Who we are
About Sole & Summit
Last updated September 19, 2026
What Sole & Summit is
Most people don't go shopping for hiking boots because they want a brand. They go because something went wrong: a blister at mile three, an ankle that rolled on a loose rock, toes jammed on every descent, boots that never fit a wide foot, or socks soaked by lunch. Sole & Summit is organized around those problems.
Every section starts with the symptom, works out what usually causes it, gives you the free fixes first (lacing, sizing, sock choice), and only then recommends the boot, shoe, sock or insole that credibly addresses it. The sections are blisters and hot spots, rolled ankles and ankle support, wide feet and foot shape, foot, heel and knee pain, wet feet and winter, and the big decision underneath all of them, boots versus trail runners.
Who runs it: Mike M.
The author
Mike M.
Owner, Iron Mako Media
Mike M. is the hands-on owner behind Iron Mako Media, the publisher of Sole & Summit. He built this site around one question: what actually fixes the foot problem in front of you? Every recommendation here comes from published specs, brand fit and width guides, and cited research, and every source is listed on the page.
Sole & Summit is published by Iron Mako Media. Every guide, roundup and comparison carries Mike M.'s byline, and the sources behind it are listed at the bottom of the page.
How we work
We build every recommendation from documents anyone can check: the maker's own spec pages and width charts (widths offered, weight, membrane, drop, cuff height, outsole), brand fit and sizing guides, and published research or guidance from medical and professional bodies for anything that touches injury or pain. Each spec on a product card links to the page it came from. Scores follow a public rubric, weighted differently for each problem, and the full method is on how we choose.
Sometimes the fix is free, and we say so. A heel that slips is often a lacing problem, not a boot problem, so the guides on lacing techniques and how hiking boots should fit come before any product.
What you get on every page
- A clear top pick for the problem the page is about, with the reason it won in plain language.
- Widths, weights, membranes and warranty terms pulled straight from the maker, with a link to each one.
- The live Amazon price on every pick, stamped with the date it was checked.
- A “skip it if” line on every product, so you can rule one out as fast as you rule one in.
- Rankings decided by the published rubric alone — brands cannot buy a place on any list.
How the site is funded
As an Amazon Associate, Sole & Summit earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this site. The commission doesn't change what you pay and doesn't decide what we recommend. The details are on our affiliate disclosure, and our standards for sourcing, independence and corrections are in the editorial policy.
Get in touch
Questions, fit problems we haven't covered, and corrections are all welcome: email contact@soleandsummit.com or use the contact form. If you're not sure where to start, the FAQ covers the most common questions.