Gear Closet: Ahnu Ridgecrest Hiking Shoes

I'm lucky enough to get to test a wide variety of outdoor gear here at The Adventure Blog, including a lot of different types of footwear. In the past, I've had the opportunity to test some shoes from some of the biggest names in the outdoor industry, with some performing incredibly well, while others have left me completely disappointed. Recently, I had the chance to test a pair of hiking shoes from Ahnu for the very first time, and while it isn't a brand the is as well known as some of the others I've hiked in in the past, I came away completely impressed by the style, comfort, and quality of their products.

The new Ahnu Ridgecrest light hiking shoe is a waterproof, low-cut boot designed to take on rugged terrain and long distance trails. Unlike some other light hiking footwear that is available on the market today, this shoe is completely capable of taking on a monumental trek such as the Appalachian Trail or something similar. Rugged and durable, I have no doubt that you'll be able to walk hundreds of miles in these shoes before you'd ever need to think about replacing them.

The Ridgecrest features an eVent liner that helps to provide the waterproofing you need to keep your feet warm and dry in damp conditions. That same membrane is also breathable however, which allows heat and moisture to vent out as well. As a result, I found these shoes to be quite comfortable to wear in all but the warmest of conditions. Because they are a low-cut boot however, I'd recommend wearing gaiters with them when hiking in snow or very wet weather, as it will help to keep debris and water from seeping in over the top.


In terms of comfort for your feet, the Ridgecrest delivers as well. Out of the box, I found them to be a bit stiff, but after wearing them for a bit around the house, they soon started to break in nicely. After you've put a few miles on them, you're likely to find that they loosen up nicely, and are easy to walk in. The shoes provide a lot of support for the arch of your foot, and give you a nice sense of balance and control while wearing them. The inner padding helps feels great too, and when combined with an integrated shock-dispersal plate, they do a good job of protecting the foot from wear and tear too.

In terms of traction, the Ridgecrest performed well on a wide variety of terrains. I've worn them on dry trails, through mud, across slippery rocks, and even while fording shallow streams, all without any issues. These boots provide a nice sense of confidence and sure-footedness no matter where you go, and while I haven't had the chance to test them on snow and ice as of yet, I feel fairly confident that they would do fine on those surfaces too, provided it wasn't under extreme circumstances.

Lightweight and form fitting, the Ridgecrest at times feels more like a trail running shoe than a light hiker. That's pretty impressive considering they are made for thru-hiking on rough trails. But their level of performance is outstanding in all areas, which makes them easy to recommend for anyone looking for a low-cut boot that can be used to trek tough routes, or as an approach shoe for mountaineering expeditions. In fact, the versatility that the Ridgecrest offers is one of its strong points, making it a good all around option for adventure travelers, backpackers, and city dwellers alike.

Priced at $150, these boots feel like a real bargain. I've spent more than that on shoes that delivered less. If you're in the market for a new show that can safely and comfortably see you through a lot of outdoor adventures, it is easy to recommend Ahnu's Ridgecrest. They give you everything you could ask for in an outdoor shoe, and more.

Outside Publishes 2015 Holiday Gear Gift Guide

As the end of the year draws nearer, the holidays are also now in sight. That means it is time to start thinking about what you'd like to give the outdoor enthusiasts on your list this season. To help out with that dilemma, Outside magazine has published its 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, with more 113 products that they recommend for the gear hound in your life. 

The guide is broken down into various categories, including adventure, fitness, tech, travel, and so on.  Each of those broad sections is further subdivided with specific categories that fall under each of those headings. For instance, under the category of "adventure" you'll find options for the best backcountry tools and toys, big gifts that float on snow and water, and 8 gifts for those who have been exceptionally good this year. Each of the other sections are similarly broken down into subcategories as well.

As you can imagine, the gear items that Outside recommends vary greatly in price and size. Some of the products that they recommend include the Goal Zero Flip 10 portable battery for keeping your gadgets charged, the GoPro Hero 4 Session action camera, and the Eddie Bauer First Ascent Maximus Duffel. Other items that get the Outside editors seal of approval range from an axe from United By Blue, to a fitness monitor from Fitbit. You'll also find Smartwool's PhD Propulsion Hoody on the list, as well as Keen's new The 59 boot. 

If you're just getting ready to start your holiday shopping, and you're looking for some good suggestions for your outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of options to choose from on this gift guide. Better yet, if you're one of those people who are difficult to buy for, and always have people asking you what you want, choose a few items from the list or just send the link to those who are shopping for you. Chances are, you'll come away with something great to add to your gear closet. 

Check out the entire gift guide here. 

Gear Closet: Hi Tec V-Lite Altitude Pro Boots

A couple of months back I had the opportunity to test a pair of hiking shoes from Hi-Tec called the V-Lite Flash Force, which I found to be extremely comfortable, versatile, and affordable. In fact, I was very impressed at the time with the amount of technical features that Hi-Tec had managed to squeeze into the shoe, which I thought was perfect for light hiking. So, with that in mind, I was eager to test yet another boot from the company, this time one that was designed for more aggressive trails and more challenging activities.

I got my first look at the V-Lite Altitude Pro Lite boots back at Outdoor Retailer in August. When I put them on in the Hi-Tec booth, I was immediately struck with just how comfortable they were. In fact, my exact words were that it felt like I was wearing a comfy couch on my feet. After having an opportunity to test these shoes further, I can safely say that they are definitely amongst the most comfortable hiking boots I have ever worn.

Before I delve too deeply into my thoughts on the Altitude Pro boots, let me first say that this shoe was designed in Europe, and had been available there for some time. In the spring of 2016, it'll make the leap across the pond to the U.S. as well, giving American hikers a new option for their upcoming trail excursions. In the U.K., the boot sells for �99.99, which is about $150 using the current exchange rate. If that price holds when they are released stateside, they'll be a heck of a bargain.

Designed for use on more aggressive trails, and in alpine settings, the Altitude Pro is fully waterproof, but comes with a breathable membrane that helps to keep your feet cooler and dryer. That said, much like with the V-Lite Flash Force, my feet were very warm in these boots, which would discourage me from wanting to wear them on summer hikes in warmer weather. They are fantastic for late-fall, winter, and early-spring use however, and if you're hiking in the mountains where cooler temperatures are the norm.


Also like the Flash Force, this shoe features a Vibram sole that includes the Rollingait System. This specially designed sole is meant to move naturally with the foot, keeping it more comfortable and reduce fatigue in your legs. It was originally developed to help with trail running and walking downhill, but it has evolved over time to become part of Hi-Tec's hiking shoes as well. This is one of those features that is difficult to actually judge how well it is working, but I'd venture to guess that it does play a role in the comfort of these boots. I would also say that my legs and feet did seem less tired when wearing them as well.

Durable and well made, the Altitude Pro seems like a shoe that will survive many trips in the outdoors, and continue to travel with you on hiking and backpacking trips for years to come. The fact that they are lightweight, provide good ankle support, and actually look good too means that you'll actually be looking forward to wearing them on those escapes.

Putting these boots to the test on a variety of terrains, I found that they offer good traction on dirt, mud, rocks, and other wet surfaces. I haven't had a chance to try them out in snow and ice just yet though, so I'm not sure how they'll perform in those conditions. We all know that winter poses a different set of challenges, but I suspect that these boots will do just fine in all but the worse of weather.

It is impossible to write about the Altitude Pro without coming back around to just how comfortable they are on your feet. While it is true that they are packed full of features and technology, the bottom line is that none of that makes much of a difference if a shoe isn't comfortable to wear. You'll have no fear of that here however, as Hi-Tec has done an outstanding job of creating a boot that is simply a joy to have on your feet.

If these boots are already available in your market, and you're considering buying new hiking shoes, these deserve to be on your list. I think you'll find that they provide outstanding performance in all but the most demanding mountain environments. If you live in North America, you'll have to be a bit patient and wait for their arrival here. They should hit store shelves in time for spring, and I promise they are well worth the wait.