You can find a link to buy our suggestions here.

To start: I LOVE MY OUTDOOR SANDALS. They are fantastic summer time option when it is hot outside. Heat escapes through the skin, so any skin that is not covered will allow heat to escape.

That being said, hiking in sandals is not always an option. We actually don’t suggest tough/long hikes in sandals as you don’t have any rubber to protect your toes, you don’t have ankle support, and your feet typically slide in the sandals when walking, especially when wet. Sandals can wear on your feet when hiking long distances.

Times to wear sandals:
Short easy flat hike (1 mile or less)
Short walks that involve walking in the water (something like an afternoon trip to your favorite swimming hole)
Around town

Times it is OK to wear sandals:
Moderate hikes OR Medium length hikes (but not both)
Short Rocky Terrain

Never Wear Sandals:
Long hikes
If you have to scale a wall
If you are hiking in mud or slippery conditions
Hiking near cliffs
Rocky Terrain longer than a mile
Traversing a steep incline
When entering a Cave
Doing extreme sports (like white water rafting)

You can buy our suggestions for outdoor sandals here.

Our Picks:

Chacos:
These are amazingly versatile and incredibly endurable.
Pros: they are easy to put on and off, they have great arch support, they are very sturdy for sandals and do well on terrain, and they are incredible, washable in the washing machine (with towels!), great re-soul program (for when your shoe soul gets warn out!)
Cons: They do incredibly poorly in mud allowing you to slip inside your shoe, they don’t offer toe protection and are terrible for any activity you need the top of your feet (never take these white water rafting folks!), sometimes the arch support is too aggressive and can be uncomfortable, straps can become stuck if exposed to too much dirt (get rid of that dirt with fabric softener!)

Keens:
Pros: Toe protection (Great for white water rafting), the perform the best in water with rocky terrain, easy to put on and take off, great stability on wet surfaces, a great warranty program
Cons: Not the best for walking around (I prefer it for a water shoe), susceptible to small rocks getting and staying in the shoe which forces you to have to take it off and empty the shoe, not the prettiest sandal

Dads Need Hiking and Camping Gear. 
Does your Dad love to hike? Does he spend his weekends off in the woods looking for a waterfall? We put together a list of hiking and camping gear that your Dad will LOVE to get his hands on.

Everything suggested is something I either would love to grab or something I personally own and love. (I don’t think I could give my wife a better hint than this article)

This Dad’s list can be found on Amazon by clicking here.

Why we love the items above!

• Camp Spork $4

The Camp Spork is the ultimate camp utensil. This spork is loaded with a spoon fork and knife and is lightweight, can fit anywhere in your pack, durable, and of course dishwasher friendly.

• Camp Food $6 – $65

This is a great way to show Dad he needs to go on a camping trip. Food for the around a fire.

• Knife $9

Every hiker and camper should be carrying a knife. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but you have to have one. This is a tool you will use all the time. So if dad doesn’t have a knife, get him one!

• Compass $12 – $13

Make sure Dad knows the way home. Grab him a Compass and a map of the local forest (For us it would be Bankhead National Forest). Drop him off at in the woods and tell him you’ll be back in 6 hours. Let him remember what it was like to be a boy scout.

• Waterproof Lighter $14

Lighters are a great way to get the heat you need to start a fire. Waterproof lighters are the best way to make sure your lighter works no matter what the weather throws your way.

• Camping Pillow $15

Camping Pillows are not often thought about, but it is a lightweight way to increase your comfort while camping. I cannot recommend a camping pillow enough. I got this one as a gift and I absolutely fell in love with it. This one really helped me get through a ton of nights in the woods.

• Smartwool Socks $15 – $26

There’s a 90% chance you were getting Dad socks for father’s day anyway. Might as well make them the best socks Dad has ever had. Smartwool socks keep you cool in summer, warm in winter, and are fast drying to keep your feet comfortable. They’ll change the way your Dad hikes, camps, and does about anything.

• Portable Solar Charger $16

Don’t let Dad lose battery life in the woods, especially if he’s the type to use the GPS on his phone. Grab this with a cheap carabiner and he can keep this on the back of his pack so he keeps his battery full.

• Headlamp $16

Make sure Dad can see at night while freeing up his hands to do other things. I suggest a headlamp with multiple brightnesses and a red light mode. The red light mode allows you to see while not triggering your body to become more alert allowing for you to prepare yourself for sleep or waking up your camping buddies.

• Camping Cookware $16

There’s a pretty high chance your Dad eats. If so, make sure he can stay full while hiking and camping. The camping cookware we chose is what we use. Its lightweight and is versatile. Grab a filter and some coffee grounds and bam, you’ve got one of Dad’s favorite beverage while doing Dad’s favorite activity.

• Portable Phone Tripod with Remote $18

Dad’s never in pictures is he? He’s always taking them. This portable phone tripod with a Bluetooth remote will free him up to take the pictures AND be in them. The flexible legs can wrap around pretty much anything including tree branches and recently I used mine to wrap its way around a rock face. If you want Dad to appear in more family photos I suggest this one!

• Water Filter $21

Make sure Dad has some clean water in the woods. This one is a bit different than the LifeStraws since it can connect directly to a Hydration Pack. It also has a few options for how to use it. I highly suggest this water filter system as its cheap and reliable.

• Hiking Poles $24

Hiking Poles are a great way to keep Dad sturdy in the woods. We highly suggest poles for crossing rivers and streams as well as rocky terrain. The poles we suggested are foldable so Dad can carry them in his pack when he’s not using them.

• Hiking Shorts $25-30

Keep Dad cool and dry in the summer and get him some quick-dry hiking pants. Most brands will work so long as they’re quick to dry.

• Underwear – Saxx or Exofficio $25 – $38

Good underwear changes the game. Hiking and camping can make you hot and sweaty. These underwear are incredible at keeping your nether regions dry and cool. They are expensive as far as underwear goes, but once you try them out, you’ll never go back.

• 3-pack Hiking Shirts $31

Quick-dry, cool shirts are the way to go. Get some for Dad.

• Hydration Pack $35

Keep Dad Hydrated. Get him the easiest, best way to stay hydrated while out in the woods.

• Eno Hammock $45

Eno Hammocks are one of the easiest camping sleep systems there are. You just need 2 trees and BAM you have a comfortable place to sleep. Get Dad somewhere to sleep outside. We all know he needs the rest!

• Backpack $108

Dad needs a place to put his gear! By him a hiking backpack!

• Backpack/Baby Carrier $149

Dad needs a place to put the BABY! This is an awesome pack to carry your kids comfortably. No more sore arms after a long hike!

• Sleeping Bag $168

Get Dad a nice sleeping bag so he stays warm on those camping trips.

• Hiking GPS $350

If you worry about Dad going off into the woods, the best way to make sure he doesn’t get lost in giving him a GPS. This is essential for backcountry hiking and is always a good way to keep Dad safe.

All of these gift ideas are easily found online. Click here for the list I personally put together on Amazon. 

Thank you to Sparrow Drone (Gerrit Burke) for taking the above picture of me while we were out hiking one day! Instagram Website

Essentials for Summer Hiking
Summer Hiking is a great activity to do during the summer. Finding swimming holes is one of my family’s favorite things to do. However, staying cool and hydrated is a challenge.

There are essentials you need for summer hiking, but it’s important to remember the difference between every hiking trip when planning on what to bring. In the deep south, summers are hot (no joke). During summer we can see highs of 100 degs+ and often times the lows are still in the high 70s or low 80s even. The humidity traps the heat and can make sleeping in the woods difficult if you’re unprepared. We highly suggest quick dry breathable clothing during the summer. Below are my gear suggestions for a perfect summer camping trip.

This list can be found on Amazon
Men’s Essentials Click Here
Women’s Essentials Click Here

Above is a list of everything you need for summer hiking. Below is the reasoning behind each item.

• Day Pack (Men’s) (Women’s)

A backpack is essential for carrying your gear. If the backpack is too small then you won’t have enough space to store all your equipment. If its too large it’ll just be inconvenient and get in your way. I suggest around a 22L backpack. This size also works great as a “personal item” when flying.

• Smartwool Socks (Men’s) (Women’s)

Choosing the right sock is incredibly important. Depending on your hike you could be going through nice dry areas with flat easy terrain, a hot humid mucky swamp hike, or rocky mountains through streams. Smartwool socks are incredibly comfortable yet the light socks keep your feet cool and quickly dry giving you dry feet without any unwanted rubbing. They are incredibly comfortable and out of all the clothing on this list, I would suggest buying these first.

• Breathable Underwear (Men’s) (Women’s)

Good underwear is the next article of clothing that I suggest buying first. Saxx and Exofficio are my go-to brands for hiking. These underwear are incredibly comfortable and yet very breathable. They are a bit pricey for a single pair, but they are an absolute game-changer in the outdoors.

• Cool Sturdy Hiking Shoes (Men’s) (Women’s)

Hiking shoes are very important. You need to choose a shoe with a solid grip that is breathable for the summer months. Of all the hiking shoes we’ve owned we’ve found that Keens hiking shoes offer great support as well as the best grip. These shoes even can grip to slippery, wet rocks. 

• Hydration Pack (Men’s) (Women’s)

Staying hydrated in the summer can be tough. A nice Hydration pack gives you easy access to water as well as a convenient way to store water in your backpack. You can pack 3 liters without a clunky bottle. Pair it with a backpack with a pouch for a hydration pack and the water is always available on the trail when you want it. 

• First Aid Kit (Men’s) (Women’s)

Always keep a First Aid Kit on hand!

• Bug Repellant (Men’s) (Women’s)

Mosquitoes are incredibly annoying and can leave you with a not so pleasant hike. We suggest packing 100% deet. That way your pack stays light and you still have the bug spray you need to keep the mosquitoes away.

• Sunscreen (Men’s) (Women’s)

Anytime you’re in the sun, protect your skin! You know your skin better than we do, so pick what works best for you!

• Water Filter (Men’s) (Women’s)

Water is always important. The water filter we suggest is light and easy to use. It can also be connected directly to your hydration pack allowing you to quickly fill the hydration pack with river water and have it filtered as you’re drinking it.

• Quick Dry Hiking Shorts (Men’s) (Women’s)

We love our Patagonia and Prana shorts, but any quick-drying pair of shorts will work. If you don’t have the money for an expensive brand like Patagonia or Prana, we suggest using what you have on higher-end socks, underwear, and shoes rather than shorts or a t-shirt.

• Quick Dry Hiking T-shirt (Men’s) (Women’s)

Don’t go out of your way for an expensive t-shirt. Make sure it’s cool, dry-fit, and sweat-wicking and you’ll be fine. Again, focus on your socks and underwear. It’ll be a much more comfortable hike if you do! If you have the money, we love our Mountain Hardware, Colombia, and Patagonia cool dry-fit t-shirts!

• Compass and Map (Men’s) (Women’s)

Always know where you are.

All of these essentials are easily found online. Click below for the men’s and woman’s lists I personally put together on Amazon.
Men’s list
Women’s list