Historically, one major barrier to people of color not indulging in outdoor activities is the expense of equipment and travel cost to various locations. The cost alone has detered generations from camping in the summer, buying kayaks/canoes along a river bank, climbing rocks with the appropiate materials  and countless other outdoor activities that are not typically geared toward black and brown audiences. 

With this, it’s no surprise that the most popular outdoor retailers are also very high in pricing but i’ll let you in on a secret…you don’t need to spend a ton to have quality materials! Despite what the big name outdoor magazines and affiliate influencers are telling you,  there are brands who make less expensive gear that doesn’t compromise the quality and integrity of a product. 

When I first began to frequently hike, I realized quickly after a few tumbles and falls that I needed to invest in the right shoes. Hiking shoes can range anywhere from $20-$300+, depending on the brand and materials used to create the sole. There are hundreds of outdoor brands to select from but for my beginners or for those who are balling on a budget, here are some hiking shoes that are safe, secure, comfortable and of course affordable.