How To Buy The PERFECT Trail Running Shoes For Trail Running, Hiking & Backpacking

With so many options available, how do you choose the best trail shoes for you? In this video, I explain what to look for and how to find the right fit and style for any adventure.
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Shoes that work for my feet (wide & flat):
Topo Ultraventure: alnk.to/8tOd7lP
Brooks Cascadia: alnk.to/cwRPg7C
Salomon Speedcross: alnk.to/31qUi5f
Shoes that work for Mountain Goat (high volume & high arches):
Saucony Xodus: amzn.to/4aVHa5w
Hoka Speedgoat: alnk.to/clX4hoc
Brooks Caldera: alnk.to/7M9mMc5
Other popular trail runners:
Altra Lone Peak: alnk.to/cSHldS5
Saucony Peregrine: alnk.to/cwRPghb
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**MY GEAR**
All Good Mineral Sunscreen: amzn.to/3S5ViCc
Alpine Parrot Ponderosa Pants: alnk.to/d3AVBAg
Anker 20,000MAH Power Bank: amzn.to/36Agfjk
Bear Vault Bear Canister: bit.ly/3CsHREz
BZE 40" Selfie Stick: amzn.to/3PPDKcW
Campingmoon Gas Transfer Device: amzn.to/3wqPuZp
CNOC Vecto Dirty Water Bladder, 28mm: bit.ly/3CvnTJb
Coghlans 55L UltraSil Pack Liner: amzn.to/3L9mqts
Crocs: amzn.to/3vgFrbr
Culo Clean Ultralight Bidet: alnk.to/h6FuDNh
Deuce of Spades Ultralight Trowel: bit.ly/3CMMp91
Frontiersman Bear Spray: amzn.to/3IrpO1e
Garmin Fenix 7 GPS Watch: alnk.to/4qKW1p5
Garmin inReach Mini 2: alnk.to/eZGfmib
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Repair Tape:
Gerber Paraframe II Plain Edge Pocket Knife: alnk.to/4XuDEYA
Get Out Gear Down Blanket: amzn.to/3gfHzIZ
Get Out Gear GOAT Stix Trekking Poles: amzn.to/3JE6xx8
Get Out Gear Trek Chair: amzn.to/3Ny2ROm
Hilltop Packs Waist Pack: bit.ly/3VfO5hH
Klymit V Seat Inflatable Seat Cushion: bit.ly/3VfFQCY
Kula Cloth: lddy.no/19cba
LiteOutdoors 1/8" Guy Line and Stake Set: amzn.to/3LawAdF
Lixada Solar Panel: amzn.to/3LlsMZs
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Backpacking Stove: alnk.to/aeXMShj
Nemo Tensor Extreme sleeping pad (I use the regular wide): alnk.to/eDQJoGz
NiteCore NU25 Headlamp: bit.ly/3MmhUd8
Osprey Ultralight Stuff Waist Pack: alnk.to/5Q4QlVK
pStyle Personal Urination Device: www.thepstyle.com/?aff=51
REI 650 Down Jacket: alnk.to/gVKJFf2
REI Active Pursuit Sun Gloves: alnk.to/3J5U6k0
REI Flash 55 Backpack: alnk.to/fwqwixz
REI Packmod Bungees (used to secure umbrella to pack): alnk.to/1XWkhB8
REI Sahara Shade Hoodie, Women's Plus-Sized: alnk.to/bPcHq3z
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: alnk.to/cSH9ABa
Sierra Designs Down Pillow: amzn.to/3ivULqG
Six Moon Designs Sun Umbrella: bit.ly/3GMUvkv
Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte Mix: amzn.to/3UfYsD0
Sukceso Inflatable Pillows (2): amzn.to/38Q65N8
Sunski Headlands Sunglasses: bit.ly/3CE46rm
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Pad (mine is the older version): alnk.to/hDpLAyU
Toaks Titanium Long Spoon: bit.ly/3rKsotb
UDAP No Fed Bear Canister: amzn.to/3PJkVqW
I get most of my food recipes from Backcountry Foodie: backcountryfoodie.com/aff/60/
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All opinions are my own. If I have received something of value from a company, I will always disclose as much. Whether I have received something of value or paid for it on my own, I will ALWAYS give an honest opinion, based on my own experience with said piece of gear.
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[@dixiecup3928]

This video was really informative and very helpful! I have bunions and a small heel spur. I like the Salomans forgot what kind but after years of searching Its the perfect shoe for me. And they didnt cost me a bundle either! Thanks for info about REI also will have to visit one!

[@WanderingSwitchback]

I'm so glad you've found what works! It's amazing the difference the right shoe makes.

[@sulj3373]

Great video thanks. Wish I had you around to fit me. I’ll check out Feet Fleet. Would like to Topos review too.😊❤

[@WanderingSwitchback]

I'll have to try out the newest Topos once I'm able to hike again- I am due for a new pair! Fleet Feet is an excellent resource!

[@lilianm7151]

I love my Topos Mtn Racer 3 with an insole for high arches. Waiting for the new Hoka's to come out to take a look at the wide version. As far as blisters go, toe socks dont work for me, I slap on a good amount of Squirrel Nut Butter Happie Toes. The best grip I ever had was with the Continental rubber sole from Adidas.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

I'm not the only one, then, with the toe socks! I'll have to check out the Adidas- my son had a pair for cross country a few years ago and really liked them. I hope the new Hokas work for you!

[@lilianm7151]

@@WanderingSwitchback I do love my Topos. Just curious about the changes Hoka made. Adidas makes some great shoes. My issue with them was the seam sealing in the heel area that gave me blisters.

[@pugmamastace]

I’ve tried and returned like 4 boots and 2-3 pairs of trail runners. I’m so frustrated!! I have narrow feet and one foot is a 7.5, one is an 8. I get burning on the outside of my big toe and blisters in my heel. The last trail runners I tried were the Salomon Speedcross 6, and the tongue wouldn’t stay in place and drove me crazy. I wear darn tough socks, too. Any suggestions!?

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Oh no! That's so frustrating, I'm sorry to hear that's been your experience. Have you looked at Topos? I know people have said some of the newest models run more narrow than older ones (and now they have wides available for people like me). You might also look at La Sportiva, Inov8, Nike and Adidas. I'm not sure which Darn Tough socks you're using, but a cushioned design might help take up some of that volume as well. Are you using insoles? Have you seen a podiatrist about the burning by your big toe?