Remember to get off the couch and get outside this summer! Connecting with nature is so important, and is a part of life that can be easy to neglect in these frantic times. I have enjoyed picking up hiking as a hobby since COVID when it was one of the best ways to safely do something out of my house. From that time I’ve shopped a number of the high-end outdoor hiking gear stores and will share some thoughts on my favorites.
HOKA
HOKA has quickly emerged as one of the top running shoes brand. Founded in 2009, HOKA translates to “to fly” in the Maori language.
And fly you do. When I first tried these on, the comfort stood out to me. Looks are important, and HOKA has you covered there, but ultimately we wear athletic shoes for performance. I would highly, highly recommend these shoes.
Backcountry
A one-stop-shop for all things outdoors, Backcountry has been a reliable online retailer since before the turn of the century. They have now opened stores nationwide, but their humble beginnings are reminiscent on Amazon, with the two co-founders operating and selling out of a garage.
With almost 30 years of experience in selling outdoor apparel, their relationship with brands is so strong that you can be sure of two things: First, all the best products will be at your fingertips to choose from. You are also guaranteed to get the best price available.
REI
REI, or Recreational Equipment Incorporated, is right up there with Backcountry as the top site for outdoor gear. REI has a much richer history when it comes to retail, though. Having started as a business in the first half of the 1900s, REI launched its online presence around the same time as its competition, the late 90s.
While I spoke about hiking in the introduction to this blog, I want to be absolutely clear that these sites are great for any outdoor hobby, whether that be my choice of hiking, camping, skiing and more.
Moosejaw
Moosejaw is a fascinating entry to the outdoor retail space. Their website is a breath of fresh air, pun intended, to the homogenous websites we see from most retailers. Interestingly, they were acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods early last year, so clearly they are doing something right!
While they do offer many of the same brands, the way it is presented can be a nice change of pace for you to browse. They do a good job highlighting specific brands and what makes them unique, which I can appreciate.
Filson
Switching gears a bit, I want to cover a lesser-known brand that isn’t as flashy as your traditional top picks. Dating all the way back to 1897, Filson emphasizes the sort of rugged, blue collar appeal that makes outdoor adventuring so attractive in the first place. Their collaboration with Chris Stapleton only serves to accentuate that, with the country singer perfectly aligning with the classic Filson aesthetic.
Filson gear is built to survive the elements. While not singling any brands out, some of the newer outdoor apparel companies get too caught up on looking chic that they lose sight of what we really need from our gear: durability, consistency and reliability. You won’t have to worry about any of those here.
So, armed with this knowledge, go out and get yourself (or your mom) some gear and get going! Becoming a more “outdoorsy” gal has worked wonders for my mental health, along with my body! Not only that, but I’m closer now to nature than I’ve felt in years.