trail runners

Gear Review: Hoka One One Sky Toa Boot

Gear Review: Hoka One One Sky Toa Boot

I tested the Hoka One One Sky Toa from April to June and discovered a nostalgia and new appreciation for the hiking boot. I always wear trail runners when I...

Jul 7, 2019 : Laura Johnston
Gear Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 Trail Runner

Gear Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 Trail Runner

I tested the Hoka Speedgoat 3 over the last two months and discovered many reasons behind their popularity: comfort, stability, a wide toe box, and great traction all combine into...

Jun 1, 2019 : Laura Johnston
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2018 AT Thru-Hiker Survey

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....

Nov 20, 2018 : Mariposa
Episode 18: Family Hiking with Shoe Expert Damien Tougas (aka “Toe Salad”)

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...

Oct 3, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Top Footwear of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

Top Footwear of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

I should start with an apology for the long delay in writing this post. We typically try to get the survey results out before the next class of thru-hikers begins,...

Jul 23, 2018 : Mariposa
Gear Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

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,...

Jun 6, 2017 : Caet Cash
Gear Review: Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid

Gear Review: Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid

Last year Altra debuted the Lone Peak 3.0 and Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell. These new designs improve upon their predecessors while retaining everything that's made the Lone Peak series a...

Jan 16, 2017 : Kenny Howell
Sole Searching: An Aspiring Thru-Hiker’s Quest for the Perfect Shoes

Sole Searching: An Aspiring Thru-Hiker’s Quest for the Perfect Shoes

John testing his Merrell shoes If there's one piece of gear AT thru-hikers are opinionated about it’s shoes -- and with good reason since it takes about five million steps...

Sep 28, 2016 : Gail Barrett
Gear Review: Altra’s Lone Peak 3.0 Women’s Trail Running Shoes

Gear Review: Altra’s Lone Peak 3.0 Women’s Trail Running Shoes

Altra might be known for its running shoes, but the brand does have a line of trail shoes. This review will focus on Altra's Lone Peak 3.0 women's shoes. Altra...

Aug 22, 2016 : Madison Dragna
Altra Lone Peak 3.0: The 600 Mile Review

Altra Lone Peak 3.0: The 600 Mile Review

Full disclosure here. Maine destroyed my Lone Peak 2.5's. Whether it was the terrain, a manufacturing defect or my consistently horrible choice of footing that caused it is totally unknown...

Aug 8, 2016 : Jeremy Morris