Seamlessly transition from trail to town with these stylish hiking boots

By Kraig Becker June 14, 2017

A modern hiking boot with decidedly retro styling has made a lot of noise on Kickstarter, raking in nearly $200,000, and easily blasting past its goal, over the course of its crowdfunding campaign. With its nostalgic looks, the Heritage boot from Ridgemont Outfitters resembles something you would have found in an Eddie Bauer catalog circa 1960, yet it is packed full of modern materials that offer all the comfort, durability, and stability we’ve come to expect from 21st-century footwear.

Ridgemont is a relative newcomer to the outdoor industry, having just launched in 2014. The company has made it its mission to meld both fashion and technical performance into its products and the Heritage is no exception. To that end, the boot has been designed to seamlessly transition from the trail to town, looking equally at home in either environment. It has a throwback look that has never truly gone out of style, which is evidenced by its success on Kickstarter.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Despite its looks, the Heritage boot offers a high level of technical performance. For instance, it uses a waxed, full-grain leather upper paired, with a waterproof lining, to prevent moisture from reaching the interior of the shoe, keeping the foot comfortably dry as a result. A specially designed insole promotes airflow while keeping odor and sweat to a minimum. This helps to keep the foot from overheating, which often leads to discomfort. Meanwhile, a custom-built midsole offers plenty of cushioning for use on both rocky, technical hiking trails as well as the hard pavement and sidewalks of the city.

When Ridgemont launched its Kickstarter campaign the goal was to raise $30,000 to get the Heritage boot into production. With that money now secured, the company has turned its attention to actually shipping the final product in September. The new boots are expected to retail for $169 and should be available to purchase on the Ridgemont website soon.

Topics

Contributor

Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…

Outdoors

I had written off bicycles, until e-bikes unlocked an entire world for me

Himiway C5

I have a lot working against me when it comes to riding a traditional bicycle: collapsed foot arches, bad knees, and nerve issues that extend into my pelvic floor and make it challenging for me to sit for any extended time on a standard bicycle seat. For all those reasons, I gave up on any chance of comfortably bicycling as an adult.

But when Himiway offered to let me try its new C5 e-bike, which features a motorcycle-style saddle that is both wider and longer than the average bicycle seat, I reconsidered. I cautiously hoped it could improve my ability to enjoy bike riding. However, I didn't expect it to completely change my life for the better.
The making of an e-bike guy
From the Engwe M20 to the Ride1up Revv1, e-bikes have embraced the motorcycle aesthetic, and the larger seats that go with them. For most riders, it’s just a cool look. For me, it opened a whole new world.

Outdoors

I ditched my car for a month of e-biking. Here’s what I learned

Aventon Abound rider with plants and store bought items on road.

Since settling into my life as an "e-bike guy," I've been testing new bikes left and right. So when someone suggested trying to replace my car with an e-bike for a month, it didn't take much to convince me. With a growing variety of bikes at my disposal, it sounded exciting to challenge myself and to find out just how much of my normal routine could be maintained with two wheels and a battery.

Though I live in a rural county just outside of Atlanta, my townhome community is located right beside a commercial strip packed with restaurants, department stores, banks, and gyms. So while I've historically used my car to get around, I've always known I could easily reach anything I need on foot or by bike in a mere few minutes if needed. Now, it was time to put that knowledge into action.
Week 1: Growing pains and happy kids

Branded Content

TORRAS COOLiFY Cyber offers ultimate personal cooling to beat the summer heat

TORRAS COOLiFY Cyber personal AC worn outdoors

Imagine this: The summer heat is baking down on you from above. You're close to overheating, and you desperately need to cool down. The problem is you don't have quick access to a vehicle, nor can you retreat indoors to cool down quickly with central AC. Drinking some water and staying hydrated might help, to a point, but otherwise, you're stuck in that heat, dare we say, suffering. That's the perfect time to throw on TORRAS' COOLiFY Cyber, a cutting-edge wearable air conditioner. Wait, what? That's right, it slips right over your neck to keep you cool and comfortable. Thanks to the 6,000mAh rechargeable battery built-in, it can provide up to 13 hours of cooling on a single charge. But that's not all it does. A fan mode provides extra airflow, ideal for hot, musty, or humid weather. On colder days, it even provides a little heat. So, it's incredibly versatile and one of the most innovative personal comfort solutions on the market. Let's talk a little more about why you might use it.
Buy Now

Cutting-edge personal comfort when you need it most

The default scenario is when you're outside in the heat, like standing around at your kid’s sporting event, visiting a local park, on a walk or run, or just about any time you’re outside. The COOLiFY Cyber can provide the right temperature for what you need, delivering an ice-cold feeling. It's an excellent companion for those who have trouble with temperature regulation and often find themselves facing uncomfortable conditions, even where others seem fine. For example, if you're hot at home or while visiting friends or family when no one else seems to be, you can turn to the COOLiFY CYBER to get your body comfortable again.