Best Backcountry Gear of the Year - Field & Stream
There’s nothing like walking far enough into the backcountry to leave everything else behind. But if you want to walk out, especially with a load of mountain meat, you need the right gear. Not much on this list is cheap, but there’s a reason for that:
The hinterlands can switch from serene to downright dangerous in a matter of hours. By all means go, but go prepared.
It's tempting to bargain-shop for boots, but a quality pair that fits well is always worth the investment. That's how I justified my new Innox Pros from Lowa, a lightweight (1.5 to 2 pounds per pair) version of the company's existing GTX Mid boots.
They're nimble and comfortable enough to remind me of my running shoes while still providing the ankle support I need. The Pro isn't a burly boot for packing out huge loads. It's built for covering lots of rugged terrain quickly. — Natalie Krebs