New Gear Review From My West Highland Way Thru-hike

[@nickcrispe1321]

I'm a strong supporter of Topo shoes. Altras with zero drop and a spongy sole gave me plantar fasciitis; Topos with just a 3mm drop and a better, more solid sole allowed me to get back out there. I love the original Topo dirty brown color scheme, but that's individual taste. I could live with gray, too. The West Highland Way was a great video series that made me nostalgic for Scotland. it's going to be interesting, and probably inspiring, to see how you can be a professional hiker with a kiddo. A million people want to see you make it work. Good luck Dixie!

[@anotherpenny1942]

I have the same issue with Altras, and love my Topo Terraventures.

[@sniper51956]

For cold wet conditions for hands, try diving gloves. They come in 1.5, 2.0, and 3 mm. Keeping wet hands warm is exactly what they are made for. I wear my 3.0 mm scuba gloves for cold weather kayaking and hands stay toasty.

[@RegEdmunds]

Congratulations, and watching you put on your rain pants, 6 months pregnant and not falling over, or holding on to anything. Impressive.

[@backpacker3421]

+1 for PAKA. They are the bomb! I have socks and undies and teeshirts and a sweater and two hoodies from them and they are all in my favorite daily wear rotation.

[@kevinfredericks3237]

Thanks as always for the reviews. Just got back from hiking Picture Rocks. Was my wife’s first multi day hike. I’m a hammock hiker but needed a tent for this. The Lanshan 2 was everything you said. I give it 5 stars. Stayed dry the one night we had driving rain. All best

[@kiera_kayaks7521]

I'm doing pictured rocks in September. It'll be my daughter's first multi-day backpacking trip. I can't wait!

[@calliedunn]

Love that you found Kuiu! Their women's apparel line was veryyyyyy limited until the last couple years (was more t-shirts and hoodies than technical gear for us) so I'm really hoping more women continue to discover the brand for general outdoor use so Kuiu will continue to stock and expand the line! I use one of their packs on all my day hikes and have a lot of mens items that I would like to replace with the women's versions now that they're available.

[@pnwprospecting]

So I have swapped to using the gloves that I wear hunting. They are a woolen material with a mitten that folds over the four fingers for when it’s cold give it a try they are not very expensive and pretty light.

[@ComandanteCheRaoul]

I have a Kuiu self standing double wall tent that I have used earlier this year while moto camping across Scotland and I am impressed and pleased with the quality of this brand. I’ll probably have a look at their clothing as well, based on your experience. And thanks for your very well edited videos and thoughtful comments.

[@LuckyLarry]

Those pants fit him very well!😻

[@aadmonk]

I really enjoy your videos .I would love to go hiking in Scotland! While watching this video I noticed you rolling wet clothes up in a dry towel and then putting your weight/ stepping on them to ring out the excess water. That is an absolutely brilliant hack! I usually hand wash my Darn tough socks after hikes and just gently ring them out, but they take a long time to dry, leaving me hiking with damp socks the next day. I tried the towel method and wow, they were almost dry to the touch after stepping on the towel for about a minute, and completely dry the next morning. You just never know what you might learn watching one of your videos.

[@VeritySnatch]

its not usually this cold in Scotland during the summer, but it is usually wet. we had more hill snow in the first week of July which i have only seen once before, in the late 70s. ive done a lot of hill path work over the years. i recommend a pair of GTX socks if you have mesh footwear, so you can at least have dry feet as an option. they dont weigh much. my go-to brand for outerwear is Mountain Equipment. if you find yourself here, underprepared and getting wet, then you should be able to find Mountain Equipment gear in any outdoor shop. i find their prices reasonable. im sure there are equally good alternatives, but i always stick with what works for me until it doesnt. it was nice having you here Dixie. i hope you come back some day with any new addition to the family you have between now and then all the best

[@chrisschiff7542]

Love my senchi. The hood fit is great. Love the 1/4 zip with kangaroo pocket 🤌🏻

[@Rick_Schott]

Topo seems to be taking over. I got a pair of their running shoes for road walking- pretty nice!

[@redrunner]

Thank you for your review. And I enjoyed watching hiking the WHW. I have been on that trail a number of times times, mainly a race called The Highland Fling along the first 53 miles it was my favourite ultra trail race.

[@TheWanderingStone]

I just finished backpacking the WHW last week and was lucky with the weather. I think I only had to wear my waterproofs for maybe an hour of the whole thing. I brought rain mitts and never even used them. I opted to take an an umbrella as well as my jacket and rain skirt and used just the umbrella 99% of the time. I got a lot of comments on how it wouldn't last in the Scottish wind but my 6 moons designs umbrella held up like a champ

[@johneason6540]

What a genuinely sweet woman. The highlands walk was awesome.🎉

[@mattsailor4966]

Kuiu makes amazing gear, love everything I have from them.

[@CW4PWR]

Kuiu makes awesome stuff. Great jackets, shorts and pants.

[@andrews7911]

Thanks for the reviews... I switched to Topos from Altras but they are a very similar shoe... the Topo just fits my feet better. I could be mistaken but i think the Topo has a rock plate the Altras (LP) do not. Always good to hear about new gear from someone who tests it out. In Dixie i trust.

[@kellyro77]

Thank you for the shoe recommendation. I've been looking for a good replacement to my old favorite Saucony shoes - they don't make the model I used to enjoy any more. I ordered a pair of the Topo Terraventure 4 shoes in blue a couple weeks ago direct from them and so far I'm enjoying them. I appreciate they give me a 30 day trial period, but I don't foresee needing to return them as they seem just right.

[@jonathonphinney7916]

Planning for the WHW next year. Thanks so much for all the videos and great gear review!

[@rodoutdoors]

I rely on my Torrentshell 3L for drying out my layers and as a hard shell for a Polartec alpha direct hoodie. Love it. Using it all year round. Picked it up on sale for $80 from REI awhile back. I'm still using the Runventure 4 but I don't think they make them anymore. Hoping there's an alternative zero drop, low stack height trail runner with grippy Vibrams. Thanks for sharing!

[@pitstop_calvin]

I just purchased Topo's a few weeks ago and I will not go back to Altras. I got their hiking shoe that has a 5mm drop and I really cant tell much of a difference between zero drop and 5mm. Super comfortable and more cushion with a rock plate.

[@SabrinaScully]

Great video! I would love to hear more about your experience camping and hiking pregnant so far. My husband and I are planning to start trying in January and I'm nervous about what I'll still be able to do.

[@kevinm1522]

If you’re interested in sun-hoodies with better color selections, FreeFly Apparel out of Charleston has a lot to choose from. They use a combination of bamboo and synthetic fibers to get comfort, durability and UPF.

[@bertman4]

Topo Athletic shoes are great! Yes the Altras are wide but they are also wide in the heel and I slipped around. TThe Topo have a normal heel with a wide toe box. I also like that they have more cushioning that the Altras. I have four pairs of Topos now.

[@HesterCaminoAdventure]

I just ordered a pair of Topos to try out. I have been walking in my Altra Lone Peaks and they have been great but wanted to give Topos a try. I did the same as you and ordered from the men’s section for the color as well. Great vlogs of your trip.

[@HypnoseBerlin]

I am totally disappointed with Topos. I had a pair of Runventure 2's that started to fall apart after 50 km on a 100 km hike. So instead of taking these to my hike of the Peaks of the Balkans back to back with the Tour du Mont Blanc trails I took a brand new pair of Terraventure 3's. The soles started to separate from the uppers on the first day, even before the hike started. They somehow made it through the three weeks, but they were totally trashed and I left them in Geneva. They looked way worse than my Altras after 850 km. Basically, the lugs of my Altras were worn off while the upper was still intact and the soles were still bonded to the uppers. My Topos on the other hand were falling apart everywhere. Uppers shot, lugs falling off, soles separating from the uppers. Worst shoes ever, and not just one pair but two. I am sure the cheap Chinese Lone Peak knock-offs would fare much better.

[@MaylesTrails]

I have the Torrentshell, which is excellent... apart from the pockets. Because the zips aren't fully waterproof, water can pool in the pockets during persistent heavy rain. They also inflate in strong winds 😂 Seems like it would be easy for Patagonia to address this, and improve an otherwise great product

[@robinmichel9048]

I have tried to wear Topo shoes before. I don't know why but they fit really small on me. I wear an 8.5 and I'd probably need a 9.5 for them to fit. But after purchasing them twice and having them fit horribly, I'm not trying them again. Glad they work for others. I'll keep my Lone Peaks.

[@livinlarge1247]

Looks good, thanks. Looks like a great hike out there.

[@rangerinthewoods]

What impressed me was your being able to put on rain pants without taking your shoes off.

[@sniper51956]

Good rain pants have zippers on the bottom of the legs for that exact reason.

[@papajeff5486]

We are hikers. We know that too much rain, that lasts too long…”wet out”, is a real thing. I have yet to experience “wet out” with my Patagonia rain jacket. I have alpaca gloves and a hoodie. They have lasted two seasons; but, they’re mighty thin. Thanks for sharing…from east Tennessee.

[@guillaumekeulen219]

On my hike around mount snowdon i had a goretex pro poncho ( heavy duty) over my light raingear!

[@luna_belle5029]

I love my Topos

[@donnajean72]

Quite a while back, like maybe two years, you recommended topo terraventure 2s, which were on sale at the time, so I got a pair and haven't went back. Love topo.

[@livinlarge1247]

Be cool if they made, like a penguin-style rain mitt, like a 3 finger bicycler glove.

[@ruhenheim]

01:18 everyone exhausted and this one girl just carries here bag on the head lmao

[@baothiletran-ef8zn]

Thank you!

[@wendyamsterdam8482]

I switched from Altra to Topo as well. I have discovered that my feet need a shoe that is more firm

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

TY, Dixie!

[@ronrubble]

I do a lot of day hiking in Scotland and often use Goretex trail runners, which I know are not very popular in the thru-hiking community because they take a lot of time to dry out. Dixie do you wish you had the WP version of the topos for either part of your trip? (WHW / BN)

[@mimisalmon2913]

I would like to know the answer to this question too.

[@Get_Some_Nature]

What about your new ULA pack? Are we getting a full video on it?

[@EatCarbs]

Thanks for the video

[@santacruzax]

Dixie..I’ve tried to look through your videos to see what kind of rain paints you were wearing. What brand are they?

[@dagnolia6004]

ooh would love your hubsters review....interview?

[@dmtsocal]

❤😊

[@christopherch7307]

👍🐿👍 niiiice

[@tinacolecampbell]

❤

[@Ian-ko1wh]

Did you pick up any gear in Scotland?

[@guillaumekeulen219]

A year ago i bought my first trailrunners ( Decathlon) just below €100 Great fit for muddy / grassland conditions The con the coulor Light Blue, doesnt keep blue very long The other coulor option even worse light neon yellow ( bugs love it!) Stange coulors for men! But have a good fit for my Bigfoot feet! 😂🎉❤😅

[@creek_camper]

😀👍✝️

[@RC-qf3mp]

The irony is that I was using variations of this Patagonia jacket for years, but when I started thru-hiking, all the YTers were promoting ultralight junky jackets that wet through fast and don’t keep you warm. Now i see Dixie and Jupiter promoting what I was using years ago. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@roberttrinies7698]

In many conditions, rain jackets are too warm. She's using this heavier jacket for very cold and wet conditions. ✌🏼

[@RC-qf3mp]

@@roberttrinies7698 it’s called ‘layering’ and Dixie and Jupiter both have been touting ‘ultralight’, ultra flimsy rain gear for years … and have suddenly realized that maybe it’s better to spend a bit more for something that’s sturdier and higher quality. That’s the issue. The collective nonsense of the ultralight community to overemphasize weight over quality.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Dixie has never “touted” ultralight because my gear has never been ultralight. Dixie suggests gear that is lightweight enough to be comfortable carrying it and sturdy enough to work in the field. As I stated in this video, this rain jacket would NOT be my pick (still) for a thru-hike with carrying more gear. Only in this instance where I have a day pack and I’m in cold rain frequently.

[@RC-qf3mp]

@@HomemadeWanderlust thanks for clarifying. Since when do you refer to yourself in the third person?

[@PilarFerraro-c6d]

Awesome reviews, thank for sharing with us! I think you'll love our Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Cream products and would be a great fit for a partnership. Let's discuss further and send you some products to try out.I think you'll love our Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Cream products and would be a great fit for a partnership. Let's discuss further and send you some products to try out.

[@harmonys2384]

If you wanna help the people I suggest you start a charitable group and donate some this stuff to people who wanna get out there but cant afford it. Maybe give away some new gear to a lucky winner being one of your subscribers. A homeade wanderlust tent would be pretty kool.

[@garylefebvre5333]

Hello and good day Dixie, please remove me from your communications, thanks and God bless

[@Jianfa88Tsai]

Billion dollar global insight to max profits and charity donations via monetisation in anime, real life, movies, gaming or thesis. Use swimming pool float plastic (puncture resistant, cheap and lightweight) with portable wireless battery powered e-air pump to quick create single sized air mattress for homeless. The air mattress and roll up to carry on backpack for backpackers.

[@t_4178]

Instant grits on your store front, no one from the south would use these . haven't you seen my cousin Vinnie .. unsubscribed ;)

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

I do and they are good 🤷🏼‍♀️🙃

[@DrewBoswell]

What the heck? I love instant grits, especially as a base to which to add other stuff. And yes, I'm a southerner, born in Georgia more than 60 years ago and I'm still here. But I'll desist from feeding the trolls anymore (especially grits). LOL