real estate adviser: These Hiking Boots Helped Me Survive Acadia’s Hardest Trail

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Trails & Climbs

These Hiking Boots Helped Me Survive Acadia's Hardest Trail

Everyone who knows me knows that I am extremely clumsy. I have tripped up (and down) the stairs more times than I'd care to admit, I more than occasionally stub my toe on the coffee table, and I tend to stumble on even the slightest crack in the sidewalk.

At the same time, I love to hike. Picture me as a baby mountain goat taking her first wobbly steps over tree roots and slabs of stone. Do I use bad form and look silly? Yes. But at least I'm minimizing the chances of me going over the side of the mountain.

When I left my hiking boots in Puerto Rico, I saw this as an occasion to get a new pair that would prevent slippage, keep my ankles from turning, and in general help me to stay vertical on the trails. I went with a pair of Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots, and believe me when I say that they changed my whole experience with hiking.

I recently took to the Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park. The 2.1-mile loop trail—which climbs 1,053 feet and involves scrambling over boulders and grabbing onto iron rungs and ladders to navigate steep cliff faces—is not only one of the park's most challenging hikes, it was a true test of my boots' capabilities.

And they passed with flying colors. While I didn't exactly turn into a full grown mountain goat, the boots kept me upright and stable, and the tread gripped onto each rock's nook and cranny with ease. Plus they are nicely cushioned, so much so that I was able to walk away from Acadia blister-free. And to help you make your next trek smoother, too, I've rounded up my favorite hiking gear, from backpack coolers to wool socks.

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