By Whitney “Allgood” La Ruffa
Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa is a long-distance hiking veteran with over 10,000 trail miles, including first thru-hikes of Washington and Oregon’s Chinook Trail and Blue Mountain Trail. As Founder of Black Dog Outdoors, Trail Community Manager for Astral Designs, and former President of ALDHA-West, he’s spent nearly 30 years turning his passion for backpacking into a career helping others discover the trails. When not working, you’ll find him on the trail in need of a shower, a cold beer, and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.
Background
I work as a full-time consultant in the outdoor industry, and when I’m not helping brands, there’s nothing I love more than hiking long distances on trails around the world. At the end of 2025, I had a unique opportunity to combine work with a lifelong dream: circumnavigating the globe with stops in Japan and Germany.
The challenge? It would be early fall in Japan with warm days and cool evenings, while Germany would already be in winter’s grip with snow and freezing temperatures. As I packed and repacked, I knew I needed one solid footwear choice that could be the jack-of-all-trades for this adventure.
The Astral Pisgah 1.5: One Shoe to Rule Them All
The second half of October had me house-sitting in Lake Tahoe, hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail daily with two energetic dogs. When I arrived, there was a fresh 12″ of snow on the ground, and luckily, I had my Pisgah 1.5s with me. Over two weeks, I hiked through snow, ice, flooded trails from snowmelt, high-alpine environments, and rocky granite surfaces. The Pisgahs performed marvelously each day, keeping my feet dry and warm and providing secure footing on the trail.
As I prepared for my around-the-world adventure, the decision was easy: the Astral Pisgah 1.5 would be my only shoe. They’d proven themselves in varied conditions in Tahoe and should keep my feet happy whether in Tokyo or on the trail.
The Trip
After a 10½-hour trans-Pacific flight to Tokyo, we hit the ground running. Through customs, a train ride into the city to meet our customer, then immediately walking around for hours visiting shops. The following week had us walking over 25,000 steps a day as we traveled around Tokyo, visiting gear shops and conducting business meetings. The Pisgah 1.5s were up to the task, and with their subtle style, they were the perfect urban shoe—stylish while still providing all-day comfort.
We eventually left Tokyo for the Izu Peninsula, where we spent a couple of days camping and hiking. As we navigated trails along steep seaside cliffs and scrambled over slippery rocks, I was grateful for the superior grip of the Pisgah 1.5 keeping me sure-footed.
Next came our thru-hike on the Kumano Kodo Trail, Japan’s ancient pilgrimage route and sister trail to Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Over five days, we hiked steep mountains through fall colors, navigating uneven and slippery granite steps that felt like the southern Appalachian Trail. Each day brought us past ancient shrines, temples, and tea-house remains. The weather was perfect—cool mornings and comfortable days.
I’d been concerned about using a waterproof shoe for a longer hike. Like most thru-hikers, I’ve found that non-waterproof, breathable shoes work better, allowing feet to dry quickly and preventing the excess heat and sweat that lead to blisters. Over five days of hiking, I’m happy to report that there was not a single foot issue. Where the Pisgah 1.5 really came in clutch was our last day on trail, slogging through rain all day during a 3,500′ vertical climb over three miles along slick roots and granite stairs. My feet stayed dry, and the grip kept me sure-footed and safe.
After two weeks in Japan, I boarded a flight to Munich via Hanoi. During my 10-hour layover in Hanoi’s heat and humidity, I walked laps in the airport for over two hours. My feet stayed happy, and I was once again impressed by how breathable these waterproof shoes are.
After 30+ hours of travel, I arrived in Munich to cold, wet weather with a mix of snow and rain creating a slushy mess. My feet stayed dry throughout the walk from the train station to my hotel. I spent days at the ISPO show standing in a booth, walking the floor, and my evenings walking the city and enjoying Christmas markets.
My final five days in Germany were in the Stuttgart area, visiting my hiking partner from my 2016 CDT thru-hike. I walked through Christmas markets for hours, visited museums, and toured the city. I was happy to have warm, dry feet since the weather was primarily wet and on the verge of snow most days.
After three and a half weeks abroad, I left Germany for home: Stuttgart to Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Portland, arriving in lovely wet Pacific Northwest weather with atmospheric rivers dropping inches of rain.
Final Thoughts
As a seasoned traveler and hiker, I’m always looking for ways to simplify my kit for maximum ease. For years, I struggled with what shoes to bring, but I’m happy to say the Astral Pisgah 1.5 has become my new favorite traveling companion and footwear of choice. From urban settings to slick wet trails, these shoes performed flawlessly. The only minor inconvenience is that a mid-style shoe takes a few extra seconds to remove when entering temples, shrines, and buildings in Japan, where outside shoes must stay at the door. But that was far outweighed by how great the Pisgah 1.5 was in every other way.
If you’re looking for one shoe to rule them all in your travels, stop looking and get a pair of Astral Pisgah 1.5. You will not regret this decision.
