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Outdoor Shoes for the Nature-Lover

5 Essential Fall Hiking Tips

You’re ready to hit the trails on a fall hike to embrace this picturesque time of year. Good idea! Prepare for your perfect autumn hike with these 7 essential tips so you can stay comfortable and capture the beauty of the season.

1. Lace up for your adventure

Set yourself up for comfort and performance with the proper hiking shoes. Allbirds Trail Runner SWTs are made for hitting the hiking trails, whether you’re trail running or out for a leisurely hike. With ultra-grippy treads and multi-directional 4mm lugs, they’re made for stability and traction. For the casual hiker, the Tree Dasher 2 is an everyday athletic shoe that will do the trick, thanks to its cushioned midsole and lightweight breathability. 

2. Know your hiking route

Download a hiking trail app like AllTrails or The Hiking Project to check out trail conditions, closures, and recent wildlife sightings. In fact, you may even discover a nearby trail that’s harder or easier (depending on your skill level) to better suit you. Some apps even offer downloadable maps so you don’t have to worry about getting lost if you get out of range for your cellular signal.

3. Share your plan

One of the most common mistakes of solo hikers is failing to let people know where you’re going and when you intend to return. Taking this simple step would prevent the majority of hiking-related incidents. Be sure to let a reliable friend or family member know exactly where you’re headed and how long you plan to be there. 

4. Fall Layers

Your weather app says it’s going to be comfortable all day, and you don’t want to carry that  jacket around? Not so fast. If your hike takes longer than you planned (it usually does) or the sun dips behind a mountain or a cloud (which is probably will), the fall temperatures can drop unexpectedly. Play it safe by wearing layers like a hoodie or a jacket even if you don’t think you’ll need it, or even start with one our active tees if you want a lighter layer.

5. Capture the fall beauty

Is there anything more beautiful than the fall foliage on a beautiful nature hike? Stop and capture the views using a few basic photography tips:

  • Give a third: Taking a shot with a companion? Use the left or right third of your image for your subject, and let the rest showcase the glorious scenery.
  • Add depth: Even when photographing distant mountains, focus on a flower, tree, or other close-up element to add depth to your photos.
  • Explore effects: Use smartphone settings like portrait mode, HDR mode, or panoramic to take a photo from mediocre to fantastic.

Get more tips for hiking like a pro and check out Allbirds women’s hiking shoes and men’s hiking shoes for your next adventure.