Many people who love nature, and want to have healthier habits, look for outdoor activities such as trekking and hiking to have a better quality of life, but most have no idea what would be the ideal type of shoe to be used. Suitable and correct footwear is essential for your development on the trail, as it is your feet that will take you to places, and getting hurt in them can put everything to lose.
For those who will sporadically practice outdoor activities, investing in shoes, often with a high price, is not an option, so better than making the trails barefoot or with inappropriate shoes is to use the walking/running shoes that you already have. Is used in everyday life. But if the intention is to get into the activities head-on and do them with a specific frequency, the correct thing is to acquire a good trekking boot.
Some tips are essential to know what shoes to have. Thus, some unknowns have to be unraveled: What is the ideal type of boot? Will I use it in rainy weather? In cold weather? Are there any stones on the way? Will I pass through probable watercourses?
Here are some tips to help you have shoes that will undoubtedly provide you with comfort and practicality during your hike.
Characteristics
Pipe Types
Trekking boots such as Danner hiking boots for example can have both a high and a low top. Hiking in places with rough terrain undeniably increases the likelihood of sprained ankles. In this way, the boot with a high barrel provides greater protection, making it more stable. These shoes are heavier than short boots and don’t give you as much freedom of movement, but they make you safer on your trail.
Material
The type of material that the shoes are made is equally important when choosing. Thin materials with air intake, such as those used in walking/running shoes, help to eliminate sweat from the feet but allow the passage of water and, especially on trails where there are many branches, this fabric can be easily perforated, causing a possible injury to the feet, which impairs performance when walking.
Leather boots are more resistant to water ingress. However, they retain moisture, which in hot environments can be a nuisance. Being heavier, they can eventually cause leg fatigue on very long trails. On the other hand, they are very interesting to be used in colder environments, as it better retains heat in the feet, preventing their cooling.
Impermeability
On trails, it is common for you to cross small streams, rain puddles, and mud. Getting wet feet while walking is terrible, and it can cause injuries to the sole, for example. Waterproof boots have the characteristic of preventing the entry of water, thus keeping your feet dry.
Transpirability
One more vital tip to buy a boot is that it is breathable. It creates a “membrane,” allowing your foot to transpire even under an impermeable surface. At low temperatures, moisture in the feet can cause serious problems, including hypothermia. With this technology, the moisture from the feet will be dissipated and, on the other hand, will protect you from that of the outside of the boot.
Other factors
Likewise, other factors must be taken into accounts, such as quality, price, and comfort. Remember that it is essential to have a quality boot and to have a sock that suits the type of shoe and activity.