Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Marco Island, FL

I have to say i was very impressed with the resort and staff, it was way above my expectations, very close to Marco Island and Naples. I will dedinetly come back.

Nice place for a short term stay. Extra charges for WiFi took away 1 star for me. Dog friendly and small dog park available to let your fur baby run free.

We had an exceptionally unpleasant experience due to the pet policy being misrepresented. We paid in advance, their policy, for the entire month of February. We had to sign a document stating the payment was not refundable. Before signing, we read through the policies that affected renters, like the pet policy and did not see anything out of line with other RV parks. We set up our exercise pens for the dogs, like we've done at every RV park for the last 30 years. We were informed that exercise pens violated their policy. We had not seen that and asked that it be shown to us. They showed a construction policy that stated owners were not allowed to build a fence on their property. We had not built anything on their property, but they maintained that an exercise pen was a fence and had to be taken down. Our dogs are quiet and love to bask in the warm sun. It felt like a cruel expectation for them to have to stay in our RV 24/7 for a full month. They suggested that we could tie our dogs out on the lawn, but they are escape artists and we could not risk them getting away. We again stated that we were not in any way violating their policy. They were very indifferent. We could not put our pets through being confined to and RV, so we immediately left. They refused to refund our money, offer a stay at another date or even offer any kindness at all. This is truly the worst experience and poorest treatment that we've ever had at an RV resort.

This park is nice for a short bike ride or hike along it’s nature trail. Don’t forget the kids helmets because it’s a law in Florida for them to wear them and the park ranger will remind you of it. The park is also on a river you can kayak or put a canoe in. They even provide rentals. The campground is well maintained and has three good size shower houses. The RV sites are pretty close together especially in the back. There is a nice playground by the river and a few historic markers to explore. The location is about 30mins to the beach depending on traffic. We visit Naples and Marcos island which were both nice but crowded. The park is also a short distance to the northern part of Everglades National Park. You can easily hitch a ride on an airboat tour there. We visited in December and the mosquitoes were definitely thirty that time of year! The ones that got in ate us alive while we slept in our camper. I still have nightmares but with out a breeze that’s just florida. Overall, great little park to explore just sleep under a mosquito net.

It is a well laid out Florida State Park campground In a mangrove swamp, making the mosquitoes horrible. There is access to a channel that you can rent a kayak or “Go Cat” to go all the way to the gulf, or use your own boat. The go cats are very cool and the guide you out in groups for around $150.

What a beautiful park. The lake was so beautiful. The cat walk trail was nice and maintained well. Loved the walking dredge history. The staff was really nice.

We camp Koreshan because it is literally less than 10 minutes from our house. We can set up camp and stay throughput the week even if the kids have school. It’s hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park. This campground has short trails to hike through beautiful bamboo forests. A ramp for putting in your kayaks or SUPs as well as kayak rental. Locations to fish the river. You are a 20 minute drive to the beach from here. Very centrally located to shopping and farmers markets. Koreshan has a farmers market there at the park I believe on Sundays. The campsites have a fire pit and wood is sold at the entrance. It is a historic site of the early settlers of the area from the late 1800’s so there are historical buildings on site to tour. It is a pet friendly campground. The only reason I give this campground 4* rather than 5 is because of the road noise from Hwy 41 that it is off. It’s quite peaceful until you get a motorcycle racing up and down the highway at 2am. They do have specific sites if you wish to camp in hammocks. If you google the campground you should be able to find out which sites those are.

RANGER REVIEW: GREGORY ZULU 35 BACKPACK AT PICAYUNE STRAND STATE FOREST-HORSESHOE CAMPGROUND

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Florida offers very diverse camping opportunities throughout the state. Not many states can offer year-round camping along lakes, rivers, oceans, swamps, undulating terrain to pancake flat, grasslands, sugar sand to elevated chickee huts. Camping in Florida is not for the faint of heart, but for the adventurous...much like any state. However, in Florida, you may encounter crawling or slithering reptiles and spinning spiders in various shapes and sizes, non-venomous and otherwise...gators or saltwater crocs...otters, manatee or sharks...wild hog, bear, bobcat or relocated panther.  In the fairly young Picayune Strand State Forest many of these reside. Most are shy and elusive, rarely to be seen...but they are present. Many wrongly assume the voracious and plentiful mosquito is the state bird...not so much...but come prepared with repellant any time of year.

Almost comically, Picayune Strand State Forest (https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Picayune-Strand-State-Forest) was the location where the 1950's phrase has its origination..."If you believe that, I've got some swamp land in Florida to sell you." Land developers laid flat the land southeast of the city of Naples, put a grid of sandy roads in and flew prospective buyers in helicopters above the land during the dry winter months to sell them on the dream of cheap prime SW Florida real estate. Problem is...this land is all part of the Everglade watershed and is under a few feet of water every year from June through November, once the rainy season begins June 1. Some bought, but very few built...so to return the sheet flow back to its original state...the State began purchasing land back through eminent domain from the mid-1980's until a remaining parcel was purchased in the mid-1990's when the Picayune Strand State Forest was named. The man-made pump-regulated canals are being blocked to allow the natural sheet flow to reclaim much of this area.

Unilike many State Forests, while you can hike and bicycle the roads and trails throughout Picayune Strand, you cannot camp wherever you like. Horseshoe Campground https://floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com/camping/horseshoe-primitive-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FLFS&parkId=1120199 is located on the north end of the State Forest, which travels on the south side of Alligator Alley (Interstate 75) as it turns and slices across the Everglades to Miami.

Horseshoe Campground is a small parcel of high ground carved out of the swamp scrub. The grounds are well-maintained and clean. I found Ranger Reid, in the Ranger office, to be very friendly and helpful. He even offered a highlight that a panther, the night before my arrival, was chasing some deer about 300 yards west of the campgrounds.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

⦁ No potable water (bring all the water you need)

⦁ No Electricity (None, zero, zilch...plenty of sunshine for solar chargers though)

⦁ No Showers (I'd also advise against swimming in any water nearby)

⦁ No waste recepticles (Carry out what you bring in)

⦁ No Internet offered (Adequate cell service is available)

⦁ Open fires permitted in designated camping areas, in fire rings, unless posted

⦁ Two portable pit latrines enclosed within wood fence enclosures

⦁ Prepare for mosquitos year round

⦁ Don't forget your sunscreen

Reservations can be made through Reserve America's website. Or you can chose to utilize one of the six (6) walk-up sites. Actually, I liked the added feature of the two tarp poles (or hammock poles) on the non-reservable walk-up sites. Between mid-November and April, it does not rain often, so its of no real advantage...unless you utilize a hammock. But from mid-May to mid-November, you are likely to experience some heavy downpours each afternoon...so sturdy tarp poles would be appreciated.

Each site is grass covered, has one fire ring and one picnic table.

Can't beat the pricing...$10 a night.

True to its name, Horseshoe Campground offers paddocks for the horses and ample room for horse trailers. The Equestrian Group Camping area also has picnic tables, some grills and a pavilion. Horses must be picked up after in the campground, just like dogs.

I saw one pop-up camper during my stay. I imagine you could back in a larger RV, but there is no gravel or concrete pad...and the grass is on a sugar sand base. So plan accordingly.

Several trails leave the campground from the northwest corner. Adequately marked and all are sandy. If you choose to ride a bicycle on the trails or gravel roads, you'll want the largest tires possible to have both comfort and control. You can drive to other trails, such as the3.2 mile Sabal Palm trail...though during the height of the rainy season, the back road there will likely be impassable.

Wildlife abounds and birding is huge during winter migratory months. You are also likely to see the nesting pair of bald eagles, gopher tortoise, wood stork, eastern indigo snake, red cockaded woodpecker, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, kites, and a myriad of wading birds.

Numerous activities are nearby, whether you want to take in an Airboat Everglade tour, Shark Valley National Park, kayaking, canoeing throughout the Big Cypress Basin. Gulf Coast beaches are an hour away...either in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs or Fort Myers Beach.

Bike racers convene on Picayune Strand every May for the 50 mile Tour de Picayune https://tourdepicayune.org/.

PRODUCT REVIEW: NEW GREGORY ZULU 35 BACKPACK

Gregory Mountain Products have really stepped up their game in recent years! Not that they’ve been a slouch...Gregory Packs have long been synonymous with easing heavy loads, durability and comfort. Here's a look at Gregory's New Zulu 35 backpack https://www.gregorypacks.com/packs-bags/day-packs/zulu-35-1115ZUL35.html?dwvar\_1115ZUL35\_color=Fiery%20Red&cgidmaster=packs-day-packs#start=1 As a TheDyrt.com review Ranger, I have opportunity to review gear at no cost or substantially discounted pricing, as was the case with Gregory's New Zulu 35.

PROS:

•Featherweight 

•Breathable/Airflow

•Comfortable 

CONS:

•Very limited pole loop and bungee

First and foremost, Gregory's Zulu 35 prolific use of breathable cutouts in the hip-belt and shoulder strap padding, coupled with the large holed mesh liners elevate airflow to new levels. The taut mesh back panel creates ample space between the pack body and the wearer’s back resulting in more airflow. Greater airflow, greater comfort. A thinner aluminum loop outlined the back panel for pack support and stability.

The Hip Belt: All hip-belts are not created equal. The Zulu 35 is a huge departure from previous Gregory models. The 3D Comfort Cradle was created to eliminate hotspots. Absent is the lower lumbar padding, thick hip bone padding and swivel...present is the FreeFloat ventilated suspension system. Hip-belt bellow pockets are cavernous in comparison to former Gregory models...8” zippers offer plenty of room for current smartphones, even when housed in protective cases. The pocket bellows 1.5” at the top and 2” at the bottom...and is nearly 11” from front to rear. Both pockets are coated nylon packcloth in contrast Gregory’s former generation Baltoro with one waterproof pocket and first generation Paragon packs that offered one of the pockets in a light breathable fabric. Note: Cram too many hard edged or lumpy items in those pockets and you may feel them through the ‘foam cutout’ areas.

Shoulder Straps: They may not be thinner, but they feel thinner... amply comfortable. Adjustment for size is a snap...well, actually more of a pull. Slide a hand down and separate the hook-n-loop and adjust to your desired height (marked in 1” increments). The chest strap slides along 9” integrated piping making the perfect placement simple. At 6'0," and with my torso length, I felt I was at the very top end of the adjustment.The logo’d QuickStow eyewear band and elastic keeper strap adorns the left shoulder strap simplifying sunglass storage. The right chest strap incorporates a hydration hose retention hook...but the coolest is the chest strap buckle now has an integrated high shrill whistle! How cool is that?! Buckle coloration has changed too. Male end is a dark gray, female end a light gray.

Pack Body: The main body is a lightweight coated, nylon pack cloth shell with lightweight stretch fabric ambidextrous 8”x 6” deep waterbottle/storage sleeves and a 12” x 7” deep breathable stretch fabric exterior rear stash pocket with adjustable top buckle. Two compression straps on each side help keep the load stable. The Zulu 35 offers one large compartment with a top load cinch opening and a U shaped 40” zipper allows easy access to entire main pack contents. Absent is an unnecessary bottom zipper. The top load offers a 34” circumference so no worries about restrictions. The main body interior supplies a protective hydration sleeve along with both a Gregory hydration pack specific SpeedClip snap hook and also a nylon loop for other brands. Trekking/ski pole or ice axe loop (adjustable!) and cinch bungee are intended to keep items secure. (*I found the combo for attaching my poles to be rather ineffective, as the bungee, even cinched tightly, did not prevent my poles from swinging metronome style at the top, which you can see from my pics).  All pack zippers include molded Comfort Grip nylon loops for easy pulling.

Pack Hood: The hood has one outer and one inner zippered pocket. The outer pocket will hold ample ancillary items, whereas the inner pocket is intended as a dedicated “labeled” Rain Cover storage pocket. But stuffing the Rain Cover into the main body stretch stuff pocket or water bottle/storage sleeve frees up an additional zippered pocket. Two small web lash loops on the outside of the hood are nice for securing solar panels or carabiners for hanging your Tentlab Deuce shovel.

**Final Thoughts: ** Born a skeptic, things are rarely as advertised but the New Gregory Zulu 35 is the real deal. Until now, I loved my overly padded hip belts, shoulder straps and back panels of yesterday’s packs...but the Zulu 35’s comfort level was astounding, catching me totally off guard. Granted, I was only hauling 30lbs, but it was ‘out of sight-out of mind.’ The purposefully engineered breathable mesh and cut-outs worked...in blazing sun and 89 degrees, I was comfortable. I usually haul heavy loads (55-65lbs) for long treks...but I was able to pack enough in the Zulu 35 for four days worth and still had room. Apart from the ineffective bungee cinch/adjustable loop for poles...it is nearly perfect! In the future, I’ll just stick my trekking poles (upside down) in the side pocket and cinch ‘em down with the side compression straps with my tent poles. Problem solved.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**Stats: **

Size: Gregory Zulu 35 (Med/Lg)

Capacity: 35 liters/2136 cu in

Pack Weight: 2.89

Recommended Maximum carry weight: 35 lbs

Reviewer: 6’0/185, 21” torso 

Price Point:  $169.95

Collier-Seminole State Park, Naples Florida https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Collier-Seminole

It’s quite possible not many folks know about this State Park. The campground proper may not seem that large, but Collier-Seminole State Park is 7,271 acres huge! Almost all of it is part of the great mangrove swamp, one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world.

Even still, there are 105 camp sites tucked away on dry ground. All have electric and water, a fire pit and picnic table.

When entering the campsite area, the first loop to the right is a designated tent camping only loop. 19 sites in all. The sites are reasonably sized and permit two tents. There are palms and hardwoods providing canopy for shade above and undergrowth to give some privacy but you can still see and hear your neighbors.

The RV/Camper loop looks more like an inverted triangle with several loops within.

Three Restroom/showerhouse’s are strategically located so it is not a far walk to reach one from anywhere in the camping area. One of which has laundry facilities. There is also a RV dump station available. Firewood is sold in two locations in the RV loop.

**Read park rules and regs online…especially if you plan on bringing a pet or had thoughts of using a hammock.

Within the campground itself there is only one trail, but just outside is another 6.5 mile that winds through cypress swamps and offers a primitive campsite. However, you must register with the Ranger Station. Boating is the big draw and more specifically fishing. A fee of $5 gets you in the State Park for the day, and most Day users utilize the boat ramp. Canoe rentals are available as well as bicycles. Paddlers must submit a float plan with the Ranger. Mountain bikers have a 3.5 mile trail through a hammock and pine forest, again, you must register st the Ranger Station before use.

Don’t lose sight that you are in a very wild area. Bears, panthers, bobcat, gators, the invasive python, along with several poisonous snakes call this home. Also bring bug repellent! When there is a “skeeter-meter” on the Ranger Station wall, you had better be prepared.

Like most parks, a rich and varied history surrounds Collier-Seminole State Park. All of which is quite fascinating. Three distinctly different Seminole Wars took place here. The dredging and construction of US 41 which cuts across the Everglades that connects east with west began here. In fact, the only Bay City Walking Dredge in existence is found in this park.

The Collier-Seminole State Park is close to so many great SWFL things to see and do.

During what they refer to as “season,” Dec-Mar. you’ll be hard pressed to find a vacancy, as snowbirds migrate here in droves. But from May through October, you’ll find several vacancies.

Collier-Seminole State Park should be on your short list of places to camp!

This site was beautiful and well kept. The gentleman (park ranger?) who greeted everyone and made sure the rules were followed was very nice and answered all of our questions. I appreciated that he was around as it make me feel safer if I were to travel alone. This is a great site for families or groups as the sites are close together so one could reserve 2 and have a lot of room for multiple tents/cars. On the other hand, if you are looking to get away from people, this is not it. The sites are close to each other with little to no barriers/designation lines between them. This is a great site for those testing camping with their dogs or small children. Not too far of a trip, great walking space, and the ranger is great about making sure all dogs are kept on leash. It is near to the Oasis Ranger Station and the Florida Trail, as well as loop road and Shark Valley. The stars were absolutely incredible being so far from major cities. Other than how close the tent sites were, my one big negative is the amount of road noise. The closest campsites are maybe 100 meters from the Tamiami Trail so if you're a light sleeper, it is less than ideal.

Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Stayed 5 nights in 35 foot RV+tow car in 3 different sites. This was one of our least favorite stops so far. Essentially a circle of closely parked RV’s just off busy highway around a lake with gators(never saw any, but signs to NOT walk your dog on the lake side). So to walk your dog you have to let them wee all over your neighbors“land” which is mortifying. Limited to no cell signal. When we went to leave we were told we couldn’t use the dump station because it was full. And we couldn’t use the restrooms because they had a power outage that morning. Not sure what the connection is there, but that’s what we were told. Lots of generators running that morning. And yet it was fairly full, as the beauty is it is a great stopping point to head to southern FL and the Keys. And I suppose the clue is in the title, midway between the east and west coast of Florida. The camp hosts and people we met there were very friendly. The night star skies when not cloudy were incredible. I suppose this is one of those“It is what it is” places. Some campgrounds we love just because we love being there in the actual campground. This is not one of those, but it is a means to an end. We enjoyed the nearby Loop Road in Big Cypress.

I’ve been going here for about 15 years. Great camping park. Always quiet and great space to take family. I always go camp with my sibling and friends and also take my dogs with me. Have never had an issue.

First time here I was forced to have my service dog "DNA" tested and had to pay for it as well. ($40.00) - Poo Prints - one time for life. Office staff is friendly and helpful

I have stayed here a few times and for the price you won't find much with same amenities! The grounds have lots of trees and coverage which helps with the dog days of summer!! The sites are pretty much on top of each other so if privacy is your thing then it's not for you!! I get all the privacy I need inside my RV so it's of no concern. Bring plenty of Bug spray and be careful of the mud when it's rainy season because it gets everywhere!! Happy Camping

Campground: Monument Lake Campground, FL

Monument Lake Campground is located within the Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL.https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/monument-lake-campground.htm) This is a small campground area located near the halfway mark across US 41 (the Original Alligator Alley) between Naples and Miami…on the north side of the roadway at mile marker 60. There are several campgrounds along this stretch of US 41, but it appears most are designed for the self-contained RV'er to roost during the winter…much like migratory birds. In fact, there are 10 campgrounds within the Big Cypress National Preserve, some are first come-first served and others it is best to secure reservations on Recreation.gov.

Amenities: True enough, if you read any articles or reviews on Monument Lake Campground…amenities are scarce. So do not anticipate glamping in style…if you don't bring "it" all with you…you won't have it (No stores for 20+ miles in either direction). Restrooms are located mid-way on the west side of the Lake, and pit latrines are located mid-way on the east side of the Lake. There is running water at this campground…but we bring our own…or filter what is available (well water tables can be "iffy" in SWFL). No electrical, water or sewer hook-ups.

The Lake is not for swimming…period! This is gator country and while you may not see one in the lake, they are present. Gators travel pretty far to find reliable water and sustainable food source. Keep small pets and chldren away from the water's edge and within reach. I've seen folks fish from canoes and small row boats.

Campsites are grassy (but realize this is Florida and everything is sandy), complete with picnic table and fire pit. Take great care with campfires, as winter months are dry and susceptible to raging fires. No shelters, so I recommend a tarp or pop-up shelter for sun shade.

Camping here in January is a bit of a crapshoot. Weather can be warm and sunny or cold and sunny from day to day. Mosquitos, sand gnats, chiggers and small flies can be found in abundance or nonexistent. I recommend Sawyer spray and lotion, Sunsect and/or Thermacell to combat insects around the campsite.

There are "animal proof" steel storage containers. Most signs point to raccoons or palmetto rats (think large Gerbil…cute but destructive), but bear and panther roam these parts with regularity. I also recommend picking up a container of fire ant granules to bring along to apply to any active sand mounds (kills the colony quickly)…fire ant bites smart, well…burn and on most leave a nasty blister.

As stated earlier, definitely use Recreation.gov to reserve your site well in advance for Dec-April camping. We were shocked there were so many vacancies following a holiday weekend, but that's not the norm. Sites are $28 for RV (26 sites), and $24 for tent sites (10). As a tent camper, I prefer sites along the north side of the lake (15-18)…more shade trees to string hammocks, further from the sound of US 41 traffic and long lake views, but you'll pay the $28. Keep in mind that some campgrounds close randomly for various reasons (renovations, seasonal rains, no hosts). Check the website for alerts.

Things to do and see: Not much to do at the campground, quite frankly. There is a service road at the NE corner of the campground that angles off NE and will intersect with The Florida Trail. But nearby, there are plenty of interesting places to visit and explore. Most notable is Shark Valley Visitor Center…20 minutes east and offers bicycling, walking or tram along a 15 mile loop in the Everglades. If you want to see hundreds of gators up close and personal…this is the place. It is a National Park, so there is a fee. (https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/svdirections.htm) Directly across from Shark Valley is the Miccosukee Cultural Center http://www.miccosukee.com/indian-village/ where you can learn about the indigenous tribe of this area. Also to the east about ten minutes is the Big Cypress Gallery Center of Clyde Butcher http://clydebutcher.com/big-cypress/swamp-walks/, and at six minutes is the Oasis Visitor Center (more of a nature center) which not only will educate you about the area, it is the official Southern Terminus of The Florida Trail (http://www.floridatrail.org/) so you can start or end your 1300 mile journey here. H.P.Williams Roadside Park is west ten miles and Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center and Everglade City a bit further.

There is a rich history in these swamps and waterways. Several great marked canoe trails to explore nearby the campground (Mitchell Landing, Turner River Canoe Trail, and Halfway Creek Canoe Trail). Note that several chickee huts have been damaged by Hurricane Irma, so check with park staff on the best on-trail camping spots. Several airboat ride vendor locations along US 41.

So while the campground itself may not have a lot to offer, there is much to see and do nearby…and its way better than staying in the big city.

Product Review: Tredagain Claystone Oxford boots

First glance at the Tredagain Claystone Oxford boot https://tredagain.com,quality construction, sturdy to the touch, thick but supple leather, and comfortable cradling fit.

The leather upper gives a combination of an aged, distressed appearance. Tredagain describes it as a full-grain waxed upper. I find the classic moccasin toe of the Claystone model attractive and stylish. Tredagain branded the Claystone an Oxford, but I would describe it more as a "chukka" boot.

As a TheDyrt Review Ranger, periodically, I'll have opportunity to review outdoor products at discounted or no cost. I was given the opportunity to review the Tredagain Claystone Oxford both with a discount code and I found them on sale over the holidays. Bonus!

The "tricot" style liner mimics a suede-like appearance visually and to the touch. The shoe laces give the appearance of leather the same coloring of the boot leather. No clue if this was a forethought by the manufacturer, but a nice touch. I did find that it was necessary to double knot said shoe laces or they came untied due to their slickness.

Boot upper stitiching appears uniform and stylish in accents. The bonding of the APX rubber sole to the leather upper is well done, leaving no trace of glue marks on or puckers in the leather.

As you read about Tredagainhttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tredagain-leaves-a-better-footprint-with-shoe-line-made-with-upcycled-tires-300256631.html)you learn every outsole contains 50% upcycled rubber compound called APX. All upcycled soles are produced here in the US of A! Diverting roughly 3,000 tires yearly from landfills and converting them into clean rubber compounds. How's that for sustainability. Their company mantra: "Leave A Better Footprint." Gotta love that! Tredagain is based in Austin, TX.

The sole appears rugged and durable, yet is quite flexible. Nothing is noted on the Tredagain website about the Claystone Oxford possessing a shank of any type for added support or protection and I was able to feel rocks, branches and such pressing up into the bottom of my foot while hiking. I also noticed the tight tread picked up and retained tiny pebbles, shell, etc from trails…so I would not describe the sole as self-cleaning. Casual wear created no such problem.

Remarkably, much though went into the removable anatomical footbed. It is well-cushioned, comfortable and thicker than what most companies provide.

Wearability: I found the Tredagain Claystone Oxford model true to size, just as the company representative advised when I inquired. I wear a 9.5 in almost all my shoes/boots…and the Claystone Oxford's in 9.5 fit nicely. If comfort is king…the Tredagain Claystone Oxford's reign!

Although, I'll keep that in an urban or casual hiking setting. I would not recommend them for backpacking or treking on rock strewn trails as they lack the torsional or vertical support my feet need in footwear. I do see myself wearing the Claystone Oxford's often for everyday use. It should be noted that Tredagain does not advertise the Claystone Oxford as a hiking or backpacking boot.

Be forewarned: The shoes possess a very strong leather treatment odor initially. Think new baseball mitt smell. Personally, I like the smell, but other household members and vehicle passengers may find it overpowering.

Parting shots: I like the boots..a lot, and I look forward to their longevity. But what sets this company apart from (and ahead of) many other companies is their customer service. What attracts and keeps me loyal to product brands, is both dependable, durable goods and excellent customer service. When I called Tredagain with a question, a real live young lady answered the phone. She entertained and answered my questions, gave me her name and advised to call and ask for her personally, if there was ever a problem. To me…that's huge!

Tredagain Claystone Oxford boots receive 5 stars from me!