How to choose the right footwear for hiking?
Stomping in the woods on a rigorous hike gets more thrilling with each step. But are your feet as excited for a hike as you? Undoubtedly, your feet have to do extra work on hiking excursions.
Choosing the best hiking boots isn’t always easy. From size to style, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing hiking boots. You may feel overwhelmed with so much of the available information.
Don’t worry, we are here to help you. Here are certain tips that you should consider while choosing the right footwear for hiking:
Decoding the style
Hiking boots are designed to use on tough hikes. These hiking boots serve multiple purposes on both day and night hikes. However, you should know the purpose of your hike, you will choose the best hiking boots.
- Light hiking shoes: These boots are perfect for day hiking as they give an ultra-light fit.
- Mountaineering boots: These boots are built especially for tough hikes and stand up against the most challenging terrains.
- Backpacking boots: These boots are perfect for both on-road and off-road trails. Their stiff sole and durability will help you fight through almost any condition.
Considering the suitable material
When it comes to hiking footwear, the material is of utmost importance. You can’t afford to go wrong with the quality of fabric. The most common type of fabric for hiking boots are:
- Synthetic: These hiking boots are breathable as they dry faster, and are less water-resistant.
- Split-grain leather: These material boots are breathable and are good to take on longer hikes.
- Full-grain leather: These mountaineering boots are perfect for rigorous hikers looking to transverse unsteady terrains.
Find suitable material boots for ultimate hiking comfort!
Choosing the right cut
Hiking boots come in different cuts. You can choose the cuts that are tailored to your type of hiking. There are three main cuts to consider while choosing hiking boots.
- Low-cut: These lightweight, casual shoes are perfect for hiking. Low-cut boots are best to wear on well-maintained trails.
- Mid-cut: This style offers more ankle support and balance from debris along the trail.
- High-cut: High-cut boots are best for adventurous hikers who are going on and off the trail.
A suitable fit boot can make a big difference in your overall hiking experience.
Considering backpack weight
The weight of your backpack is another factor you should consider while buying your hiking footwear. The weight of your backpack can strongly influence your choice of footwear.
If you are carrying a light backpack, then you can choose lightweight shoes. However, if you are carrying a heavy backpack, then you should choose high-upper boots for better support.
Getting the right support
You should choose hiking boots that offer adequate support to your feet.
A high upper will be helpful to support your ankle the more you walk on rugged trails. However, if you are looking for freedom of movement, go for low-upper boots.
We hope that you will consider these tips before buying the best hiking boots for your next hiking trip.
