Pocket Ranger™

Recipe Contest: Hobo Chicken Packets

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:08:50 -0400

3 Cleaned Russet Potatoes

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

4 Slices of Bacon (cut in half)

Sliced multicolored peppers

sliced onions

garlic

assorment of fresh herbs (rosemary and basil work well)

Overlap two peices of aluminum foil four times. (Enough for four packets) Place two pieces of bacon in the center of each foil square. Thinly slice the potatoes and layer on top of the bacon. Add the chicken on top of the potatoes and layer in the herbs, peppers and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Fold contents of each packet in the aluminum foil tightly then wrap again with the second piece of foil. Place the packets over hot coals and cook for about twenty minutes. Remove packets from the fire, carefully open packets and serve a quick easy camp fire meal.

Recipe Contest: Irish Stout BBQ Beef Brisket

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:04:23 -0400

An easy one-pan recipe that will charm your friends and family

Ingredients

1 (3.5-4 lb) boneless beef brisket, trimmed

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 large white or yellow onions, one inch dice

One (16 oz.) can of Irish stout, such as Guinness or Murphy’s

1 cup of a favorite BBQ sauce

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat grill

Place oil and onions into a roasting pan

Place pan onto direct heat, stirring occasionally until onions are golden, about 10 minutes

While onions are roasting, rub the brisket with oil, salt, and pepper

Place brisket directly on grill over direct heat to sear, about 4 minutes on each side

Remove pan with onions from the grill, add Irish stout, BBQ sauce, and cider vinegar, and stir to combine

Add seared brisket to onion mixture, spoon liquid over brisket, and cover pan with heavy foil

Place covered pan on indirect heat, close grill top, and cook until meat is very tender, about 3 to 3.5 hours; grill temperature should be about 350 degrees

When meat is tender, remove brisket and set aside to rest for 15 minutes

While meat is resting, cook onion mixture down into a thicker sauce over direct heat, stirring frequently, 10-15 minutes

Cut brisket against the grain, and serve with sauce (and an Irish stout, if you like!)

Dutch Oven Cobbler

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:48:38 -0400

This recipe is made with a camping dutch oven that has a lip on top to hold coals.

2 cans blueberry fruit pie filling (or whatever you please)
1 white cake mix
1- 12 oz can of sprite

Pour pie filling into bottom of dutch oven. Mix cake mix with sprite and pour on top. Batter will be lumpy.

Bake with 20 hot coals on top and 10 on the bottom until golden brown. Serve hot. Top with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Fire Roasted Potatoes

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:48:00 -0400

This is an easy recipe that goes well with any kind of meat.

Ingredients:

4 potatoes (skin on), Real butter, white onion (sliced)

optional:

Bacon bits, chives, chili powder, garlic powder

wash potatoes and cut in half length wise, score the inside of the potatoe with a knife, spread butter in both halves of potatoe, place onion and any other extra item you may want to add between the two slices of potatoe, wrap stuffed potatoe thightly in heavy duty foil. Place wrapped potato in fire where there are lots of hot coals, roast for about 45-60 min, turning often.

Make It: S'mores

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:07:00 -0400

When it comes to camping, s’mores are as ubiquitous as bears, unidentified noises, difficult-to-pitch tents—you get the point. S’mores are definite campfire staples. While we love the graham cracker, Hershey’s chocolate and marshmallow combination, it’s time our palates experience something new. So we’ve scoured the Internet, interviewed campers and done everything short of breaking out our old Girls Scouts uniform for a chance at one more troupe camping trip to bring you a list of inventive s’mores recipes for your next outdoor outing. Some have been adapted from fancy celebrity chefs while others were simply happy accidents.

Have you sampled any of our suggestions? Tell us which is your favorite!

S’mores a la Italiana:

Nutella is to Italians what peanut butter is to Americans. This creamy, chocolate hazelnut spread is said to boast tons of nutrients and vitamins, and be a super-healthy breakfast alternative for kids, all of which is great news but hardly why we hoard this nonperishable item every time we camp. Nutella is absolutely delicious.

Swap the Hershey’s for Nutella, lightly toast the marshmallow so as not to melt the spread into a gooey mess when assembling. Here: Food Network chef Giada De Laurentiis opts for crusty Italian bread instead of crackers, but we’ve found both to work well.

Elvis S’mores

Speaking of peanut butter, Elvis s’mores combine two of our favorite ingredients—peanut butter and chocolate—for a gut-busting rendition. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter on the graham cracker, top with a piece of Hershey’s chocolate and sliced banana. Though The King favored bacon on his, we prefer to keep ours vegetarian. Swap the chocolate and peanut butter for a peanut butter cup (as seen here) for a quicker treat.

Black & White S’mores

Adding Oreos to just about anything is bound to make it taste better. Our suggestions? Crumble up a few cookies and add them to your favorite s’mores just before assembling. In keeping with the black and white, you may also want to opt for white chocolate instead, which we’ve found to be a better tasting alternative to milk chocolate in this recipe.

Caramel S’mores

Throw your preconceived notions of what s’mores should be out the RV window. Now that you’ve done that, you’re free to indulge in a decadent caramel concoction that faintly resembles s’mores. For this you’ll need two cookies of your choosing (we like this version made using peanut butter cookies), pile with dark chocolate, drizzle with caramel (you may also melt caramel squares over a campfire) and top with a toasted marshmallow.

Assemble, eat, repeat!

Recipe Contest: You Can't Fail Foil Packets

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:24:00 -0400

This is a keeper campground recipe for our family — it even works when small car camping or deep back country camping dictates minimal gear & cooler ingredients.

MUST HAVE INGREDIENTS:
1) Foil squares
2) Fire
3) Food (even bagged jerky & canned corn works)

OPTIONAL BUT TASTY INGREDIENTS:
4) Corn
5) Potatoes (diced)
6) Onions (chopped tiny)
7) Peppers (small)
8) Seasoning: Steak, blackening, soul or cajun seasoning (like Tony’s) or Season-all (like Spike or poultry)
9) Beans, sausage, jerky or canned fish (your choice)
10) Butter or oil (this is optional if your meat provides oil)

In a foil packet, arrange your choice of these ingredients (Protein choice + Veggies + Starch + Fat). Sprinkle with seasoning. Roll up foil packet and place around fire edge/in ring. Watch it so it cooks and doesn’t burn. Depending on how large you cut your potato pieces, it will take 30 minutes to one hour to cook. Unpeel your packet and YUM! Instant camp breakfast, lunch or dinner! And you even have an easy to clean-up & pack-out “dish.” Choose your favorite ingredients and go. (By the way, I taught my husband this foil recipe when we were dating — he was just eating way too much frozen pizza and he loved it do much he started making frozen chicken breasts with veggies for his mom and sister when they visited. They were do impressed. Same foil formula: (chicken breast+starch+veggie+fat) and cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour. Outside in the campfire, the chicken will cook fast or slow depending on your fire so be sure to check the meat for complete “done-ness” before eating. Chicken should not be pink, so be sure to cook it through and even better, if you can cut it into chunks so the individual pieces cook through with the veggie, fat and starch juices. Enjoy!

Cool Camping Gear: The Cave Tent

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:56:00 -0400

From jewelry to camping equipment, diamonds are everywhere these days—and no, we’re not referring to glamping or blinged out sleeping bags. The precious metal is turning up in our pick for cool gear courtesy of The Cave tent. Crafted by Heimplanet, The Cave’s design takes a cue from the molecular structure of a diamond to offer maximum stability and durability outdoors. Its shape allows for seating of up to six people, can comfortably sleep three and pitches just as easily and quickly as an exhausted camper post-hike. (The tent is in fact inflatable, and literally comes together in seconds with the help of a handheld pump.) If you’re still too tired to disassemble, the tent deflates and rolls back for easy storage. Though we wouldn’t necessary go as far as agreeing with Heimplanet’s claims of The Cave being “intuitive,” we would definitely consider splurging (practicality isn’t cheap!) on a no-fuss durable tent such as this one.

What do you look for in a tent?

We’re loving Mother Nature Network’s collection of...

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:25:00 -0400

We’re loving Mother Nature Network’s collection of campground recipes! We can’t wait to ~~gorge on french toast~~ test out this recipe for our Cookout Recipe Challenge.

Have you entered yet?

mothernaturenetwork:

Campfire French Toast: Whip up this tasty breakfast in minutes over a campfire or your camp stove.
Gourmet backpacking breakfast recipes

Recipe: Fuel up on Granola!

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:31:06 -0400

When it comes to a filling, portable snack, few things beat a savory granola bar. But with hundreds of options on the market, picking the right bar isn’t always easy. Do you opt for chewy or crunchy? Is all natural, organic healthier than a raw, gluten-free bar? How much sugar is too much sugar? When deciding on the ideal granola bar becomes too overwhelming a task, we opt keep it simple by making our own. Below is a granola bar recipe you can make ahead of time and pack for everything from a vigorous hike to a weekend camping trip. Feel free to swap ingredients for other dried fruit or nuts.

Do you have a favorite granola bar recipe? Enter it here!

All Mixed Up: Four Trail Mix Recipes + Bonus Hiking Playlist

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:32:05 -0400

Chances are that rumbling you hear out on the trail isn’t a rockslide or even a babbling brook, but the beastly growl of an empty stomach in need of fuel. We’ve whipped up some wilderness-worthy trail mix recipes to overcome hunger as you set out to conquer trails.

For the full sensory experience we’ve prepared a different kind of trail mix. This 10-track playlist is perfect for solo hikes or group treks and is made of only the finest ingredients for your listening pleasure.

Have a recipe for trail mix you’d like to share? Enter it in Pocket Ranger’s Summer Recipe Contest for a chance to win a slew of cool prizes!

Ride your bike, save trees. Do it! mothernaturenetwork: 20th...

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:07:15 -0400

Ride your bike, save trees. Do it!

mothernaturenetwork:

20th annual Tour des Trees to raise money for tree research and education
Tree-loving cyclists will travel up to 500 miles this October, with a fundraising goal of $500,000.

Hiking Hits - Endless Summer

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:49:00 -0400

Pocket Ranger’s weekly song picks for those who enjoy a little musical accompaniment when hitting the trails.

The apparent drop in temperatures we felt this morning reminded us that the dog days of summer are quickly coming to an end. For those of us futilely wishing for a spike in temperatures, this desert-inspired playlist will transport you to a warmer corner of the world. Danger Mouses “Two Against One,” reminiscent of a Spaghetti Western, keeps you motivated, while My Morning Jacket’s “Holdin’ On To Black Metal,” may help you believe in the possibility of endless summer days—even for just a few minutes.

Check out the rest of this week’s desert-themed selections to get you breaking a sweat no matter the weather.

In The Bag: Best All-Weather Sleeping Bags

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:25:00 -0400

Finding a great sleeping bag is like securing the perfect hiking boot before hitting the road—picking one equipped to handle the elements is paramount. Yet with varying weather conditions come myriad of decisions: will my sleeping bag function for both cold and warm weather? Is the sleeping bag sturdy? How durable will the sleeping bag be?

Because fretting things like, say, lurking bears is more important than the color, price, size, etc., of your sleeping bag, we’ve rounded up a list of great sleeping bags sure to help you cross off your list of concerns.

Feathered Friends’ 0 Degree sleeping bag covers all your bases seasonal needs with a versatile design that’s ideal for camping year round (tundra-like conditions withstanding!). The down clothing breathes in summer but also keeps campers warm in milder temperatures. The adjustable down and continuous baffle design provide added versatility.

When it comes to extreme, tundra-like condition, The North Face has you covered. The Inferno, which is filled with 800+ down feathers, features an ergonomic footbox, breathable shell fabric and is not only waterproof but also suitable for temperatures up to 40 degrees fahrenheit. This sleeping bag is chocked-full of outdoor-friendly features like a compression sack for easy transport and a glow-in-the-dark zipper, which we sort of love.

If it’s a light, ultra-durable option you’re after, look no further than Sierra Designs. Sure, it slightly resembles a chic, modern-day sarcophagus but its iridescent orange hue just screams sunny outdoors. At just under two pounds, the Vapor 15 stays warm up to 15 degrees fahrenheit. Plus, for bonus protection, the sleeping bag comes equipped with a tiny storage sack and removable pad lock.

Hiking Hits - Let's Get Wet

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:17:00 -0400

Pocket Ranger’s weekly song picks for those who enjoy a little musical accompaniment when hitting the trails.

With summer winding down, this beach-inspired playlist is a great companion on a hike, or on the way to the water. “Let’s Go Surfing” by The Drums will get you thinking about catching some waves, while Metronomy’s “The Bay” will certainly remind you of how it “feels soooo good” to be in the water.

Check out the rest of this week’s beach-themed selections that will take you from hiking trail to waterfront, and enjoy this beautiful weather while it lasts.

Know Your Knives: A Beginner's Guide to the Best Camping Knives

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:28:39 -0400

Choosing a good camping knife can seem like a tedious task with today’s saturated market filled with gadgets and gizmos. Knowing what to look for in a knife can save you a lot of time and energy—and not to mention money, which is something Pocket Ranger aims to do on a regular basis.

Selecting the perfect knife means being honest with yourself about what you’ll be using it for, and whether the knife in question is capable of performing such tasks with ease. For the knife novice, we’ve got a few tips to help you get started on the quest to securing your very own Excalibur.

First, a brief lesson in anatomy. The more you know about the look and feel of the knife, the easier the selection process will be.

The basic parts of a knife will vary in shape and size depending on intended use. Blade length is an important characteristic to observe when knife shopping, as it is a big determinant of the knife’s purpose. To whit, choosing too long of a blade for delicate or fine cutting can result in lack of control, while a short blade for rough or heavy duty jobs can be tedious and time consuming.

Now that you’ve identified styles and needs—plus common uses for cutlery—keep reading for our picks of best camping knives sure to get the job done.

Chopping: It’s doubtful anyone has the desire much less the strength to carry around a full-sized axe or machete, especially when there are much lighter, less intimidating alternatives. A blade of approximately eight inches will be helpful in chopping firewood and other rough cutting, and many of these knives can be fit comfortably in your pack or on your belt.

The KA-BAR Becker Combat Bowie knife offers military-grade strength and precision with a fixed blade for safer use.

Fine Cutting: Just as larger tasks require larger blades, small, detailed cutting calls for finer cutlery. This particularly applies to trimming finger and toe nails and other hygienic maintenance that is necessary on longer trips. Look for a blade between two and four inches with a sharp point for quick and precise cutting. Weight is still of importance especially for backpackers where every ounce counts.

Small yet versatile, Victorinox’s swiss army knives are a camp classic. Not only do they offer a wide variety of sharp edges packed into one tiny handle, but they are relatively inexpensive and can endure a lifetime of wear.

Whittling: While this may sound like an outcome of boredom, experienced campers can testify that whittling is a great skill to have out on the trails and can also come in handy when setting up camp.

The ESEE-3 is a great standard outdoor knife that can accomplish a host of jobs, including whittling.

Slicing: Let’s face it, we all have to eat and no trail, mountain or stream is going to stand in the way of a rumbling tummy. Slicing and dicing is best done with a medium-sized blade of four to six inches in length, but a longer one will suffice if available. A common chef’s knife is a great example of a good food prep knife, though a knife engineered specifically for outdoor use will offer the longevity and strength that your run-of-the-mill kitchen knife might lack.

The White Whale by Fallkniven is a great knife for food preparation. Notice the similarities in shape between the Whale and the knife you have in your kitchen drawers.

Skinning: Pay attention hunters, because we’re talking to you! Shape is probably one of the most important things to take note of when shopping for hunting knives. Selecting a medium length blade with an upward curve will maximize your efficiency. It will also prevent the blade from getting snagged on the flesh of the skin itself as you prepare the game.

Not only does Victorinox make life-saving pocket knives, but they master hunting knives too. This skinning knife is the hunter’s best friend, plus it’s built to last.

There are of course many other uses for knives while out in the wild, including digging, drilling and other tasks we often take for granted when we’ve a well-stocked toolbox at our disposal. If you can cut, chop it or slash it, there’s a knife for that!

What’s your choice knife?

Packing Essentials: What to Bring on a Camping Trip

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:41:00 -0400

Thinking of everything you’ll need to go camping can be a bit overwhelming. So Pocket Ranger™ has come up with a list of essentials, plus a few extras of what you’ll need to be prepared. Make sure to check the weather and camping requirements before heading out—such as whether a permit or reservation is needed, which is readily available on our app!—and you’ll be on your way to having a great time outdoors.

Equipment and Tools

Tent, poles, tent stakes
Plastic tarps (for the ground and for the roof of your tent if it rains)
Small shovel for digging tent poles
Hammer
Scissors
Camping knife
Screw driver
Wrench
Rope
Clothes pins
First Aid kit
Bucket
Air mattress (and pump if needed)
Sleeping bags
Blankets
Pillows
Beach/camping chairs (Retro neon chairs only heighten the experience.)*
Flashlight and batteries
Lantern
Lantern fuel and funnel (if gas)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Waterproof matches
Portable shower

Food and Cooking Equipment

Plenty of water
Napkins/paper towels
Toilet paper/Kleenex
Wetwipes
Can Opener
Paper plates and plastic cutlery (we love the Ecoware compostable kind!)
A cooler with plenty of ice
Charcoal and lighter fluid (if grilling)
Ingredients for cooking
Cooking skewers for grilling
Metal tongs
Wooden Spoon
Metal bowl
Pots and pans
Folding table
Ziplock bags
Trash bags

Personal Items

Weather appropriate attire (multiple layers even for the beach)
Sunscreen
Extra socks (Will come in handy in a myriad of ways—trust us!)
Insect repellant
Chapstick
A windbreaker (waterproof is ideal)
A sweatshirt/hoodie/old jacket
Comfortable pants
Swimsuit
Sandals
Boots and/or weatherproof shoes
A hat
Sunglasses
Toiletries: shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste
Washcloth
Towel

Just in case…!

Reading material
Bird and Plant ID books/guides
Digital camera and/or camera with extra film
Binoculars
Portable stereo with extra batteries

Did we leave anything out? Tell us your must-have camping items!

The Gatekeepers: Brittany Whitaker

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:47:00 -0400

From campground calamities to real-life Yogi bears, state park employees see and do it all. But it’s not just camp stories they’re privy to! Pocket Ranger™’s weekly series gives you a glimpse inside the lives of these park heros with tales and happenings from beyond the park gates.

Name: Brittany Whitaker

Current Position: South District Interpretation and Education Specialist, North Carolina

Why did you become an education specialist?
I have to be honest, as a child I had no idea what I wanted to do with my career. Not even your standard dreams to be an astronaut, fireman, or ballet dancer. For me, it took a lot of exploration before I realized that teaching, especially in the outdoors and about the outdoors, was my true calling and passion. I still fascinate myself in how easily the “teacher” comes out in me when I stand up in front of a group. But I suppose somehow it is my passion for what I do that in the end does the speaking for me.

What are some of the highs and lows of the job?
The best thing about what I do is having the opportunity to teach fun and entertaining programs that inspire curiosity about the natural world in kids and adults. Especially great is in reaching an audience that wouldn’t have interest in it otherwise. The worst thing has to be office work. Enough said!

What is the strangest thing you have encountered while on duty?
Well, I don’t often encounter very many strange things in my job capacity but it is always full of all kinds of surprises! Kids, especially unrestrained spirited ones, always do things that make me laugh, think, examine my life, and generally just make my day. You can’t beat that!

What would most people find surprising about your job?
I am always learning more. If I’m not an expert on a topic before I teach it, I work to become one. And if I encounter someone who still manages to outwit me with a difficult question, I just humbly offer to look it up and let him or her know the answer later. It happens more than I would like, but it’s never a bad thing.

Off-duty you’ll likely find me: Relaxing on a lawn chair in my backyard while surfing the net on my laptop. In the background are my chickens scratching in the yard for yummy treats…followed closely behind by my dogs, which tread curiously trying to figure out why they’re searching so intently. Ultimately the dogs get distracted and settle for eating chicken droppings. Ew, I know! But it’s better than stepping in it!

Without Pocket Ranger™… It wouldn’t be as easy for me to access park updates, such as the weather forecasts and environmental education programming.

Best reason to bring along your own Pocket Ranger™: So you can keep up with any hazardous weather…or even just disruptive weather I guess too! It’s never fun to get ‘rained out’ but, if you do, State Parks have some wonderful exhibit halls to explore. Don’t forget about them!

Favorite outdoor snack: S’mores—around the campfire of course!

Apps I love:

Google Sky: It’s a pocket guide that you can use to interpret the night sky without the aid of an astronomer (although having one there in addition only makes the app that much more relevant).
Google Maps: I can’t survive without good, turn-by-turn directions… Let’s just say I’d be lost without it.
GasBuddy: Helps me to find the cheapest gas wherever I am.
WordPress: Helps me run and manage my blog. It’s a great blog site.
And of course Pocket Ranger!

Hiking Hits: Rise and Grind

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:30:00 -0400

Pocket Ranger’s weekly song picks for those who enjoy a little musical accompaniment when hitting the trails.

Few things beat kick-starting your day with a solo hike at dawn. Aside from a great pair of boots and clear skies, a great playlist is the ultimate outdoor companion. From the opening drumbeat of Yeasayer’s ”Sunrise” to steady your feet, to the dream-like tones of SBTRKT’s ”Something Goes Right” to get you into gear, the playlist progresses in tempo with each track, but steadies out to help keep you motivated and moving.

Check out the rest of this week’s early morning-themed selections sure to brighten your hike, bike ride and, ultimately, your day.

Love this giant cupcake! We can’t think of a better way to...

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:38:15 -0400

Love this giant cupcake! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate a great hike than a huge serving of these edible boots.

How do you celebrate completing outdoor challenges?

Your Best Foot Forward: Finding The Perfect Hiking Shoe

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:11:00 -0400

Hey hiking ladies, before you try sneaking onto that trail in a pair of regular, ol’ sneakers there are a few things you should know about climbing kicks. First off, forget about fashion. We know, it’s hard to do after last week’s post on ‘outdoor couture,’ but there are guidelines that must be met unless you want to become shareholders in Icy Hot stock.

Here are a few features to look for when selecting the perfect hiking boot, as well as a few pairs we think fit the bill.

Heel Support

This is true about just every type of shoe—hiking or otherwise. The heel is the part of the foot that endures the greatest amount of abuse, so it requires the most shock absorption during high-impact activities like hiking.

Asolo’s Atlantis GTX for women offers active heel support to prevent foot and back pain, so you can keep your mind off your feet and on the trail ahead. The springy shocks are a lot like those featured in many basketball shoes, and provide maximum comfort as you climb.

Ventilation

A good pair of hiking boots, unlike a needy friend, allows you to breathe. As they work hard to tackle hills and mountains and whatever other obstacles stand between you and your destination, your feet get hot and proper ventilation ensures that they don’t overheat. Airing out those little piggies will make for a more enjoyable hike. Plus, it’ll keep your from being known as Stinky Feet Susan by fellow adventurers.

The Voyager Mid by Keen provides adequate ventilation with its mesh panels and breathable, moisture-wicking lining. Ah, it’s about time your feet got some fresh air!

Thickness

Take a tip from our primitive ancestors whose foot soles were thick enough to walk the earth’s rugged surface without the luxury of Dr. Scholl’s. Hikers should choose a thick boot to protect their feet from the elements, so every step isn’t a potential hazard and not even a pebble poses a threat.

Patagonia makes the list again with its P26 Mid GORE-TEX® boot complete with patented Vibram® Ecostep dual-density rubber soles to keep some space between you and the rocks. Think of them as the all-terrain vehicle of the shoe world; no license required.

Lightweight

Thick doesn’t have to mean heavy when it comes to footwear. Unless your biggest fear while hiking a trail is that a strong wind might come and blow you into the next county, there’s no reason to clonk around in shoes that you can barely lift to walk. Lighter shoes will help you to move faster and more freely, allowing you to enjoy your hike rather than worrying about the unnecessary baggage your feet have to bear.

Get a load of this lightweight! Merell’s Avian Light is a waterproof, multi-sport shoe that won’t weigh you down as you make your way to the top.

Non-Slip Features

Even if you are playing an informal game of follow-the-leader on the trail or ridge, you can still maintain control with no-slip grip. A little mud can be a big pain without the proper footing, so make sure your boots offer a little slip resistance.

The Switchback™ from Columbia is a modern hiker’s best friend, transitioning easily from trail to street and back again with its versatile Omni-Grip®. This shoe’s traction grips mud, rocks and any other obstacle in between you and that scenic overlook.

Now that you know what to look for, boot shopping should be a walk in the park. Happy feet and happy trails!