How to Hike Through Deep Mud Without Losing Your Boots (Technique & Gear Guide)
The first time I lost a boot to deep mud was on a trek through Vermont’s Green Mountains during peak "mud season". I took what looked like a harmless step into a dark puddle, only to sink past my ankle. When I pulled my leg back...
Knee Pain When Hiking Downhill | Causes & How to Fix It
There's a unique kind of cruel joke that the trail likes to play on us. You slog up a steep incline for hours, feeling like an absolute mountain conqueror as you reach the summit. You take in the panoramic views, catch your...
Hiking With Lower Back Pain | How to Avoid a Flare-Up
We’ve all been there. You’re looking at a trail map, tracing your finger along a winding path to a gorgeous ridge line, and instead of excitement, you feel a quiet, nagging spark of anxiety. Is my lower back going to punish me...
Why Do Your Fingers and Hands Swell Up While Hiking? (The Truth About “Sausage Fingers”)
You’re a few miles into a gorgeous trail, the rhythm of your boots is keeping steady time, and the fresh air is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do for your soul. But then you go to scratch your nose or check your watch, and...
How to Dry Hiking Boots Overnight | What Actually Works?
We've all been there... you get back from a wet walk, pull your boots off, and realise they’re not just a bit damp - they’re properly soaked. The kind of soaked where the insoles feel heavy, the inside of the boot is cold to the...
What to Pack for a Day Hike (Without Overpacking!)
The difficult part of working out what to pack for a day hike isn’t actually remembering the obvious things - it’s knowing when to stop! I’ve done it myself plenty of times. You start with water, a jacket and something to eat, then begin thinking about everything that...
How to Break In Hiking Boots Properly | A Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing how to break in hiking boots properly can save you a very uncomfortable first hike. I’ve made the mistake before - buying a new pair, wearing them around the house for ten minutes, deciding they felt fine, and then taking...
Why Do My Feet Sweat When Hiking? Causes & Simple Fixes
There’s something uniquely irritating about having sweaty feet on a hike, because it’s not always obvious what’s actually going on. You set off feeling fine, your boots or shoes seem comfortable enough, and then somewhere along...
Hiking Boots vs Trail Runners | Which Is Actually Better?
There was a time when hiking boots felt like the obvious choice. If you were going for a proper walk, especially anywhere with hills, mud, rocks, sheep or questionable weather, you wore boots. Trail runners, on the other hand,...
How to Stop Blisters When Hiking (Complete Beginner Guide)
A blister can ruin a good hike like almost nothing else. One minute everything feels fine, then you notice a slight rub on your heel or toe, and before long that tiny irritation is getting more of your attention than the trail,...