I have a lot of experience hiking, decades really, from full on backpacking for days on end, to trekking through our local forests.

As one would expect, I’ve gone through a lot of boots over the years. Some new, others hand-me-downs, pairs that lasted a long time, and others which fell apart after only a few wears.

After all this, you can trust me when I say the Danner Mountain 600’s are, by far, the best hiking boots I’ve owned!

My husband grew up hiking and camping often. Let’s just say it’s grown on me. These days, we’re casual day hikers, spending anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day hiking trails and mountains with varying levels of difficulty.

Lately I’ve found myself wanting to spend more time on the trail and connecting with nature. Previously only having hiked in inadequate footwear — and struggling on trails because of it — I realized how important it is to have a proper, well-fitting hiking shoe. As I have no plans to go backpacking for days on end in extreme weather conditions, I didn’t need anything too serious, but needed something lightweight, waterproof, durable, with excellent grip and traction. And of course having a shoe that looks just as good as it performs is a plus!

Belt bags. Fanny packs. Bumbags. Slings. Whatever you want to call them, there’s no doubt that — fan of the style or not — they’re a functional and convenient accessory for easy, hands-free travel. Keep reading to find out why every traveler should have a belt bag, and the brand we most recommend!

Single day hikes are not only the easiest to plan, but perfect for beginners. It’s good to be prepared, but what exactly should you pack so as not to create a backpack that’s too heavy? The key is to consider weight distribution. Pack the heavier items on the bottom of the bag and closer to your back. Below, learn what to include, and what to leave at home!