How to choose the best hiking shoes

By Alexander Preston


There's no one best set of hiking shoes. It depends on the contour of your feet, the temperament of the person donning them, and what it's going to be utilised for. However, not many people know how to find the proper one for them. The best hiking boots will offer your feet superb traction, ankle support and will keep your feet warm, comfortable and secure from harsh weather conditions.

Due to the vast abundance of hiking shoes out there in the world today, making the proper choice can often seem to be a daunting task. In order to make that task simpler for you, we've compiled a handy list of features and specifications you can use to decide on the best hiking shoes:

Best Hiking Shoes Tip #1: Boot Types

Hiking shoes are available in several types, intended for different hiking expeditions. They can be broken down into categories:

Light hiking Shoes: these are made for use on easy ground, for short day trips. They are constructed from lightweight and breathable materials, which are very flexible and offer you optimum comfort for your feet. They are designed to versatile, and can be used on the marked hiking trail and on the streets.

Hiking boots: this type of boots are aimed at long-distance hiking trips and offer better feet and ankle support, when compared to the previous model. Those features ensure it is feasible for someone to take light-weight to moderate weight rucksacks.

Mountaineering boots: this style of hiking boot is designed to provide the necessary support, to lug around large loads over very long distances. Some styles under this type of category are made to fit crampons for snow and ice hiking, thanks to a twin layer of adaptable inner boot and hard outer shell (usually made from plastic).

Best Hiking Shoes Tip #2: Cut of the Boot

The cut of the boot can often affect the overall support and comfort you'll get from your hiking boot. Low to mid-height cut is best for light hiking expeditions. The downside of low cuts is that sand, dirt or any other type of minute fragments can find its way inside the shoe, making them uncomfortable to wear. Mid to high cuts are aimed at long-distance and intense terrain mountaineering expeditions.

Best Hiking Shoes Tip #3: Construction of the Boot

The construction materials used to produce a hiking boot determines its burden, comfort, longevity and water resistance. Here are some elements that make up a hiking boot:

Upper boot materials: Hiking boots may be made out of full-grain leather, split-grain leather, nubuck leather, synthetic and watertight lining materials. Each type of fabric has its own set of characteristics that determine the comfort, sturdiness, weather protection and appearance of a hiking boot.

Midsole materials: this is actually the material found separating the grip giving outsole and the boots internal layer. They're supposed to grant cushioning and safeguard the feet from external shock. They are frequently made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. EVA is lighter, cushier and less expensive, yet polyurethane is tougher and more sturdy.

Support components: these are materials, contained in the midsole portion, which are meant to provide added support and better shock absorption. They can either be shanks, which add load bearing stiffness to the sole, or plates, which shield the feet from roots or unlevel stones.

Outsoles: Lug patterns on the outsole determine the overall grip you can get while hiking; deep, thick lug tracks boost grip. Broadly spaced lugs will shed mud easily, plus provide reliable grip. The heel brake portion of the outsole is going to minimize your sliding while on steep descents.




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