Footware Reviews

All footware gear reviews.

La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX Review

La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX Review

A hybrid mountaineering-hiking boot that bridges approach shoes and full-on mountaineering boots for technical alpine days.

La Sportiva 620g Rating: 7.8/10
Salomon Speedcross 5 Review

Salomon Speedcross 5 Review

A deep dive into Salomon's iconic mud-eating trail runner — where the aggressive lugs shine, and where the heavy, low-cushion build starts to show its age.

Salomon 320g Rating: 7.5/10
Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 Review

Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 Review

A stable, grippy trail runner that hikers use as a lightweight boot alternative — but the narrower V8 upper isn't for everyone.

Salomon 363g Rating: 7.5/10
Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX Review

Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX Review

A hands-on look at Salomon's do-it-all hiking shoe, weighing its trail-runner-like agility against a firmer, less cushioned ride than rivals.

Salomon 380g Rating: 8/10
Altra Lone Peak 9 Review

Altra Lone Peak 9 Review

The zero-drop trail runner thru-hikers love for its wide toe box — we dig into whether the 9th generation finally fixed its durability problems.

Altra 293g Rating: 7.5/10
Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Review

Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Review

A five-toe crew sock built for trail running and hiking — I break down the blister-prevention benefits, durability trade-offs, and who should actually buy toe socks.

Injinji 36g Rating: 7.5/10
SCARPA Kailash GTX Review

SCARPA Kailash GTX Review

A look back at SCARPA's discontinued Kailash GTX, a rugged Italian-made leather backpacking boot now succeeded by the Kailash Trek and Kailash Plus GTX.

SCARPA 590g Rating: 7.5/10
Darn Tough Men's Hiker Quarter Cushioned Wool Hiking Socks Review

Darn Tough Men's Hiker Quarter Cushioned Wool Hiking Socks Review

A midweight merino hiking sock with Darn Tough's legendary lifetime warranty — durable and comfortable, though not the lightest option for ultralight hikers.

Darn Tough 70.9g Rating: 8.5/10
Injinji Liner Crew Review

Injinji Liner Crew Review

A thin, five-toe liner sock built to stop between-toe blisters — I break down where it earns its keep and where it wears thin.

Injinji 30g Rating: 7.5/10
Darn Tough Mountaineering Micro Crew Full Cushion Review

Darn Tough Mountaineering Micro Crew Full Cushion Review

A heavyweight, full-cushion merino wool sock built for cold-weather mountaineering and winter hiking — durable, warm, and odor-resistant, with a lifetime guarantee.

Darn Tough 56.7g Rating: 9/10
FALKE TK5 Wander Review

FALKE TK5 Wander Review

An honest review of the FALKE TK5 Wander hiking sock: a lightweight, anatomically-fitted merino wool crew sock built for casual day hikes and city walks.

FALKE 41g Rating: 7.5/10
Injinji Hiking Toesocks Review

Injinji Hiking Toesocks Review

Injinji's hiking toesocks eliminate toe-on-toe friction to prevent blisters — a genuine game-changer for blister-prone hikers, with a few real-world trade-offs worth knowing.

Injinji 57.5g Rating: 8/10
Altra Lone Peak 4.5 Review

Altra Lone Peak 4.5 Review

An honest look at the Altra Lone Peak 4.5 — a zero-drop trail shoe beloved by thru-hikers, with updated midsole foam and a snugger fit that divides long-time fans.

Altra 298g Rating: 6.5/10
Crocs Classic Clog Review

Crocs Classic Clog Review

The Crocs Classic Clog: a cult-status camp shoe beloved by backpackers for its cushioned Croslite foam, quick-dry performance, and sub-$55 price — but its loose, binary fit has real limits.

Crocs 318g Rating: 7.5/10