FOOTWEAR

When it comes to conquering rugged mountain trails, the right footwear is everything. Whether you’re pounding out miles on technical terrain or tackling steep, rocky ascents, we test and review trail running and hiking shoes built to handle the toughest adventures. The goal: to keep you moving confidently in any condition.

Trail Running Footwear

First Look: Arc’teryx Vertex Speed Trail Running Shoe

Arc'teryx Vertex Speed trail running and technical approach shoe.

Arc'teryx has released the Vertex Speed as a high-octane edition of its Vertex Alpine approach shoe. Here is what is new and different with this technical trail shoe made for running up (and down) mountains.We picked ...

First Look: Arc’teryx Vertex Speed Trail Running Shoe

First Look: 2025 Arc’teryx Norvan 4

A pile of Arc'teryx Norvan 4 trail running shoes.

Arc'teryx took input from their sponsored athletes and made notable changes to their long-distance trail running shoe. Here is a look at what has been updated on the Arc'teryx Norvan 4 along with our first impressions ...

First Look: 2025 Arc’teryx Norvan 4

Arc’teryx Shoes | Sylan, Sylan Pro, and Sylan GTX Review

Runner on a trail with the Arcteryx Sylan Pro shoe

Trail testing the Sylan Pro, the Arc'teryx shoes built for fast mountain running. The Arc'teryx Sylan Pro is part of the new for 2024 Sylan series, released from the brand's dedicated shoe design center in Portland, OR. ...

Arc’teryx Shoes | Sylan, Sylan Pro, and Sylan GTX Review

Arc’teryx Shoes | Norvan LD 3 GTX Review

Arcteryx Norvan LD 3 GTX trail running shoe crossing a stream

Putting trail miles on the waterproof running shoe from Arc'teryx that is built for comfort, stability and performance over long distancesPutting the Norvan through its paces at 9,000 feet near Red Mountain. Silverthorne, COAugust 2024 was ...

Arc’teryx Shoes | Norvan LD 3 GTX Review

Altra Olympus vs Lone Peak

The Altra Lone Peak is an excellent choice for any novice trail runner or hiker.  Note: In this post we'll compare the Altra Olympus to the Altra Lone Peak. However, we also have posts laying out ...

Altra Olympus vs Lone Peak

Altra Timp vs Lone Peak: How to choose the right trail running shoe

Altra Lone Peak's in their natural habitat.In this review we'll compare the Altra Timp vs Lone Peak trail running shoes. Summary: Timp vs Lone PeakThe most important difference is the additional cushioning the Timp 5 offers over ...

Altra Timp vs Lone Peak: How to choose the right trail running shoe

Altra Superior vs Lone Peak

Altra 4.5 trail running show on a leafy trail.

Altra's new Lone Peak 4.5's (released on 1st of Nov 2019) in action. According to Altra's website, Lone Peak 4.0's are discontinued now (duh) and are also even almost sold out.I made an extensive research and ...

Altra Superior vs Lone Peak

Hiking Footwear

Keen Targhee II vs III

Women's Targhee II Waterproof.

I've hiked many miles in the men's Targhee III Waterproof MID (boots).Let's start with laying out all the Targhee II and III models here with some short notes first.Note that the notes are my subjective ideas ...

Keen Targhee II vs III