How to choose your hiking shoes
Finding the ideal hiking boots can sometimes be complicated, but here we have compiled the main recommendations to make the choice that best suits your style and activity, depending also on the different types of terrain and weather conditions.
Types of hiking shoes
Let's start by going over the main differences between the various types of hiking shoes.
Trekking shoes
Here we can also include shoes for trail runningThe shoes do not have a high collar or collar, which allows for great flexibility in the ankles. For this reason, this type of footwear is recommended for flat hikes, or for those with a high equipment ultralight.
Trekking boots
Like the mid-mountain shoesThese already have a higher ankle-protecting shaft, some can be medium sized or also with a slightly high cut.
Here we can include variants such as the light trekking bootsor for hikers, although the latter offer better ankle grip, and are more suitable for difficult terrain, as their design reduces the risk of injury.
There are options with the higher collar. They are stiffer, and although this makes them less comfortable for very long distances, they are useful in difficult or very rocky terrain.
High mountain boots
Here we find footwear with a higher upper, they are designed to be safer in areas with very steep slopes, as they offer greater grip to avoid injuries. The soles are usually more rigid, as are the materials from which the boot is made.
It will be the right footwear for walking in the snow, to be used with rackets or crampons. Within this category we will include mountaineering boots, which are more rigid and oriented to icy terrain and colder conditions.
Fitting of hiking boots
Here are a series of recommendations on how boots should fit you, so that they become an ideal alternative.
Measure
Of course, the size is the first essential factor to take into account, but because there may be slight variations depending on the brand and place of manufacture, remember the toe rule; if you try the boots on unlaced and push your foot as far back as possible, you should have room to fit a toe into the heel area, which is the recommended space.
How to try them on
Remember that the best thing to do is to try them on. in the afternoon, which is when your feet can become more dilated, and it will also be better if you try them on with the same type of socks you normally use for your excursions.
Buying hiking boots online is also a good option.They usually have return policies that allow you to exchange them in case they don't fit properly.
It is important that they do not feel loose when lowering or raising, they must grip the foot properly, as if they are tied, your foot moves inwards, leaving a gap at the front or back of the heel, you are more likely to suffer. blisters or some kind of injury.
Adaptation
It is also important to give them sufficient use before a first excursion, as this way you run fewer risks than if you decide to use them for the first time on a trekking trip. It's not a matter of using them once, but rather of giving them a adaptation period to flex and adjust so that you can make sure they are comfortable for a long ride.
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Hiking boot components
We also recommend that you consider some of the following characteristics:
Boot body material
Depending on the type of material, conditions vary, such as the durability, ventilation and comfort.
– Whole grain leather. This is usually the most expensive type of leather, as it represents the outer part, which is of the highest quality. For this reason, this type of hiking boots are quite durable and water resistant, which is why they are usually the main component of trekking boots.
– Split grain leather. This type represents the lower part of the cowhide, which is rougher and separates from the smooth outer part. Due to its characteristics, it is usually combined with a nylon layer, which makes it more stylish. lightweight and with good breathability, and is therefore suitable for warm conditions. However, it tends to be more vulnerable and less water resistant.
– Nubuck leather. It is also a type of full-grain leather, but it has undergone a polishing process, leaving a suede-like effect. It is resistant to water, abrasion and is usually very durable. It has a longer break-in time, so you should use it on a daily basis, before a long hiking adventure.
– Synthetics. Materials such as polyester, nylon and "synthetic leather" fall into this category, are cheaper and dry quickly. They are also flexible, but their durability is shorter on average.
- Insulated. For very cold or high mountain routes, this alternative is efficient as it generates a synthetic thermal insulation, which allows for better heat retention.
- Waterproof membranes. Hiking shoes with this kind of protection better prevent the ingress of moisture, although they are not very comfortable in hot conditions, due to their limited breathability. There are membranes such as Gore-tex which offer, in addition to the necessary waterproofing, adequate breathability ranges.
– Vegan. There are also hiking boots made of non-animal materials.
Mezzanines
The midsole largely determines the stiffness of the shoe The following are the main types of hiking trails:
–Ethylene-vinyl acetate. Also known as EVA, they have the quality that they can have different types of density, for example with more hardness in the forefoot. They are more economical and flexibleand therefore suitable for long and not very complicated routes.
– Polyurethane. These midsoles are more rigid, and therefore provide more comfortable protection on cobblestone terrain or for long walks, providing firmness and stability.
Soles.
There are at least a couple of factors to consider here:
– Texture. Depending on the pattern of protrusions and the design of the sole, the type of traction also changes. Boots with deeper and more pronounced "treads" allow for better grip, ideal for mountaineering. On the other hand, those with wide treads offer better traction on flat terrain, as well as a better ability to avoid mud accumulation.
-Heel brake. Hiking boots with a very pronounced heel are more recommendable. for mountain expeditionsThey reduce the risk of landslides on steep slopes.
Compatibility with crampons.
If you like trekking in the high mountains, check that your boots have crampon compatibility The cramponable boots will also be a better option to ensure a better grip, because although many usually fit all types of footwear, those with this special adaptation are more resistant and reliable for this type of high altitude expeditions. There are cramponable and semi-cramponable boots, depending on whether they have slots for attaching crampons to the heel and toe or only to the heel. Check which type of crampon is available for which type of boot. Keep in mind that a crampon boot is a very rigid boot designed for mountaineering and will not be suitable for long hiking routes.
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