Gear Reviews

Footwear

Oh, those aching feet. Your shoes are among your most important gear item. Poor shoe choices can indeed injure you, ending your season or even your backcountry career.

Backcountry Skiers will anguish over whether to hike in their ski boots, or put said heavy boots on their backs and wear approach shoes. As a rule of thumb, I switch to hiking boots when I expect to travel more than a mile or 1000 vertical feet to snow.

For summer hikes, I look for lightweight boots with enough support to carry a heavy pack (for overnights) or stiff trail runners (for dayhikes). Whatever your needs, the cardinal rule for footwear is break your boots in thoroughly before you go. Wear them to the grocery, around the block, and even in your home if you have to!

Alpine/Mountaineering Boots

• La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX

Hiking Boots:

• Keen Voyageur Mid
• Vasque Breeze XCR
• Nike Air Zoom Tallac Pro GTX

Trail Runners:

• Montrail Mountain Masochist
• Pearl Izumi Peak XC
• Salomon XT Wings

Sandals & Flip-Flops:

• Teva Mush

Booties:

• North Face Tent Bootie

Climbing Shoes

• La Sportiva Mythos

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