From the category archives:

Hiking

Finding the right hiking shoe is something that you should not rush into unless you enjoy the pain of blisters.Hiking boots are all about the fit. So when shopping for hiking shoes take the time and go to a specialty shop, get fitted by an expert and try on several pairs of shoes until you find ones that feel just right.

I have found that shopping at the end of the day when your feet are tired and a bit swollen helps. Also, try on the shoes with the socks that you plan to wear when hiking. Most good outdoor stores will have a treadmill or incline board so that you can check for heel-slip and toe-bang.

Built for those quick weekend overnighters and day hikes galore, the waterproof Garmont Women’s Flash XCR Hiking Shoe is an all weather workhorse with a focus on comfort. Garmont’s anatomical fit components combine with the G3+ Spine structure to surround the foot in a snug, stable, and cushioned lightweight hiking boot. The thermal plastic urethane spine, which lies between the self-cleaning Vibram® outsole and the polyurethane midsole offers running shoe-like forefoot flex. Side to side, however, it gives the Women’s Flash XCR Hiking Shoe the underfoot stability necessary for walking on rough trails. For waterproof and breathable comfort, this versatile light hiker features a Gore-Tex® XCR® lining. The XCR stands for extended comfort range, as this liner is one of Gore’s more breathable membranes.

Best Day Packs

by Diane

The most important thing in deciding on a daypack is fit. In a lot of ways packs are like shoes in that you are much better off getting fitted by an expert.

Go to an outdoor specialty store and have a knowledgeable sales person measure your torso. As a general rule, the load-lifter straps should rise at about a 45 degree angle from your shoulders. As an absolute rule the hipbelt should wrap around your hips and stay there.

When testing the daypack in the store, remember to load the pack up with ballast to get a better sense of how the pack will feel on the trial.