Along with Tougas, more and more hikers are turning to minimal footwear brands like Vibram FiveFingers, which offers an alternative to going barefoot without the constraint of shoes. While many still prefer boots (and some, no footwear at all), Tougas fills us in on his own personal tastes and even doles out some adventure advice.

Do you wear hiking boots or go barefoot? What kind of hiking boots or shoes do you find work best for you?

I am a minimalist, which means that I make it my goal to bring the minimum footwear I need for the conditions in which I will be traveling. What I decide to wear on my feet is largely dictated by the weather and the terrain. In summer this is either bare feet or something really minimal like Vibram FiveFingers.

If I am traveling on really harsh terrain with very sharp rocks, I might wear something with a little more abrasion resistance. In the spring and fall when conditions are colder and wetter, I will wear a lightweight trail runner. In winter I will wear a lightweight trail runner paired with liner socks, thick socks, waterproof socks and sometimes vapor barrier socks along with gaiters. In very cold conditions, I typically add an overboot over the trail runners; in deep snow, I typically wear snowshoes; and in steep, icy conditions, I will wear crampons.

What’s the biggest misconception to the minimalist approach? Why?

Most people think that they need rigid foot and ankle support for hiking. The truth is that the best support and cushioning that our bodies can get is from our bare feet. The flexibility of the joints in the feet, ankles and knees along with developed muscles is what will prevent us from injuring ourselves. Bare feet are able to mold perfectly to the terrain and handle uneven surfaces with ease. The more rigidity, cushioning and support we add to our footwear, the greater the risk we put ourselves at for spraining ankles, twisting knees and hurting lower backs.

Of course, one can’t expect to go from rigid hiking boots one day to barefoot/minimalist the next. It is something that takes time to ease into. Foot strength and flexibility needs to be build over time in order to be able to attain the same level of activity that was done previously in hiking boots. This may be part of the reason for misconceptions about minimalist footwear. People who take it too fast can end up getting injured and think that minimalism is flawed. It needs to be approached like an exercise program where the individual gradually builds up strength and endurance with time to meet their goals.

You say you “crave adventure.” For you, what’s the perfect adventure?

The perfect adventure for me has all of the following characteristics:

• It involves travel in the outdoors in a place that is natural and beautiful.
• It is human powered, requiring some form of physical exertion in order to travel.
• It is with my family.
• It stretches and challenges all of us just enough to not be too dangerous for our abilities.
• It allows us to see and experience something that we wouldn’t be able to get any other way.
• It spans multiple days such that we need to bring all of our basic food, clothing and shelter needs.
• It includes a social aspect such as traveling with friends or meeting new and interesting people along the way.

If it was someone’s first hike and they could go anywhere on Earth, where would you suggest?

My goal for taking someone on a first hike would be to try to take them somewhere that gets them hooked. There are many locations in the world that would work for this, but wherever it is, it should have the following features:

• It should be beautiful. We want this person to experience the outdoors at its best.
• It should be remote. Don’t take them to a highly tourist location with throngs of people. The outdoors is best enjoyed without crowds.
• It should be short. Most people new to hiking may not be willing to exert themselves for hours on end.
• It should be done during good weather. You don’t want to introduce people to hiking in inclement conditions; they won’t have the patience for it.
• Bring good food and plenty of water. There is nothing quite like sharing a meal with a friend in a beautiful, peaceful location on a sunny day.

Throughout ancient history — from the Egyptians to the Romans — people donned little to no footwear. The Barefoot Hiker, a guide book published in the early ’90s, outlines this bootless culture in 12 winding chapters. In chapter 5, the book even gives advice on how to hike barefoot IN. THE. SNOW. Our feet get numb just by thinking about it!

It turns out barefoot people are a very passionate group that even have a society dedicated to kicking off their boots. According to its website, barefooters “are a group of people who love going barefoot pretty much everywhere, all the time (not just around the house or at the beach), as a lifestyle choice, including out and about on streets, stores, in the country and hiking.”

Due to our natural footwear predilection, we can’t stop gawking at barefoot hiker videos on all kinds of surfaces — jagged rocks, slimy mud and subzero snow. Don’t get us wrong, we truly appreciate this sans shoes group, but we’ll be keeping our hiking boot technology like Thinsulate and Gore-Tex, thankyouverymuch. (By the way, we’re still trying to confirm whether this movement inspired that Britney Spears’ public-bathroom trek.)

In honor of this sole-ful bunch, here are the best of the best barefoot hikers on YouTube.

1. UPDATE: We have a new No. 1 video that comes from Barefoot Ted (BFT). He writes, “Maybe it is just my ego, but I can’t imagine a top 10 barefoot hiking videos that didn’t include a barefoot summit of the tallest mountain in the Continental USA…or am I missing something.” Nope! But apparently we were. BFT said he’s climbed it three times barefoot. Without further ado…

2. “My feet are kind of hurting,” John Sifferman, the man in this video, confesses. “But it’s too late, I don’t even have shoes … it’s just great to get out, exploring nature, going barefoot — that’s just a little perk. The real joy is just being out here, getting some good quality exercise.”

3. The hikers in this CNN report carry advanced hiking tools, yet deem shoes unnecessary. “When we first started out, we’d get a lot of astonishment like ‘did you forget your shoes?!” says one of the barefooters. Gotta love the new guy who tries to hike barefoot but puts his boots right back on. We’re right there with you, buddy!

4. It appears this hiker found a nice carpet of crunchy leaves to stroll upon. Let’s just hope there’s no critters napping beneath them.

5. Titled “Barefoot Hiking Proof,” this video serves as evidence of seasoned hiker going barefoot and is proud of it.

6. This barefoot video shows a man strolling barefoot up a mountainside. However, his trail is paved at first. He promptly replaces his sandals when the trail gets rough. And then the sandals go off again. “How do the little Ethiopian children do it? It hurts!”

7. Filmed by a hyper young boy, there’s a bit of icy barefooting going on in this shaky footage. “She’s bare FOOT. Man, she’s brave!” he calls to his mother.

8. More like a circus act, this barefoot stroller crosses a ravine via tree trunk successfully.

9. Just when you thought the last wintry video was bad, here’s two minutes of snow-crunching bootless hiking. How do his feet not fall off?

10. But is roaming without shoes on a rocky surface any better? This guy seems to think so.

11. Lastly, the “Barefoot Samurai” takes us on a strange (yet artistic?) adventure through a grassy forest.

(Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Good hiking socks take a lot of elements into account. Not only is it a barrier to the cold, it reduces blister-causing friction. If you have a good understanding of how you walk and where you’ll be hiking, picking out perfect hiking socks will be simple. If you know that you always get blisters on the back of your heels, choose a sock that has more padding on that area. The more padding, the more shock and friction absorption it will have. Conversely, if your feet have the tendency to get very sweaty even in cold temperatures, select a sock that breaths easily.

Much like the boot’s weight, sock weight also plays a role. Obviously the lighter the sock, the less weight and pressure it will put on your foot. However, a more heavy-weight sock will be more of a cold-weather shield. Thicker socks might make your boots tighter or make your boots fit better, depending on what size you purchase.

The material selected to construct the sock will determine the weight. Some of the best materials include blends of wool and polyester that dry quickly and don’t shrink after several washes. There are also liner socks, designed to be worn with another sock for additional moisture wicking and friction control.

Keen offers an extensive collection of hiking socks in ultralite, lite and mid-weight that come in a variety of heights. From low to quarter to knee-length, there’s a range of sizes to choose from. Each sock is tailored to each foot with a designated left foot and right foot sock. Keen uses Merino wool and E.C.O.-synthetic material to keep feet dry and warm. The mix of 85% recycled polyester and 15% organic cotton, E.C.O. allows socks superior wicking and drying capabilities.

Other companies who offer hiking socks include Bridgedale, Darn Tough, Fox River, North Face and Tholo. Just remember to pack an extra pair during your hiking adventure, because you never know when you’ll need ‘em.

Picking Hiking Socks — powered by eHow.com

The Hi-Tec boots have proved to be an essential companion not only on the trails but in the terrible sleet, ice and snow that’s been wreaking havoc across the East and Midwest. We’d definitely wear these through any Snowpocalypse!

With ion-mask hydro-management technology, it kept our feet dry and warm even when trudging around in several inches of snowy muck. What also helped was its 200 grams of Thisulate insulation. Our feet were so cozy, they wanted to stay outdoors forever. Only problem was our top half, namely our face, was combating some blistering wind gusts. If only Hi-Tec made a face boot. Well, there’s always a ski mask, but those are way too bank robber-esque.

OK, back to the boots. The best part is that they’re not only functional, they’re fashionable and affordable!! You can pick up a pair for $84.99 on HikingBoots.com. We were finally able to trash a pair of worn-down Uggs purchased for top dollar during the height of Ugg-mania and not feel guilty.

Without a doubt, these are definitely the most stylish hiking boots we’ve seen in quite some time. We heard so many nice compliments about the boots from random people on the street (while shuffling around in ice and sleet no less!). The faux fur might make it appear less waterproof and more fashion-forward, but water will have a pretty tough time seeping through.

Even after a few wears, these boots maintained their color and quality. The photos below were taken today (in fluorescent lighting, by the way) after almost a month’s worth of wear and tear.

Yes, they’ve certainly maintained their looks. Even the soles, which boast a great winter traction design, aren’t too worn down.

The hiking boot manufacturer shipped 900 boots to the disaster-stricken island. It combined efforts with its sister company Magnum and supplied both hiking and military boots.

Dayna Panales, Hi-Tech’s public relations extraordinaire, confirmed this in an e-mail.

“I’m very excited to say that both Magnum and Hi-Tec donated boots and shoes to the Haiti relief efforts,” she wrote. “In fact, our CEO’s son even set up a donation center at his school and they included an additional 50 pairs to our shipment to Soles4souls.org bringing the donation total to 1,000 pairs in total.”

As mentioned on the Military Boots Blog, the boots went to Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity that hands out footwear in disaster-stricken zones.

Hi-Tech supplied the Hiking Boots Blog with a test pair of beautiful Hi-Tec Women’s St Moritz Luxe 200, which we’ve been diligently testing in the mucky Midwest snow. Watch out for the review next week.

Also, the boot company is promoting its new U.K. Facebook fan page by giving away a free pair of boots once it reaches 300 members. Or you can join the U.S. fan page here. So, become a fan now before it’s too late!

It kind of sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Hey, let’s climb through rocky, possibly treacherous terrain with our toes and other areas of the foot completely exposed! But fear not, wilderness friend. These sandals, like all hiking gear, are made with purpose. Those who create hiking sandals understand that it’s just not another day at the beach.

Hiking sandals are perfect for light summer hikes, especially the ones where you might cross a creek. The sandals are far lighter in weight than any hiking boot could ever imagine. They don’t weigh you down, and they let your feet breath when it’s hot outside. And when you do get the sandals wet, they will dry in a jiff.

However, there are some cons involved when wearing next to nothing on your feet. With all that exposure, it’s possible for pebbles or other unwanted debris to pop in for a quick for a visit. The best way to avoid this is to wear socks (forget the fashion police!) or stay away from particularly rocky areas. Typically if you buy a pair of great-fitting sandals, you shouldn’t have this issue.

Another downside to wearing such freeing footwear is that it overexposes your feet to the elements. Your feet might get too dry or maybe even sunburned if you don’t properly prepare them prior to your journey. But you needn’t worry because you already packed your sun protection after reading “Bare Essentials: Five Hiking Must-Haves”.

NRS makes hiking sandals in a variety of styles for both men and women at affordable prices as does Portland-based Keen, who offers these sandals in kids’ sizes, too.

So, it’s A-OK to venture into the wilderness with your feet tucked safely into a sturdy pair of hiking sandals. But it’s *never* OK to hike barefoot. Not even if you’re Britney Spears. For example, the fairly anticlimactic video below shows that hiking barefoot atop a blanket of autumn leaves isn’t unbearable, but it’s still a little silly and a lot of dangerous. DRFMDRGND9XN

@karinab: is loving her new hiking boots. I am now lord of the snow.

@sauj: I’m starting to notice that many Londoners don hiking boots to cope with the snow. The day promises some design work & a sushi-train lunch.

@lauralilala: At my most beautiful: black skirt, tights… and hiking boots.

@everb: Today my interpretation of a “lady who lunches”. I’ll be lovely in insulated hiking boots and fleece.

@essjaybee: Back from school run.Fell over on the way back,not the fault of ice but my hiking boots got hooked together and I met the pavement. Ok tho!

@DaGitTamer: Wearing hiking boots instead of high heels, when going out, is a lot more comfortable!!!

@danmerc: wonders if it’s acceptable to wear hiking boots to college tomorrow? not cool, not fashionable, but certainly practical! #uksnow

@trailgirl: West TX adventure tip: hiking is more comfortable in boots that breathe a little. All leather is hot in desert! Get some w/ventilation.

@MissRachelCoyle: @FostersUK WOO thank you! I had to walk 2 miles to work in Hiking boots today, would have been much more fun in flipflops!

@GunstarVixen: bored of snow. I want to wear my new dresses, but they don’t go with hiking boots

@logicstorm: Think I should trade in my hiking boots for a pair of ice skates, those pavements are lethal!

@jdpjamesp: @ianmcnaught I prefer hiking boots and walking poles. But that’s because they don’t do size 11 stilettos!

@brewbie: sir, I don’t believe those calf-high laceup hiking boots indicate you’ve grasped the concept of the expert traveller line thru security

@NomadKeith: @sulineats Thermals don’t keep your feet warm! I’ve been wearing hiking boots and ski socks for the last week!

@andyblowers: I thought my slippers were keeping me feet toasty and warm. Just looked down and i still have me hiking boots on from earlier!

@webyogi: Schools open on way to work with hiking boots and silly wooly hat- chic

@scribbett: Walking to work in suit and hiking boots just isn’t cool, but what else can one do?

@ricklondon: @crabbywabby The wedding is sometimes in spring on a mountaintop; all guests must byohb (bring your own hiking boots) really) LOL @LeeHiller

@mrdestructicity: Today’s odd mall sighting: toddler-sized hiking boots. That just seems cruel.

@Salta: hiking boots for new thing #10. now i just need to start hiking. yeah right.

@kaitkaboom: Going on a hike…what does one wear on a hike?….I sure aint gonna find hiking boots in my closet. Hah!

Many Danner hiking boots use Gore-Tex, a 100 percent breathable waterproofing system as well as Terra Force technology, which gives your boot that extra support without any additional weight. Moreover, every Danner leather boot is hand cut from a unique hide. “There is only one way to craft a boot with the fit, comfort and durability of a Danner, and that’s by hand,” reads Danner’s website. By cutting by hand — not by machine — Danner believes this gives each boot the best portion of the hide.

Along with its world-class hiking boots, Danner offers a wide variety of work, uniform, military and hunting boots. Owned by LaCrosse Footwear Inc., whose NASDAQ ticker symbol is aptly titled BOOT, Danner is one arm of a much larger footwear family. Headquartered in Portland, where Danner had been located since 1936, LaCrosse has managed to uphold the reputation that Danner built along the Pacific Northwest with loggers, shipyard workers and outdoor enthusiasts.

LaCrosse acquired Danner Shoe Company in 1994 and hasn’t looked back. At the time of the acquisition, the combination of the two companies created something of a boot juggernaut estimated to bring in $100 million in annual revenues. In 2008, the LaCrosse and Danner brands combined offered 487 styles of footwear and protective clothing. And there’s no doubt the innovative minds behind some of the most durable, comfortable footwear on the planet will continue to make that number grow.

The video below is about a pair of Danner boots from 2006. Even though it’s a tad dated, it displays the quality and the lengths a Danner boot will go to preserve your feet from especially wet, wintry conditions.

But to be completely honest, we have no idea if all (or any) of these lists were published during the 2009 calendar year. And, yes, we did slip in one list from the Hiking Boots Blog. It was simply impossible to resist.

Top 10 Hiking Foods – Although you probably shouldn’t bring the whole stash with you on a short trip, this list gives you some delicious (cheese and crackers, anyone?) and interesting (tuna?) ideas for what to nibble on while you wonder the wilderness.

The 10 Worst Hiking Songs – We’re fairly certain these songs apply to any “–ing” verb (biking, exercising, breathing). Actually any Billy Ray Cyrus song should be banished from playlists everywhere (Believe us, you’d share that same sentiment if you were coerced into line dancing at a young age).

Top 10 Hikes in the World – This will come in handy if you have the moolah and time to explore the world. If you’re like us, you’ll be more interested in the Top 10 Hikes in a 30-mile radius from your office cubicle.

Top 10 Blogs on Hiking in Japan – Again, first you have get to Japan to make this list useful. Already live in Japan? Even better! We’ll meet you there in 10 years or so.

Top 10 Hiking Holidays – Obviously this is written by someone in Europe, since we don’t refer to vacations as “holidays” on this side of the pond. Actually, when reading this, we thought people actually celebrated an organized hiking holiday like Thanksgiving and Christmas somewhere in the world. Maybe someday…

Top 10 Reasons Why Hiking Is Better Than a Gym Membership – Apparently the author of this list enjoys both hiking and wine, probably not at the same time (we hope). While we can’t agree on all fronts, gym memberships are overpriced and generally worthless.

Top 10 Hiking Essentials – So, some of these are definitely no-duh items (first aid kit, compass), yet others are pretty ingenious suggestions (headlamp, waterproof matches). At least for us novices.

Top 10 Hiking Web Sites – When Google fails, this list provides all the not-to-be-missed websites that will likely contain even more top 10 lists. Imagine the possibilities … maybe someone will make a top 10 list about blogs about top 10 lists and include this very post!

Top 10 U.S. Hiking Destinations – Perhaps one of the most comprehensive and detailed top 10 lists ever created on the interwebs, it reads more like a great work of literature (think: Brontë sisters or even Shakespeare) than some content-created-for-the-sake-of-content dribble seen all too often on the Internet.*

Top 10 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers & Backpackers – OK, we get it, the holidays are over. Bookmark this bad boy for next year.

*This list, of course, came from the brilliant minds behind Hiking Boots Blog.

(Images via Wikimedia Commons)

Sure, sure, you’ve gone on plenty of hikes. You know that sipping unfiltered stream water is frowned upon, let alone chugging gallons of it. And we needn’t remind you of how dangerous high-fiving grizzly bears and wiping with poison ivy can be.

While you might as well be a survivalist scholar, you have to admit it: There are still some things you can learn — or, at the very least, brush up on. And that’s where Dirt Time 2010 comes in!

For six days at an undisclosed location in Wyoming (don’t worry, they eventually tell you where), survival specialists like Christopher Nyerges, editor of Wilderness Way, and Paul Campbell, author of Survival Skills of Native California, will help you hone your staying-alive skills. Along with the basics — first-aid, fire-making and survival kits — this motley camping crew will give you the lowdown on braintanning, gourd-bowl and atlatl making as well as unarmed self-defense.

Other mentors whose brains you can pick include Rod Garcia, creator of the Skookum Bush Tool, and Joe Dabill, one of the most sought-after bow makers and instructors. The most recently confirmed guests include the authors of Naked into the Wilderness, a wilderness and survival skills book that includes primitive tool making and cooking methods.

According to the organizers, this event has limited spaces and will sell out. For more information, check out the official DT2010 page.

Here’s a slide show from Dirt Time 2008…

(Via ITS Tactical)