The week before Memorial Day sees outdoor gear companies offer massive discounts on some of the best name-brand gear that they stock. If you’re looking to add some new gear to your summer kit, now is the time!
The Adidas Terrex Swift R2 is a burly, rugged, and sturdy trail shoe that’s made to tackle long hikes and backpacking trips. The Swift R2 is built on a stable 10mm drop platform with a sturdy board lasted midsole. The aggressive full coverage outsole uses a super sticky Continental rubber compound for a sure footed stride on wet and dry trails.
The Lycan is a brand new mountain running trail shoe from La Sportiva. The Lycan is nimble and light, combining a highly responsive midsole with a sticky and low profile outsole. I’ve been using the Lycan as a light hiker and as my go-to trail running shoe since their release, and will share my thoughts in this review.
The XA Elevate is Salomon’s newest entry into their “On & Off Trail” shoe line-up. These shoes are designed for high alpine pursuits and are perfectly suited for steep terrain and challenging underfoot conditions. The XA Elevate is built on a highly stable 8mm-drop midsole, and has a Premium Wet-Traction Contragrip outsole that clings on to anything and everything.
Finding the right tent, backpack, clothes, and trekking poles can be tough, but nothing seems to give prospective hikers more issues than footwear. I hope to simplify things with this post. Here are the best 14 pairs of trail shoes for the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail in 2018!
The Terraventure is a neutral trail running shoe from Topo Athletic with a foot shaped anatomical last, breathable upper, and a dynamic underfoot ride. The Terraventure strikes the right balance of providing a lightweight shoe with just enough underfoot protection.
The Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles are one of the highest value pieces of gear I’ve ever reviewed. The poles come in at 15.2oz with carbon fiber shafts, cork handles, quick lock adjusters, and tungsten carbine tips. Best of all, they only cost $45!
Quantum Energy Squares are a new energy bar containing as much protein as a whole egg and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. These bars are gluten free, vegan, soy free, dairy free, non-gmo, and contain no artificial flavors or colors.
For the fourth year running, I have compiled a list of the trail running and lightweight hiking shoes I’m looking forward to most. Like previous years, Salomon, La Sportiva, and Altra make the list. There are also some newcomers. Here are 25 of the most exciting trail running and lightweight hiking shoes of 2018!
The TX3 is an approach shoe from La Sportiva that rides like a trail runner, yet provides the protection of a light hiker. With a breathable polyester mesh upper, a stable injected EVA midsole, and a super sticky Vibram MegaGrip outsole, there is a lot to love about the TX3.