The Sonoran Desert. 120,000 square miles that range from a sun-blasted wasteland, to jagged peaks and expanses of vegetation so thick that it’s nearly impossible to see over, much less walk through. In other words, it was the perfect place for our crew to put the V-Lite Sphike through the paces.
There’s something to be said for a company that is constantly evolving. Constantly striving for better form, better function. It’s one of the reasons our team has always respected the KEEN brand, and the new Marshall collection is no exception. Designed with an athletic mindset to meet the demands of todays fast and light hikers, the Marshall collection is the perfect outdoors partner for light hikers, fastpackers, and worldly scramblers.
For days on the trail, you like to keep things simple and stick to the necessities. If your seeking a hiking boot that matches your light and simple philosophy, look no further than Ahnu’s Elkridge Mid WP hiking boot. A full featured boot in a mid-cut style, the Elkridge Mid waterproof boot is a highly capable do-it-all hiker that won’t let you down.
An Autumn world now covered in a frenzy of reds and yellows will soon be blanketed in white, revealing a frozen world in which everything seems to stand still. One world is burrowed and another is revealed. Silent silhouettes of barren trees and dangling icicles. Trails once roamed under warm sunny skies will soon be covered in snow and ice, all demanding a boot that let’s you avoid cabin fever.
As part of the Fall/Winter 2012 Outdoor Collection for men, Wolverine® has introduced the Gauge. Built to be at home hiking at elevation or strolling through the winter laiden lowlands, the Wolverine Gauge WP 8” Boot adds warmth, style, and durability to the winter months and emphasizes the innovative comfort technologies and durability for which the brand is known.
Born on the Colorado River in 1989, Chaco has evolved from its first forays into river rafting sandals into a full line of casual and active footwear for men, women and kids. New for Fall 2012, the Tedinho Waterproof boots blend old school craftsmanship with new school technology and modern comfort.
A heritage styled boot without the old-school weight, Chaco’s Tedinho Waterproof boots harken back to a simpler time when leather hikers were an iconic representation of authentic footwear engineered and built to withstand harsh conditions, rugged wear and the tests of time.
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Whether you’re a wife, mother or daughter you know that life as a woman places different demands upon our time than our male counterparts. So when the window of opportunity opens offering an escape from the daily routine, you need to be ready. You need a hiking boot that won’t let you down or allow a little wet weather and muddy terrain stand between you and some well-deserved trail time.
Just like your new Spring wardrobe offers a nod to tradition infused with modern flair and sensibility, the Talus Ultradry™ from Vasque embodies the authenticity and ruggedness of classic hiking boots while utilizing the very best of modern technology and comfort.
Winston Churchill once said, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.”
In 1978 Hi-Tec changed the game. With the introduction of the athletically inspired “Sierra Lite,” Hi-Tec became the first manufacturer of lightweight hiking shoes and boots. The creation of the Sierra Lite represented a tectonic shift in the industry’s approach to the “hiking” category. ‘Lighter Faster Comfortable’ were now mantras applicable to the world of hiking. Flash forward to 2012 and Hi-Tec is re-introducing the original classic that literally revolutionized an industry.
This modern version of the original light weight hiker pays homage to 1978 version, but has been radically updated with the addition of new technologies like a rugged Vibram outsole, co-molded injection EVA, full-grain Nubuck leather and ion-mask over the entire shoe.
As shoes become more advanced and jam packed with technological innovations, more companies claim their products can conquer all things – from city sidewalks to mountain highs. Yet the reality is that not all “multi-sport” shoes are designed for the expanse of life that carries us from urban realities to more remote retreats. As such, there are certain expectations I have for my multi-sport shoes:
1. They cannot suffocate my feet on the drive to the trailhead;
2. They must be nimble enough to carry me swiftly and securely from from stumps to boulders;
3. And yes, I would like for them to look as good at the mountain tavern as they do on the trail.
Enter the Vasque Juxt – the multisport shoe where versatility is the name of the game. Continue Reading
You awaken from your deep slumber to find a blanket of fresh white snow gently covering the wooded backcountry. To celebrate this winter wonderland you’ve decided to dawn your snowshoes and explore. You take inventory of your gear: Jacket – Check; Cozy Beanie -Done; Snowshoes – Yup. Now there’s the question of what boots to wear. No doubt you have a multitude of options when partnering your new snowshoes with boots.
Of course you could just slip into your summer hiking boots, strap on the snowshoes and head out. However, you’ll be more comfortable in a winter specific boot that provides better insulation and a higher cut than regular boots to keep the snow out. When we were searching for quality options the good people at Columbia® sent out a pair of their Hoodster™ Mid OutDry® for our field team to put to the test.
What if you dropped all of your preconceptions about what an outdoor boot should be. What if you left behind the notion that a boot must be either comfortable or completely waterproof. Strip away the Nubuck leather, multi-directional lugs large enough to devour small critters; strip away the pretense of it all…
Instead, replace those notions with a single boot. One boot that is truly waterproof, truly breathable and comfort rated from temperate to sub-zero conditions. Enter the Jamison from Bogs Footwear.