Do people use map holders?

[Onestepmore]

I know various topics have been discussed about how people take their maps with them - rephotocopying, laminating, reducing size, double sided paper, cutting them up etc
The normal topo maps especially do seem very fragile and even after unfolding them a few times they get holes in the corners
I've not had to walk in the rain or snows for days, but I can imagine it makes for a very sad map at the end

What do people use to protect your maps?

I've got two types of map holders
1. the Sea to Summit TPU Guide Waterproof Map Case http://www.rei.com/product/782057/ospre ... sesealable one that has see through plastic on both sides (adding to usefullness). I just fold it in half and stuff it somewhere accessible, but it's not much help if it's in the front (back?) pocket of my pack and I'm by myself. I've not used it with a tie around my neck because that would annoy me.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/370926995474?lpid=87

2. On my recent first solo walk I used an Osprey Map Wrap - this has an inner see through plastic sheet, solid nylon woven back, folds in thirds and is secured closed by velcro, and has a zip to one side. The top border attaches to the shoulder strap of your pack, the lower edge is free to allow you to flip it up t look at it. If you place your map or track notes (fits A4 size) upside down, then it's super easy to consult your notes without any contortionist acts. I think when I use this again, I'll trim my track notes down a bit, so it's easier to get them in and out (in the wind) when you reshuffle on to the next page. Can also easily have your compass in there too

I liked this set up and found it really useful.
http://www.rei.com/product/782057/ospre ... p-map-case

images
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=ospr ... 30&bih=809
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl= ... CE0Q9QEwBg

review
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews ... 0Williams/

I'll see if I can get one made in
a) lighter material , and
b) waterproof zipper
as I can see it's something I'd use often

[wayno]

just a kathmandu one... some of the velcro tabs that fasten it ripped off pretty quickly, but does the job still. i'd buy something else if i need to replace it though, like the sea to summit or maybe just a reasonably robust plastic bag

[Scottyk]

Cut the map up so you have the bit you need and then laminate it at home with school book contact.

[GPSGuided]

Regular topo maps have a habit of restricting the folding pattern. As such, tri-fold may not work well. I use an Ortlieb clear plastic/rubber map sleeve and fold or roll according to what the paper map inside will naturally allow. Ideally I want a flexible and weatherproofed iPad.

[dannnnn]

i must be daft, but i can't figure out how the osprey map wrap attaches to your pack?? do you mind posting up a photo please??

[Onestepmore]

It just has a grosgrain type ribbon and an adjustable buckle that you loop around a fixed horizontal loop somewhere on your pack shoulder strap. I'll organise a pic tomorrow for you.
You could use a carabiner if you wanted to, for example if you had vertcially aligned daisy chain straps on your shoulder strap rather than a horizontal attachment point.
The end of the holder nearest the ground isn't attached to anything. When you walk it just hangs (and I didn't find it annoying), but allows you to flip it up (from the cranial attachment point) in front of you if you wanted to consult your map

[tibboh]

I walked the OLT again in March this year. I picked up the 1:50 000 map of the park and it was fine for a general resource. The beauty of this Tasmap was that it is printed on waterproof paper and also has heaps of useful info for a first timer.

If you are doing sidetrips and want a 1:25 000 map to go off track, just go to LIST online and print off the bits you need....on waterproof paper if you like.

A clear map sleeve is a nice place to keep notes, maps etc. fairly flat and in one spot though.

[oyster_07]

It depends on the conditions, the duration of my trip, and the number and shape of maps being used.

(1) Laminated with clear plastic contact (school book style): Best for large maps that will need to be spread out reasonably often. The beauty of these is that they can be marked using map-markers (that will be permanent) and not suffer the cover moving and thus losing alignment. Although permanent, a dab of metho or a whiteboard marker will erase the markings.

(2) S2S light weight map case: Perfect for wet or rugged conditions where robustness is favoured over reduced weight. This works particularly well for standard sheet mapping, or for A3/A4 printed maps with multiple sheets (organised for multiple days).

(3) Zip-lock bag: Obviously this is weaker than the other two options, but for short walks or for dry conditions it works very well, particularly when using maps printed on normal A4 or A3 paper.

I should also point out that the benefit of using printed maps is that you can add details and notes digitally before printing. I find this particularly useful, especially when distance marks can be made based off Google Earth measurements.

[Son of a Beach]

As per oyster's option (3), I just use a large zip-lock bag. I fold the map so that it shows the area I'm interested in (on both sides of the fold if necessary) and then put it in the zip-lock. Cheap as chips and works really well. You may have to occasionally extract it from the bag and re-fold it to be able to see a different section of map, but in most cases this is only done in the mornings before starting each day's walk.

More recently, I've re-printed onto waterproof paper. This stuff is incredibly tough and genuinely waterproof. Doesn't matter what you do with it then - nothing will wreck the map. Of course, you may have to print several sheets to cover your desired area.

[GPSGuided]

Makes me want to get an A3 sized multi-function scanner printer... For scanning the specific area of interest and not have to carry those unruly topo maps. A4 is just a tad restrictive at times.

[neilmny]

Large zip lock bags for me too.

[andrewa]

We have an A3 laminator, which I dont think was that expensive (my wife bought it for her teaching stuff).

I either photocopy section of original mapsheet, or print from the net/mapping programs etc, and then laminate in a size dependent on need - mostly A4. Tend to do back to back laminations - ie map on each side. Generally works well, although we did have some issues with water penetration through poor lamination seals on a sea-kayaking trip to NZ once. Same would happen if map got folded a lot.

A

[vagrom]

Yes. The largest Glad Ziplocks, holding copies, not your originals.

Copying's cheaper than it used to be. You can pen-mark them then and stick them together for convenience for a bit of, .. rougher than ordinary treatment.

And bring a couple of the larger ones with the sliding red tabs, to slip your re-socked feet into, then back into the often wet, end of day boots, if you've forgone the camp booties option.

[This opinion only really applies to longer type trips where weight/stuff minimisation is at a premium ]

[Anoola]

I have a map case made by Ortilieb. Probably one of the best bits of outdoor gear I've ever purchased. Have used it all over the world for the past 6 or 7 years, hiking and on ops with the army. Has been rolled, scrunched up, folded and stuffed into pockets many many times and is still as good as it was on day one. Would definitely recommend.

[stry]

Another Ortlieb fan !!

Haven't used them enough to comment on longevity, but they appear to be better quality than StoS etc.

Ortlieb also make smaller versions that are not described as map cases (document case ?), but have the same closure and the same neck cord. Very convenient and easy to use. For me, the smaller one exposes sufficient map, and is easier to have handy than the A4 map case..

Have used the ziplocks and they work well but seem to scrunch up the map a lot for me, and obviously they don't last too well, but at the price, longevity can't really be expected.

Haven't bothered laminating for a long time. I simply photocopy/print the map sections that I need for a trip and use the Ortlieb.