Hiking Shoes
Hiking Shoes Guide
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Hiking shoes, hiking boots or sandals are without doubt the most important piece of hiking equipment you can own. You need a well fitting sturdy hiking shoe or boot to protect your feet from the rugged hiking trail . . . and without well fitting hiking boots or shoes your legs and feet can get very sore and very tired very quickly.
Hiking boots are sturdy and strong and designed to support your ankles as well as your legs and feet, and hiking shoes are very similar but without the ankle support. They’re actually quite similar to some tennis shoes and many people find them more comfortable for a light hike when carrying only a daypack over relatively easy terrain. There is really no need to wear a heavy hiking boot in these conditions, hiking shoes can do the job very well indeed.
Let’s just take a quick look at the different types of hiking style shoes and boots;
- Hiking shoes – lightweight, comfortable and perfect for day hikes.
- Hiking boots – strong, sturdy and perfect for hiking over rugged terrain and rocks, as well as multi-day backpacking and hiking trips.
- Walking shoes - not quite as rugged as hiking shoes, designed more with the urban terrain in mind.
- Trail running shoes – kind of a mixture between regular running shoes and regular hiking shoes, designed specifically for the off-road type of terrain but maintaining the much needed comfort and breathability of a running shoe.
- Climbing shoes – light weight and very specialized to give maximum grip for clinging onto a rock face.
Jeez this guys got almost as many shoes as Imelda Marcos!
