|
|
Choosing The Best Hiking Shoes And Backpacking Boots
So, you want to get into hiking and you're not sure what to do first. Well, your feet play a big part in moving you down the trail and if you take care of them, they will take care of you. I would suggest finding a pair of supportive trail shoes or boots that will do just that.
Defining your use is the first step. Doing shorter hikes at the local parks with less challenging terrain requires only a good pair of trail shoes. These look like sneakers. The big difference is much better support. If you will be going on a multi-day hiking trip where you will be carrying a pack over more rugged terrain, you will need a pair of backpacking boots.
No need to be familiar with each manufacturer to make an informed decision. There are 5 common parts that every pair of outdoor shoes has. As long as you know what they are and how to test each shoe for them, you will always make a good choice.
The tread on the bottom of the shoe is called the outsole. The best outsoles provide traction in all kinds of conditions. Look for tread designs that are staggered and avoid those that are uniform. Staggered treads provide better traction while readily releasing dirt, mud and debris.
The layer of material above the outsole is the midsole. Its purpose is to disperse shock. When your foot hits the ground, an amount of shock rebounds back up through your body. Insufficient midsoles make your ligaments, tendons and cartilage disperse most of that energy producing unnecessary soreness and muscle ache.
How can you tell if a boot or shoe has a good midsole? Hold the back of the shoe in your left hand, put the front of the shoe against the palm of your other hand and apply pressure. The front of the shoe will start to bend upwards. Some shoes produce more resistance than others. The more resistance, the more support the midsole provides. Most footwear without sufficient support just fold in half. Your choice must still be flexible. The stiffer the shoe, the less likely you are to feel trail debris under your feet which can be dangerous. You don't want to loose contact with what's happening under your feet.
The insole, commonly referred to as the footbed is a thin piece of closed cell foam fitting the shape of the shoe providing cushioning and support to the anatomical curvature of the bottom of your foot. If you remove a footbed and you can twist it out of shape easily, it does not have sufficient support. Manufacturers tend to include footbeds that aren't really supportive. Over time, the original footbed will compress and you will loose cushioning. Try a replacement footbed with real support. I love Superfeet. Significantly reducing stress, a good footbed provides support for your feet and your body.
The upper is the material of which the main body of the boot or shoe is manufactured. The most common materials are leather, synthetic leather, nylon, ballistic nylon and breathable mesh panels. The upper also contains the tongue, lacing hardware and laces. A shoe or boot made of full grain leather traps more heat, has less breathability and takes more time to break in. Having mesh panels makes for a more comfortable shoe in warmer conditions.
Contrary to popular belief, the height of a boot has nothing to do with ankle support, only abraision resistance and protection from debris, mud, snow, etc. All ankle support is determined by the heel counter. The heel counter is a band-aid shaped piece of material located between layers of the upper, wrapping around the heel area at the back of the shoe just above the outsole.
If you drew an imaginary line straight down the very back center of a shoe, it would cut the heel counter in half. If you compressed the shoe between your palms on either side of that line, shoes with little ankle support would fold flat along the line toward the bottom near the outsole. A shoe with superior ankle support will not easily fold at the lower back of the shoe.
So, there you have it. Outsole, Midsole, Footbed, Upper and Heel Counter. Other than these attributes, you know when a shoe feels right. It either does or it doesn't and the only way to know, is to try them on. Go try on some shoes and improve the quality of your outdoor experience!
About the Author James Warner is a distance hiker and mountain guide. He feels that the more of an active outdoor lifestyle one leads, the happier and healthier they tend to be. If you liked this article and would like to learn more about hiking with comfort and safety, go to: hiking with comfort and safety guide
|
 |
Please Rate: |
|
Rating: |
 Processing ... |
(Average: Not rated) |
| Views: | 103 | |
|
| More Articles from Camping | | |
| Top Articles in Camping | | |
|
