Hiking is one incredibly adventurous activity that you can participate in. In fact, studies show that it is one of the activities that are beneficial for your overall physical and mental health. There is nothing that relaxing than watching stunning and breathtaking landscapes while you are enjoying nature and mountains. However, you can not just decide one day that you want to go hiking and indulge yourself in that activity.
Hiking requires special gear that you need to wear in order to stay protected and safe in the wilderness. One of the most important pieces of the gear that you are going to need refers to great pair of hiking footwear. Therefore it is crucial for you to find the pair that will provide you right balance and comfort so you can enjoy every step of your hiking trail. In this article, we bring you some of the best hiking shoes types that you need to take into consideration while purchasing for your adventure.
What are the most important features of Hiking footwear?
Before we start listing some models that you can take into consideration when purchasing hiking footwear, let’s list first what are features one great pair of hiking shoes need to have and provide you. In that way, you will know what you should look for.
1. Look for comfort and fit
This feature depends on the person, which means what is comfortable for one person, does not necessarily mean that it needs to be comfortable for someone else. Therefore, find the option that will best suit and fit you. Basically, comfortable shoes are the ones that provide space to spread, come with cushioning, and support the person’s foot shape. Additionally, those shoes need to have flex in the upper in order to move perfectly with the foot.
Remember, you will not be able to enjoy any of your adventures if you do not feel comfortable in your own shoes. The only thing that you are going to think about the whole time is how you want to sit and relax and you will totally distract yourself from the natural beauty that you are passing.
2. Check the price of the shoes
When you are purchasing a pair of hiking shoes, you should not be surprised to see that some prices are higher than you thought they would be. In general, it would be beneficial for the long term to spend a little more on your new hiking pair of shoes, believe us, your feet will be thankful. If you have a higher budget, you will provide yourself with a more quality pair of shoes. With the pair of that kind, you are going to enjoy the adventure way better, since the quality pair of shoes comes with great features.
What is the weight of the hiking footwear?
In general, you should know that the weight on your feet consumes 5 times more energy than the weight that you are carrying on your back. This means that with the lighter shoes your muscles will not be exhausted and you will not stumble so much. Additionally, lighter hiking footwear will help you prevent any knee problems. You will literally not feel them while hiking. That does not mean that heavier hiking footwear is bad. Basically, if the weight is not the feature that bothers you, you can tend to carry a heavier pack.
Always look for quality materials and durability in the shoes
Hiking footwear is generally one of the biggest investments when it comes to hiking gear. The pair that you choose is the one that you are going to wear for a long time, therefore you need to make sure that the particular shoe you are going to choose is the one that can support your adventures. Therefore, finding a durable pair is one of the most important things. You should know that shoes that come with the traditional leather feature are almost always more durable than the ones intended for lightweight trail runners.
However, as we said, you need to take into consideration the weight of the shoes because if they are too heavy for you, you will not be able to feel comfortable while hiking. So, if keeping the weight of the hiking shoe low is crucial for you, you should purchase the pair of trail runners that comes with nylon reinforcements. Only in that way you are going to get the best balance of weight and durability.
Do not forget to check whether the hiking shoes are waterproof
Another very important thing that you need to know is that waterproof hiking footwear can literally be a lifesaver if you are hiking through wet trails full of mud. Logically, it would be best to go on a hiking adventure in spring and fall, because of the temperature. However, there is a big chance that those period days can be rainy. Therefore, you will definitely need waterproof shoes.
On the other hand, if you like hiking on hot summer days, you should know that waterproof hiking shoes are not the best option since they can be very heavy and slow you when it is dry ground. Hiking shoes that are not waterproof are a lot lighter and breathable, therefore, they are best for summer hot days. Additionally, even if you wet them in the summer, they are going to dry very quickly since they are very light and susceptible.
So, What Type of Footwear Is Best for Hiking?
In the end, the answer to this question will really depend only on your personal preferences and needs. Additionally, the time of the year and the areas where you are going to hike are also important when it comes to answer on this question. Above, we listed the most important things you need to take into consideration while you are purchasing your pair of hiking footwear. Therefore, find the one that will support you the most, that has great balance, proper weight and that is durable since you are going to use them for more than one adventure.
There are truly so many different models out there on the market that you can review and find the one that will be most comfortable and suitable for you. If you want to find good walking shoes for women check here since they truly provide a wide range of different high-quality models, so your hiking adventure can be as enjoyable as possible.
