Choosing Gear - Outdoor Footwear

 CHOOSING YOUR OUTDOOR FOOTWEAR

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Your chosen footwear needs to be in sync with how and where you hike as it really can make or break your outdoor experience. It is a must for your footwear to fit perfectly. When it comes to footwear we have everything from aqua shoes, to mountaineering boots.

WHEN INITIALLY TRYING ON BOOTS 

It is also important to note that feet tend to swell throughout the day – so trying on shoes in the second half of the day when your feet are at their largest is preferable.

The ideal fit for a hiking boot is your foot to be sung everywhere enough that there isn’t any movement independent of the shoe when you walk and you’re able to wiggle your toes without them touching the front of your shoe.  

Tips
• Walk around in your boots before your trip
• Wear socks that are relevant to your trip 

Trail Runners: 

These are designed for running off the pavement. Low cut and lightweight, the soles of these shoes are soft but aggressive for maximum traction with the terrain. 

    • Best use:running on gravel, trails and day hiking on relatively smooth trails

Hiking Shoes: 
Being lighter than hiking boots and more durable than trail runners, hiking shoes are a popular choice for experienced backpackers and hiking on almost any kind of terrain. You do however need strong feet and ankles, with lots of practice placing your feet,when wearing these shoes. 

    • Best use: day hiking, casual wear and experienced back packers/hikers with minimal loads

Hiking Boots: 
For hikers who require ankle protection, and want a stable/supportive boot. Hiking boots are generally more durable, whilst providing the most ankle protection on rough, rocky trails. If you’re one to hike on more uneven terrain with slips, roots and large rocks,then it is a good idea to opt for a boot. 

Hiking boots can be divided into three different types:

       • Lightweight Hikers: hiking shoes with a high cut ankle collar. The high cut ankle collar is more for protection against abrasions rather than stabilization of the ankle in rough terrain and under heavy loads.

• Midweight Hikers: this is more of a traditional hiking/backpacking boot. These often have durable, aggressive soles which stabilize the ankle in rough terrain. These boots have the benefit of being both durable and stabilizing.

• Heavyweight Hikers: this is the most traditional heavy backpacking or hikers boot. These boots provide the most stability for the ankle and are the most footwear out of the three categories. This type of boot is suitable for year-round hiking. These boots are generally made out of leather, making them last longer. 

Mountaineering Boots:
If you intent to use technical crampons,you need to opt for a mountaineering boot. These boots are big, burly, and stiff (being insulated for colder weather). They have a full ankle collar,durable construction, and gaiter/crampon compatibility. Mountaineering boots can also be chosen for hiking when you are carrying very heavy loads through rough terrain and weather. 

GORE-TEX Hiking shoes and boots which have been engineered with GORE-TEX technology are designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable, providing optimum climate control. All GORE-TEX footwear combines durable waterproofness with optimized breath ability.

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