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Whether you are a day hiker looking to tackle a few miles on a local trail or a more serious multiple-day backcountry type of hiker, taking care of your feet is key. 

 

Hikers tend to carry quite a bit of weight on their back regardless if it’s a day pack full of water, snacks, and extra layers or a larger backpack that’s 20% your body weight. In addition, hiking trails vary across multiple terrains, elevations, and difficulty levels, so having solid foot support is necessary. 

 

To help you think through this a little more, here are five things you should want from your hiking shoes:

 

Support & Stability

 

Having a hiking shoe that fits correctly is extremely important. You want a shoe to be snug and support your foot and/or ankle from twists, but you also want to pay attention to hot spot areas. 

 

Hiking involves a lot of ups and downs, uneven ground, slippery sections, and things like roots, rocks, streams, etc. that all cause a hiker to make more athletic movements. This is not a walk around the neighborhood track. 

 

Your feet should feel comfortable but protected. 

 

Pay attention to the arch, and the width of the toe box, and take into consideration the natural swelling that will occur after a few hours on a trail (this is a natural body reaction to exertion, but it can cause issues if your hiking shoes are too tight). 

 

Quality

 

In our opinion, hiking shoes are definitely one area where we do NOT recommend going the cheap route. There is a lot of technology, research, and seriously intentional design that goes into creating a high-quality hiking shoe, so you get what you pay for. 

 

Something worth researching when it comes to quality is the technology used to create lighter hiking shoes without compromising support and stability. 

 

Traction

 

Hiking shoes, even the lighter-weight ones, are different from gym shoes or tennis shoes in terms of traction. When you’re hiking, you are in the elements and not in a controlled gym environment. There is weather to deal with, mud, water crossings, rock faces, and just uneven terrain to trek through, so not slipping is a big deal. 

 

According to CamoTrek “[t]he two most frequent reasons for injuries on the trail (even in cold environments) are slipping and falling.”

 

Breathability

 

Hiking is a strenuous workout and exercise activity, and your feet get hot. 

 

Hot feet get sweaty, and that is a ripe environment for blisters to thrive if you’re not careful. Hiking also exposes people to rain, snow, mud, and water, so the more a hiking shoe can repel liquid and moisture and actually dry out quickly, the better. 

 

Flexibility 

 

Due to the varying terrain that is the natural outdoors, a hiker’s foot needs to be able to move around a little when it lands on the ground. Our feet and ankles are designed to help us balance as humans, so your hiking shoe should not take that away. 

 

It’s also worth noting that many outdoor stores that sell hiking shoes, like REI, have hiking experts on their staff that can talk to you and give you options. You can try on the shoes, see how they feel, and, ultimately, you can always return them and get a new pair if they are just not comfortable or right for your needs. 

 

You can also view a wide range of hiking shoes online, taking note of reviews, pros and cons, highlighted features, etc. This list is enough to get you on the right track, but you’re going to have to spend time looking at and trying specific shoes.

 

Let’s face it, every aspect of being a parent can be challenging – even when it comes to taking a much-needed break! So if the thought of taking your family to the beach or camping is overwhelming because of the planning and packing, then check out these 5 secrets to make the experience hassle-free.

If you’ve ever been at a theme park around 3 in the afternoon, you’ve probably seen tempers flare, meltdowns ensue, and things get ugly, even at the happiest place on earth. Why? Because kids get tired and hit their wall, especially on day 4 of a 7-day adventure. Frustrated parents balance managing the moment and getting the most value out of their vacation expenditure. It’s just one example of the many "overs" that we parents battle while trying to create the best life ever for our kids:

• Overscheduling activities
• Overbuying everything from snacks to souvenirs
• Overpacking for every possible situation

Unfortunately, the overs can overwhelm some parents to opt-out of activities altogether, especially if the activity is an outdoor adventure where the parent has no prior experience or knowledge.

Time with your children is short, so make the most of it by mindfully exploring the world around you. Here are 5 hassle-free strategies to engage with the outdoors with minimal stress.

1. Think in half-day increments

If you’re within an hour of a beach, plan to go for a half day. Feed your kids before you leave, and only take essentials for an afternoon away from home. You don’t need a whole day to create memories to last a lifetime.

2. Adopt a carry-on luggage mentality

Those living near a beach (or lake) don’t go nearly enough. Often it’s because we pack like we will be stranded on a desert island for a month. Rethink your packing only to include essentials:

• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Chair (optional)
• Water
• Snack for desperation (energy bar, fruit)
• Toys your kids can carry (beachball, shovel and pail, or kite)

Embrace the beach’s options: collecting shells, exploring tide pools, digging for sand crabs, playing in the waves, body surfing, and sandcastle building.

3. Baby step into nature

Throw on sneakers, grab water, and spend an hour or two on a nature walk at the nearest park or nature preserve. Check out the area online and create an objective for your children in advance:

• Collect leaves, twigs, rocks, or cones for a craft project
• See how many different birds you can spot
• Identify animals through tracks or scat

4. Sleep in your car

Did you know most minivans make excellent campers? With the seats folded down, a typical minivan provides as much room as a double bed. You can make a local overnight trip simple with:

• Sleeping bags
• A light source
• Sweats as pajamas
• Toothbrush, comb, and hand soap
• Simple campsite dinner over a fire (local wood available at the campground)
• S’mores for fun

Plan similar activities to your nature hike, adding stargazing at night. If you’re in cell phone range, apps will help you identify the constellations like a boss. Stop for breakfast or lunch on your way home.

5. Expand what you like

If you and the kids love specific adventures, do more of those. Try simple activities like fishing or geocaching. Add equipment as needed or when you lengthen outings, not before.

Simplify your adventures, especially in the outdoors. You just need to show up with your kids and let nature provide the entertainment.