My struggle to find good dog-walking/hiking shoes is real. So when the folks at Icebug pitched their Zeal-L RB9X as exactly that, I said I would give them a try.

Riggins and I spend a lot of time with our friends, four- and two-legged, on local trails. When faced with a difficult incline, the pups often show up the humans, easily bounding up the trail we try our best to get traction on the loose and sandy California ground. Years ago I invested in hiking shoes and didn’t look back. I have two issues with traditional hiking shoes, though: They are heavy, and they hurt my feet after awhile.

Icebug’s Zeal-L RB9X managed to solve my previous hiking-shoe problems — and with style!

I really appreciate how light the shoe is. At first I was concerned about the lack of arch support; I have extremely high arches and have custom orthotic insoles that go into any of my workout shoes. I did a number of trails in Icebug’s without my insoles, and they managed to be BETTER than my shoes with them in. I can’t explain why — obviously, they are magic.

I have a feeling all of Icebug’s shoes contain that same magic, aka the result of years of research as well as top-notch technology and innovation. Head to their website to learn more about the Zeal-L RB9X along with the company’s other shoes.