Footwear for the Trail
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So, you are gearing up to hike the slickrock of Utah, the talus fields of the East Coast, or venture through the sandy soil of the American Southwest, and you need some shoes, right?
Well, when it comes to hitting the trail, comfort is king! If the shoes don’t fit right, even a short 1 mile hike will feel like a never ending journey! Aside from comfort, always make sure you break in your shoes before you head out on that big adventure through the National Parks. New shoes + a new trail = painful feet!
With that said, here are some of our favorite shoes which we have put through the ringer and tested in some of the worst conditions!
The Saucony Peregrine is by far my go to shoe for technical terrain
Saucony Peregrine 13 ($84 at Backcountry.com
More often than not, my hikes fall into the 2-8 mile range which means I really have no need for a rugged, stiff hiking boot. I prefer a lighter, more agile shoe that offers great foot protection with dependable grip in most any terrain. For me, the Saucony Peregrine is by far one of my favorite shoes as it delivers on everything I’m looking for in a trail shoe. It’s light, stable, offers incredible grip, and moderate foot protection. They even make a GTX version for those looking for a waterproof option!
The maximum comfort of the Hoka Trail Code is unrivaled
Hoka Trail Code ($185 at Backcountry.com)
When we want a little more ankle support and protection underfoot, the Hoka Trail Code has been the shoe we are reaching for! From navigating snow-covered trails in sub-zero temperatures to stream crossings during springtime hikes, the Hoka Trail Code offers incredible grip thanks to the sticky Vibram rubber and they keep your feet dry thanks to the Gore-Tex treatment. Add in Hoka’s well known cushioning and you have a mid-top shoe that works in a wide range of weather conditions and is ready to tackle the trail for a short day hike or an overnight backpacking excursion!
Spork, spoon, and knife all in 1? Yep!
Salomon X-Mission 3 ($75 at Backcountry.com)
The Salomon X-Mission 3 has developed a bit of a cult following due to its incredible comfort, flexible sole, and impressive ContaGrip traction that Salomon is known for. The Salomon X-Mission 3 also has the quick lace system which means no one will be waiting for you at the trailhead! Add in the super breathable upper and the tongue cover, and the Salomon X-Mission 3 will keep your feet dry all day! These have become a favorite of our daughter’s as she has truly tested the durability of the shoe! Is there any harder test to pass than the acceptance from a teen girl? The Salomon X-Mission 3 is here to stay in our house!
The La Sportiva Jackal brings a stiff sole for maximum protection
La Sportiva Jackal ($165 at Backcountry.com)
While my Saucony Peregrine’s are my go-to shoes, when I feel the conditions might be a bit rough or the weather might border on the extreme, I always reach for my La Sportiva Jackal shoe. They offer a far more stable and stiff platform than most trail running shoes, and I would say they actually lean more towards a traditional hiking shoe or approach shoe. The stiffer sole and burlier upper offer incredible foot protection, and the FriXion rubber can stick to just about anything! For those with wider feet or anyone who just prefers a wider toe box, the La Sportiva Jackal offers a higher volume fit, as well! I personally own the GTX version which helps to keep my feet dry during my winter hikes along snow covered trails, or those poor decision I make to hit the trail in the rain!
The MegaGrip outsole of the Altra Lone Peak Hiker offers excellent traction
Altra Lone Peak Hiker ($160 at Backcountry.com)
So you have a wide foot, but most “wide” fitting shoes result in a sloppy fit. What do you do? Take a look at the Altra Lone Peak Hiker! Altra basically takes their famed Lone Peak shoe and adds a mid top design to increase ankle stability and add some foot protection. The zero drop design incorporated into all of Altra’s shoes combined with their anatomically shaped toe box provides exceptional comfort and stability (especially for those with a wider foot) without having a shoe that feels loose in all the wrong places. Add to the fact that this boot weighs less than most hiking shoes, and you have a fast, comfortable, durable, and dependable hiker to take on the trail. Altra also makes an “all weather” version that adds exceptional waterproofing to an already rock-solid design! My wife has gone through multiple pairs of her Altra Lone Peak Hiker’s, and although she tends to look for other shoes for our upcoming trips, she keeps coming back to these boots as they have yet to let her down!
The ContaGrip of the Salomon Supercross offers incredible traction
Salomon Supercross ($60 at Backcountry.com)
When conditions take a turn for the worse, and the packed trail turns to mud, the Salomon Supercross offers an incredibly secure fit with some of the best traction I have encountered! The deep lugs on the outsole provide excellent traction both during uphill climbs and during downhill braking, while the Sensefit design of the upper makes sure your foot is locked in no matter how steep the trail gets. They offer a relatively large heel-to-toe drop (11 mm) which is more than I’m typically used to, but this definitely results in far less calf fatigue and Achilles strain during longer hikes! As with most of Salomon’s shoes, they tend to run a bit long and definitely have a narrower toe box when compared to other brands!
If you are like us, you are ultimately looking for the best deal you can find on your next pair of shoes before you head out on that new adventure. Be sure to check out all the current sales at Backcountry.com to score some massive savings on the top brands!
As we continue to explore our National Parks, our gear selection continues to evolve! Be sure to reach out to Park and Pebble at info@parkandpebble.com or head over to Contact page to shoot us any questions you may have on your gear choice for your next adventure!
