Happy Wednesday friends!
The hubs and I had such a nice weekend last week. We even got to go for our first hike of the summer! We went up to one of our favorite places along the parkway, Craggy Gardens and Craggy Pinnacle.
The Rhododendrons were just starting to bloom and it was absolutely amazing! They peak in mid June and should be in bloom for a few weeks, so I highly recommend getting up there if you are local. I’m planning a full post on our hike next week, including where to go, but here is a sneak peak of some of the pictures.
If you want a little more information on Craggy Pinnacle, but can’t wait until next week, check out this post.
Other than the obviously crazy pretty scenery, the highlight was trying out my new hiking shoes! To be entirely honest with you, I’ve always just hiked in my old running shoes. I’ve felt for awhile though that I could really use the extra stability and traction that real hiking shoes provide. The rocks you have to walk over to get to these pretty places are always tricky to maneuver.
Luckily my new Ahnu Sugarpine Air Mesh hiker worked to perfection!
They are an athletic-inspired shoe, so they feel very comfortable and similar to running shoes. However, they are better than my running shoes for hiking because they are custom designed for trails. They have a waterproof upper, Vibram slip resistant lugs that provide grip and traction on any surface AND Numentum Hike technology to keep my foot from rolling on the rocks. They are also a lighter mesh shoe, perfect for this time of year.
To see the full list of awesome reasons why this shoe rocks for hiking, click HERE.
I felt more confident than ever with my footing and couldn’t be happier with my Ahnu Sugarpine Air Mesh hiking shoes!
So now for the fun part!!!
One lucky reader will win a pair of the Ahnu Sugarpine Air Mesh hiking shoes!
To enter, follow the prompts below! The contest starts today and will run until June 24th. I will announce the winner on Running in a Skirt on Friday June 26th. The contest is open to residents of the US only, simply for shipping purposes.
Good Luck!
Come back tomorrow because I’m celebrating National Running Day in style! I’m sharing the Ultimate Running Roundup. Perfect for everyone from newbie's to marathoners. I hope to see you then.
*Ahnu footwear sponsored this post and is handling the giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own and I only feature products I believe in on Running in a Skirt, regardless of how I got them!*
Your turn!
Go to this website and tell me which color you would pick if you won 🙂 Come back (please :-)) and let me know in the comments.
Toria says
Definitely the dahlia / purple!
Jeff Wells says
Would love to win this for my daughter. She is trying to get out of an abusive relationship and I think this would help her self esteem.
Christin says
I love all the colors! Loved this post!
Barbara McK says
I love the Viridian green and the astral aura!
Fannie Wiggins says
I couldn't walk much less hike for a lot of years. After have double knee replacements done, I am getting back to doing outdoor things. Needless to say, I don't have a pair of good shoes. I would pick the Virdian Green or Dahlia. Either works for me.
Heather Dawn says
I would love to get Dahlia!
Janlyn messina says
love the green 7,5. Thanks!
Seth @ Giveaway Guy says
I think my wife would like the purple (DAHLIA).
amy pugmire says
the MONTARA BOOT is really cute.
Cristina Wyatt says
I would choose Dark Grey
Rhonda Morrow says
Dark citron
Martha Griffin-Holland says
I would love the Dark Citron!
Audra O'Hara says
I would pick the Dark Blue color. Looks like a really comfortable shoe and a great excuse to go hiking to break them in!
Aison says
I love the dark grey!
Pudyqat says
I would pick Astral Aura
robin says
always on the lookout for great hiking shoes! Thanks for reviewing these.
robin says
...and I'd choose Dahlia if I won.
Teresia Cota says
I like the Dark blue ones
Jennai says
I like the blue ones called Astral Aura
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
I'd choose the DAHLIA color
Nicki says
I love the teal but would get the citron. I like being able to see my feet.
Jill says
Love the dark citron!
Rachel Reese says
It's a toss up between the vibrant dark citron and the more subtle dark grey.
Debi Jordan says
Nice looking place to hike! Great looking shoes!! I'm a fan of the Dark Blue and the Viridian Green.
Diane Royer says
I would choose the dark blue. They look like amazing shoes. I'm glad you posted this because I was just starting to look for hiking shoes.
Farrah says
Blue is my favorite color, so I'd go with the Vallarta Blue! I haven't gone hiking in ages, and I really miss it! *-*
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
A new pair of hiking boots would be AWESOME! The view on your hike was beautiful!
julie says
the dahlia is really pretty
Ty says
I love their shoes. I have a pair and I've had them for years. I would pick the VIRIDIAN GREEN color.
Jaime says
We'd love to do more hiking, but I hate wearing my running shoes for anything other than running. And let's face it. I primarily own running shoes...
Carla S says
I would pick dark grey if I won.
Jamie Jones says
Dark blue. Super cute and would be just in time for hiking in July!
Carolsue says
I think I would pick the Dark Blue -- can't really decide!
Becky says
I love the gray! And the Parkway is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the mountains and miss them every day!
DJohnson says
I love the VIRIDIAN GREEN.
Andrea says
Those are super cute and I need a lower pair of hiking shoes. My boots get heavy and aren't super necessary for short hikes.
Andrea says
Vallarta Blue!
Anna B. says
I love the color green, so I think I'd pick Viridian Green as my hiking shoe color!
Kim Warneke says
Love them!
Ken C says
Great Giveaway - Dark Blue is my choice
Katherine Hass says
This would be great to win my shoes no longer have any tread. and I was about to go out to buy a new pair. I love the Villarreal Blue.
Katherine Hass says
I like the villari blue it is supposed to be cheerful without being too fflashy. this would be perfect if i won since my current hiking shoes need to be retired and have no tread left. and I have places to go and people to see good pair of hiking boots would make safer.
Linda says
The Astral Aura are nice.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
I Would Choose The VIRIDIAN GREEN
Jess @hellotofit says
Those shoes look and sound awesome!! Hiking in running shoes can be rough....especially if there are some wet areas!
Ruth C says
I like the Dark Blue
[email protected] feet says
I like the Viridian Green! Looks like the forest colors. 🙂 and I REALLY enjoy trails. I'm like you hiking in old running shoes but I've twisted my ankles too many times... I've been wanting a pair of either trail running specific shoes or hiking but can only afford one new pair of shoes a year lol so I opt for my marathon road running shoes. 🙂 but I LOOOOOOVE trails too..
Dandi D says
I would really like to choose the Dahlia color!
Katelyn says
I love your blog! I love to hike with my dog Scout - he is a shiba inu :)! Thank you for sharing! great post! I love the Astral Aura color
Kayley says
I'd want the ASTRAL AURA color.
Elle P. says
I think I'd choose the Dahlia color.
Nina says
I love the dahlia color! My mom once accidentally stepped on and killed a snake with her hiking boots. They were tan, so I'm hoping that a brighter color will keep the snakes away from the hiking trail and me!
Bridget says
Special shooes just for hiking! I love the dark blue.
Ali Celestino says
VIRIDIAN GREEN my favorite color!
Dale says
Looked like a fun and beautiful hiking trail. Loved doing lots of hiking in the national and state parks when we were RVing. Enjoyed seeing the pictures as well.
Annette says
With so many pretty colors it was hard to choose just one. But I'd probably choose VIRIDIAN GREEN.
Cathy J says
Craggy Gardens is my favorite place on the parkway but I haven't hiked it-yet! I love astral aura and the dark blue.
Suzanne King says
Ahnu Aura are so beautiful. I would love to go hiking in them. Thanks for the opportunity.
Megan says
This is an awesome give away! Dark gray is so pretty!
Shanon says
Going with the Dahlia! In May I started my "take a hike Tuesday" with my mother-in-law where we pick a different location to hike. Always looking for ways to spend time outdoors. Would love these and would chip in and get her some, too! Love your blog 🙂 .....here's to the great outdoors of WNC!
ellen casper says
I would choose the dasrk blue
ellen casper says
I like the dasrk blue
Pamela conard says
I like the teal color
Gingi says
Ohhhhhhhhhh, great post, I love giveaways! I always like black ones! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Rosie says
These are wondreful! I like Dark Citron!
Kristen M says
I like the dark blue.
Barb Elliott says
Would love the dark gray.
APRIL says
ASTRAL AURA or dark citron... super cute- love them!
sheila austin says
I would love to have a pair of hiking shoes.
Ashley says
Dark gray as well
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
My friend is actually wanting to go hiking in Greenville soon. I've never been before, so I welcome all the tips you have! haha
Cathy says
Love your shoes, and craggy gardens. Any color will do for me!!!!!!
Danyelle Musselman says
It looks so pretty up there! We used to hike some when we lived in Arizona... not so much hiking in Louisiana. Looking forward to the outdoor stuff again once we're in Reno!
Cathy says
I love your information on good places to go and see. Miss seeing you on the morning news too. Any color would do for me. I am not to choosey.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Love and would totally use these! I like the grey and the dahlia!
Deb Wolfe says
I would love to take this hike! Beautiful pictures. The Astral Aura is my favorite.
Maria Aponte says
This looks like a beautiful hike. Now that my foot is healing from my surgery I am excited to hike again, but sadly I can't do anything too strenuous yet. I posted about my hike to Looking Glass Rock recently. I think the Astral Aura shoe color is my favorite!
Kim S says
These are awesome! I love the dark gray ones like you have!! I could really use these on my weight loss journey!
Joanna @Makingmine says
I have literally NEVER seen a cute pair of hiking shoes before, but these are awesome! I'm hoping my husband and I can get somewhere to do some hiking this summer!
Bri says
Love the Viridian green colour! I need to proper hiking shoes, I have my trail runners but would rather save those for running!
[email protected] says
I like the ones you have on...I usually think hiking gear isn't that 'attractive' but I like these a lot!!!
Lisa Whittemore says
Dark blue definitely.
Annmarie says
Super cute! I have trail shoes for when we go hiking in the Adirondacks but could use a new pair. It's a toss up between the dahlia and the gray!
Katie says
The Astral-Aura are awesome!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Looks like a beautiful place to hike! I don't do it often enough-maybe if I had new hiking shoes I would 🙂
Blane Sherer says
Nice hiking shoes. Nice outfit too.
Enjoyed the pics of the flowers.
Glad you enjoyed your hike.
Maggie says
Love the dark citron!
Lucy Henry says
I love the rhododendron this time of year. I want to do this hike soon I also really like Ahnu shoes and like the navy blue ones. Thanks for this post.
Marilyn says
The black ones would be awesome!
Lynne says
I am a big fan of Craggy. It so close to town and easy to get away and lose yourself in nature. I love your shoes, I would chose the navy shoes.
Thanks Julie for your adventures
Ashley Creason says
Would love a low ankle hiking shoe- their astral aura and viridian green colors are great!