Hiking Boots
If you have ever come across a trail and headed down it in your tennis shoes, you will know that normal footwear just doesn't do the trick for hiking and trail running. One of the most important rules of hiking is to find the right shoes. Your feet are the part of your body that will take the most wear and tear, and by the trail's end, you will undoubtedly either be appreciating your choice of hiking shoe, or wishing you could be back at home, soaking your tired, blistered soles in some hot water!Our feet are finicky when it comes to what will support and protect them the best for each activity, and when it comes to hiking, you should always purchase shoes that are specifically designed for that purpose. No one wants to arrive back home with red rub marks, and a bleeding heel or blistered toe!
When searching for the perfect hiking shoes, there are some guidelines to follow and be aware of. It's important to know the basic characteristics of all hiking shoes, including hiking boot weight, water resistance, lateral rigidity, longitudinal rigidity, and arch support.
Hiking boot weight is an extremely important concept, as it as been said that one pound of extra footwear weight is equivalent to five pounds of added backpack weight! The lighter the shoe is, the easier it will be to take each step. Manufacturers know this quite well, and are always on the lookout for better ways to make light hiking boots.
It almost goes without saying that you will encounter some type of water while on a hike. It's crucial to have a hiking boot with appropriate water resistance, because allowing your foot to be drenched in moisture is when blisters occur. You want to look for breathable and water tight hiking shoes. Make sure the tongue is fully gusseted and covers the openings of the uppers (ie, the complete upper part of your hiking shoe; everything but the sole).
Lateral rigidity has to do with the boot supporting your ankle from twisting on uneven surfaces. Boots with higher, stiff ankle supports will provide you with lateral rigidity. Longitudinal rigidity will keep your feet from overly bending if you place too much weight on your toe or heel. Although, too much longitudinal rigidity, and the boot won't support the natural spring action of your step. Arch support is equally important to prevent your feet from being flattened out under heavy pressure.
The store representative can help you with testing these characteristics of a good hiking shoe, or you can research the shoe online. At best, any type of hiking shoe will always be a better choice than normal, casual footwear. It merely depends on how much time and money you're able to spend while finding the perfect hiking shoe.