The KEEN Targhee IV is exceptionally suited for day hikes and backpacking trips due to its comprehensive blend of advanced technologies and robust features. The post Going the Distance: The KEEN Targhee IV Stays a Step Ahead appeared first on GearJunkie ..read more

It seems like Speedgoat is everywhere in trail running and ultrarunning these days. There’s the shoe that dominates the start line of many ultras around the world, in its newest iteration as the HOKA Speedgoat 6; there’s the mountainous and rugged race in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, the Speedgoat Mountain Races; and then there’s the man behind it all, Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer. From the origin of Meltzer’s nickname in 1998 to the start of the race in 2008 to the launch of the original Speedgoat shoe in 2015, and now the shoe’s newest version in the summer of 2024, the name h ..read more

This week, two lucky winners will receive a pair of Speedgoat 6 trail running shoes ($155) from HOKA. The iconic running shoes have proven to be a GOAT on the trail and racing circuit, and now’s your chance to own the latest version. Enter now for your chance to win! More on the Prize Package By now you’re probably familiar with the name, but the HOKA Speedgoat line has built its reputation for a cushioned, grippy ride over technical terrain. But it’s also become a go-to choice for fast-and-light hikers. Like its predecessors, the Speedgoat 6 is built to go the distance on rugged terrain with ..read more

There’s a trail behind my home that punches straight up past Doc Holliday’s grave, 4.2 miles, and 1,824 feet, to an overlook of Mount Sopris. I climb it a couple of times a week. Often, I try to run as much of it as possible — though, on the uphill, you might classify my pace more accurately as “speed hiking” (especially during Colorado’s ungodly hot summer days). It also serves as a proving ground for much of the footwear I test — and there has been plenty! But I had yet to wear a hiker on one of my jaunts up there that felt as qualified for the moderately steep and rocky trail as ..read more

Asking for directions in Italy can lead to one of two replies: do you want the fastest way or the most beautiful way? This is an exaggerated way of explaining an Italian approach to life. Passion for experience and enjoyment in life can be prized over speed and efficiency. It’s a beautiful sentiment but one that seems at odds with a capitalistic worldview.  After several days in Venice with the 76-year-old footwear company Diadora, an emphasis on getting “there” the most beautiful way is perhaps its guiding principle. At the same time, the company is springing forward with innovation and ..read more

“What are those?!” Just when you thought the meme — and the toe-shoe craze — was dead, here I come, waltzing in like it’s 2010 all over again. In full transparency, I didn’t understand the appeal when Vibram made its sneaker splash with the FiveFingers footwear phenomenon. At the time, Born to Run was a bestselling hit that had runners and non-runners alike embracing the minimalist movement. But the trend faltered as folks ran into injuries or simply lost their enthusiasm for shoes that brought them closer to the ground beneath their feet. Minimalist shoes faded in popularity, and m ..read more

I used to dread breaking in new hiking boots whenever I finally had to retire a pair I’d beaten to death. New pairs of boots always pinched, rubbed, and squeezed my feet in weird ways until, eventually, they would soften up and relent. For whatever reason, that process has gotten easier over the years. Maybe I just got used to the discomfort after burning through so many pairs of hikers. But still, I’ve never put a brand new pair of hiking boots on that were comfortable, let alone enjoyable, to break in. It was always a chore, even with the most pliant and comfortable boots. As soon as I lace ..read more

Today, the running shoe brand On launched its latest super shoe, the Cloudboom Strike. The shoe has just been announced, but it already has a major win under its belt with a pre-release win at the 2024 Boston Marathon on the feet of runner Hellen Obiri. Obiri took the hyper-fast shoes over the finish line in 2:22:37. I had the opportunity to test the On Cloudboom Strike before its release. While the production version of the shoe I tested is slightly different than Obiri’s race shoe, it’s very similar. What follows are my first impressions of the latest super shoe to hit the marketplace. Hell ..read more

I’ve worn Kenetrek boots on and off for years. Despite trying different brands and styles of boots, quality and dependability always bring me back to a pair of Kenetreks. The new Bridger High offering fills the gaps in the straight leather heavy-duty hunting boot market. While every boot fills a different need, the Bridger High will surely be a go-to when the climb is steep and the temperatures are warm. They are lightweight but rugged in ways that just make them different and more capable, depending on your chase. In short: The Kenetrek Bridger High is the company’s lightest true boot offeri ..read more

After wrapping up a weekend of guiding rock climbing in Joshua Tree this spring, my coworker and I had some personal time to explore the National Park. We decided to try to find a little-known cave system called the Mojave Wunderground. The hike to the Wunderground is almost entirely off-trail; we scrambled over boulders, trudged through wet sand, and smeared our way up long granite slabs for a couple of hours. Approach shoes would have been the obvious footwear choice for the adventure. With sticky rubber similar to climbing shoes, they perform well in uneven, rocky terrain. But after squeez ..read more