My Go-To Outdoor Footwear
My first pair of hiking boots were not hiking boots at all, they were an old pair of Nike Free running shoes. The treads that were nearly non existent to begin with had worn out and after the first slip down a scree slope (intentional) there were holes in the mesh if both inner arches. I wore them for a season or two before fully committing to the hiking lifestyle. That commitment came with a few years of feeling like goldilocks, a pair too big, a pair to small, some that gave blisters or rubbed the skin off my ankles or cut off circulation to my baby toes. I thought that breaking in a pair of boots was a badge of honour. Thats not the case - the right pair of boots for you will not require a painful courting process. And in this quest I have found a pair for every occasion. From sandals for river crossing to the warmest of winter hiking boots this is a list of the outdoor footwear in my gear closet.
1. my favourite creek crossing (sock and) sandals: Chaco Z/Cloud 2
I pushed off getting real camp sandals for years. They always seemed really expensive and bulky and I didn’t see the real value. Oh boy was I wrong - I purchased these after seeing a limited edition with Smoky the Bear printed on their straps on instagram - apparently that was the last push and I picked up a pair for myself . Since then I haven’t gone backpacking without them. I would still buy the same style even though I don’t use the toe strap often (I will pull it taught and rest my toe over it wearing it more like a slip on most of the time) BUT when crossing rivers with a heavy backpack and fast flowing water the toe strap makes my foot feel infinitely more secure. This was my second full season with them and I can not imagine camping without them anymore.
2. my tried and true trail runners: Salomon Speedcross 5
I have owned several pairs of these throughout the year and although they are primarily used for trail running as they have a very aggressive tread pattern comparative to any other pair of shoes I own. This makes them ideal for running on softer trails and less ideal for scree. But I have also taken these shoes hiking (pictured below) and backpacking for years. The ones that I wear are not waterproof - they are very lightweight and breathable and I find them to have a moderate amount of flex in the sole which is ideal for running in the mountains.
3. my go-to travel hike run hybrid: Danner Trail 2650
I was gifted these to try out several years ago and was indifferent when I first got them. They were stiffer than my Salomon trail runners but didn’t quite have the support of any of my hiking boots. They found their sweet spot in trying to pack lightweight for international travel when space and weight are your biggest commodities. I have worn them hiking and backpacking but they hold up as a trail runner just as well. These are my go-to all around trail shoe. I would not say they serve as the best of any individual activity but hold up well for all. I would recommend sizing up a half size in these compared to your typical hiking boots.
4. my newest addition : Danner Inquire Chukka
I just picked these up summer 2020 and really like them. They are a lower profile option to the Inquire Mid (the next shoe on the list) and I have found myself gravitating toward them for shorter days on the trail and days when the weather isn’t quite cooperating. They are finished with Danner Dry making them waterproof - and they required no break-in period and are quick and easy to put on and take off. u
5. my FAVOURITE hiking boots : Danner Inquire Chukka Mid
These are what I wear the vast, vast majority of my long trail days (overnight or day trips) - they are lightweight and comfortable and waterproof. I have worn right through one pair and could not imagine replacing them with anything other than an identical pair of boots. They required no break-in period and I have never gotten a blister from them or experienced any discomfort. They dry really quickly and provide a lot of ankle support. Over the years I have tried dozens and dozens of pairs of hiking boots and nothing compare to these.
6. my winter boot : Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zips
You will notice that I do not have any photos of me wearing these. I promise that is not because I have never worn them but just a general dislike of winter as a general rule. I wear these a lot out at my family’s farm walking the dogs and going for nature walks. I have worn these on hikes in the mountains and they keep my feet warm and dry. I really like them and hopefully will get some more time in them in the coming months. I would size up in these to allow room for thicker socks.
7. my camp booties: MONTANE Prism
Another “I didn’t know I needed this until I had it” piece. These booties are amazing for early mornings and late night at camp, in the alpine hut or (if you are me without heated floors) walking from bed to make coffee and back on these extra chilly winter mornings in Canada. They have a soft rubber sole which has allowed me to even wear them sleeping over my warm socks on exceptionally cold nights camping.
Bonus: The most photogenic boots : Danner Mountain Light Cascade
Anyone who has seen the movie WILD may recognize these boots. That is the reason that I own them - they are a classic thick leather hiking boot and I do love them. For a handful of years I would hike dozens of miles in them but after a while their limitations in functionality became too much for me. They are very heavy and take a lot of time to break in (the photo below was on a 40km/25mile hike which ended in some achilles tendonitis) - they are also not waterproof and if they do get wet they will take a very long time to dry out. As well in more technical terrain they do not have the flexibility I needed to feel safe and comfortable. I have retired these boots for short nature walks and photo days. I really do love the way they look but feel as though transparency in their limitations is important as well.
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