Footwear
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Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260
Deep lugs for snow and mud. Good option for off-trail side-hilling, especially on tundra. Not recommended if most of your hiking will be on hardpacked trails or scrambling on steep rock.
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Xero Shoes Mesa Trail
A minimalist shoe offering unusually good durability. Zero drop and a minimal stack height + roomy toebox makes is a solid combo for those who like the barefoot feel and style but need the protective comfort of a full shoe.
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Topo Athletic Ultraventure
Low drop, wide toebox, decent stack height that offers very good cushioning.
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Topo Athletic Terraventure
The Topo Athletic Terraventure shoe is advertised as being narrow at the heel but wide at the toe box – this means they do not fit the usual formula for…
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Arc’teryx Norvan VT 2
With a sleeker and more refined design than most other trail running shoes, the Norvan VT 2 is an aesthetically appealing shoe that is thoughtfully built around the human foot….
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La Sportiva Akyra Trail Running Shoes
The La Sportiva Akyra is our recommendation for a technical trail shoe that has a very grippy sole for wet rock, and an aggressive lug pattern for mud, snow, and…
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Inov8 G270 Trail Running Shoes
With a Graphene-infused sole for improved durability and traction, the Inov-8 G270 may be a good option for long-distance hikers who need to get as many miles as possible out…
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Hoka Speedgoat Trail Running Shoe
The Hoka Speedgoat has matured into one of the most comfortable trail shoes on the market, due primarily to its durable upper, Vibram sole, and very comfortable midsole. Due its…
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Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Socks
By separating each toe with fabric, the chance that friction-induced blisters will form between toes goes down dramatically. This is the strategy behind Injinji Toe Socks. The Midweight Mini-Crew model…
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Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters
Ultralight gaiters suffer a variety of limitations, not the least of which are durability, maintaining long-term water-resistance, and closure failures. If you abuse gaiters via bushwhacking, mountaineering, or snow travel…
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Darn Tough Hiker Boot Midweight Hiking Sock
While it’s tempting to use “ultralight” socks for “ultralight” backpacking, they quickly reach their limits when it comes to durability and comfort in inclement conditions. If you’re looking for a…
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Altra Lone Peak Trail Running Shoe
The Altra Lone Peak is characterized by a 0-mm differential between the heel and toe (“zero-drop”), and a very wide toe-box. This combination makes for a natural hiking stride and…
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Black Diamond Blitz Spikes Review
The Black Diamond Blitz Traction Spikes (MSRP $39.95, 1.5 to 1.8 oz / 42 to 50 g) are ultralight, stainless-steel, forefoot-only traction devices for shoes and boots intended for incidental use on hard-packed snow terrain.
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Rab Expedition Slipper and Rab Hot Socks Review
This gear review will cover two foot-insulation options from Rab; the Rab Expedition Slipper and the Rab Hot Socks. Both pieces of gear are lightweight options to add warmth to camp insulation, though they differ in terms of insulation level and type, materials, and intended use.
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Xero Shoes Alpine Snow Boot Review (First Looks)
The Xero Shoes Alpine Snow Boot is a flexible, insulated, waterproof, zero-drop footwear option for minimalist shoe lovers who still want warm feet in cold and snowy conditions.
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Arc’teryx Norvan VT 2 Shoe Review
The Arc’teryx Norvan VT 2 shoe provides above-average foot protection and traction performance when hiking or running on rocky, uneven ground, but suffers from abysmal durability.
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Xero Shoes Mesa Trail Review
The Xero Shoes Mesa Trail (8.5 oz / 241 g, $119.99) is a minimalist trail runner best used for fastpacking. Huarache-inspired straps on the midfoot and instep allow for precisely dialed fit without causing compression.
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Topo Athletic Terraventure Review (Trail Running Shoes)
This Topo Athletic Terraventure review features shoes that have narrow heels, a wide toebox, and minimal drop.
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Xero TerraFlex Review
This Xero Terraflex review features shoes that should interest both trail runners and ultralight hikers looking for a true minimalist shoe option for rugged terrain: super-flexible sole, zero drop, some cushioning, and very good traction.
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Asolo Plasmic Shoe Review – Off-Trail Performance
This Asolo Plasmic Shoe Review identifies how this shoe performs. Our take is that it performs well in boulders, scree, and in the forest.
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