I’m the founder of a global hiking movement called 52 Hike Challenge. As you can imagine I am committed to hiking often and weekly.
One of the most important pieces of gear I need and recommend to anyone attempting the challenge is to have a good pair of hiking shoes.
When looking for your own hiking shoes, you want them to be comfortable, have good tread and be sturdy, especially if you’re going to be hiking on a weekly basis. Of course, you’ll need to consider what terrain you’ll be hiking in and what weather you’ll encounter. You may need a few different footwear options if you’re in snow or rain.
If you’re looking for a versatile hiking shoe option that is good for the city, running, and hiking in dry climates, look no further than the Oboz Wind known as “Oboz Fast Trail hiking shoe.”
I received my Wind’s during springtime here in New Mexico. I remember unboxing them and right off the bat loving the Sheepskin cream color with yellow accents. Putting them on was even better, they were so comfortable and felt like walking on clouds. Oboz gave me some information on the Wind and it has an “O FIT ® Ortholite® Insole with fully recycled moisture wicking top layer and an ACTEnergy foam midsole layer that provides additional cushion.” I never had to break them in, and at 5’4, I love that they also give me some extra height.
My Wind’s have been my go-to for local trail adventures and my favorite city and travel companions!
They’ve carried me through the deserts of New Mexico, Arizona, and California – staying sturdy in all kinds of rocky terrain. They’ve held up well in sandy slot canyons, carried me up peaks to beautiful vistas. They’ve even been comfortable through biking adventures in Colorado!
The Wind has “ACTNitro dual-density super critical foam and a forefoot carbon plate that work together to propel each step so you can go faster and further.”
I really enjoy how versatile the winds are. Since I am committed to being active, sometimes it’s nice to have one pair of shoes that I can walk, hike, and run in. Their construction is so well done, and I have never felt any pain or a need to wear a different pair of shoes for any of those activities.
Did I mention that I took them to Boston, Massachusetts with me and I walked the city in them? I really love having one pair of shoes that does-it-all and minimizes the amount of stuff I need to bring on my trips. Plus, with them being super lightweight and a great adventure piece of gear, they are one of my essentials!
After almost 8 months of continuous use, my Winds' still have life left to give and I’m excited to see where they take me next.
As you can imagine, I have fallen in love with hiking, but most importantly mother nature. As someone who leads others in hiking and mindfulness - I am committed to doing what I can to limit my carbon footprint with what I consume. One of the things I love most, is that the Oboz uses recycled materials in the Wind’s construction. Plus, Oboz plants a tree with every purchase, a winning combination for anyone looking to do good when they shop.
I hope you’ll try the Wind next time you’re looking for hiking footwear. If you’re thinking of making the outdoors your playground through taking the 52 Hike Challenge, this is a great piece of to get your journey started. There is so much to see, explore and gain from making the trails a part of your lifestyle and we are here to support you through it.
