Hiking

We shout a lot about barefoot shoes here at Terradrift. But that’s because we believe in the concept not just as a more comfortable and freeing way to exist in the world, but as a way to promote better foot function, balance, stability, and natural movement. After all, our feet were designed to move just the way they are, without all the extra support and cushioning (and the decidedly non foot-shaped design of modern footwear), so let’s let them! So if you’re headed out on a hike soon, check out what we think are the best barefoot hiking boots and shoes in town and free your feet.

If there’s one thing I have in common with thru-hikers (there’s way more than one…) it’s the dress code for summer hiking: teeny tiny shorts on the bottom and full-coverage up top. Yup, when it’s sunny outside, even when it’s hot, you better believe I’m protecting my delicate epidermis with a sustainable sun hoody. I mean, who wants to stop every hour to slather more sunscreen up and down their arms, neck, and chest, am I right? And who wants to carry that much sunscreen on a backpacking trip? Not me; I’m an ultralighter. So yeah, you’re waaaay more likely to catch me in full sleeves and a hood when it’s hot outside than a tank top (at least when I’m hiking, biking, or trail running for more than an hour). But not all sun hoodies are created equal. Some are created more equal than others. Fortunately, we found four solid, sustainable sun hoodies for all kinds of outdoor activities so you can wander without getting sunburned.

Whether you don’t like to hike or travel solo, can’t convince anyone from your friends or family group to join you on an exploratory hiking trip, or you simply like the camaraderie and all-inclusive pre-planned schedule group trips offer, a fully guided group trip may be for you. And if you love the outdoors, chances are you’ve heard about REI Adventures trips, which are packed with hiking, camping, lodges, and plenty of other outdoorsy fun. But are REI Adventures worth it (or any group hiking trip, for that matter)? I recently joined REI on their Sedona, Arizona luxury hiking trip to see what these sorts of experiences are all about and who is sure to enjoy them (and who probably won’t).

Barefoot hiking sandals! We love ‘em! So you know we had to get our hands (feet?) on a whole bunch of barefoot hiking sandals to test this season. We wore them hiking, camping, trail running, even cycling, all to find out which ones are the absolute bomb. Here are some of our faves.

You know I love a good daypack. Bonus points if it also looks as good as it is functional. Fortunately, the newly updated Loris 25 daypack from Gossamer Gear, which is more sustainable than ever thanks to a recent materials upgrade, is just that. Is it the perfect daypack? Well, I dunno about that. But it might be pretty dang close. And who am I to say whether or not it’s perfect for you? So check out our review to see what makes this ultralight daypack tick.

I wrote a guidebook!! I know, right?! Exciting stuff! It’s called Hiking Texas Hill Country, published by the inimitable Falcon Guides. And it was a looooooot of work, so I’m stoked to finally see it come into the world! (Some of you may remember we lived in Austin for 8 years, give or take a year or so to travel). As a teaser, I wanted to share 5 of the best hikes near Austin that are included in the book to whet your appetite, encourage you to lace up your boots, and consider buying the book, which offers everything from descriptions of flora and fauna to turn-by-turn hiking directions to epic imagery to inspire adventure! The official release date is May 7, 2024, but you can pre-order the book HERE and it will be shipped to you as soon as it drops! Or stop by your favorite independent local bookstore and request they order it for you (we love supporting local bookstores). But while you wait, here are some of our favorite hikes from the guidebook.

I’m very particular about my backpacks. I want the perfect balance of exterior pockets, interior organizational space, packability, and comfort. And I want to to not weigh much. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. And yeah, I want it to be sustainable as well. So, I was pretty stoked when I got to test the Deuter Speed Lite CV. Specifically the 23L SL version, which is the women’s-specific model. There’s also a 25 L unisex version. And frankly, I’m pretty impressed. Honestly, this backpack might just be my new favorite daypack.

You know w’re all about barefoot shoes here at Terradrift. We love barefoot adventure sandals, trail runners, and absolutely waterproof barefoot hiking boots. So when Xero Shoes dropped their shiny new Scrambler Mid II Waterproof (it’s brand new this week) we had to test out a pair to see just how barefoot–and waterproof–they really are.

You know we’re big fans of barefoot shoes here at Terradrift. We love barefoot hiking boots, barefoot sandals, and barefoot shoes for daily wear. But one category we haven’t focused on yet is sustainable waterproof barefoot hiking boots for cool weather! So we did some digging, tested a few pairs in the cold and snow, and share what we think of them right here, right now.

What’s a hiker to do when shopping for trekking poles and one is twenty bucks and the other is $200? What? What they heck is the difference to require such a massive price difference? And are expensive trekking poles even worth it? We break it all down to help you decide if you should save your hard-earned cash for other gear or splurge on fancy new sticks.