Oscar Hikes 
Hey there, Oscar here! If you are planning a hike, you have probably stared at a wall of outdoor footwear and felt completely overwhelmed. I have been there too. One of the most common questions I get from beginner and intermediate hikers is about the classic footwear debate: low cut vs high cut hiking shoes. … Read more
Hey there, I’m Oscar! If you are planning to hit the trails soon, you are probably looking at a mountain of outdoor gear. One of the most common questions I get from everyday hikers is about footwear. You might be staring at a wall of boots and trail runners wondering what you actually need. Is … Read more
Hi, I’m Oscar. A few years ago, I planned what was supposed to be a beautiful six-mile day hike. The weather was perfect, my backpack was packed with snacks, and I felt ready. But about two miles in, my feet started screaming. I had worn a brand new pair of boots straight out of the … Read more
I still remember my first long day hike. I had spent weeks planning the route, packing my snacks, and checking the weather. But I made one massive beginner mistake: I bought my hiking shoes in my exact everyday street shoe size. By mile six, my toes were slamming into the front of the boots on … Read more
I remember the first time I tried to pick a hike for the weekend. I opened a trail app, stared at hundreds of green lines, and felt totally overwhelmed. Should I pick a three-mile loop? A ten-mile out-and-back? What does “moderate” even mean? If you are wondering how to choose a hiking trail without getting … Read more
Hey there, I’m Oscar. If there is one thing that can turn a beautiful day on the trail into a miserable march back to the car, it is a blister. I have been there, hobbling down the last three miles of a trail because I ignored a tiny rubbing feeling on my heel. It is … Read more
Hey there, I’m Oscar. A question I get asked all the time by new hikers is about footwear. You just dropped some serious cash on a great pair of hiking shoes. They feel amazing. They look pretty cool. Now you are wondering, can hiking shoes be used for daily use? Here’s the thing. It is … Read more
Hiking usually burns more calories than walking because it uses more muscle, effort, and energy. If you are trying to lose weight, improve fitness, or just make your workouts count, the calories burned hiking vs walking comparison matters. The difference can be surprisingly large, and it depends on pace, terrain, incline, body weight, and even the gear … Read more
Have you ever looked at your closet while packing your backpack and wondered, is cotton good for hiking? When I first started hitting the local trails, I wore my favorite everyday cotton t-shirt and regular blue jeans. It was a sunny summer morning, so I figured I was totally fine. But by the time I … Read more
Hi, I’m Oscar. If you have ever stood in an outdoor store looking at rack after rack of trail shirts and pants, you know how confusing synthetic fabrics can be. You turn over a tag, see “100% nylon,” and wonder: Is nylon good for hiking, or will it leave you sweaty, chafed, and uncomfortable three … Read more