Time Stamps for the mobile folks: 00:44 Hiking Boots (Pros and Cons) 03:56 Buying Options 05:55 Trail Runners (Pros and Cons) 07:12 Mids 07:35 Zero Drop and Wide Toe Box 09:48 Gore-tex 10:50 Sandals 13:12 How to Find the Right Fit 15:32 Insoles and Inserts 16:50 Lock Laces 17:34 Camp Shoes 19:27 Socks 19:29 Materials 20:23 Weight and Length 24:51 Gaiters

REI Employee here! The 1 year satisfaction guarantee is for ALL CUSTOMERS regardless of membership! As long as you haven't used the product up to it's reasonable lifespan, you are allowed to return a product that isn't working for you within a year. All membership does in this case is allows you to return it without your original receipt. 👍🏻

I don't call myself an expert, but I have many miles, years, and trails of experience hiking and backpacking, as well as having been in the US Army. So I learned from first hand experience that feet, socks and footwear are the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to hiking/backpacking/road marching. Having said that, and after watching this latest installment, I can honestly say that you did a admirable job on this subject. Keep up the good work Dixie.

I know this is 4 years old, but I appreciate this overview for sharing with friends who hike and aren't sure where to start. Also, I am SO glad Xero has some boot options now. Love their mix of features filling in some gaps in the footwear options, even if they aren't for everyone.

Excellent treatise from a woman who knows what of she speaks! This could be a book(let) or chapter in a book. Well done!

I'm not a backpacker, but I am an avid day hiker. I used to get the worst blisters until I figured out my footwear. I wear New Balance trail runners that I buy 1/2 to 1 size up from my normal shoes, depending on the style. No more toe bang! The biggest thing for me was my socks. I used to wear regular cotton socks (for shame!), but the internet told me to switch to wool, so I did. I helped a bit, but I still got blisters. Then I discovered Injinji toe socks and it was like angels singing. Since I started wearing them five or so years ago, I haven't had a single blister when hiking. My favorite combo is an Injinji liner sock with a light to midweight wool hiker over them. Blister protection and extra cushion! Plus they keep my feet warm, but not hot, which I really think helps to keep them loose and prevents cramps and extra soreness.

Also weather permitting when you stop for lunch brake or what ever take off your shoes and socks let your feet air out. And elevate them. When you feel a hot spot forming stop and take care of it before it gets worse.

Thanks for this video! I've watched several of your videos before doing my hike on Via Alpina from Liechtenstein to France across the Swiss Alps. Trail runners were definitely the way to go for me, specifically Salomons... non-Gore-Tex! I had so many people lecture me on how I was going to regret not having massive boots, but they were all wrong. Gore-Tex would've been a huge mistake too because when my shoes got wet, it was because they were completely submerged in water/snow and Gore-Tex wouldn't have helped. On the other hand, my shoes were always able to dry each night and were far easier to clean. Your videos are really great because you provide objective pros and cons and emphasize "what works for you is what's going to be best". That advice helped me across everything I needed to prepare for my hike. Thanks again!

I love what you said about not worrying too much about not having the right hiking shoes and not letting it rob you of fun and the experience of a thru hike. That can go for so many different things and I literally feel less worried about everything now

Love this video! One trick I learned on a NOLS trip 20 yrs ago from full on mountaineers is to put your wet socks between your thigh and tights while sleeping. Wake up with dry socks. Works every time.

Thank you for adding the time markers! Love the genuine and detailed nature of your videos, thanks for taking the extra step (and time) to make them super easy to view!

As someone who just this year has decided to go on a bunch of hikes, this was one of the most informative videos out there. Love your no-nonsense explanations. Thanks

Me: Full time barefoot since 2000. Me: Live full time at 7k-9k foot elevation in the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains ... BAREFOOT. I traveled to Australia in 2000. I purchased a pair of Scarpa custom fit hiking boots 7 months prior to the trip. I wore them every day two months to break them in properly. Went to Australia. Spent 3 weeks with 2 different Aboriginal tribes. I walked with them 15-20 miles per day as they were hunter-gatherers. They were barefoot, I wore my custom fit Scarpa boots. The first few days I had to stop about every 5 miles for about 20 min. and rest as my feet and legs were sore from my boots slipping in the red, silty, sand as we walked. I wore only merino wool “hiking” socks. They would leave one of the junior tribesmen with me during my rest period so I would not get lost. Quite embarrassing, to say the least! The main Aborigine on the treks suggested I remove my boots and walk barefoot. Unfortunately the ground was about 130-140° F. One of the women of the tribe made me a pair of kangaroo leather huaraches. They were AWESOME! I was able to walk without burning my feet, yet keep up with the rest of the tribe as we walked the 15-20 mile treks, and no more sore feet or legs. Early in the morning and late evening I was able to walk barefoot without them burning from the temp of the ground. This allowed me to build-up the soles of my feet .... A few days before I was to leave, I was able to walk barefoot without my feet burning as I had quickly built a callous layer on my soles. Also, being barefoot, I no longer have any foot, ankle, knee, hip, back or shoulder problems. I used to get adjusted 2-3 times per week by a Chiropractor friend, but since being barefoot; 3 times in 20 years. Support insoles are garbage! Plantar Fasciitis is caused by “supportive” footwear and/or footwear that does not fit properly (too loose.) Get rid of the shoes and join in for the way we as bi-peds are supposed to walk ... BAREFOOT! There are studies which have revealed that our barefoot ancestors had far superior skeletal and musculoskeletal structures than we do because they were barefoot.

Great info! Thank you for these videos.

Started with HEAVY boots and a heavy back, but I evolved over a very short time, trail runners and light weight gear, never looked back. For the record went from a 65# pack to

Your videos are my number one favorite thru-hike and backpacking tip videos. You are so kind and honest and very knowledgable.

Another outstanding presentation. Every time you post lately I think of an old Virginia Slims cigarette commercial which stated "you've come a long way baby"! I remember that first day on the approach trail at Springer and have to admit that I had my doubts. You have my utmost respect and admiration. God bless and rock on.

Jessica - you are incredibly helpful! For years I have been exclusively wearing hiking boots while hiking (it SOUNDS like it would make sense) but I decided to take your advice and try out some trail runners for the first time today while hiking around Red Rocks. WOW! Besides feeling like I just strapped a couple of light, puffy clouds to my feet, I found that they offered much superior traction and I didn’t miss the support around the ankles. I wish I had figured this out years ago lol. As long as I was following your advice, I also picked up a couple pairs of Darn Tough socks and they worked perfectly with the new shoes. Thanks again for your help. After finding you a week ago, I’ve already watched all of your AT and PCT videos and am currently knocking out the CDT installments. Keep up the great work!

That was a ton of information !!! As always you were great. I, Myself love my altra's with ankle length smartwool socks, softer wool and no gaiters. FLAWLESS combo for me.

ThanksDixie! Always good info in your videos! My 9 year old grandson and I enjoy watching your videos together and I believe that I got one of my most important pieces of advice watching you page over the years. When it comes to footwear for the trail, always get your shoes at least a size larger than your normal shoe size. This has helped me eliminate any foot discomfort that I had been experiencing in the past. Thanks again for being a true advocate and adventurer! Stay strong, Hike on! Diamond Dave

Cheers from Brazil. I’ve just started backpacking, trekking and bushcrafting around Brazil and your channel is one of the best sources of information on what to get when you’re starting! The pros and cons on each type of equipment based on your personal experiences are really helpful! Thanks a lot!

And here I bet you thought "It's been a year, nobody will look at or get anything out of this any more"... HA!!! I need to thank you for the info about lace locks!!! I"ll be doing the JMT in August/September and I'm sure I'll be taking shoes on/off/on/off so these will be a welcome trail buddy. Thanks Jessica!!!

I’ve been backpacking in Teva sandals since 1996 on the nice established trails, boots on the more backwoods trails. Sandals rock.

Back in the 80's I scoffed at the idea of hiking in running shoes. Now I recognize that it's genius. I've been running & hiking in Altras for several years. Several months ago, I bought a pair of trail runners from Carson Footwear. (Made in Oregon of US-made materials, minimalist sole, very breathable.) I've run rocky trails in them, but I'm still a wee bit to cowardly to try a week-long hike in them. I carry a pair of Tevas for camp shoes. Sometimes I'll switch to the sandals for water crossings, but I a lot of times I just wade across in my shoes. (I rarely get blisters. It's a gift.) My mom loves to knit socks. I carry a pair of mom's "foot sweaters" on every trip & I use them as bed socks. I clean my feet with alcohol wipes before bed & slide my feet into those warm, cozy socks - bliss!

Great tips, Dixie! As always. Like most hikers, I started out with mid-high leather/synthetic hiking boot. Many blisters resulted. Had custom-made leather boots made. More blisters. Even with Super Feet liners. Tried Oboz boots with big toe boxes. I thought I needed the ankle support. The toes were fine, but the ankle support added more problems and I did not get 20 miles before I had to switch out! I was wrong. Switched to Merrill Moabs (low cut, breathable!) and had almost NO blisters and no ankle problems. Added in Injinji toed sock liners with Darn Tough socks and in almost 500 miles had a total of 1 blister. Dixie is right. Trial and error is the only way to do it, but test them all thoroughly, under weight, before starting a long trip. Hike on Dixie! Tortoise

11 years British Army, expedition leader, a fair number of mountains conquered and distances (I bow down to Dixie’s accomplishments regardless, incredible accomplishments). Had to make do with standard issue military footwear for a long time. Trail runners just not an option for me as I’ve trashed both ankles about 4 times each with bad sprains and ligament damage to the point of hospitalisation and extended physio and rehab, so boots with ankle support are a must. During my service, Danner were either seeking a contract or Army was testing options but I managed to bag some Danner matterhorn boots, which are gortex and leather and were a dream. Put many miles on them over the years and have had them re-soled several times, I don’t recall ever having had a blister in them and warm enough for snow and ice too.

This is a fabulous video. So fabulous in fact that I'll probably mention it in my next video, where I show everyone my hiking boots that I've had for 2 years which are still completely intact, and so well broken-in that I can't bear the thought of trying to break in a new trail runner for four days on my first AT section hike. Also, I love when other hikers reference useful studies they've found... Rather than other hikers' opinions only. (Though I do appreciate the wisdom of experienced hikers.) I'll probably consider Trail Runners on down the road, because thousands of hikers who switched from boots to Trail Runners fairly early on in their thru-hike, seems like a good indication of what's to come. :-) Thank you for always putting out awesome videos, full of great information which is well-balanced, and sometimes even supported with studies! Yours are always my favorite.

Hello Dixie, this video was a gold mine of information. A big thank you for sharing. The very best to you always. Take care and be safe. 🤗

Tried Altras about a year ago but I was not prepared for the strain on my calfs and achilles that the zero drop creates. Went back to Salomons and work much better for me, although i do miss all that toe room. Make sure you HIKE (not walk around the house) up hills and down hills with anything you buy before going on a long distance hike with anything.

Your channel is a gold mine of information for first-time travellers! Thank you so much! But if i could make a suggestion, please cut the videos up into smaller (around 10mins) more specific segments as you have such a dense amount of information in each video.

When I did the JMT (in 2 sections) I loved my Asolo boots. They were the only ones that fit me, and rather expensive, but they were great on rocky trails (I had a long history of plantar fasciitis, so I needed the firm thick soles to protect me. Also, I am very heavy, and I carried a much too heavy pack.) However, after wearing my Birkenstocks to work all summer (standing up), my boots no longer fit me!! Sad - they still had many miles to go. Now I have the toe bang and it causes severe pain. I tried the next size up, but the toe box was not wide enough. I just bought a pair of Altra Olympus which I have worn to work where I have to stand up a lot. I will try them out on the trails this summer. Thanks for the discussion. ps I took my crocs as my camp/water shoe. Great to slip on if I get up at night.

Great video as always. I'm a Hoka One One girl. They took some getting used to but I love them now. I have bunions so the wider width is perfect for me.

These new uploads are great Dixie. Also appreciate the timeline in the description.

For me, I really like the boot on really rocky (broken rock) trails, the stiffer sole really makes a difference on how tired my feet get in softer shoes. On dirt trails, or solid flat rock, trail runners all the way!

Great series! I have bad ankles from years of competitive athletics (football/soccer through high school, soccer through college), and trail runners just don't have support I need. The Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 is my boot of choice. I've been wearing them for about 3 years now, and love them. If you have narrow feet and bad ankles, I highly recommend them. Darn Tough socks are my sock of choice. I don't need liners with them, though I will sometimes wear a light sock liner if I'm so inclined (maybe in cold temps). I also keep a pair of insulated socks (fleece lined) from Columbia Sportswear in my pack for sleeping. They are actually too warm to wear on the trail (even in winter), but keep the feets nice and toasty at night.

Good information. When I was in the army they did a foot print to determine your arch. I went from high arch to flat, but there was a lot of "hiking " involved over ten years and two wars.

As always, great information! Thank you for sharing Dixie!

So great to hear your thoughts since you have SO MANY MILES in your shoes! I also prefer trail runners, typically with wide toe box and zero drop (Altras!!). Thanks for your thoughts on everything else on footwear as well. So helpful!

Dixie, I hope you and your family are safe and did not sustain any damage from our recent tornadoes. As always, I love your informative videos! 😎⚓️

I am loving these info videos!! As a newbie they have been very helpful!! Thanks Dixie!!

this is the first video i’ve seen of yours and it’s so helpful. i wasn’t sure what to expect from such a long video, but there’s no wasted space and it’s really great info. thanks for what you do! subbed.

Here's a tip for drying boots out when I was in Boy Scouts we would put hand warmers in the toes of the shoes when we went to bed and the boots were always dry and warm in the morning

My experience has taught me that when it comes to hiking footwear the tread of the soles is key, the rest is all dependant on who you are and where you are hiking. My preference is for full grain leather boots, without a waterproof membrane, but that is just me. Thanks for sharing, Dixie 👍🙂

Thank you for the lacing guide. I have wide feet and my wife has quite slim feet and we've both had comfort issues in the past. We'll give the different lacing techniques a go and hopefully they'll work. Thanks again.

Absolutely fantastic advice on footwear. A great comprehensive overview. THANK YOU!

Hey Dixie just some food for thought about gaiters. I have gotten into backpacking because of you and your videos. I'm planning on starting my first thru-hike ( CDT) in March 2020. I'm petrified of snakes so with some extensive research I found Turtleskin snake armor gaiters. they only weigh 12oz a pair and come up to just below my knees. so just so you know their is also a lightweight option for snake protection that is also extremely compatible also. cost was $130.

Extremely helpful for someone who has zero hiking experience and only runs in mostly flat woods - but is now trying to come up with some kind optimal all-year setup for a bug out bag So tnank you very much for all of the info

Great video!! Thanks for all the pearls of wisdom.

Lovin this series

Saucony trail runners are perfectly comfortable right out of the box. I get mine at a chain of sporting stores up here in the pacific northwest (washington state) called Big5. I just buy what ever pair of trail runners is on sale (there is always a selection of them on "sale" at Big5) They last an entire season of hiking and I usually wear them every day. Wrightsock has become my favorite sock. I am retired from the U.S. Army and I have marched all over hell and God's green earth in every kind of sock setup you can imagine. Wrightsock is the first sock I have found that just works for me. Not expensive either, maybe $15 per pair.

Thank You so much! I’ve been watching you since your AT thru hike. Wow! You’re growing into a beautiful woman GB you for sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge. Thanks again!

Wow your the best Dixie answered every question I’ve ever had my entire life in one video 👌🇺🇸🏃🏔

My first multiday hike ended up in disaster for my poor feet. I had waterproof Merrell hiking shoes which still to this day I absolutely love because they are so comfortable however what I didn’t do was buy them a size bigger than normal. I only got half a size bigger than normal and my toes hit the front with all the inclines we had to walk down which resulted in very sore toenails. They just get worn for normal walks now. Also there was many water crossings so they filled up with water. On top of that we had 3 days of rain and well my shoes just didn’t dry even on the 4th day of very hot sunshine. Second mistake was wearing Bonds ‘athletic’ socks, they were so thin and although under normal circumstances they might have been ok, with drenched shoes and socks they basically acted like sandpaper and I could feel all the sand and dirt through them as well as them rubbing against my foot & by the 3rd day my feet were so sore from all the friction I could hardly walk so started walking in my thongs (flip flops). However they were textured as well & made my feet just as sore. It was agony, all I wanted to do was go home & I felt so mentally drained from the pain. My feet peeled for 2 months after I returned and were sore for about a month. I have now switched to the non GTX Salomon Pro’s and I have bought a pair of Dexshell waterproof socks, which is something you didn’t mention was waterproof socks. I haven’t tried them yet but I’m convinced if I could have kept my feet drier on my first multiday hike my feet wouldn’t have been as bad as they were. I would love a pair of Darn Tough’s for normal wear but we can’t get them here unfortunately, the cheapest I can find them is around $80 with postage on eBay. We have our own Darn Tough brand over here but very different to the Darn Tough Vermont you have over there. Injinji is easy to get here though so going to give them a go.

I love how you sprinkle the southern accent in there. So adorable...content is awesome.

I am really enjoying and benefiting from this series. As always, thanks!

Hey there Dixie, I've been doing section Hikes on the OT, Trail of Tears, & other somewhat local trails for a several years. From 2016'till 2020, I've walked in Timberland boots. They've got well over 1000 miles on them so far. The Timberland's are by far the most comfortable boots I've ever owned, even compared to my old Rockport's, at half the cost. Christmas found me in possession of a pair of Hoke One One's BONDI 6'S. "By the fleetness of Mercury". The Hoka' Bondi 6's. Epically comfortable, lightweight, dry quick and the open air uppers let in air and fight heat fatigue/frustration. I don't know about durability yet as I"ve only put about 300 miles on them. I DO wear them all the time. For camp shoes I'm using Body Glove Dynamo rapid water shoes. That way if my "Boy being a boy" gene activates I can put them on and walk across or down the river or creek with wild abandon! Great episode Dixie. We always enjoy your vids;!

Your knowledge is amazing - thank you.

Hey Dixie, Merino wool/sheep originated in Spain, but Australia now produces 80% of the world Merino wool. NZ come about 2nd in the production of Merino wool. Gaiters really help to stop burrs from sticking into your socks and also stop stones from getting in your shoes/boots and even in your socks.

This is awesome!! Thank you, Dixie! Very helpful!

Great content for beginners trying to get out there and on their steps. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

Thanks for all your beautiful offerings! Personally I'm a barefooter......no one seems to mention this in KZfaq hiking vids. I know it may sound crazy to many but trust me its entirely possible and amazing. I also use Vibram 5 fingers that cover everything like a foot glove but with only 3mm soles, super grippy, flexible, light, fast drying and totally in line with how our body is designed to move. They also make cold weather winter hiking designs. Never had a blister and no need for gaters. The main issue being that you have to dedicatedly practice barefoot walking and running, it can be a long transition for some. But my feet are super intelligent these days and in all this time I've never had a foot injury or any of the chronic conditions I hear many suffer from. I went from big swiss boots to gortex mids, to trail runners to bare foot shoes or no shoes....... Just my pennies worth on happy trotting adventures. Thanks so much for all your work......😊

Honestly they all have their places, and personal preference and body mechanics play a role too. Shoes are probably the one piece of gear that you should never compromise or settle on by using one that you don't love, or trying to use the wrong type on the wrong trail. Save money on just about every other piece of gear my compromising on price and finding a 1 size fits most option but nothing will ruin your trip faster than having the wrong pair of shoes. Sure its expensive to buy multiple shoes but so is buying all the other gear then never going again because you had such a miserable time on every trip you've tried because you had foot and ankle problems the whole time.

Great post..full of useful information. Love your up beat posts & genuineness. Thanks for keep'n it real. Happy travels.

Several years ago I left the following comment on a site discussing trail shoes on the AT: "Half way through a ten year section hike I ended up with an unconventional hiking boot that far surpassed anything I had come across. For the first five years I suffered blisters or wet feet, plus my dogs were always barking by the end of the day. I dreamed of walking on gel inserts, but my boots or running shoes would not accommodate another insert. Then somehow I came across the L.L.Bean Maine Hunting Shoe with the waxed-canvas upper. They were light, waterproof, and had room enough for a green Superfeet insert topped with a Dr.Scholl gel insert. They felt like heaven. During the next five years I never got a blister, never got wet feet, and never slipped off a rock with the boot’s gumshoe sole. In hot weather I used lightweight socks. In cold weather I used wool socks. Five years later, after more occasional hiking and working in the woods, they still are my favorite hiking boots. They haven’t worn out. When they do, L.L. Bean says they can replace the bottoms. The design dates back to 1912. Someone in Maine must have known what they were doing." I still use the boots when I go out in the woods in my mid-70s. Here is the web link: www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65130?feat=Maine%20Hunting%20Shoes-SR0&page=signature-men-s-waxed-canvas-maine-hunting-shoe-10&attrValue_0=Marsh%20Brown/Brown&productId=1065080

Ive been using double thin liner sock and have almost no callouses, no blisters.

Hi Dixie! Love your videos, and just want to say, you've inspired me to start hiking!! My goal is to do the CDT, but I'll start out with the hiking trails near me. I'm 51 and have had 2 back fusion surgeries, but I took up golf last year and I feel great! So I'm thinking, why not have a goal and figure out some way to afford to do it! I have a question. RE: wet feet. I see you walking thru water all the time. How do you deal with keeping your feet warm and dry? Or, what about wearing wetshoes, like for when you will be walking thru a lot of water? This is one of my "fears". I freeze all the time! Thanks so much for your channel. If you are ever in southeast MI, let me know and I'd be happy to hike with you!

Hey Dixie! Thank You For All You Do!!!!

This a great informative video. I’m not a backpacker but am a back country canoe tripper. This information definitely applies to footwear for portages and camp use. Thanks.

If Altra and Hoka had a baby, it might be my perfect shoe. For now, I like the Hoka Speedgoat 2 trail shoes. I also wear Montrail/Columbia inserts, and they have helped my plantar fasciitis a lot. Thanks for another great video, Jess!

Most important: train your feet! I mean the actual muscles in your actual feet and along with that walking/running technique. Barefoot running/walking is absolutely recommended by me. It's your feet that do the walking. Not your shoes, not your insoles, not your socks, not anything else.

Thanks for covering so many points and angles. I like certain running and cross training shoes. ASICS has been a good company for me.

Loving this series. Can’t wait to get hiking but it’s winter here and been the coldest in 80yrs. Looking forward to spring.

Damn, Dixie your videos are gettin better and better and more dynamic every time you Post. You Are the Very Best at hiking subjects of every degree and matter. I agree with Joseph Flowers comment, except I will take a bit further. You could talk about toilet paper and make it very interesting. Always entertaining and a humble cute sense of humor. Your uncommon sense approach it right on target about trial hiking proper respect and courtesy. Keep up the great job of producing superior video.

Interesting how trail runners can become sandals after so many miles.

"It's not your granddaddy's army blanket" LOL!! Know exactly what you mean! Thanks for all the great video's, love to watch them and prepare myself for 'hiking' this year with my 9 yr old and 18 yr old in France and Switzerland this summer. You cover all topics. Thanks a lot again!!! Greetz from Friesland, Netherlands

I go on short backpacking trips and this advice was really useful. I learnt a lot about socks! Thanks!

Altras when cost doesn’t matter and Balance trail runners for me when it does. I do sock liners with mid weight darn toughs year round. My feet stay comfy and nearly blister free.

Just a heads up - Altras do not fit extra wide feet. I tried different versions and different sizes and ultimately had to go with New Balance because they have ultra wide sizes.

I have to say I love the series. I am using them to set my daughters up for more comfortable experiences than I had in the "old days" where this stuff wasn't even a thought (think ARMY ALICE pack days). Plus I am changing out some of my gear and shedding many pounds. So your info is good for some of us old dogs too, especially for us that took a lot of time off the trail due to raising kids.

Great info. I used to do a lot of hiking years ago. As I recover from an injury I'm doing more hiking again. Slowly working up to longer distances. My footwear knowledge is out of date so this is a great service.

I try to concentrate on correct walking form, and there is such a thing,--instead of mindlessly plodding along, as to improve my gait. It is a bit challenging if you are not use to it like anything else, but will greatly improve efficiency and help with foot related problems--if you stick with it.

Did you train before doing the AT or did you just go for it?

You are a true expert at both through hiking and communicating. Well done!

Thank you! And double thank you for the time stamps!

How about VIBRAM soles as opposed to “normal” trail runner soles? I find VIBRAM soles last longer-doesn’t wear as fast & have better grip. Have u any preference?

I had a friend hiking in some Nike Freerunners. We were going along a cliff edge which I walked across (in my Hoka Hiking shoes) just fine. However when he went across he slipped and caught himself on a small branch. If he hadn't caught himself he probably would've fallen to his death. Moral of the story wear hiking footwear or be very careful and wise if not.

What an amazing video! Thanks a lot for all your tips, Dixie!

Paragon of a great gear guide - packed with info & to the point, helpful clips & diagrams included !

I use $50 target shoes, with my job water meter reading you completely wear down the soles on a pair of shoes every 2 months and expensive $250 shoes don't seem to last any longer than the cheap ones from my experience.

I've gone through a lot of boot brands and finally found Keen to be the most comfortable .(I've got no financial interest.) They have a wider toe box and are more flexible. I think some people have reported that they tend to wear out quicker, but I've had no problems. (So is there going to be Dixie book on backpacking/thru hiking?)

These series of vids are nice. And a lot of work. Well done!

This was awesome- super informative and just what I was looking for!! Thank you!!:)

What we need in a trail runner: Quick drying non-waterproof upper Supportive midsole Wide toe box Wide shoe options...... Aggressive tread durability a rock shield Something that isn't sinfully ugly and chunky. Optional: gaiter traps.

Hey Dixie...First, I can't find the link to the army research paper (I could use it for my thesis). Also, sandals are great for the lower section of the Florida Trail and places like that. And you didn't say it, so I will (because I'm speaking to my people here :) ); Older Hikers...be very careful of moving to a zero drop shoe. We are much more likely to injure ourselves due to things like decreased elasticity in muscles and overall shortening of the muscle due to years (and years) of common usage of a shoe with a considerable drop. 12mm of drop is not uncommon in heavier running shoes, so check what the drop (difference between heel and toe) is in shoes that you have been using (most companies have started to post this information as 0 drop has become more popular). It's alright to decrease the drop in your shoes, but do so gradually (very gradually. I mean like over a year or so)...common disclaimer...ask your doctor.

You are the best! Please keep these type videos coming. Perfect for those of us that have some experience, but still learning.

Always so helpful girl, thank you!

Ha regarding zero drop, back in the '70's there were shoes that were popular for a short while, made in Canada I think called Roots, that had negative drop. Toe was higher than heal. Supposed to mimic natural footfall. OMG they were horrible and painful, not to mention looked really weird. Please don't ask me if I owned a pair. I think zero drop makes lost of sense.

I’m going to drop out of college, I can learn all the things I need to be happy on this channel.

You're so knowledgable. I wish you were a bikepacker. Would love your insight on that. Would love to see you on the Colorado Trail.

You're one of my favorites. Good stuff. 😊