footwear
Maximal Miles in Minimal Footwear: My AT Thru-Hike in Barefoot Shoes
Over 2,190 miles of coiled roots, sharp rocks, loose gravel, thick mud, slick leaves, snow past my knees, sheets of ice, wobbly wooden boards, river fords, and seemingly never-ending climbs...
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2018 AT Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year as part of The Trek’s annual thru-hiker survey, we ask hikers about the footwear they used, and this footwear data remains my favorite to analyze and write about....
Episode 18: Family Hiking with Shoe Expert Damien Tougas (aka “Toe Salad”)
Maybe you've wondered, "What's the deal with those 'five finger shoes'?" (And shouldn't they be "five toe shoes"?) Or perhaps you're curious about minimalist footwear. You're in luck hikers! This...
Gear Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2
Hikers might recognize the Hoka One One Speedgoat as the neon kicks that helped Hoka One One Athlete Karl Meltzer break the Appalachian Trail Speed Record in 2016. Here's the updated,...
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2016 Thru-Hiker Survey
This is the third year in a row I have surveyed hikers about their footwear, and for the third time, it seems be the trickiest gear selection. Just take a look...
Happy Feet: Your Guide to Not Having Angry Ones Like Mine on the Trail!
My personal advice on how to choose and get properly fitted for footwear for a thru hike, and how to prevent and treat battered feet.
Chacos: A Love Story for Your Feet
My first encounter with Chacos was in the desert along the Pacific Crest trail. As I sat huddled under my tarp for some shade during the heat of the day,...
By the Numbers: What Footwear 2015 Thru-Hikers Wore on the Appalachian Trail
“You just get good at hiking, after so many miles. You become the toughness factor the boot had.” - An eloquent and badass 2015 AT thru-hiker, on switching from sturdy...
Gear Review: Oboz Sundog Trailsport Shoe
It's almost May and spring is finally in full swing! With the season comes a slew of new products from our favorite outdoor brands. Among the new releases is Oboz Footwear's...
AT Thru-Hikers Footwear by the Numbers
One of the many weird, but cool, things about hiking is that you are basically your own car. Your food is like gasoline: it is more expensive the further north you...