There are several things to take into account when organizing a trek yet one of the most crucial things to contemplate is the hiking shoes. Selecting the best footwear is going to make or break the success of your trip so it is essential that you match the correct pair of hiking shoes with your hike.
A lightweight and versatile shoe is wonderful for a short and easy day trip over a well trodden and easy route but is likely to leave your feet hurting and you could trip or twist an ankle if hiking through difficult and unpredictable land over a prolonged time, however a robust and well supportive pair of boots can be overkill on a light and easy day trip but is going to supply you all-day comfort and support on a hike up the side of a mountain.
Here are some of the many questions you have to contemplate when searching for hiking shoes:
What environment will I be hiking on? Will you be hiking well-worn trails, bushwalking, mountain or gorge walking or rough uncetain ground? Will there be steep hills or mountains, and could you need to have waterproofing when it comes to crossing streams?Are you likely to be hiking through rough dry desert, or will you be climbing through deep damp jungle?
How long is my expedition? Are you organizing a day trip or perhaps an overnight trek with camping?
What will the weather conditions do? Will it be hot, dry and dusty or are you trekking through wet squelchy pastures? This will determine whether you will require light-weight and breathable hiking shoes or a pair that is going to keep one's feet dry!
What amount of weight will I be carrying? Will you need to have extra support from your hiking shoes for the bulky rucksack and other gear you will be carrying or are you travelling light having just a daypack?Heavier, more robust hiking boots will offer much more support for you when compared to light weight hiking shoes when you're moving heavy backpacks loaded with all your camping equipment.
Do I require reasonable ankle joint support? Coarse loose land or flat easy trails? Hiking shoes having insufficient ankle joint support can leave you with an injury if the terrain is unsteady and unpredictable but a highly supportive boot can be overkill and be unnecessarily bulky if you don't plan on going off the beaten track.
How frequently will I use my new hiking shoes? Do you plan only one or two hikes per year or are you an avid trekker who should have very long lasting durability from your hiking shoes or boots? Whilst a solid pair of hiking boots will be with you for quite a time no matter your level, it's important to consider the amount of use you will get from your new set prior to over-spending on a massively enduring boot if you are only going to use them twice a year but on the other hand, if you underspend on a more economical and less reliable pair then these can deteriorate rather rapidly if you take them out on an overnight hike each weekend.
A lightweight and versatile shoe is wonderful for a short and easy day trip over a well trodden and easy route but is likely to leave your feet hurting and you could trip or twist an ankle if hiking through difficult and unpredictable land over a prolonged time, however a robust and well supportive pair of boots can be overkill on a light and easy day trip but is going to supply you all-day comfort and support on a hike up the side of a mountain.
Here are some of the many questions you have to contemplate when searching for hiking shoes:
What environment will I be hiking on? Will you be hiking well-worn trails, bushwalking, mountain or gorge walking or rough uncetain ground? Will there be steep hills or mountains, and could you need to have waterproofing when it comes to crossing streams?Are you likely to be hiking through rough dry desert, or will you be climbing through deep damp jungle?
How long is my expedition? Are you organizing a day trip or perhaps an overnight trek with camping?
What will the weather conditions do? Will it be hot, dry and dusty or are you trekking through wet squelchy pastures? This will determine whether you will require light-weight and breathable hiking shoes or a pair that is going to keep one's feet dry!
What amount of weight will I be carrying? Will you need to have extra support from your hiking shoes for the bulky rucksack and other gear you will be carrying or are you travelling light having just a daypack?Heavier, more robust hiking boots will offer much more support for you when compared to light weight hiking shoes when you're moving heavy backpacks loaded with all your camping equipment.
Do I require reasonable ankle joint support? Coarse loose land or flat easy trails? Hiking shoes having insufficient ankle joint support can leave you with an injury if the terrain is unsteady and unpredictable but a highly supportive boot can be overkill and be unnecessarily bulky if you don't plan on going off the beaten track.
How frequently will I use my new hiking shoes? Do you plan only one or two hikes per year or are you an avid trekker who should have very long lasting durability from your hiking shoes or boots? Whilst a solid pair of hiking boots will be with you for quite a time no matter your level, it's important to consider the amount of use you will get from your new set prior to over-spending on a massively enduring boot if you are only going to use them twice a year but on the other hand, if you underspend on a more economical and less reliable pair then these can deteriorate rather rapidly if you take them out on an overnight hike each weekend.
About the Author:
Choosing the best hiking shoes is an important step in planning your hike. Follow these easy steps for choosing the best hiking shoes and make your next hike a success.