Hiking & Backpacking

Articles

Announcing Outsideways - A Community for Outdoor Adventurers - Ousideways is an outdoor adventure journaling community - a place for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers to gather and share their stories
Ringing in 2015 With a New Editor, New Products, and Great New Reviews - New exciting changes on Toe Salad for 2015!
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 24: Katahdin - Episode 24 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - Summiting Mount Katahdin and finishing the trail
A Look at the Merrell 2014/2015 Autumn/Winter Line-up - Merrell makes some changes to the fall/winter line and we give you the scoop on what to expect for this winter
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 23: The Last State! - Episode 23 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - Hiking through the last state brings us a lot of water and reflections
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 22: New Hampshire - Episode 22 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - Making our way through New Hampshire, the second last stae in our journey
Fall Hiking Clothing Checklist - A clothing checklist for fall day hikes
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 21: Resupply - Episode 21 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - What does a resupply look like?
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 20: Injury and Absence - Episode 20 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - FIMBY gets off the trail to nurse an injured ankle
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 19: 10 Down 4 to GO! - Episode 19 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - three states in one week as we enter New England
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 18: Partners with a Mission - Episode 18 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - a partnership and deepening friendship is formed on the trail
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 17: Pennsylvania & Slackpacking - Episode 17 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - Pennsylvania offers new scenery and slackpacking opportunities
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 16: Halfway - Episode 16 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - reaching the halfway point
Gossamer Gear Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - Gossamer Gear supplies backpacks and other gear for our family's AT thru-hike.
Rocket Pure Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - On our Appalachian Trail adventure Rocket Pure is an important part of our foot care routine.
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 15: Cooking on the Trail - Episode 15 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - cooking and eating on the trail
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 14: Welcomes & Woes - Episode 14 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - welcoming the grandparents, experiencing some hardships
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 13: Trail Days - Episode 13 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - Trail Days in Damascus, VA
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 12: Beauty and a Bee Sting - Episode 12 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - Mothers day, Tennessee treasures, and our first trail injury
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 11: Meeting a Trail Legend - Episode 11 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - flowers, footwear, and Miss Janet
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 10: Flowers, Towns, and People - Episode 10 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - our first trail town, spring in bloom, and a thru-hiker's final journey
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 9: Smoky Mountains - Episode 9 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - the Smoky Mountians
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 8: First Crossing - Episode 8 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - our first state is done!
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 7: Rain and Resupply - Episode 7 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - new experiences with life on the trail
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 6: Trail Beginnings - Episode 6 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - on the trail at last!
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 5: Adventure Logistics - Episode 5 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - how we make this video series happen
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 4: Moving - Episode 4 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - moving our belongings into storage and heading for the USA
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 3: Gear and Goodbyes - Episode 3 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - gear prep, goodbye hair, and goodbye kitty
Our Footwear Strategy for the Appalachian Trail - A family minimalist footwear strategy for thu-hiking the Appalachian Trail
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 2: Meet the Family - Episode 2 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - who we are, and what our kids think of this grand adventure
Beyond our Boundaries, Episode 1: Project Launch - Episode 1 of the Beyond our Boundaries video series - kickstarting, gear prep, training, and family involvement in the creative process
Sawyer Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - For our Appalachian adventure Sawyer is helping to keep our family safe by providing us with insect protection and water filtration.
Support our Video Project: Beyond our Boundaries - Support our Kickstarter project to bring the Beyond our Boundaries video series to life
Family Thru-Hike Gear List - What are we packing for our hike? That is the big question.
Recommended Reading to Accompany Your Holiday Festivities - Read some articles from our authors elsewhere on the web this holiday season
GoLite Rain Jacket Giveaway - Giving away a GoLite Women's Tumalo Rain Jacket
Foot-Powered Adventure Books Giveaway - A giveaway of backpacking trail stories.
Minimalist Footwear in Technical Terrain - The benefits and limitations of minimalist footwear in technical terrain (i.e. terrain where a slip results in broken bones)
A Thru-Hike Update - We are four months from starting the Appalachian Trail at the beginning of April 2014
The Most Worn-Out Pair of Minimalist Shoes Ever? - After four months of trekking around Alaska's Cook Inlet, these are quite possibly the most worn out pair of minimalist shoes you will ever see
Montane Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - Montane, purveyor of fine ultralight outdoors clothing will be helping us out on our AT trek
GoLite Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - Packs, sleeping bags and rain jackets - we are pleased to announce that GoLite will be helping us out with some gear for our upcoming trip!
SteriPEN Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - For our Appalachian Trail adventure SteriPEN is supplying our family with water purifiers.
Injinji Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - For our Appalachian Trail adventure Injinji is outfitting our family with an assortment of socks.
Outdoor Herbivore Sponsors Beyond our Boundaries - Outdoor Herbivore, purveyor of fine vegetarian and vegan backpacking food will be sponsoring us for our Appalachian Trail thru-hike
Announcing Our 2014 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike - In 2014 Toe Salad's Editor-in-Chief Damien Tougas and his wife Renee plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail with their three kids
Becoming a Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador - Toe Salad's founder Damien Tougas becomes a Gossamer Gear trail ambassador
Minimalist Footwear for Backpackers - The Shoulder Seasons - Tips for hiking and backpacking in minimalist shoes in during the cold/wet shoulder seasons (spring and fall)
Minimalist Footwear for Backpackers - Part 2 - What do we think the is optimum footwear for backpacking? You may (or may not!) be surprised.
Minimalist Footwear for Backpackers - Part 1 - Are burly boots required for backpacking? We don't think so.
An Interview with Barefoot Jake - Ultralight/Minimalist Backpacker - Barefoot Jake stops by to chat a little about backpacking in minimalist shoes.
Hiking Mount Katahdin - A brief video of hiking Mout Katahdin.
Expedition Trekking in Minimalist Footwear - A course on expedition planning through the Backpacking Light Wilderness Trekking School.
An Interview with WalkAbout - A Barefoot Thru-Hiker - When your footwear really counts, sometimes no footwear is better.
Can't Find Minimalist Shoes that Fit? Make Your Own! - Sometimes the best option for footwear (not to mention the most rewarding) is to just make your own.
Hiking in Huaraches - I have gone barefoot for many years as I prefer my feet to be open to the air. Until a short while ago I wore open sandals when it was impractical to go barefoot.

Reviews

A review of the ZEM Gear 360 XT - The ZEM Gear 360 XT is an all-purpose shoe that can be used for anything: hiking, running, daily use, or camp shoes. For all these purposes there are better options, but the ZEM Gear 360 XT is one of those shoes that does them all.
A Weekend Trip with the Z-Trek and Oxygen 2 - Review of the Xero ZTrek and ZEMgear Oxygen 2
Joe Nimble Wingster Lotuss Protected
Blister-Free: A Review of ToeToe Thin Liner Toe Socks
Run, Climb, Scramble, Hike - Testing the Patagonia Rover - In claiming that they've built a shoe which works well for both minimalist-style trail running and climbing/scrambling/approach use, Patagonia has set themselves a high bar with the Rover
Zero-Drop, Waterproof, and Trail-Ready, The Merrell Ascend Glove Gore-Tex ConnectFit - A more substantial version of Merrell's Trail Glove, with a waterproof/breathable upper
The Art of Unshoe Fitting - The Pah Tempe - Unshoes has developed a new sizing system that gives a near custom fit without minimal hassle. We try out the new system with their outdoors oriented Pah Tempe huarache sandal.
Minimalist Footwear for Backpackers - Gaiters - A review of four different lightweight minimalist gaiters for hiking and backpacking
VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail: A Women’s Hiking and Trail Running Shoe - A durable, water-resistant trail running shoe with excellent grip for all kinds of trail activities
A Worthy Challenger for the Shoe Lace Throne - Elasticized shoe laces designed to maximize the foot-shoe interface
A Review of the Ecco BIOM Lite - A rugged minimalist leather shoe designed for the outdoors, and while it has 6mm of drop, can be made a zero-drop shoe by swapping out the insole
A Review of the Luna Sandals Oso - A video review of Barefoot Ted's most rugged trail sandal
A Review of the ZEMgear TerraTECH - A versatile outdoors shoe, available in both split-toe and round toe versions - my first ever tabi shoe review!
Real-Life Adventure Books for Hikers and Backpackers - If you are a hiker, backpacker, or aspiring/experienced thru-hiker, here is a list of great books that we recommend
A Review of the Inov-8 TrailRoc 150 - Quite possibly the most minimal off-road shoe on the market to date
A Review of the New Balance Minimus Trail v2 - The second iteration of New Balance's iconic minimalist trail shoe
The Worlds Best Athletic Shoe Laces? - I never thought I would see the day that I fell in love with a pair of shoe laces
A Review of the Lems Boulder Boot - A great looking, casual use boot for around town, great for colder weather and the occasional hike
Minimalist Hiking Boots - A Review of the Feelmax Kuuva 2 - A review of one of the first-ever purpose-built barefoot/minimalist hiking boots, version 2.
Toe Shoes for Spring - A Review of the Vibram FiveFingers Lontra and Speed XC - A review of the Vibram FiveFingers Lontra and the Speed XC, two models purpose-built for the cold and wet.
A Review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Synth Hiker - A review of VIVOBAREFOOT's over-the-ankle, synthetic hiking boot.
Trail Shoe Showdown - The VIVOBAREFOOT Breatho Trail vs. the Inov-8 Trailroc 235 - A comparison between to lightweight, minimalist trail runners.
A Review of the Merrell Proterra Mid - A review of Merrel's barefoot/minimalist inspired hiking boot.
A Review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Off-Road Hi - VIVOBAREFOOTs waterproof leather hiking boot.
A Review of the Merrell Mix Master Mid Waterproof Boot - Barefoot/minimalist inspired winter worthy waterproof, breathable hiking boots.
A Review of the New Balance Kids Minimus 20 Trail - A minimalist trail runner for kids.
A Preview of the New Balance MT-110W (Winter) - A video preview of New Balance's winter trail running shoe.
A Review of the Joe Nimble Trekkster - A German engineered hiking shoe.
A Review of the Altra Lone Peak - A review of Altra's first entry into the trail shoe market.
A Review of the New Balance MT110 and MT00 Minimus Zero Trail - A video review of the New Balance MT110 and MT00 Minimus Zero Trail.
A Review of the Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS - Toe shoes with teeth, a review of the latest FiveFingers trail shoe.
Trail Shoes on Test for 2012 - Trail shoes I will be testing during the spring of 2012.
New Balance Minimus Zero: First Impressions - After hearing the rumors and catching a glimpse this past summer at Outdoor Retailer, I have finally managed to get my hands on (and feet into) the latest New Balance concoction: the Minimus Zero.
A Review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail - A video review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail.
A Review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Aqueous - The Aqueous is an ankle high waterproof boot, currently only available as a men’s model.
A Review of the Xero Shoes FeelTrue Contact Huaraches - A durable, inexpensive, high-mileage huarache.
A Review of the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove - The first zero-drop minimalist trail shoe from Merrell.
A Review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Ultra - Woman's Perspective - A multi-purpose, foam/plastic-style shoe (not unlike Crocs) for casual outdoor use.
A Review of the GoLite Tara Lite - A new take on shoe design, a fusion of old and new: the design team took elements of a huarache sandal and built them into a shoe.
A Review of the Altra Adam - Altra's soon-to-be-released multi-purpose outdoor minimalist shoe.
Mid-Term Report of the Feelmax Kuuva - A minimalist hiking/hunting boot designed for trekking in the outdoors
First Impressions of the Feelmax Kuuva - A rugged minimalist boot for the outdoors

Snippets

MyPakage: The Holy Grail of Men's Underwear - With it's "keyhole" design, My Pakage offers something new to the search for support and defense against chaffing.
The End of Our Journey is Just the Beginning - In conjunction with the launch of the 24th episode of the Beyond our Boundaries video series, my wife Renee posted some reflections on our accomplishment
On Review: The Feelmax Kuuva 3 - The third iteration of the Kuuva, with an all-leather upper and inernal waterproof membrane
Diagnosed with Terminal Cancer, Smokin’ Bear Heads for the AT - This week one of our articles hit the 'net via the Gossamer Gear blog about a very inspiration person we met while on our hike
Feelmax Launches the Uura Boot - An ankle-high minimalist waterproof boot with extra insulation for cold and wet conditions
Lizard Footwear Announces Three New Minimalist Shoe Models for Summer 2015 - Next summer Lizard will release a new hiking shoe, ultra-minimalist yoga/slack shoe, and a hurache sandal
Toe Salad Publishes AT Thru-Hike Articles on the Merrell Blog - Want to know more about thru-hiking? In conjunction with our 2014 thru-hike, we contributed three articles to the Merrell blog
Sneak Peek of the Merrell Trail Gove 3 and Pace Glove 3 - Merrell gives us a look at a few updates they have in store for us next spring (photos)