Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities that people enjoy. Part of what makes hiking so enjoyable is the experience of being out in nature and experiencing everything the great outdoor has to offer, but there are also many factors that need to be considered when planning a hiking adventure and choosing the most comfortable hiking shoes is the most important one.
One important factor that people need to consider is footwear. Do you sometimes ask yourself what kind of shoes are good for hiking? It’s a question that can be challenging to answer. Before you plan on your next hike, there is one thing you should know: What kind of shoes are best?
Choosing The Most Comfortable Hiking Shoes
But first, the most important question: ‘Do you really need a specific type of Hiking shoes?
Hiking shoes are a must for hiking. If you’re going for a light or short hike, you can get away with wearing normal running shoes, trail shoes, or any other active shoe. Even if you’re going for a long hike (5 to 10 miles), you can still get away with regular active shoes. However, certain terrain and distances make hiking shoes more important and even a must.
The kind of shoes you need for hiking really depends on the hike you are planning. If your hike is going to be short and on a paved road, you can wear your everyday shoes. However, If your hike is going to be long, you’ll want to wear shoes made for the activity. Mostly, these shoes will be lightweight, breathable, and provide more support than shoes that are not designed for hiking or backpacking.
So, if your hike is going to long and on rough terrains, no problems, I have listed the four most important tips for choosing the best hiking shoes to help ensure that your next hike will be your best one yet.
The Sole of your hiking shoes.
The soles are very important as it makes the maximum ground contact. Next time when you go to purchase your hiking shoes, pay attention to the sole. For choosing the right sole, you should consider two things:
The first one is the lugs and then second one is the texture of the sole. As you know the design or pattern on the sole is called lugs. For checking the lugs, you should consider the depth and the pattern of the sole. Good deep lugs provide a good grip on your hiking shoe. You need to ensure that lugs have a good depth.
Then, you have to check the pattern of the sole. If you pay attention to the shoes, on all the rows, you will notice the pattern of the lugs are criss-cross or opposite to each other. This criss-cross and opposite pattern give a good grip on any surface. Each shoe has a different pattern, but it will definitely be crisscross. This is the first point to keep in mind.
Second, check for the texture of the sole. It is another very important feature of your shoe. It must be a good combination of hard and soft. The hardness provides a long life to the sole and soft sole provides a good grip. It must be a bit difficult to understand how to check for a good combination of the hard and soft sole.
For this, Experts recommend doing a sound test to check. For this, you can use a metal key to check the sound of the sole. Use that metal key to hit the sole and listen at the sound. If the sound is too loud it means the sole is too hard and will not provide a good grip but will have a long life.
And if there is no sound or low sound, then the sole is too soft, providing a good grip but the life of the sole will not be that long. This is the reason why you need a good combination of the hard and soft sole. A dull sound from the sole indicates a good combination.
High Ankle support
When you go on a Himalayan or any rough hike, your hike can last from a single day to a few days and during this time, your ankle movement is continuously tested. And one wrong move can twist your ankle and it can make your hike painful or you may even have to cancel your hike. So, keeping this in mind, there is a feature in your shoe which is the high ankle support.
When purchasing any hiking shoe, check for ankle support and make sure the shoe covers the area above the ankle, equivalent to two fingers width space. If it covers well, it means the shoe has good high ankle support and will provide good support to your ankle while hiking. Keep this in mind while choosing the hiking shoes.
Water resistance
This protects your shoe from getting wet. When you go for a Hike, you may have to cross a creek or a slushy section. It can rain anytime while you are hiking and if your hiking shoes get wet, it can make the rest of your hike very uncomfortable. So next time, while purchasing your shoe, check for a good water resistance level.
Make sure that the surface of your hiking shoe is covered or made with a good waterproof coating material. If you look at some of the best hiking shoes, 90% of the outer part is covered with leather which provides good water resistance. It is also recommended to waterproof them with a good sealant product.
Size of your hiking shoe
This seems like a very small detail, but it is very important to check for shoes size. You will be surprised to know that these two aspects affect your shoe size. One is your foot size varies with day’s activities. Second is, when hiking in extremely cold conditions, your feet swell a little. Keeping these two points in mind, you need to buy the right size.
According to experts one should buy his/her shoes in the afternoon or evening, they say that your feet are at their maximum length during the afternoon or evening. Ensure that there is one thumb gap between your longest toe and the shoe’s outer.
So, when your foot swells up or expands, there is enough space in the shoe to fit your toes comfortably. And when you are ascending or descending a trail, your toe will not hit the front of the shoe, so, you will be able to hike comfortably.
The 5 Best Characteristics of Great Hiking Shoes:
- Durability: Great hiking shoes are built to withstand the rigors of outdoor environments, with durable materials and construction that can endure rough terrain, rocks, and prolonged use.
- Traction: Excellent grip is crucial for hiking shoes, ensuring stability and preventing slips and falls. The best hiking shoes feature outsoles with aggressive tread patterns and durable rubber compounds to provide reliable traction on various surfaces.
- Comfort: Hiking shoes should offer a high level of comfort, with features such as cushioning, adequate arch support, and a well-designed fit. They should allow for natural foot movement while preventing discomfort and blisters, even during long hikes.
- Breathability: Good hiking shoes allow proper ventilation, preventing excessive moisture build-up inside the shoe. Breathable materials and mesh panels promote airflow, helping to keep feet cool and dry, reducing the risk of blisters and odor.
- Protection: Hiking shoes should provide adequate protection for your feet. They typically feature toe caps or reinforced areas to shield against rocks, roots, and other hazards. They may also have ankle support to prevent twisting and provide stability on uneven terrain.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs and troubleshooting about camping and enjoying the outdoors, here are some additional posts to check out:
CONCLUSION
Keeping all the above advice in mind, you now can choose the most comfortable hiking shoes from multiple types of shoes or boots to make your hike experience great. For more information on hiking boots, you can read.: “6 World Best Men Hiking Shoes” and also “ 6 Women Best Hiking Shoes to Tackle Any Trail ” I hope you enjoyed reading this article, if you think I forget something or if you simply want to share a story or tips, feel free to leave a comment below.! Be Safe and Happy Hiking.!