Best hiking footwear & accessories according to redditors

My girlfriend recently asked what I would like so I gave her my list of running gear that I'm currently looking to buy:

I'm thinking a secondary headlamp. Currently run with this one - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074FSJS7M?ref_=pe_2640190_255746880_404_E_DDE_dt_1Even contemplated getting handheld running flashlights that Nathan has - https://www.backcountry.com/nathan-zephyr-trail-200-r-hand-torch

Some gaiters would be nice - https://www.amazon.com/Altra-Gaiter-Protective-Covers-Regular/dp/B01CO8RV5W

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I like to run in vests for my second layer so I always reco' a vest. I have two of these brooks vests and I really like them - https://www.rei.com/product/102752/brooks-lsd-thermal-vest-mens

They don't have any of these so I was looking at this Marmot one - https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/132853/marmot-nitro-vest-mens

I started listening to the TRN podcast a few weeks ago and they constantly talk about Path Project. I want to get a pair of their shorts and the hoodie - https://pathprojects.com/collections/all

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I wear two hats while running; patagonia duck bill and Nike Trail hat. I love the patagonia one in the summerPatagonia - https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-duckbill-cap

Nike Trail AeroBill - https://www.amazon.com/Nike-Trail-AeroBill-Trucker-Hat/dp/B01H0OAIL4

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I like the idea of getting a hand held soft flask. I usually cary my hydration pack with me and use one or two soft flasks with it as I rarely use the actual reservoir with the pack. I'll definitely add the one you have to my 'wish list' :-). If I think of more (don't have my list in front of me) I'll edit this comment later.

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Edit:

Socks... More socks... If my child self heard me say this he would be very disappointing and confused. I strictly run in Darn Tough socks now. I absolutely love them - https://darntough.com/collections/mens-run

Timberland Earthkeeper's

I've been hearing a lot of mixed reviews, some people say it's sturdy others have said they're trash and hardly last a few months with casual wear. I'd be using them for casual wear, not on a daily basis. It would usually go with my Levi's Black 514 jeans

Guy here, My wife just journeyed out as an inside wireman 6 months ago. She and I have scoured the land for good pants for her to wear, and here is what we have discovered in the past 5.5 years:

1. Red-Ant pants are great, but super $$$, and last time we checked, didn't offer a double knee. She has one pair, and they have lasted longer than other brands.
   
2. Whatever you end up getting, get double-knee pants. You can buy pads that slip into the space in the double knee, and they are way more comfortable than using regular knee pads. She does a lot of kneeling (she's been working in a freeway tunnel's air ducts for the past 9 months, because most of the guys on her crew are either too whiney, or too fat to do the work)
   
3. My wife has hips, so men's carhartts don't fit. Carhartt DOES make pants in women's sizes, and any work clothing store should be able to order them in for you. One thing we found though, is that the pants made in the US factory fit differently than the pants made in the Mexico factory, so make sure if you special order, you can return without penalty if the ones sent to you don't fit quite right.
   
4. High-vis shirts: My wife, being that she is a woman, has curves that men don't have, so practically NO high-vis shirts actually fit. They are either balloons, or they are too tight. She was also working road crew for a few years, and wanted long-sleeved high-vis, so she wouldn't get super sunburned. Finding long-sleeved, ANSI IIV shirts that fit was basically impossible. There is a high-vis clothing manufacturer here in Seattle. They did make "Augmented visibility" long-sleeved shirts in women's fit, but not class 2 or 3 high vis. We contacted them, through a distributor, and had them custom-run 15 shirts that conformed to class 3 standards... They have lasted her for the past few years, and are still in good shape, so that was a good decision.
   
5. Shoes: She has wide feet. Wide enough that no steel-toe, in-stock Redwing shoe fits. We found that KEEN shoes are the most comfortable for her, and there are models she can get that are EE, steel toe, full-shank, and electrically insulative. The only thing with keens is that the hook-eyes for the laces are cast out of shitty pot metal, and tend to break quickly, so we generally just take them down to a local shoe repair place, and have them rivet in better hook eyes.
   
6. Shoe Laces: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JWWIF2C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Buy one pair, you will never buy shoe laces again. In fact, they will outlast your boots by years.

I love my Danner Kinetic's. They are very light, very fast and athletic feeling, very quiet and the most comfortable thing ever. They are waterproof, tall enough to blouse with, and will keep your feet "warm enough". Mine got cold in the -20's last year but I wasnt dying. The sole may wear faster than others and is not replaceable but I will certainly be buying another pair. At this rate I'm thinking they will get me 3-4 years.

The reddit spam bot is really not liking the amazon links at the moment. Maybe it would get less angry if you shorten the url to: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CO8RV5W

Since people keep telling you Dirty Girl gaiters, you're going to want something with Gore-Tex to prevent ice from cutting your legs up when you posthole.

I recommend OR Crocodiles, they're great. Nothing will cut you through those.

> The opening for my foot is still as tight to keep the shoe on

Have you considered gaiters?

And some of these

Get some really comfortable waterproof trail shoes like Adidas Terrex or something from Oboz. Then put some gaiters like the ones below on.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J5NJ5TH/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_9WFXDbW3PV2M2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT01JLM/ref=twister_B00HPWSSYG

By the way, I think I had a 25 dollar gift card. Haha.

In snow this thick, spikes don't help you in my experience. The important thing is keeping snow out of your shoes, etc. I have a pair of Altras with some shoe covers and some running tights/leggings whatever you want to call them tucked under so I can just plow through staying as dry as possible. Anything else (jacket, hat, whatever) depends on temperature.

I wear the 2mm NRS wetsocks with my existing non-Goretex trail runners. When needed I supplement with some cheap neoprene gaiters I found on Amazon.

This year I am interested in trying out some approach shoes, such as the La Sportiva TX3, for better grip on the rocks.

These things, have them for metal detecting in deserts AZ https://www.amazon.com/TurtleSkin-TurtleSkin®-SnakeArmor-Snake-Gaiters/dp/B00ITZDL90

I got a pair of these I like well enough for hiking but haven't used for trail running as I keep forgetting to bring/put them on. I also see Dirty Girl Gaiters recommended a lot, I went with the ORs as they have a warranty and a lot of my hiking is off trail so I was expecting whatever I picked was going to get torn up.

I'll have to let you know. Never tried them yet myself. I posted for recommendations here a short bit ago about it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/discgolf/comments/9uepm7/gaiter_recommendations_for_winter_discing/

I've got these on my 'wish list' for the holidays.

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research-Rocky-Mountain-Gaiters/dp/B00AMSZEEW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542414887&sr=8-1&keywords=Outdoor+Research+Men%27s+Rocky+Mountain+High+Gaiters

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Wife supports my DG addiction. If she doesn't get 'em for me, which is likely, I'll be ordering them the afternoon of 12/25.

I use mine mostly up in the mountains, but they're great for shoveling deep snow and staying dry. Bonus points if your boots have hooks for them.

These are what I've got. Durable as hell and they stand up to a lot of abuse.

These are a bit more 'normal' but still good. Most of what you'd be losing is durability, non-issue for shoveling.

I got some of these for when it really rains. They won't get everything but they really make a difference those few times it decides to pour.

gaiters! i remember these now, but i always pictured them really high up (like near knees).

a quick search uncovers these though:

http://www.amazon.com/Salomon-329166-Trail-Gaiter-Low-Black-S/dp/B008JFEFUE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1426196827&sr=8-8&keywords=hiking+gaiters

which perhaps I could use those or something similar

Boot Gators, Might look a little weird, but who cares.

But the issue was that the plunger was going to smash the casing, which would be ultra brittle at that temperature, right?...

So if it were to be distant?

Anyways, what about just an electromagnet like that? Any reason that wouldn't work at low temperatures, if there's a spring preventing it from actually being smacked by the lever?

No way! Another Michigander! 😀
Here’s a super long list of all the stuff I can think of. The biggest investment is probably a warm coat and shoes. The rest I found was reasonably priced at amazon/ target etc!

I got a down filled ski hoodie made by Spyder. I think it’s this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UWFH524/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2lavDbC53WXZX
NorthFace and Patagonia sell them too. I just made sure the one I got was made for sub zero cold temps. Any thing 40 degrees and over and it’s too hot to wear so it’s definitely for cold weather.
Insulated running tights, sometimes I throw a pair of sweats over them if it’s crazy cold. You could even get wind stopper pants for over the top. That might be my next investment for layering.
I wear a long sleeve and short sleeve T-shirt underneath.
I have a thick winter buff for my neck that I can pull over my mouth if needed
A wool beanie with polar fleece lining that’s long enough to really cover my ears and good gloves. I use insulated trail running shoes and when it’s icy I put Yax trax on them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094GO6ZG
ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IxavDbHJBZEFJ
You can find cheaper brands on amazon.
And the last thing is a head lamp since it gets dark so damn early here. 😂
I tend to overdress and sometimes get a little hot but I’m kind of a baby about being cold.
I really enjoy going when it’s snowing. It’s so amazing and peaceful!
If you’re concerned about getting snow in your socks (I also usually wear smart wool or two pairs depending) you can buy gaitors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J5NJ5TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xpbvDbED217RQ
I’ve tried my husband’s but I don’t feel like I need them. I don’t go in deep snow or anything. There’s a plowed rails to trails type trail here that they keep pretty clean in the winter—the biggest concern is ice.

I agree with the recommendation of lowcut hiking/trekking shoes with the inclement weather you're walking in. You had the right idea with the Mountain Warehouse style of shoes but what you need is a quality brand like this Merrell :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077P7DWQV/ref=twister_B07BVS3CZ6

I use gaiters . Mine Velcro on and off so they are super easy and a cheap way to protect your pants. A long coat or poncho in addition completes the protection.

If you’re playing courses often with burrs or speargrass do yourself a favour and get some trail gators.

Something like this.

https://www.amazon.ca/Azarxis-Gaiters-Protective-Running-Climbing/dp/B07R9S9HQL/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?keywords=shoe+gators&qid=1564608797&s=gateway&sr=8-11

Yes! Thank you!

Link if anyone is interested

I took these about 1/2 mile off-trail in 6-8" powder for a shortcut between two trails yesterday. I was wearing innov8 roclite, no snow in my shoes except what came through the mesh, which wasn't bad with wool socks. It was kind of amazing really. I wish they were't insulated but it's not too warm this time of year. I was running through this so even on trail there was about 2-3".

This what I wear, I recommend against it because plate really should be tailored to you.

See if you can replicate something like this, equally effective and good and would fit

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SNSA9503&name=Splinted+Greaves+-+16+Gauge

Put the splints on something like this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YHPGHGU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wore a suit every day commuting back and forth to work along a bayou in Houston rain or shine for two years.

I got some gaiters (these are awesome)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YHPGHGU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A rain suit (This one is decent)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068ERNNE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and some boot cover (Not crazy about the durability on these, wearing rain boots and keeping dress shoes in backpack is probably a better option)
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Springtime-Rainstorm-Rainsuit-Motorcycle/dp/B005DJFXY6/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/134-4971694-3928756?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B005DJFXY6&pd_rd_r=f0b5fdde-1d39-4be5-a589-852783c72ca6&pd_rd_w=USqsP&pd_rd_wg=oKe0f&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=FPDCQZVR7AZJ2YB9E2Y5&psc=1&refRID=FPDCQZVR7AZJ2YB9E2Y5

I wore a dirt bike helmet with the rain suit hood over it.

Bring a towel and a backpack, dry everything off and stuff into back pack, wring out towel and hang it to dry in office.

Bike had a set of fenders.

Here's the ones I was looking at. They look like they'd stay in place. Etter than the little elastic cuff designed ones and will keep my pants dry. I just wish they had colors other than black. Like a nice earth toned green or something that won absorb heat as bad and isn't a bright color.

Black Crystal Hiking Ski Snow Gaiters Waterproof Breathable Nylon Men's Black Size Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ANHZZA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_wNxJxbXY9VVZV

Or

Outdoor Research Men's Rocky Mountain High Gaiters, Black, Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMSZE1A/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_TOxJxbQJX28WZ

I use these ones sometimes. I wouldn't recommend standing shin deep in water with them but they work well for keeping mud and shit out of your boots.