Expertly designed, exceptionally made, and detail driven are just a few words to describe the quality of Bates Riding Collection® boots. After making heavy-duty military boots designed to withstand the rigors of U.S. Military forces since 1885, Bates Riding Collection has moved forward into making high performance riding boots in the sincere desire to expand their brand’s journey by enhancing your own journey.

Happiness comes in many forms, and for many it comes in the form of a great outdoor challenge with Mother Nature as the ultimate backdrop. We asked a few outdoorsy Zapponians about their most memorable hiking and climbing experiences to date along with their top outdoor gear picks; below are their stories:

Patrick:

“I have been climbing for the last 10 years. My brother got me into it after I graduated from high school. It has been an amazing physical and mental journey to get to the point I'm at now. I have also had the pleasure of exploring some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. while on climbing trips.

This sparked an urge to document the areas and physical feats I was viewing, so I began a passion in photography as a result. The great thing about the outdoors is that there are so many cool sports to help you experience them."

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

P: When I completed a 5.14 rock climb. I spent over a year working on it. The climb is Mon Pote Assis at Mt. Potosi right outside of Las Vegas.

What do you love most about climbing?

P:  Climbing brings me to the most beautiful places in the country/world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

P: Evolv Shaman, Prana Flex Short and SunCloud Polarized Optics Pit Stop

Anji:

“…You never lose sight of where you are or take your environment for granted when you are getting blown over by 60 mph winds, overcoming fear of exposure or getting attacked by a Cholla Cactus.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

A: Completing the 8,000 Meter Challenge.

What do you love most about hiking?

A: I love hiking for many reasons…the physical and mental challenges, pushing personal boundaries, and the privilege of witnessing such unique and beautiful terrain. Hiking rewards me with the best mind and body workout I could ever hope for where I can decompress and reconnect with myself and the natural world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

A:  Outdoor Research Solar Roller Hat, Mountain Hardware Fluid 26, and Merrell Moab Ventilator

John:

“…The sense of perpetual motion and path-finding soothes my inner wanderlust.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

J: Going to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro. I felt like the king of the world!

What do you love most about hiking?

J: Being outdoors and hiking helps me clear my head from a busy week. 

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

J: Inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200, Inov-8 F-Lite 195, and Inov-8 Roclite 335 GTX

Melissa:

“Growing up in NYC amidst the hustle and bustle of taxi cabs  and subways, the highest height that had been reached by me was the top of the Empire State by elevator.

Hiking was the furthest thing from my mind as my heels avoided the potholes and cracks in the street while traipsing through the city.

Life brought me to Vegas, it was not the lights and fanfare of the strip that motivated me to move here, but the mountains.  “I want to go up there!”, I exclaimed to my tour guide as I motioned to a beautiful mountain off in the distance.  She rolled her eyes  and continued pointing out the attractions of  the strip…”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

M: The 8000 Meter  Challenge provided  me the chance to trade in my heels  for some trail runners.  On my first hike (Black Mountain), it surely felt as if death was emanate and my life would end on that mountain! All the cursing, and pain felt on the way up fell by the wayside as my feet hit the summit. The feeling of accomplishment was immeasurable, in that moment, life didn’t seem so bad. I DID IT!!

What do you love most about hiking?

M: The feeling of joy, pain, humbleness, and love each time a summit is reached!

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

M: The North Face Women’s Tyndall Mid, Patagonia Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket, and Black Diamond Women’s Distance Trekking Pole

From May 5th to 16th , Zappos.com is once again teaming up with Patagonia Footwear to participate in their Advocate Program.  During this period, Patagonia Footwear will donate $10 for every pair of Patagonia shoes sold on Zappos.com!

As part of their  1% for the Planet ® alliance,  the money raised will benefit Friends of Nevada Wilderness.  Friends of  Nevada Wilderness works with caring citizens and companies to help protect the natural beauty of Nevada's wild heritage for future generations.

You can help preserve Nevada’s wildlife and gorgeous landscape with every pair of Patagonia shoes you buy during these next two weeks. Check out the Patagonia footwear line on Zappos.com and help contribute to this great cause!

To learn more about Friends of Nevada Wilderness click here.

Zapponians take their outdoor fun seriously…as you can see from our latest employee photo shoot! From hiking, cycling, swimming and trail running, we love getting out there and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer.

We asked our four outdoor enthusiasts (and home page models of the week) some questions to get to know them a little bit more:

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

I: I love to play soccer on my days off or pretty much any day! I just recently got into cylcing which is very intense.

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

I:  “Let it Go”-Calvin Harris feat Ne Yo, “Heartbeat” -Childish Gambino, and “Levels”- Avicci 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

I: I am very funny and tall.

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

I: Brooks Pureflow, Adidas Outdoor Terrex Hiking Shoes and Osprey Ariel 75 Backpack

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

J: Speeding down the roads on my TT Bike! 

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

J:  Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson; need I say more??? 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

J: I am SUPER competitive! 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

J: Columbia Roamin’ Right™ Knit Dress, Patagonia All Weather Dress, and CEP Allsports Sleeve

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

D: When the wind isn’t acting up, I LOVE to golf!!!

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

D: “The Motto” - Drake, “Public Service Announcement” -Jay-Z, “On to the Next One” - Jay-Z 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

D: I’m an Ex-Navy Seal! Seal Team 6, Whoo Rah!!! 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

D: The North Face Men’s Nimble Jacket, Nike Sunset Volley Boardshorts, and Nike Just Do It Swoosh Tee

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

C: Hiking in the mountains. 

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

C: I actually prefer not to listen to any music when I’m outdoors. Rare quiet time for myself and makes it easier to connect with your hiking buddies and random strangers you run into on the trail!

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

C: I’ll research and be prepared (I do analytics for living…) 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

C: Suunto Vector, MSR Lightnight Axis Snow Shoes, Lowa Renegade GTX

This Sunday, the world celebrates Earth Day, a time to renew our commitment to protecting our planet’s natural resources and the environment.

As an ode to Mother Nature, we want to share just some of our favorite Earth-friendly picks. Made of sustainable, recycled or organic materials, these products are a step in the right direction to being more environmentally conscious—and that’s always a beautiful thing!

1. Volcom V.Co Meadow Tank Dress, 2. Patagonia Summertime Dress, 3. The North Face Papenoo Woven Top, 4.Marmot Women's Pop Tee, 5. Patagonia Three Trees Shirt, 6. Keen BrooklynII Travel Bag, 7. NVEY Eco Lip Color , 8. Timberland Earthkeepers Katama Strappy Sandals , 8. Timberland Earthkeepers Hookset Chukka

Here at Zappos HQ, we have a group of eco-minded employees who banded together to form L.E.A.F (Leading Environmental Awareness for the Future) , a group committed to making Zappos a more environmentally-conscious company. To learn more about L.E.A.F. and their eco-focused efforts year round, click HERE.

If the pain walking around in waterlogged shoes has kept you from more water-bound adventures on the trail, the Columbia Drainmaker is for you. No river, creek or waterfall is too much for this amphibious trail shoe. Its drainable midsole, quick-dry mesh upper and rock-gripping outsole makes the Drainmaker the ultimate hybrid all-terrain water shoes.

So get out there and explore this summer!

Spring is just around the corner, and that means spring showers, gardening and lots of farmers’ markets to peruse through on weekend mornings. Lucky for us, Bogs, a brand known for its durable, waterproof and super comfy shoes, has spring covered—at least your feet.

Bogs is also sponsoring local farmers across the country by giving them hardcore boots and gardening shoes to withstand anything Mother Nature can dish out. If you live in San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Portland and Chicago, be sure to check out your local farmers’ markets this spring to show your support.

Check out this short video description of the Bogs Rue, a great everyday slip-on shoe for amateur urban farmers and advanced green thumbs alike!

Bottom Left-Right:  Ryan Kwanten from True Blood, Dean Geyer from Single Ladies and Ariel Winter from Modern Family 

This year’s Sundance Film Festival marks the 4^th year that Timberland has been the festival’s official footwear and outerwear sponsor. What better place for their outdoor-tested winter boots than gorgeous Park City, Utah?

Timberland took the opportunity at Sundance to share their Earthkeepers approach to festival goers by inviting them to make their own personal pledge to help protect the environment.

Check out some of the earth-friendly pledges made by Sundance attendees: