Best Hiking Trails Raleigh Nc (2026 Updated)

Great book! Beautiful pictures, great hikes worldwide.

A wonderful book. Much heavier and bigger than expected. Bought as a gift and I’m sure it will be loved.

Another excellent book to give someone who enjoys walking holidays.

I bought these to use with the BD Alpine Whippet (reviewed separately). But these are great poles for any application, whether skiing or hiking. All of my prior adjustable poles have been various older models from BD, Komperdell, and Dynafit.

I also have the prior (and non-WR) version of this model, with a different lock mechanism. The new lock mechanism on this model is perfect: exceedingly easy to operate, yet exceedingly secure, with zero slippage, even without any initial tension adjustment.

The grip is super comfortable, either with or without gloves. The strap has some nicely detailed elements, and despite the Left<>Right label, works fine in either hand. The weight is actually about two ounces lighter per pole than listed here (both according to my own measurements and the BD website).

Although even lighter adjustable poles do exist, in return for such a small weight penalty, you’re gaining a max length that should be sufficient for skinning for all but very tall people, a minimum locked length that still allows good balance when booting up ~45-degree pitches, a foam extension below the grip for choking up, and minimal deflexion (especially as compared to many ultralight poles).

Plus of course the Whippet compatibility. What you don’t get are usable baskets for *any* type of snow. For spring and summer ski mountaineering baskets, I took some ancient BD 3/4 baskets and cut off the spokes, retaining the inner ring.

Looks like you can do the same with the current BD Powder basket model. What you also don’t get are any cost savings – definitely pricey! But especially when combined with the BD Alpine Whippet, this is such a perfect setup for spring and summer ski mountaineering, when you’re typically starting off with a dry hike, switching to skinning, then steeper skinning with ski crampons (lock in the Alpine Whippet), and finally some moderate-angle booting with boot crampons (with the Alpine Whippet as a reasonable substitute for an ice axe if you need only the self-arrest function, not self-belay).

These poles are excellent. While they are not as lightweight as the lightest poles on the market, they are wildly comfortable. The grips are excellent: the shape is perfect with no annoying or ill-fitting finger grooves and the cork is luxurious and comfortable over many miles.

The shafts don’t have any shock absorbing system nor do they require it. Even across rocky central North Carolina trails, the carbon fiber shafts do an excellent job of absorbing the strike impact and are not at all fatiguing after even the longest hikes or backpacking days.

These poles are also much tougher than I anticipated. From the early days of carbon fiber being used in outdoor gear, I carry this fear that carbon fiber is brittle. I was initially afraid of these poles being brittle, but they are absolutely bomber.

I’ve inadvertently knocked them against several rocks in an incident that would leave an aluminum pole dented and possibly folding, but these things don’t even bear a mark! I’ve used these poles hard under heavy backpacking loads and one some brutally rocky stretches of trail, and they haven’t even whispered of slipping.

The snap lock adjusting system seems stellar. It is easy and snaps positively to prove the closure. The marking system on the pole segments are also awesome to use. Just find the length you want on both lower segments and they open up accurately and simply.

I also like that these poles have replaceable tips and baskets, as I plan to wear out the carbide on the tips of these. I may even look into doing some snowshoeing just to get to try these guys out in some snow.

I just can’t say enough good things about these. I do have one little niggle: They don’t have the newest twist tension adjustment on the snap lock, which makes me want to carry along (and probably lose) the tiny hex key Black Diamond includes with the poles.

I haven’t had to use it after many miles of using the poles, but I also don’t find myself needing to adjust the length often, so that may be the difference. It hasn’t been a problem, so these still get 5 stars.

So good, I bought my wife a pair!.

I own several trekking poles and although I like the lightweight, portability of these poles, the locking mechanism is a deal breaker for me. It has too much play and will almost often than not move around on the pole slightly to where it doesn’t clasp tight enough.

When I adjust it to sit where I want it (ie; so it doesn’t push itself back in — shortening the length i initially set) it takes so much force to the point I wonder how that is affecting the structural integrity of the poles.

Surely that amount of pressure and force will cause fractures to my carbon and eventually creating a fail point. Either way, I prefer carrying a few extra ozs to not have to deal with the nuisance of fiddling with this locking mechanism each time I use it.

BD makes incredible products and has top notch customer service, but I simply cannot say this pole was a win for BD. *see pic showing the clasp mechanism completely off the section it’s supposed to sit at and lock.

It constantly shifts up and down (or completely off) and having to stop and reposition/ tighten is a complete nuisance. Sure, you may save a few ozs with this carbon pole, but the fact I have to frequently stop and readjust the thing is an abolished nuisance.

I’ll stick to my BD alumin trek poles and carry the extra ozs knowing I can trust the durability and rigidity of those poles. I’m theory, carbon would be lighter and faster, but I’m faster with the alum poles because I’m not constantly stopping.

I’m also far less frustrated at the gear during my adventures.

I was so excited about this game and ready to love it, but after struggling through one game with learning the rules from scratch front the instructions, I am bewildered by all the reviews that said this was an easy to learn, fun game.

It’s incredibly complicated, the rules don’t make total sense (there’s one card that we could find no instructions about how it could get used/awarded. ), the writing on the cards is tiny so you can’t read them from across the table, and the strategic play aspects are pretty weak.

(The strategy is just collecting the right combo of “resources” to buy the cards on offer by the time you get to the other end of the trail in 1-5 turns. ) We started off the game with 6 people (the game only supports 2-4, so we were going to play in teams) and only 2 of us persevered to the point where we could even start playing after reading the rules.

The best aspect of the game is the beautiful art on the cards. I’d be hard pressed to pick the worst aspect of it though–too many contenders.

We love Parks, and so we were looking forward to playing Trails. Four of us sat down to our inauguration game, and unfortunately we ran out of badges before completing the game. We continued play, and ended up with only one remaining photo.

We enjoyed the game up until the point that we ran out of badges. No fun to keep playing when really no option to keep getting badges as it really is pretty much over at that point. Each time we played with 3 players we had a few badges and photos remaining at the end, but if a couple of players get badges early on in the game that reduce the cost of future badges it would be possible to run out of badges during a 3 player game – less likely than during a 4 player game but still possible.

So if you are looking for a 4 player game look for something else (unless they come out with and expansion pack that corrects this issue). For 2 or 3 players it is a nice game.

This is a great game for experienced and inexperienced players alike. Great artwork. Gameplay is blended and nuanced between strategy, tactics and just plain fun. Give your kids a chance at an educational and mind-stretching game that isn’t just moving plastic pieces around a square board.

And, finally, what a price point for a game like this.

I have a 48 L Kestrel, the prior version, which I like. I wanted a smaller pack as well, so I purchased the current model of the 38 L Kestrel. I prefer the Kestrel over larger, overbuilt Osprey packs.

The size is in the “Goldilocks” zone. It’s not “ultralight” but it definitely facilitates a lighter load while retaining a frame. Both Kestrel packs transfer weight well to my hips, not my shoulders.

(I have a flat butt, but it does not slide down like the Aether. ) The current model is an improved design. The straps are better thought out, the three back open pockets are much tougher material. The daisy chains are easier to use.

The padding on the straps and belt is thicker. The pockets are larger. These were real improvements over the prior model. You can get a better pack for more money, but not for less money. It works well if the load is under about 20 to 25 lbs, and adequately for loads to 35 lbs.

(It’s a small pack. ) I don’t feel the need to go ultralight. I like having “stuff”. But this pack is perfect for lighter packing.

I bought the Kestrel 38 to replace 2 other backpacks for summer overnighters and weekenders, a Manta AG 36 that doesn’t ride as close to my body and an Atmos AG 50 that’s just too big. This pack is pretty close to perfect for me! I can stack the load more vertically for a better center of gravity on mountain trails, and the width and height don’t get hung up as much on tight trails with low branches.

The pack feels like it’s hardly there from the way the waist belt really hugs you and transfers weight to your hips. You can leave the shoulder straps a little loose for flexibility when reaching for a handhold, leaving them just tight enough to hold the pack in place.

25lb is very comfortable, more so than with my Manta. The mesh backpanel and curved foam frame sheet give excellent ventilation, I haven’t used it with a hydration bladder yet but since the bladder goes between the frame sheet and bag there shouldn’t be much difference.

My favorite specifics are the adjustable shoulder strap harness, wide waist belt, and compression straps that can be routed under the side mesh pockets. Unlike my other Osprey packs, zipping the waist belt pockets shut is a one-handed affair! It’d be nice if they were a little farther forward, though, since I haven’t had a 32” waist in about 25 years.

The pockets are still usable, but the Stow-On-The-Go trekking pole carrier really isn’t because the bottom loop is somewhere back around my butt-cheek. The only other change I’d make would be to make the front panel pocket all mesh.

I took a long time to decide on the Kestrel 38 – I almost didn’t because of how close it is in size to my Manta AG 36 – and I definitely think I made the right choice. It will probably be my snowshoeing pack come winter, I do about 95% cross-country and the narrow width will be nice there as well.

4 stars given for durability because I’ve only had it 2 months. My other Osprey packs that I’ve used extensively are solid 5-stars.

I used this backpack for my recent Camino Frances. I walked for 33 days in Spain and this pack was perfect. My daily loadout was about 15 to 20 lbs with a 2 liter water bladder. The numerous pockets and compartments made it very easy to organized and locate items.

When you are livng out of a backpack for 30 plus days it helps that there is a place for everything. The external hydration sleeve was very practical especially when I had packed my bag but forgot to refill my bladder.

The built in rain cover came in handy a few times and having it’s own storage pocket is a plus. The pack is very adjustable and I was able to fine tune it by day 2. I had not worn the pack at all before travelling to Spain, but I do own a few other Osprey packs.

The hip pockets were easy to open and close an I was actually able to remove and replace a water bottle from the side pouch. Overall a great bag for fit, comfort and carry. Perfect for a Camino or a long weekend in the woods.

I read all the reviews I could find about these shoes, and thought the negatives were something I could live with. I liked the look of the grip, as my current shoes weren’t holding well on wet granite, which I encounter a lot in the rainy season.

I ordered a size up , to compensate for the small- sizing most negative reviews were focused on. They seemed great, until I came to the descent on a granite outcrop, and my toes started really hurting.

My feet weren’t really held in place well, and my toes were sliding into the front of the shoe. I tried to tie the laces tighter, but that didn’t help, and there isn’t that extra eye at the top to thread the laces through to hold the feet in place- I tried to use the last eye as that, but my feet still slid forwards.

I bought a pair of super feet green insoles to see if that erotic resolve the problem, but my left big toe now rubs against the top of the shoe, against that extra little bit of leather that you can see in the photos.

I will try the super feet blue inner soles, which are thinner, as a last resort, but I’m really not that keen to use these on a hike again, given the constant discomfort they caused in previous hikes.

I’m really regretting my decision to but these, but I’m on another continent, so returning them isn’t an option.

From first glance, this hiking shoe looks and feels very nice, durable, and rugged. The Army green and black mix makes for a fairly neutral men’s hiking shoe where colors don’t really pop for those who like a simple, clean look.

The shoe itself fits okay. I got mine in 10. 5 but would recommend getting a half size up, especially for when your feet begin to swell from blood flow due to prolonged activity. It is definitely breathable with the lightweight mesh upper.

The most important thing about this shoe that I like the most is the traction. The traction is very aggressive and feels very durable. For those people who are taking the rougher path, hiking up rocky mountains, or muddy/slippery terrain, this shoe is perfect for that.

You won’t be second guessing if you would slip or not. Overall, this is a great shoe. It is fairly lightweight, breathable, and durable for the everyday hiker. I recommend this shoe.

I didn’t expect a great hiking shoe and it fulfilled my expectations. So, it’s pretty good, but not great. My issue is the toe box is pretty big, which allows too much movement, at least in the summer wearing light weight socks, I developed blisters after about 4 hours.

They might be better with thicker socks. I also felt rocks through the sole a little too much for my liking. Grip was good, even in wet. Ankle support was sufficient. Overall I would say it’s worth the money, but more of a light hiking shoe, not for anything too extreme.

I have an achilles surgery scar that opened up a bit because of the stitching at the heel going straight up the middle was rubbing constantly. I was in pain for half the hike. At least my Achilles stayed in tact.

I bought 4 of these tires. 2 from Competitive Cyclist and 2 from Backcountry. 700×35. Both times when they were $30 on sale. The 2 from CC went on friend’s Trek Checkpoint and mounted on Bontrager wheels.

One of the wheels required a bontrager strip but otherwise the tubeless hold and my friend seems to be happy. The second set, however, has had some issues. They mounted just fine on Stan’s grails with stans tape and tubeless valve.

Once seated, they seemed to seal, however, the rear tire just won’t hold air for more than a day. Sometime front loses it too, but seems more stable. The rear will go completely flat within a day or 2.

I have put the tire into bathtub and there are bubbles all along both sidewalls, lots of bubbles. I have added more sealant and even had tire on it’s side, then on another one, and that held for few rides, then it started losing it again.

So 1 out of 4 tires seems to be defective. I don’t like making warranty claims so I may play with different sealant or just tube it and call it good until it’s done. But for my new set, I will go back to Panaracer which has proven it’s mettle when it comes to tubeless.

Been running these for a couple of months and overall they are a good tire for tarmac and hard pack gravel. Very easy to set up I set mine up with tubes. My only concern when buying them was how slick the centre is but I’ve ridden them on some pretty rough gravel and they grip well.

The only downside is the weight. As always sigma have been flawless, now the only site I use.

Bought as an alternative to WTB Byways that were a pig to mount tubeless and horrific to remove from WTB KoM i25 rims. These appear as equally difficult, unfortunately. I have just purchased some better levers to save be breaking my thumbs again.

But on the road they roll well and probably better and quieter than the Byways. They also probably blow up bigger than the claimed 47mm on i25 rims. Oh, and one tyre was heavier than the other by 20g or so.

Certainly better priced than much of the 650b x 47mm competition so I’ll certainly look at Vittorias again.

Altra says their shoes will typically last between 300-600 miles, which is a wide range, but it is accurate in my experience. After looking at the use I kept track of, I think I got between 400-450 miles on these so far, but they don’t have much longer left in them.

As I get ready for some longer trips this summer, I will likely be purchasing another pair of these to use due to how much I like them, while opting for other shoes for my typical 20-40 mile/week hiking activity.

It may seem “extra”, but these fulfill a pretty niche but important part of my footwear quiver. I switched to the mids after a rough ankle injury that made me look for a little more support than I usually used, and these offer great support, while also being flexible.

I appreciate that. I think some people may have issues with these because they use the typical convention for sizing up when purchasing other boots. Doing this may cause issues with seams and stress on the parts of the boots that flex the most.

With my experience of ~8 pairs of Altras, in a few styles, I have had the best experience buying them in my “true” size, meaning regardless of the size listed on the shoe, they aren’t the equivalent of a half-size larger, which is what I typically do with other brands.

I typically need a “wide” option for most footwear, and I think a lot of people may think these are a “wide” shoe because of the toebox. While they do work pretty well for me, I think some of my past experiences with them wearing out in the same spot they tend to wear out (outer foot, about an inch below my pinky toe) is because despite the toe box being so open, they aren’t wide in other spots like some boots/shoes are.

Still, I have enjoyed Lone Peaks while they lasted, and haven’t been dissatisfied with how much mileage I got out of them. One other thing to note is the zero amount of drop between toe and heel. It might not seem like a big deal, but you probably will feel it after a long day if you haven’t worn them before.

It may be worth taking things a little slower at first. When I first started, they felt fine on flat ground, but uphills were a bit tougher on my calves. I definitely felt the burn after some initial long hikes that I didn’t have issues with while wearing shoes with a typical drop! After a little bit of time, you will probably acclimate and be just fine.

I simply suggest keeping that in mind the first few times you wear them. One issue I had with this particular model was the tread starting to wear down pretty quickly on the rocky trails I usually go on.

By the time the tread was nearly gone, I had just started to get some holes in the outer fabric near the outer edge of my foot where it bends. Even with this, it was a drastic improvement in durability from previous years.

I think a large part of that was that I went for the “ALL-WTHR” version this time, which likely gets more durability from the liner. For this kind of boot, I did find the ventilation to be solid. I was pleasantly surprised by it, as someone who has feet that typically run hot.

“I REALLY want to like these shoes,” I think to myself as I spend the second night in an Icelandic hotel room thankful for the complimentary hair dryer while I sit on the bathroom floor blow drying the life back into these shoes.

My Salomon hiking boots are heavy and the waterproofing was potentially compromised from multiple stream crossings so I thought I’d purchase a smaller lightweight versatile waterproof trail running shoe for my Iceland and Europe trip because my friends have converted to hiking in trail runners and it’s something I’ve considered for hot weather anyway.

I tried them on at REI and loved everything about the fit. They had wide toe room, were very supportive, and didn’t hurt my feet when running around Ladybird Lake during the Texas drought. However, within 30 minutes into a rainy, muddy hike the waterproofing over the top of my left foot failed.

It definitely wasn’t from rain paints dripping into my shoes, which I wouldn’t have faulted the shoe for. It was like the very dorsal middle aspect of the toes where only sky water touches. My feet were soaked by the end of it as my right foot eventually became compromised too.

Disappointed, I dried the shoes and tried again the next day thinking it was probably my fault/user error. When waterfall viewing at Seljalandsfoss, just getting the spray on me soaked through to my feet.

The tread was at least very good though. I tried no socks but ended up with blisters on my heel. Now I’m not even halfway through my trip and wishing I could have a do-over. The inside of the shoe says waterproof eVent waterproofing and REI calls them waterproof, but the Altra website says “weather resistant”.

I feel like I’ve been duped. These will be going back to REI upon my return. I would consider purchasing Altras for running in dry weather only but I’m pretty bitter right now. Going to stick with Salomon.

I refused to try these on for a long time, as they do look a bit. ungainly, with that wide toe box. After spending 8+ months damaging my feet and knees with other shoes and boots, I finally gave in, and I could kick myself (actually, I can’t.

I’m not that flexible). The second I tried them on they felt like I was walking on air. All the negative reviews I’d read on them (how weird the loose toe box felt, how the lack of stability caused more ankle turns, how it would take a lot of effort to relearn how to walk with the zero-drop heel) – none of them were true for me.

That’s why it’s important to find out what your particular feet need, rather than what folks favorite shoes are. For me, I have a decent-sized bunion on one foot, and also poorly-healed broken toes on that same foot, then both knees are inflamed from hiking in shoes that were too inflexible.

I am MUCH steadier in these, not experiencing the pounding sensations in my feet, and had zero issues transitioning. The big toe box? I am addicted to the feeling!! There’s definitely a certain method one needs to tie their laces – I was tempted to go too tight, and they pain on top of my foot literally felt like I’d broken it.

So, that’s part of the learning curve. As far as traction – I’ve hiked appx 30 miles so far in them, and they are excellent on rock that some other shoes are slippery on. I mean, really good. I also ended up having them on (not my intention, but you know how it goes on the trails) for a number of water crossings.

The current was quite strong and flowed over rock, rather than loose rocks and sand, so I thought there was no way they’d fare well. My feet never slipped once. However, on any muddy surfaces, loose soil and/or leaves, this is where I have to slow down to a snail’s pace, because they have no ability to navigate them.

That’s understandable when you look at the lower profile treads, and it’s something I’m willing to sacrifice for the comfort that brings. I can see myself becoming an Altra loyalist for sure. They earned 4 instead of 5 stars due to the traction, and the feel of the top of the shoe when the laces are tightened.

This is my third sets of poles, but my first from Leki and I specifically purchased the poles for Nordic Walking. Regarding a previous reviewers negative comment about the glove verses a typical loop for trekking, the glove is for Nordic Walking and is needed to use the poles for Nordic Walking.

I got the 100-135 CM size and I wear a medium glove. That said the Leki glove just adjusts to the smallest size for my hand. If you have small hands, it would be worth making sure that the gloves fit your hand.

Perhaps the 90-125 CM size has a glove size that would be better for smaller hands. The build quality seems excellent. I was disappointed that neither the Leki Fitness Walking Tips nor the Leki Rubber Walking Tips were included, particularly that this price point.

The Leki Cross Trail 3TA trekking poles are a excellent accessory to my hiking adventures. I used the poles on moderate difficulty trails with great success. Because the poles collapse and adjust with ease, I could modify the height quickly or pack one of the poles when two were not needed.

I especially liked the adjustable straps, which are more like a glove. They are comfortable and even, eliminating irritation that can sometimes happen with simple straps. Because the straps can be easily removed, the poles were great for short hikes when needing a little more support for balance.

Overall, these are great poles for hiking. I can see them being useful for snowshoeing as well!.

I love the concept of these poles; a removable grip that pops on for support and then slides right off when you need to change grip. No fumbling with straps and a really solid strap mechanism! I tried these and they worked great! Slide ride in, good to go, little pressure on the trigger and pop them off.

Great! Well, I took them on an overnighter as a shakedown and as soon as they got even a little bit of dust on them, the friction on the attach/release mechanism increased by approximately 1000X. They would not slide in, with the gate held all the way open I had to force the loop to go back in, etc.

It just doesn’t work when dirty and hiking tends to be well. kinda dirty. After an hour I gave up and just used them as loopless poles, which they were pretty good at. It’s a well made pole, the flick lock system is good and easy to micro adjust, the cork grips are nice and the rounded top is a good fit in the hand.

This exact same pole with standard loops would get 4 or 5 stars but the whole selling point was the glove/loop thing which failed spectacularly so, two stars. I will say, if you don’t plan to ever take the straps off while hiking and just want solid support, these would be fine.

If you do change your grip often for up hill, down hill, sidehilling, etc. pick something else.

This is the fourth Hikelite 26 I have bought through Altitude Sports for my husband, daughters and myself. Living near the mountains near Squamish, BC the backpacks are in use regularly for day hiking as well as snowshoeing.

We recently completed a 3 weeks hiking and trekking trip to Peru and the Hikelite 26 was our everyday backpack. We could easily fit a down jacket, rain jacket, extra layer, personal belongings, snack /food and 3 litres of water.

(our main ’stuff’ was transported by horses) The included rain cover is fantastic.

When I first got this backpack I thought it was a bit small, but once I started filling it for my first trip, I found that it can hold quite a bit of gear! It sits in a comfortable spot on your back and I really love the airspeed system that keeps my shirt a lot more dry after a long day.

Fits everything I need for a hike and doesn’t have too many unnecessary “bells and whistles” that I don’t need. The rain cover has been a very nice feature in bad weather. I’m very happy with my purchase and I would definitely recommend this backpack!.

At first I thought there weren’t enough pockets, but now it feels just right! Love the bright orange colour for visibility, and it holds everything I need for a day hike, with extra room. I’ve taken it on many hikes already and it’s been holding up great; even in rain it was more water-repellent than I thought it would be, so I haven’t needed to use the included pack cover at all! I think it might not work for scrambling though because if I try to look up all the way, my head hits the hard back of the backpack.

I have loads of skechers shoes, trainers, flipfops sandals you name it. I was really looking forwarding to these arriving as I thought well I need a pair of sturdy walking boots with a decent grip on so that I don’t fall in the winter whilst walking the dogs.

I took them out of the box and noticed how heavy they were not good. Then I tried toget my feet in not easy. I even tried to undo the laces you cannot undo the laces all the way down the front of the boot, like you can with normal walking boots.

Once I managed toget my foot in I noticed the following: Way to narrow on the toes my little toes were really squashed and I usually don’t have a problem with the skechers fit. Way to hard on the heel there is no give in them If i had worn them out I would have ended up with my poor heels being rubbed and ended up with blisters There is no flexbility in the boot no give.

It makes it virtually impossible for the boot to move with your ankle joint. Memory foam padding not really it didnt feel that soft Not sure on the actually water proofing as didnt wear them out. These are not comfy.

If you want something that will give you the comfort go with the Chugga boot with the Arch support in. As far as walking boots these are a non starter and have been returned. These boots are just not suitable to be classed as walking boots and are not up to skechers usual standard I think its high time that QVC starting to do free returns through Asda, like Ideal Word do, as having already paid out once for postage.

I don’t think if you returning the item you should have to pay again.

The boots look fine out of the box. I ordered the black. However, they seem to have missed key points in the design that would make them suitable for a hiker/walker. Boots need to be easy to get on and off and adjust; these have a very small opening because the tongue is fixed and the laces are threaded through fixed metal fittings all the way up to the ankle, whereas most proper walking boots have unclosed fittings either at the top or all the way down, making them much more flexible and easy to put on and pull off.

These boots need a lot of adjusting. I could just get them on with a pair of ordinary socks, but no chance of adjusting your socks once the boot is on and no chance of getting these on without a struggle if wearing thick socks.

You do need thick socks as otherwise the ankle top is too hard. I think they are relaxed fit inside but not for getting on and off. A waterproof boot means you can wear in bad weather, which equally means you need to be able to get them off easily once you get indoors.

These are too much like hard work. They do feel a bit clumpy when on too. I’m sure the rubber non slip soles would be great in bad weather but on a dry surface they were awfully squeaky, which is really irritating.

I just think Skechers have missed the point of a serious walking boot and they’re too clumpy and heavy to be a casual shoe. Didn’t live up to their promises I’m afraid.

I have loads of Skechers trainers of various types. This time needed a good hiking boot and the presentation was good. I am a typical 5 1/2 and the size 5 fitted me well. I wore them around the house, noted all the poor reviews but thought they were ok.

Undid the laces more to get on and off, didn’t use the top holes for the laces to loosen around the ankle. So far so good. Then I wore them on a short 5K walk and by the end of it soles of my feet were burning and my ball joints aching.

I still wasn’t defeated (pardon the pun) and when my feet had recovered I put extra double thick socks on and did the walk again. Slightly better but feet still aching on my return which I have never had before.

I am so grateful I can send them back with QVC. No way could I do a long walk in them. I don’t think the memory foam insole is thick enough and feel hard underneath this, and and although they do bend, they were still very stiff all over.

Will have to return to the proper hiking boots makes, these may be ok as fashion boots only, and 2 stars for the lovely design and suede outer.

I recently hiked one of my favorite mountains and had the hikelite 18 on for the first time. Well, it was light and comfortable. I had a shirt and sweat shirt inside the pack as well as some snacks and two bottles of water in the side pouches.

That’s about all I need to go up and back. The straps were wide and padded enough, comfortable and didn’t dig into my shoulders. The airspeed mesh attached to the frame rests on my back leaving an air pocket to relieve sweat.

The small waterproof pouch was nice to put my wallet, keys and cellphone though I opted to carry that in my pants pocket. I didn’t need to use the rain cover that is located at the bottom of the pouch but I’m sure it could come in handy when it does rain.

Take note of the name, emphasis on “Hike”, not on “Day”. This pack, and others like it with the same rigid framed trampoline back panel are not “everyday” packs. The inner frame will: Wear/pill your clothing with extended use Focus wear on its own corners/edges Bow into the bag space.

Push the load further away from your body. And somewhat restrict body movement due to it being rigid. However, this design is absolutely fantastic for legitimate hiking and urban sightseeing in the heat.

Its far and away cooler than any other pack design I have for summer use, simple as that. I’ll repeat. This pack is not designed to be worn or treated like an everyday beater backpack; tossed around, drug around, worn on your favorite shirt 30 times.

If you need an all purpose or cool climate bag head over to the Daylite series.

Got these for my upcoming trip and will be my first time using poles. My knees and ankles were taking a beating so hopefully these will help. I tested out in my living room and outside my house and they seem pretty sturdy after tightening the screws on the locks.

With that being said, these are cheap and you can tell ($22). I got the cheapest ones just to test out using poles. The FIRST thing I noticed was how noisy they are. The clanking and clacking will get on your nerves quickly.

Thats the last thing you want to hear while walking and enjoying nature. Every time you put the stick down it rattles. You can hear it and feel it. I don’t like the feel of the cork handles, it feels rough.

The straps are adjustable. Reading the reviews made me laugh because common sense is not very common nowadays. If these help ease the strain on my knees and ankles, then I will definitely be upgrading to better quality poles.

While inspecting them in the store I did notice that MOST of the packages were incomplete, the bottom section of the pole was missing on one of the poles in the set. So do your due diligence and pay attention to what your grabbing.

Overall you get what you pay for, but the loud rattling will probably become a deal breaker.

Hey there. After putting 150+ miles on these alongside of my wife’s REI variant of the aluminum Klomperdells (sp?) I thought I would add my thoughts against the two along with some notes from my wife.

Notable trails, not limited to: BANFF; kepler and routburn (sp?), NZ; Jasper, some AT. (A) WEIGHT: The weight difference only exists in a technical sense, no trail difference. (B) HANDLE: The foam of the carbon variant (carbon for short) has held up remarkably well, feels virtually new.

The pseudo-cork of the Aluminum version (AL for short) has become slightly tacky (for better or worse). Both are considered acceptable. (C) MARKINGS: The markings of length 120, 125, 130, etc on the carbon has almost no wear and I slide my pole lengths far, *far*, more often than my wife and her ALs.

Despite this, her markings have faded to the point where we have taken a small carbide tip and lightly etched into the pole to maintain the markings. — This is by far and away one of the most importance differences (D) DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY: Over time and usage, my wife and I have condluded that it is likely that the AL varient has imperceptible changes in the outer diameter of the shaft.

This is not a visable defect and something that I would like to use calipers to measure as I cant detect it with my eyes. The reason I bring this up is that when extending or collapsing the telescopic poles, the AL poles are far “stickier” than the carbons (which dont stick at all, in my opinion).

The AL can be compared unfavorably against the carbons in that the carbons have very smooth movement. The AL poles also do not remain at rest when collapsed and the smaller diameter shafts will extended and collapse slightly with relatively little movement.

Note: my wife and I are in the field of engineering and industrial design. (E) POWER LOCK — The locking mechanism both use the same concept, squeeze. The carbon lever is annodized aluminum, the AL is plastic; both apply pressure via a plastic clamp which is not a problem as the slight deformation of the plastic when clamping can apply less of the excess force to a wider area.

Both function very well and have *never* caused an issue — we’re big fans. I will note that I am in the upper 100s lb or 85ish kg (off the top of my head) and I have no reservations about applying “compression loads”.

TLDR; buy the carbons over the AL UNLESS you happily drive a ’96 toyota Avalon and enjoy running a banged up, speedometer deficient hoopty. Functionally, both sets have done the *exact* same trails and still work without issue.

The AL look worse, have had to have some light modifications (carbide etching pole lengths), and give both of us that side-eye glance that this sharp decent might be where the AL give up and fail, but it still keeps working.

FINAL SIDE NOTE: a cut down piece of [4 in. x 10 ft. Triplewall Pipe Solid] @ 18 USD makes for a fantastic hardshell travel case to put two sets of trecking poles when flying.

I have been looking for a while for a pair of trekking poles to replace a pair of Leki titanium hiking poles, which I loved, but left one in an Uber, and apparently Leki doesn’t make them any more. I am pretty particular about things like handgrips, weight and stiffness, and I give these trekking poles high marks in all of those categories.

The fact that they are relatively inexpensive is a bonus. I took the poles for their maiden journey to the Stillwater Canyon section of Canyonlands National park, which features steep rocky hikes like Turk’s Head and the Doll’s house.

The poles instantly suffered some cosmetic damage from the rocks, but other than that they performed well. I appreciated how stiff they were (a common shortcoming with adjustable poles), and the handgrips were comfortable (I haven’t used them long enough to determine if they start deteriorating or leaving black goo on your hands).

The lower pole segments aren’t marked for height, but I believe that they are set up so that if you set the lower segments to the maximum extension point (or just short of that), the pole will end up at whatever length you adjust it to on the top section.

The fit of the pole segments is tight, but that is what contributes to the stiffness, and hopefully durability (because the pole won’t rattle around in its “socket” and loosen up). All in all, a good replacement for my beloved but no longer available titanium poles.

I’m a mountain biker, but my wife is not. I also have bad ankles from a lifetime of soccer and skateboarding. For these reasons, I started looking at trekking poles to start hiking with my wife, and add some stability while doing it.

First off, if you’ve been thinking of buying poles but have been putting it off because you thought they were dorky, just do it. These things have allowed me to enjoy hiking like never before. Your confidence will grow with every step, and they’ll allow you to use more of your body while hiking.

As far as making a choice, I’d always recommend going to the store to them out if you can. That being said, if you’re unable, these are a great choice. Truth be told, I went to the store intending to buy the Leki Makalu Lites.

After comparing the two, the weights and features were nearly identical. However, these were nicer looking, felt like better quality, and they’re less expensive! I’ve had them out on multiple outings so far and I’m very happy with my purchase.

They’re pretty light and the padded strap and cork grip feel comfortable, even on longer hikes. The quick release levers not only look cool, but they’re very easy to use and I haven’t had any slippage.

It’s also worth mentioning that they come with snow baskets as well as the mud baskets, so you can use them for snowshoeing as well. If you’re looking at trekking poles, these should be at the top of your list.

They’re not as light as the carbon ones and not super compact, but they’re a solid choice. Good quality and value.

Had this bike for just over a month now, extremely happy with it. Bike just feels very light compared to my old steel hardtail. Love the dropper post, it makes a such a difference on rocky descents to lower it and get your weight over the back wheel so easily.

The suspension lockout facility is a great feature, it allows a quick change of set up very quickly, depending on the route ahead, at very short notice.

A brilliant all round bike. My first full suspension will do most things that you want from an MTB. This bike is very forgiving and will get you out of trouble. Can’t find anything wrong with it at the moment.

Pros: Very quick drying, ok for hot/dry or hot/humid climates. They are incredibly lightweight, so good for travel. The “pink” is more like a “dirt” color, which honestly I like for the desert as well as for travel/it goes with most gray/black/neutral colored tops.

Just went on a 16 mile hike with significant elevation gain in the heat and did not feel sticky, did not show sweat/wicked it away. They are surprisingly flattering, and I say surprising because I normally hate how hiking pants look on me.

Cons: As always, REI sizing is HUGE. I wear a size 0 and there is still room in the waist! FYI I am not a size 0! 5’6″ and 115 lbs for reference, yes small, but not size 0 small. If you are really a size 0, try the REI children’s section as these won’t fit.

As others have said, they do sag a little throughout the day, so will be bringing a belt (but for me, this happens with every single hiking pant ever). Also, the regular length is okay up to about my height, but even on me, kind of highwaters when I am sitting down.

If you are over 5’7″ or so, these may be a little short depending on your inseam. For me, at least they won’t drag so I will keep them. As with other REI pants, there is also a bulgy area of material on the backside under the waistband.

It is just weird/excess material. I wear longer torso shirts so it covers it but kind of a strange design, not too noticeable thankfully. The only other thing I’m a little worried about is how long these pants will last.

They do not seem as sturdy as my “old” REI hiking pants. We will see.

I am size 16, live in the Southwest and generally hike in warm or hot weather. I wanted lightweight hiking pants in a hurry. These pants are comfortable and I like the ability to tighten the ankles. Also a nice length.

However as others stated, from being a bit snug when I put them on, within an hour they had stretched out so much I had to hike them up throughout the day. Fortunately there are belt loops so I’ll wear a belt in future.

If you have slim hips these could definitely slide down! I have curvy hips that kept them up. The front pockets are large enough for my iPhone 13 and it felt fairly secure. Zip back pocket is nice but I’d also like to see a side leg cargo pocket that closes.

When I purchased these in store, the employee warned me that they aren’t very durable if you are going to be skooching across rocks or anything. Seems they are somewhat aware of the durability issues.

For me, the light weight and the fact they come in my size (not always easy to find) outweighed the other issues.

I purchased my first pair a couple years ago and immediately fell in love with how soft, lightweight and attractive they are. I shortly thereafter realized how quickly they stretch out during wear. They stretch fast with any sort of sweating and active movement such as hiking.

But they even stretch over the course of the day just wearing around the house. I have a large bottom compared to a slim waist, and the pants stretch so bad I find I’m constantly pulling them up. I don’t wear belts, but I would imagine this would work for some people.

On the upside, they go back to their shape with machine washing. One of my roommates does gear repair and modified the pants by adding a draw string to the waist and OH MY! That was the ticket to perfection.

If REI would add in a drawstring to these pants that would be great! Either way, I think you’ll like these pants!.

These are a 2022 revision of the prior Distance FLZ series. Notable improvements are the ability to swap baskets of which 2 are included with the poles. Those are the baby baskets viewable in the stock photos as well as a more standard trekking size basket.

Both basket types are included in the purchase which is nice. These are specific to the Distance series sadly so you cannot install the normal baskets you often find on store shelves such as snow baskets unless you change the entire tip out to flex tech tips.

The second improvement is to the wrist strap. The prior version only had the strap running through a ring attached to the handle which came across as a total afterthought. Now the strap runs directly into the handle as you’d expect making weight transfer and comfort better.

BD also changed the locking mechanism a little however I’m unsure if there is any actual improvement to it or if it was just made more ergonomic to push with your finger when unlocking. All that to say these are very nice poles if you’re trying to be weight conscious or are trail running.

They’re all aluminum and very light with a decently comfortable grip and I personally prefer this standard wrist strap design and material more than the ones found on their Trail and Alpine series. It does its job just fine and dries fast.

My poles (105-125cm) weighed about 215g each (15oz total) with the mini baskets which is a little over spec but I’m happy with that considering they’re all aluminum. Usually poles this light are Carbon Fiber which requires a bit more diligence and care.

As of this writing REI has an incorrect weight published of 12. 7oz. BD actually markets these as having a weight of 14. 7oz for the pair (210g ea). On the downside I found the grips a little small in girth and I personally dont have big hands so something to keep in mind.

I also prefer cork but these are built around saving weight so I understand why they have used, and continue to use, EVA foam for this series. All in all whether you’re a trail runner looking for poles or a hiker looking for a very lightweight yet sturdy pole I’d recommend giving these some consideration.

Pros: Super light, easy to travel with (z-fold), easy to pop open and lock. Cons: Not adjustable! I made the mistake of thinking these were adjustable and bought too large of a size. Changing tips is an absolute pain — it requires pliers (which I don’t carry on the trail) and some muscle.

I also have not figured out how to remove the mud baskets and replace with the provided snow baskets: I’ve watched several YouTube videos/reviews and no one has any advice on this. The provided instructions do not show you how to change them either.

My next step is to bring into REI for instruction or to contact Black Diamond directly. But honestly this is more precious time spent on a product that could be more intuitively designed. For this reason, I give 4 stars instead of 5.

I’ve only used them once on a Half Dome hike and they held up well — mainly used for stability on the way down.

I bought these poles to replace my first set of BD FLZ poles which broke at the metal collar between carbon sections about 13 months after purchase, thus out of warranty. The poles are fantastic in the field: light, easy to stow and extend, and feel good in the hands.

Over a year of heavy use my only two issues with them were 1) mild corrosion/rust formation of the stainless steel button used to lock and unlock the pole, and 2) durability (or lack thereof). It’s not the carbon sections that may be lacking toughness but the metal and plastic components connecting them.

I felt like the pros outweighed the cons in this case, and decided to buy a second pair, thus breaking one of my cardinal rules—don’t buy anything that can’t stand up to the task. I felt like it was a risk worth taking in this case.

Time will tell!.