The Ridgemont Outback Is a Casual Boot That Can Hike
Looking for one shoe that can do it all? The Outback is a great choice.
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We make difficult footwear decisions every time we travel, particularly when day hikes are on the itinerary. Do you burden yourself with heavy boots that look ridiculous with street clothes, or hike in sneakers and risk trashing them on the trail?
Former pro skater Stacy Lowery faced this same dilemma in 2010 while preparing for a trip to Costa Rica, and Ridgemont Outfitters was born. Value proposition: kill two birds with one shoe and make it easier for adventurous travelers to pack light.
The Outback ($129) is the most formidable model in Ridgemont’s nascent lineup. Billed as a casual hiking shoe, it has serious trekking chops under the hood: extra-thick vulcanized rubber construction, a durable oiled-leather exterior, aggressive lugged tread on the bottom, and padded ankle support to keep you stable. The sole is plenty stiff thanks to a composite track board that stretches from the heel to the ball of the foot. It comes with Ortholite insoles, too.
Of course, we should also point out that the Outback is stylish as hell, and that’s the whole point: you’ll be dressed for the occasion whether you’re standing on top of a mountain or sitting down for tapas at a fancy restaurant.
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