October 1, 2025

Tread Labs Dash Insole Review

In the fall, I got in touch with Tread Labs which specializes in insoles for various activities and footwear types. I first tested and reviewed their Pace insoles and as I was very happy with the product, I agreed to test their Dash insoles as well. The two models differ in purpose. The Pace insoles are designed to relieve pain from planta fasciitis and other foot ailments while the Dash insoles are aimed towards athletes who want improved biomechanics and energy returns. The Dash insole is Tread Labs’ top-tier product. It utilizes premium materials and is by far the most expensive product in their online shop. Therefore I got curious about how it compares to the Pace insole and other performance insoles.

For the last month I have been wearing the Tread Labs Dash insoles on a daily basis. I wore them for running, hiking, gym training and other activities. Below is what I learned about them.

The Tread Labs Dash insoles are suitable for:

• Running
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Everyday use

Materials and Design

When I unwrapped the package, I noticed that the Dash insole utilizes the same concept as the Tread Labs Pace insole. It consists of a detachable arch support and a top cover. The two components are attached to each other with a system that resembles Velcro. I was happy to see this system because I was very satisfied with it while testing the Pace insole. It is reliable and allows you to change the top cover (which is the inexpensive and most exposed part of the insole) in case it wears down.

The arch support of the Dash insole is made of carbon fiber and is thus super light. Furthermore, as carbon fiber is an incredibly strong material it allows for the arch support to be as thin as 1 millimeter in thickness. Therefore, the insole is not bulky and fits nicely into all kinds of shoes. The arch support has also some kind of anti-slip finish which prevents the insole from moving around in the shoe. All in all, there is indeed a difference when comparing the arch support of the Dash to the arch support of the Pace insole. The arch support of the Dash insole is lighter, thinner, more robust and fits better in the shoe.

The top cover of the Dash insole is very similar to the top cover of the Pace insole, but with one big improvement; it has small holes in the toes area for better breathability. Believe it or not, these small holes actually make a difference. Breathability was my only complaint over the Pace insole, and I was very satisfied with the breathability of the Dash insole. The top cover is otherwise made of open-cell polyurethane and covered with low friction recycled polyester. The polyester is also treated with antimicrobial agent so that the insole doesn’t become smelly.

For the last two months I wore the insoles for various activities, and I was very satisfied with them. My shoes feel more stable, responsive and comfortable with the Dash insoles, and the position of the foot seems better as well. The insoles fit nicely in all shoes, even in my Asics GT 2000 running shoes which came with very thin insoles. They also provide good breathability and pull the moisture from the socks efficiently. Despite that I wore them for intensive activities I haven’t detected any signs of odor so far.

Sizing, Arch Height and Versions

The Dash insoles can be trimmed and thus getting the right size isn’t difficult. However, keep in mind that it’s better to get too long insoles than too short. The insoles are available in European sizes 35 – 47 (US sizes 4- 13.5 for men and 5 – 12.5 for women). I got the insoles in size 44-44.5 and they were slightly too long for both my Lowa Innox GTX hiking shoes (size 43.5) and my Asics GT-2000 running shoes (size 44). Nevertheless, it took me only a couple of minutes to trim the insoles with a sharp pair of scissors for a perfect fit. Like the Pace, the Dash insole is also available in four different arch heights; low, medium, high and extra high. I tried low and medium arch support. The low arch support fitted me better, although according to the fitting guide I should go for the medium arch support. So, if you are somewhere in between, I recommend going for a lower height.

The Dash insoles are available in three different versions; normal insoles, short insoles and thin insoles. The first version, which I tested, is intended for shoes with full length removable inserts. The short insoles are designed for shoes without removable inserts and the thin insoles are best for shoes that come with very thin inserts such as cycling shoes, soccer cleats etc.

Verdict

I really like the Tread Labs Dash insoles because they provide great stability and responsiveness. Furthermore, they also improve the position of the foot and are very comfortable to move on. Unlike other performance insoles I have tested, the Dash insoles don’t have breathability issues. They are breathable and efficiently wick the moisture away from the socks. As the arch support is very thin, they also fit nicely in all kinds of shoes. So, if you are looking for a pair of new insoles, I do recommend giving the Tread Labs Dash insoles a try. The solid high-quality arch support and the replaceable top cover mean that you can have them for years.

If you have any questions about this product, drop me a line in the comments below.

Tread Labs Dash Insole: Package

Tread Labs Dash Insole: The arch support and top cover use a reliable Velcro-like system

Tread Labs Dash Insole: Carbon fiber arch support

Tread Labs Dash Insole: The top cover is made of polyurethane

Tread Labs Dash Insole: Ventilation holes for better breathability

Tread Labs Dash Insole: The insoles provide good arch support

Tread Labs Dash Insole: Logo printed on the polyester lining of the top cover

Rating

Design
Quality
Comfort
Functionality

About Rating

Pros:

• Stability
• Improve the position of the foot
• Low-profile (easy to fit them in shoes)
• Breathability
• Moisture-wicking
• Quality

Cons:

• /

Where to buy?

Tread Labs Dash Insoles
Buy from Tread Labs

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The post Tread Labs Dash Insole Review – Performance Series appeared first on Best Hiking.

When your water softener is not using salt, it can be incredibly frustrating — especially given how pricey these systems can be. Thankfully, there are a few common and relatively simple explanations for a...

The post Water Softener Not Using Salt: What To Do About It appeared first on The Homestead Survival.

Security overload leads to apathy. How often do you hear a car alarm go off and roll your eyes hoping the owner would disable the blasted thing before the incoming headache comes a knocking? The primary objection I have to such systems is they work too well. Every week I hear an alarm being triggered […]

This is just the start of the post Security Information Overload: From Panic to Apathy & the Remedy. Continue reading and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments!

Security Information Overload: From Panic to Apathy & the Remedy, written by Thomas Xavier, was created exclusively for readers of the survival blog More Than Just Surviving.

(Note: this Part 1 of a Six-Part Series) If you live in the northern hemisphere then it’s that time of the year when things are getting cold and, depending on how far north you live, covered in white stuff. Around Thanksgiving I start planning my various winter outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing and snowshoeing trips, and I thought it would be a good time to review some considerations for surviving and operating in winter conditions. Why would anyone want to be outside in the cold and snow? Because in a post-disaster scenario you may not have a choice, …

The post Cold Weather Considerations – Part 1, by JM appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

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Hummingbird Trail (#15)

Descending to Deep Creek Hot Springs from Bowen Ranch (#14)

View of Cucamonga Peak from Potato Mountain (#6)

View from the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail (#5)

It’s that time again – to look back at 2019 and recall some of the best hikes from the year. Long-time followers of this site know that it is a tradition to list the top hikes of each year and for the second year, we are spotlighting the hikes whose write-ups received the most traffic.

As with last year’s list, what follows is not a definitive list of Los Angeles’s most popular hikes, which would be subjective anyways, but a sampling based on the approximately 125,000 unique visitors who came to Nobody Hikes in L.A. in 2019 (thank you all!) There is a lot of carryover; 12 of the 19 hikes are returnees from the 2018 list. Among the new entries are Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, Griffith Park’s Suicide Trail and the Bowen Ranch approach to Deep Creek Hot Springs, one of two routes to that site to make the list.

The hikes on this year’s list include historic destinations, unusual geological formations, rivers, summits, landmarks and more. The difficulty ranges from easy family walks to challenging San Gabriel Mountain summits. Areas represented include the western San Fernando Valley, Griffith Park, the South Bay, the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests. These hikes are proof positive that Los Angeles has an incredibly diverse array of natural areas to explore.

#19) The Road to Nowhere

Though it dropped from #13 on last year’s list, the Road to Nowhere remained a well-visited post in 2019. Whether it’s the history, the views of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness or the mysterious tunnels, the Road to Nowhere is a popular hike, enjoyable for newcomers and veterans, offering an escape into the Angeles National Forest just a short distance from the San Gabriel Valley. (Originally published: 2011; #13 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#18) Big Dalton Canyon

Like the Road to Nowhere, Big Dalton Canyon offers an escape into nature, conveniently located to millions of San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire residents. The park features several steep trails – Mystic Canyon, Wren Meacham and the notorious Poopout and Punkout routes, but this gentle walk up the canyon is the one that made the list. (Originally published: 2012)

#17) Strawberry Peak

Though it dropped seven spots from last year, the write-up of Strawberry Peak continued to get a lot of traffic in 2019. The peak’s popularity is no surprise, considering its prime location in the Angeles Forest front country. Only a short drive from civilization, Strawberry Peak offers excellent views from its steep slopes. (Originally published: 2015 – #4 on the Top 15 of 15; #11 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#16) Two Harbors to Little Harbor (Catalina Island)

This hike on one of the more strenuous portions of the Trans-Catalina Trail also finished at #16 on last year’s list. Whether you hike it as a long day trip from Two Harbors or spend the night at the scenic Little Harbor Campground, it is sure to be a challenging and scenically rewarding adventure. (Originally published: 2012; #16 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#15) Hummingbird Trail

With its oddly shaped rocks, panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and steep drop-offs, it’s no wonder the Hummingbird Trail is a popular hike. (Originally published: 2013)

#14) Deep Creek Hot Springs via Bowen Ranch

Deep Creek runs from the north slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains to the Mojave Desert. Along the way, the creek passes some naturally occurring hot springs that are a popular destination for So Cal hikers. The approach from Bowen Ranch is the shortest and arguably easiest, although it does present the challenge of an exposed up-hill climb when it’s time to head back to the car. (Originally published: 2015)

#13) Suicide Trail (Griffith Park)

It seems fitting that unlucky #13 would be this ominously named trail in Griffith Park. The short but steep Suicide Trail is one of Griffith’s more sparsely visited routes, providing more solitude than one typically finds in the park. Attractive views of Mt. Chapel, the San Fernando Valley and the Verdugo Mountains are part of the appeal. (Originally published: 2017)

#12) Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

From a search engine optimization perspective, this post got a boost by being updated and expanded in October of 2018, but it has several intrinsic strengths: like the Hummingbird Trail, it offers a good workout conveniently located to the San Fernando Valley while still feeling fairly remote and it also has a historic flavor, following the route of the Old Stagecoach Road. The plaque marker on the steep Devil’s Slide Trail commemorating the road is a commonly photographed and recognizable site on this hike. (Originally published: 2014; revised and expanded, 2018)

#11) Lower Bear Creek

Another newcomer to the year end list, this hike provides a taste of some of the most remote terrain in the San Gabriel Mountains. The route written up on this site is a moderate, 4-plus mile round trip trek with some light boulder hopping in the creek, with the destination being a campsite with some interesting cabin ruins. Adventurous hikers can continue upstream, bushwhacking and boulder-hopping their way up to Smith Saddle. (Originally published: 2017)

#10) Dominguez Gap Wetlands

This returnee from last year’s list had an even stronger showing this year. Tucked between a golf course and a freeway, Dominguez Gap Wetlands occupies an area that might not seem like an ideal hiking destination, but it provides half a million Long Beach residents and people from other nearby communities a taste of nature in the midst of urban sprawl. Highlights include spring wildflowers, water fowl and sunsets. (Originally published: 2014; #18 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#9) Terranea Beach Sea Caves

Another returnee from last year’s list, the sea caves at Terrenea Beach on the former Marineland site are understandably popular. Easily accessible and fun to explore, they rival the Portuguese Bend Overlook as one of the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s most popular hikes. (Originally published: 2010; #5 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#8) “M” Trail

The most popular post on the site in 2018 dropped seven spots this year but still proved to be a favorite among readers. Many hikers drive by it on the way to Palm Springs or Idyllwild and it’s hard to not want to climb up to the “M” and enjoy the views. (Originally published: 2011; #1 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#7) Deep Creek Hot Springs via Bradford Ridge Path

This adventurous hike in the northwestern San Bernardino National Forest, where mountains meet desert, moved up several spots from last year. It is popular among hikers who don’t want to navigate the dirt roads necessary for the Bowen Ranch route or the hiking distance required for the P.C.T. option. As with Bowen, however, don’t forget about the steep climb out of the canyon on the return. (Originally published: 2011; #11 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#6) Potato Mountain

Last year’s runner up didn’t do as well this year, but Potato Mountain is still a big draw for Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley hikers. Though it’s views aren’t a substitute for those of the higher peaks of the eastern San Gabriels. (Originally published: 2012; updated 2017; #2 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#5) Eagle Rock Canyon Trail

This short but enjoyable hike made another strong appearance on this year’s list. In addition to visiting the distinctive boulder that gives Eagle Rock its name, this trail features panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles. Its convenient location makes it understandably popular and it’s easy enough that it can be done even on hot summer days. (Originally published: 2016; #7 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#4) Azusa River Wilderness Park

Here’s another hike that might not be a “bucket list” destination – but for the second year in a row, NHLA readers have made its write-up among the top 5 most visited on the site. Mountain views and history (the trail follows the current-day Highway 39’s predecessor) make this hike an understandably popular one, especially among San Gabriel Valley residents. (Originally published: 2015; #3 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#3) Stoddard Canyon Falls

With Sturtevant Falls, Trail Canyon, Black Star and Eaton becoming more and more popular, it’s not surprising that hikers are looking for less crowded alternatives. One is the waterfall just below Mt. Baldy Road that is known as Stoddard Canyon Falls (the officially named Stoddard Canyon Falls is on private land). Though some rock scrambling is required to reach it, Stoddard is a fairly accessible waterfall that is at low enough altitude to avoid much snow during the winter but also provides a cool swimming hole in the hot summer months. (Originally published: 2016; #12 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

#2) Haunted Table 29

We return to Griffith Park for one of L.A.’s most infamous sites: the picnic table where, according to local lore, two young lovers were crushed to death by a falling tree. This hike once again proved to be a favorite among NHLA readers, besting its strong performance in 2018 to earn this year’s silver medal. In fact, Haunted Table 29 might have taken the gold had it not been for heavy spring rains…. (Originally published: 2015; #4 on the 2018 reader’s choice list)

And the number one most viewed hike write-up in 2019 is…

#1) Walker Canyon

(Originally published: 2017)

Heavy spring rains put the quiet Inland Empire community of Lake Elsinore on the map in March, 2019. Suddenly, the hills on the north side of Interstate 15 were bright orange. The sight of millions of California golden poppies drew crowds beyond what the city of Lake Elsinore was equipped to handle and the resulting debacle was dubbed the “Poppy Apocalypse.” When it was all over, there were rattlesnake bites, heat stroke cases, disgraced Instagram influencers who were called out for trampling the flowers and a city of 65,000 that had to absorb up to 150,000 tourists.

Was there a good side to the Poppy Apocalypse? Many restaurants in Lake Elsinore saw business boom in March; many people who might not have otherwise been inspired to explore nature did so, and when reports of out-of-control conditions in Lake Elsinore started circulating, judicious hikers were inspired to explore other areas to observe the poppies, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve and Chino Hills State Park.

Only time will tell if hikers learn from the lessons of Poppy Apocalypse, but for better or worse, the episode has become part of So Cal lore. While we are waiting to see how Poppy Apocalypse will be remembered, I want to take this opportunity to thank NHLA readers for another great year of supporting the site. Best wishes for a happy, safe and successful 2020 on and off the trails.

To view the best-of lists from years past, click here.

On January 14th, 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Second Treaty of Paris, ending the War for Independence. In the document, which was known as the Second Treaty of Paris (because the Treaty of Paris was also the name of the agreement that had ended the Seven Years’ War in 1763), Britain officially agreed to recognize the independence of its 13 former colonies as the new United States of America. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 86 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First …

The post Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 14, 2020 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

To win a RoSPA Health and Safety Award is by no means an easy feat. Last year alone, we received close to 2,000 entries from across the globe. To achieve one gold achievement award is a fantastic accolade for your organisation… however, to continue that winning streak year after year is outstanding. In 2019, Nottingham based civil and electrical engineering firm J. McCann & Co. Ltd did just that and achieved their fourth RoSPA Gold Achievement Award (and they couldn’t be more delighted).

An Achievement Award truly is the accolade that safety professionals across all industries aspire to. In our latest interview with four-time Gold Award Winner, J. McCann & Co. Ltd explains how winning a RoSPA Award has impacted their organisation…

What motivates you/your organisation to enter the RoSPA Awards?

Entering the RoSPA Awards motivates our organisation to drive improvements for our safe systems of work, year upon year. It also allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the safety of our staff, contractors and all others affected by our work, whilst enabling us to showcase and celebrate the success of our workforce, who work to an award-winning standard.

Winning a Gold Award for the fourth consecutive year is proof of how entry into the awards process drives and develops our systems.

What benefits does winning a RoSPA Award have for you/your organisation?

Winning a RoSPA award supports our strong health and safety culture that we have here at McCann and helps to provide great supporting evidence to a client’s Pre-qualification Questionnaires (PQQs).

We also display that we are a RoSPA Gold Award Winner in all of our email signatures, which helps to promote us as an organisation that works to extremely high standards, especially when it comes to health and safety.

What do you enjoy most about the RoSPA Awards process?

We always look forward to the awards dinner because it is a great opportunity for our support staff to receive recognition for the very important work that they do. We arrange for as many of them as possible to be at the dinner where they can relax and meet with other employees from our sites and celebrate shared success.

What do you think the applicant could do over the year to keep drafting an awards submission simple?

To guarantee a straight forward submission, it is important to remain organised. Initially, you should read the RoSPA submission guidance and take the time to digest all the information and thoroughly understand it.

Assigning the responsibility to one person ensures that they are focussed on the submission and can take control of what is needed at each stage. The designated employee should then make folders for each of the submission headings and collate evidence as they go, for example, saving any relevant emails. When filing evidence, it is useful to categorise the evidence early on as this will help to prevent a repetition of evidence across the different categories.

What advice would you give to organisations considering entering the awards for the first time, or how would you convince organisations not entering the awards to start entering?

First of all, the awards are about telling the story of what is going well using information you already have, which can be simpler than you may assume, so it is always worth entering. Also, don’t avoid entering if you have had an incident at work. The RoSPA Awards are a great opportunity to show that you have developed mature safety processes, but can also show how you learn from such incidents to prevent them from happening again. This can also lead to opportunities to demonstrate key learning and share findings with the rest of your wider industry.

We would advise not repeating the same evidence within the categories, which is where preparation and organisation play a huge part. It’s also good to remember that less is more with your written submission. Draft your document and check the word count, you will likely exceed the word limit the first time you do it but keep working on it until it’s as succinct as possible.

So what’s stopping you? The process of joining the global RoSPA Award-winning community couldn’t be simpler. Simply visit www.rospa.com/awards, register online, and submit your entry via our online portal. First-time entrant? Don’t worry, as support and guidance is available through our mentoring scheme – read this blog to find out more.

Today on The Survival Podcast I answer your questions on disinformation, social media, road kill, land management, storing ammo, anarchism, raised beds, homeschooling and more. Make sure if you submit content for a feedback show that you put something like … Continue reading →

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the Not QE phenomenon. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Silver Price Forecast 2020 o  o  o I see that Perpetual Assets has re-launched their business web site, with the phrase: “Americas First Cryptocurrency and Precious Metals Dealer.” They are headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming. Economy & Finance: …

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