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Note: This giveaway ended 11/12/25. With winter on the horizon, we’ve partnered with our friends at Alaska Gear Company to give away a pair of their new Bunny Boot VBX LITE winter boots in the color / size of the winner’s choice – a $259 value! These waterproof, cold weather-ready boots are comfort-rated to -5F with an integrated vapor barrier system that keeps moisture out and the wool felt insulation dry. This is all in a lightweight boot that won’t weigh down your winter travels and has been designed from the ground up for active use in cold winter conditions. To Enter: Just leave a comment below on this blog post and tell us where you’ll be taking your VBX LITE Boots this winter if you win! Giveaway ends 11/12/25 at 5PM Mountain Time. ***Giveaway ended 11/12/25.*** Sign in to your TrailGroove Account or if you haven't signed up yet register with a new account to leave a comment. One winner will be chosen at random from the comments on this post and will be contacted via email. One entry total per person – however if you’re a TrailGroove Premium Member (or sign up before the giveaway drawing) and leave a comment on this post before the giveaway ends, receive an automatic bonus entry (for 2X entries!) in the giveaway. Be sure to follow Alaska Gear Company on Facebook and on Instagram to learn more about their outdoor gear. Note that by entering this giveaway you’ll be signed up for both the TrailGroove Magazine and Alaska Gear Company email newsletters. Already subscribed? Don’t worry, you won’t be signed up twice. Good luck!

Shoes may be the most important piece of gear for hiking or backpacking. They are with us every step of the way, and we are relying on them to be steady and supportive. If we are thinking about shoes while hiking, it is usually because there is a problem. Maybe they don’t fit properly – too tight or too loose? Are they not grippy enough for rock slabs? Are my feet sore from feeling every rock on the trail? Instead, we want to count on them to provide the right level of support and comfort while getting us where we want to go. Finding the right shoes for hiking can be a real challenge, but it’s worth it to have shoes that we can rely on for every hike. Best Long Distance Backpacking and Thru-Hiking Shoes Many backpackers find that trail running shoes are a good and lightweight choice for hitting the trails day after day. For years, one of the most popular in this category has been the Altra Lone Peak ($145). With its natural foot shape, which gives plenty of room for your toes, as well as a 25mm stack height and zero drop, it is quite a comfortable shoe. It has a rock plate to protect your feet from rough trails, as well as an outsole with lots of grip. The current 9+ version has a Vibram outsole for even more grip. La Sportiva offers several suitable hiking shoes, including the Bushido III trail running shoe ($160), with a lower stack height for good control and ground feel. Be sure to try these on and make sure the foot shape works for you. Another option from La Sportiva is the Akyra II ($159), a rugged yet breathable shoe with extra grip in muddy and wet conditions. The Topo Athletic Traverse ($155) is a low drop option (5mm), that has a roomy toebox and 30mm stack height at the heel. There is a rock plate on the forefoot for protection against rugged terrain. One thing to note is that the midfoot can be a bit snug for those like myself with high arches, which makes the eyestay (area around the eyelets & laces) uncomfortable as it is stiffer than some other shoes. As always, you should try them on to see how they might work for you before heading out on a trip. Another long distance hiking option is the Saucony Peregrine ($150), with a comfortable fit and a rock plate in the forefoot and standard plus wide sizes. The toebox isn’t quite as wide as an Altra shoe, but it is wider than many others on the market. I found it to have a surprisingly cushioned feel with only 28mm stack in the heel and 24mm in the toe. Summary: Best Long Distance Backpacking and Thru-Hiking Shoes Altra Lone Peak 9+ La Sportiva Bushido III La Sportiva Akyra II Topo Athletic Traverse Saucony Peregrine 16 Best Waterproof Backpacking and Hiking Shoes Depending on the time of year, current weather conditions, and specific trails that are to be traversed, sometimes a waterproof hiking shoe is in order. Breathability is a trade-off for the water-proofing, so these shoes are not the best choice for a hot, summer hike on a mostly dry trail. These can be slower to dry after creek crossings and may keep your feet hot. However, in cold and wet conditions, they can preserve heat by keeping snow and rain out, as well as keeping body heat in. They can also be helpful in sandy conditions to keep the sand out. Water resistance becomes more important in a shoe during the shoulder seasons and when encountering moisture (whether in the form of rain or snow) combined with colder temperatures. Hoka has a good waterproof option with the Anacapa Low GTX ($180), and some hikers with narrower feet have said these fit them perfectly, while those with wider feet like myself might find them too snug. There is plenty of cushion, while still being a fairly lightweight shoe and has Vibram outsoles and GORE-TEX bootie construction. The La Sportiva Spire GTX ($219) is another popular choice with a GORE-TEX liner and a breathable upper. These shoes give the support and stability of a hiking boot, along with Vibram outsoles to provide excellent traction. They have an 11mm drop and are a bit heavy compared to other trail shoes (15.5oz per shoe), so these may not work for more ultralight hikers. However, they are very well rated for both breathability and waterproofness. When hiking on wet or snowy terrain, traction becomes all that much more important. While durability is always appreciated, sticky outsoles are a priority in these conditions (Lone Peak 9+ shown). Altra has a top choice in this category as well with the Lone Peak 9+ GTX Trail-Running shoes ($180). This shoe has a breathable, waterproof and windproof GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lightweight upper and Vibram Megragrip outsoles. It has the usual perks of an Altra shoe (wider toe box, zero drop, lightweight, etc.), but it is made to keep your feet dry in wet and muddy conditions. Summary: Best Waterproof Backpacking and Hiking Shoes Hoka Anacapa Low GTX La Sportiva Spire GTX Lone Peak 9+ GTX Best Maximum Cushion Hiking and Backpacking Shoes If you’re looking for more of a cushioned ride, shoes with a high stack height will be in order. While opinions are a bit mixed among the staff here at TrailGroove on the benefit of these types of shoes – there will always be the minimal vs. cushioned camps and discussion – if you’ll be hiking on more graded and maintained trails (on difficult terrain, lower stack heights will offer more stability) this category can be worth a look. Altra provides options in the maximum cushioning category including the Altra Olympus 6 ($185). This shoe’s shape is similar to the Lone Peak, with extra room in the toes, and of course it is zero drop. Unlike the Lone Peak, this shoe has no rock plate and instead provides several more mm of cushion along with a grippy Vibram outsole. These shoes became a favorite of mine while I was healing from an injury and required extra impact absorption, and I continue to wear them from time to time. In this category, Hoka is well-known for offering a wide array of comfortable shoes with plenty of cushioning that absorbs impact. Their top all-round choice is the Hoka Speedgoat 6 ($155) that has a 40mm stack height as well as Vibram outsoles for extra grip. The upper is made of breathable, lightweight materials. Topo Athletic offers the Ultraventure ($155), with plenty of cushioning and an Ortholite performance insole. It has a 5mm drop, a roomy toebox, and Vibram outsoles. It manages to stay lightweight (listed at 10.4oz each for Mens size 9), while using a proprietary midsole that claims to be springier than EVA with more rebound. Summary: Best Maximum Cushion Hiking and Backpacking Shoes Altra Olympus 6 Hoka Speedgoat 6 Topo Athletic Ultraventure Best Budget Hiking Footwear Options While your hiking shoes might not be the best place to save a few dollars, if you’re looking to hit the trail and must do so on a limited budget, take a look at these options for budget-friendly trail shoes. The ASICS Gel-Excite trail running shoes ($85) have plenty of cushion as well as a rear-foot gel technology that improves impact absorption for longer hikes. They may not be as rugged as other hiking shoes, making them not the best choice for technical terrain, but for daily hikes on easier trails, these shoes could be an affordable choice. One way to find the right treads for the trail is to watch for closeout deals on popular shoes and previous models, although finding the right size can be a challenge with this strategy. Another option is the DynaSoft Nitrel line by New Balance, which retails for $80. It is recommended for average foot widths and average arch heights, and has a fairly low heel drop of 6mm. It has an EVA foam insert for extra hiking comfort and is lightweight and versatile. Like the ASICS, the Nitrel shoe does not have the structure for technical trails (e.g. no rock plate), but it could do well for easy trails. A long-time provider of affordable outdoor gear, Columbia offers several hiking footwear choices including the Crestwood Hiking Shoe. The Crestwood is lightweight and versatile, with the shoe retailing for only $70, and offering a waterproof version and a mid-boot option ($90 and $100, respectively). Sometimes the trade-off for choosing a lower budget shoe is that you may have less durability. Make sure to also check the REI Co-op Outlet for clearance sales on some of the higher priced shoes, although sizes and styles will be limited. Summary: Best Budget Hiking Footwear Options ASICS Gel-Excite 2 New Balance DynaSoft Nitrel v6 Columbia Crestwood Hiking Shoes REI Co-op Outlet Shoes Women’s Backpacking and Hiking Shoes All the shoes listed here are available in both men’s and women’s versions. The features and technology used are generally the same for women’s shoes as they are for the men’s; however, sizing and styles/color options will differ. In general, the men’s version is created to be slightly wider than the women’s for a similar size. For example, Topo Athletic states that the standard men’s width is an E in the toe box and D in the midfoot/heel area, while the standard women’s width is a D in the toe box and a B in the midfoot/heel area. For women that need a wider width, a men’s shoe in the similar equivalent size may do the trick. Also, men that need a narrower fit particularly in the instep or heel, may wish to try a women’s size to see if it fits more perfectly. Conclusion Perhaps nothing is more personal in regards to hiking and backpacking gear than your shoes; everyone’s feet and preferences vary. That said, once you determine the category that works best for you (do you want to take the minimal approach, max cushion, or somewhere in between?) appropriate, well-built, and trail-ready choices do quickly become narrowed. The best hiking shoes will be the ones that you’re frankly not thinking about as the miles go by. In the end, try out as many shoes as you can – and comfort with acceptable durability is king when it comes to the best hiking and backpacking shoes that will work and be best for your upcoming hikes. For more on what to look for in general and categorized by hiking season, see our article on how to choose backpacking and hiking footwear. For a full selection of hiking and backpacking shoes check out this page at REI Co-op.

Thanks Mac, and same to you! Hopefully there will be some great hikes in 2026 all around.

I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone Happy Holidays. Have a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year

I'm so excited that I won! Thank you so much! Cannot wait to receive the boots and wear them on my trail!

Trailgroove premium member here! I would use them for snowshoeing in our local national park. Hoping cold feet will become a thing of the past!

How fun! I'd consider using them at Mt. Rainier to snowshoe!

Warm feet on my Midwest Ice Fishing Excursion

Hiking three miles everyday, up and down hills, out in Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County, Indiana, often with a backpack for plein air painting. I have really struggled finding a truly waterproof boot for hiking. These boots look awesome!

Trekking Poles: I have 5,000km on a pair of Cascade Tech poles from Costco. Around $40USD and they have been delightful!

Another Tennessean here. I'm over near the western part of the state, though, where it doesn't get cold enough to warrant Bunny Boots. BUT for years I have been yearning to explore Sapmi (the Sami name for what nonindigenous folks call Lapland). I've been pining for a pair of Bunny Boots ever since I heard that they are, with good reason, ubiquitous in Alaska.

These boots will fit the bill perfectly as I'm stomping around in and around Fairbanks, AK. Alaska Gear Co rocks!

Winter wanderings along the Massachusetts section of the Appalachain Trail. These boots could really help me anchor into my mantra of ‘Trust your feet.’

I would use these boots during my winter hiking in the New Hampshire White Mountains. These waterproof mountain boots seem perfect for backcountry hikes and snowshoeing.

What an awesome giveaway! I would absolutely use these boots when I visit my daughter in Steamboat Springs, CO. It's already snowing there, and there are trails there to explore, whether there's cold snowy ice or not! YEEHAW!!!

Cool sweepstakes! For me, these would go through the forested hills and low mountains of the Finger Lakes and Catskills regions of upstate New York.

These boots look amazing and I’d love to put them to work with all my winter day hiking in north Idaho and eastern Washington! We recently started doing overnight backpacking, too, and I’m always looking to dial in that winter backpacking gear list. Hopefully these boots can help with that!

This was a very helpful read for me. I live in Reno, So Tahoe is right next door. At 59 yrs old I have become obsessed with the PCT. But I don't know if it is for me. The TRT is going to be my adventure next summer!

If you search the Internet you'll find a couple of places that rent equipment. GoPro seems to be a popular rent by some people just getting started. It's inclusive. Batteries, cards and the like. That way hikers sample a product and then buy or move on. Sony has some good quality cameras for rent through bigger camera stores. Some Sony models are great looking images and good sound recording. Good luck and it would be nice to hear what you used and maybe see a sample.

Hi Rob and welcome. What type of production quality are you looking for? Most would use a smartphone if you have one. For a higher production quality than that, and they are often pretty good, you’d be looking at some more expensive professional or higher end camera gear.

If they are out there at the same time and day, you’d probably have a good chance of a happenstance meetup right on the trail. But for pre-planning, a post in our Regional Discussions would be my suggestion.

The forested slopes of southeastern Oklahoma’s ironically named Sans Bois Mountains provide the backdrop for much of the excitement in “True Grit,” a novel by Charles Portis and two major motion pictures (1969 and 2010). You wouldn’t know it though, for the mountain peaks shown in the films suggest places farther west. Indeed, the movies were filmed in Colorado and New Mexico, but pursuing outlaws in post-Civil War Indian Territory, as the main characters are portrayed as doing in “True Grit,” was not just one of Hollywood’s fictional creations. Here in the foothills of the larger Ouachita Mountain range, deep forests and rugged terrain did indeed shelter folks on the wrong side of the law during and after the Civil War. During that conflict, deserters found refuge in these isolated backwoods. And for many years after the war, Indian Territory maintained a reputation for lawlessness. Legend has it that unsavory characters such as Jesse and Frank James, the Doolin Gang, and Henry and Belle Starr hid out in these parts, some even living in sandstone caves in the cliffs of the Fourche Maline River. Whether or not any of these notables ever used it as a hideout, the name “Robbers Cave” seemed apropos for the signature feature of this Oklahoma state park when it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps along the banks of the Fourche Maline in the 1930s. As for the decidedly wooded mountain range named Sans Bois, which is French for "without wood,” a creek with very little timber and its source in these mountains is said to have given the range its name. The dense forest is dominated by short-leaf pine and post oak, hickory and cedar, with dogwood and redbud adding color to the landscape. With its diverse geology and ecology, Robbers Cave State Park offers abundant opportunities for hiking and exploring. Hiking at Robbers Cave All of this makes for excellent hiking, with challenging terrain and beautiful scenery, and the cave itself is a must-see, although not a cave in the true sense of the word. Robbers Cave is more a crevice created by the shifting of inclined layers of sedimentary rock. It is easily accessed from a parking lot on the northeast side of the park via a short but steep climb. Whether or not Belle Starr ever set foot in it, climbing up, sitting inside and peering out is a satisfying accomplishment. No less interesting are the rock formations below the cave, which create narrow passageways reminiscent of slot canyons. It’s a worthwhile place to spend some time. Three main paths – Rough Canyon Trail, Cattail Pond Loop, and Mountain Trail – dominate the Robbers Cave State Park trail system, and the ability to connect them with a multi-use trail and four backcountry camp sites makes it possible to put together an enjoyable backpacking experience. The Rough Canyon trailhead is adjacent to the cave parking lot, and what hiker could resist a trail called “Rough Canyon”? The first mile lives up to the “rough” appellation with lots of rocky uphill, briefly running along a stream before opening up, then flowing into a dense pine forest. The trail continues uphill then intersects with the Cattail Pond Loop, which incorporates a stream crossing and circles the eponymous body of water, passing a primitive campground before it turns toward lovely Lost Lake. Surrounded by maples and covered with lily pads, this is an intensely beautiful spot in the fall, and its rock dam and attendant stone structure are worth investigating. The trail continues with lots of rocky downhill, returning to the cave parking lot for a total of about four miles. These trails can be mixed and matched for various distances and, on the west, they connect with the park’s 4.8-mile Mountain Trail. On the park’s southern end, the Deep Ford Campground serves as the primary starting point for the Mountain Trail. This is really the park’s signature trail, tracing the western shores of Lakes Carlton and Wayne Wallace before connecting with the Rough Canyon Trail. Finding your way can be difficult in spots, however. As the trail climbs above Lake Carlton, it is easy to veer off course, confusing the well-worn spur to the bluffs with the main trail. The bluffs must be explored, as the view is breathtaking, but remember that the main trail goes above the bluffs, not below. Other hiking and equestrian trail branches also create confusion along the way and the park maps are not all that helpful. But if you sort it out, you’ll come to the Rocky Top primitive campground on the northern edge of the Mountain trail, near the intersection with the Rough Canyon Trail. A multi-use trail connects with the Mountain and Rough Canyon trails, allowing creation of an overnight backpacking loop of about 11.5 miles in length. Robbers Cave is also perfect for day hiking, with abundant campgrounds and cabins built in the 1930s in National Park Service rustic style. In fact, the park is so full of intact historical structures that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After a vigorous hike, take a leisurely walk to explore such structures as the 1936 bathhouse on Lake Carlton, now serving as the park’s nature center. And, with its huge sandstone rock faces, Robbers Cave State Park is a popular destination for rock climbers. Robbers Cave in bloom Then and Now While you’re unlikely to find any outlaws hiding out there these days, hiking at Robbers Cave State Park, near Wilburton, Oklahoma, offers a taste of the backwoods that attracted those renegades 150 years ago and perhaps a glimpse into what life on the run might have looked like in those cliffs above the Fourche Maline. Need to Know Information There is no fee to access the park but a $10 per day parking fee is charged (annual parking passes are also available). Parking is, however, included in fees for cabin/lodge room rental or camping. The park offers ample camping, including 86 primitive tent campsites. Tent camping in backcountry campsites and campgrounds is $16 per night. Make reservations, obtain a parking pass and get complete park information here. Getting There Robbers Cave State Park is located five miles north of Wilburton, Oklahoma on State Highway 2. Wilburton is about 160 miles from Oklahoma City, 130 miles from Tulsa, and 75 miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Best Time to Go Spring and fall are the best times to go thanks to cooler temperatures and more color in the landscape (dogwood and redbud in spring and maples and other hardwoods in fall). Winter is also a very good time to go, as temperatures are usually mild. In the summer, while ticks and poison ivy can be annoying, the trails are generally well groomed and shady, so hiking then can be pleasant as well. Maps and Books Oklahoma Hiking Trails by Kent Frates and Larry Floyd, and True Grit by Charles Portis. The Oklahoma Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer can help with getting to and from and exploring the area. The Ouachita Maps web site offers topo maps and detailed hiking directions. Also see the Robbers Cave Historical Walking Tour.

If you want to meet that price point, you aren't going to get a top of the line pack. You can get packs that are rated pretty decent if you go with something from Teton Sports. When Teton Sports first started selling packs online, they looked a lot like the cheap Chinese packs that were flooding ebay and Amazon, but they appear to have come a long way since then. They have a 20% off sale right now, and one of their nicer packs (Hiker 3700) had an even better discount for Memorial Day. Teton Sports has a "Limited Lifetime Warranty" I've never owned anything from Teton myself. https://tetonsports.com/collections/backpacks

Hi guys, I know nothing about backpacking. I’ve been tasked with finding packs for a retreat/camp organization in New England. The packs would be used year round by different people on short trips (3 days or so). Here’s their criteria: - 55-65 L - adjustable - durable (including withstanding rain, ice, and snow) - lightweight - the person that leads the trips prefers the Osprey Renn and Rook… …But here’s the hard part: they only want to spend around $100 a pack. Maybe a bit more for guaranteed durability so they’d last a few years. Any ideas on what brands/models to look for within those confines? It’s a bit hard to shop for a pack that could be used by many different types of bodies. Thanks!

First off you will need to determine what will be the average size of the hikers torso. Not everyone will be a medium torso length. Secondly, Osprey's warranty would get my first consideration for a heavily used pack. Your going to be hard pressed to find any decent pack at $100 each unless you buy used and a $100 used Osprey is a rare bird indeed. Gregory makes a decent pack also and may be in the price range. Lightweight and durable come at a price. It depends on what you consider to be "lightweight" and just how durable your willing to accept. The conundrum of the hiking world is that everyone wants a light pack that will last forever at absolutely the lowest price. There is no such pack or gear. Alas, you must also consider how many packs are for women and how many are for men. S-Straps and certain hip belts make a world of difference for women. You get the idea I'm sure. So lets set some real life parameters. Lets day lightweight is from 2.5-4.5lbs, average torso of medium height, easily replaceable/adjustable hip belt for people of different girths, is comfortable by the average persons opinion, can carry loads of 20-35lbs comfortably, and is made of durable enough materials. That sounds like an osprey all day. Suggestions: Osprey Rook/Renn 65L (#1 choice) retails at $180 https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/rook-65-ROOK65.html?packfinder=true Gregory Amber 55L retails at $200 https://www.gregorypacks.com/packs-bags/backpacking-packs/amber-55-126869XXXX.html?dwvar_126869XXXX_color=Arctic Grey&cgidmaster=packs-activities-backpacking Gregory Stout 60L retails at $200 https://www.gregorypacks.com/packs-bags/backpacking-packs/stout-60-126873XXXX.html?dwvar_126873XXXX_color=Fennel Green&cgidmaster=packs-activities-backpacking REI Flash 55L retails at $200 https://www.rei.com/product/148589/rei-co-op-flash-55-pack-mens REI Trailbreak 60L retails at $150 https://www.rei.com/product/168251/rei-co-op-trailbreak-60-pack-mens Gregory Octal 55L retails at $165 https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/213864/gregory-octal-55-pack-womens

Just an added note; REI is having a sale over Labor Day, and some of their packs are as much as 30% off. They would come close to meeting your budget. The Ospreys are about $180-200.

Yeah, well, for $100 you don't get Osprey packs. Packs are always a compromise between space, weight, and price. Given your requirements, and knowing how camps budget their funds, I'd sacrifice weight. After all, it's unlikely that you'll be using these for extended (five days or more) trips where weight really becomes more critical. If it were me, I would take this question to the nearest REI store and ask them to make you their best deal. You'll get decent quality, a reputable store that will take returns, and the advice of someone who is used to fitting packs to a lot of different people and bodies. There's no easy answer to this one, so plan on making a few compromises, and getting some packs that at least a bunch of people can use for a few basic trips.