can pass by) that is used by farmers and their trusty horses. I still don’t know why they called it “Marami” which in Filipino means many. But I am sure those who have hiked this mountain know what is abundant in these trails. Clue: it’s a popular emoji.

The trail also has a makeshift bridge made of wood and bamboo and several minor river crossings. After reaching the base of the mountain, the ascent is considerably steep and takes you to the forested area first before reaching an exposed path that goes around a path leading to the summit. There is also a store here that serves refreshments.

We reached the summit at 12:00 noon and met a group who were there ahead of us. The view at the top was amazing because you get to see Tagaytay, Pico de Loro, Batulao. Sadly, though, we did not get to pose on top of the iconic Silyang Bato as there appeared to be cracks in the rock formation. Our guide said the cracks became visible after the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit Luzon last August 11, 0217.

Our small group of three only stayed at the summit for just over an hour. On our way back, the muddy ground has dried up which sped up our hike back into Barangay Ramirez. We made it back a few minutes after 4:00 p.m. and briefly cleaned ourselves.

If you are not planning to camp for the night, you have to reach the drop off point before 5:00 p.m. for the last trip of regular trikes bound to the Magallanes town proper. If you are late, you have to take special trips from jeepneys that charges PHP 400 to get you directly to the town of Naic.

We got home at roughly 6:00 P.M. and cap off the long weekend with grilled chicken. The climb was a great way to pump yourself for the coming work days.