First let's deal with the main types of shoes to explore "unfamiliar places." In general, share the following types of "activity standing": hiking (outputs), light trekking (travel light short), real trekking (hiking by the very different terrain, often lasting many days), hiking heavy (hiking in difficult terrain, far from civilization, in difficult weather conditions, often with elements of difficult ascents) and climbing (climbing the mountain in a very difficult terrain, often in conditions of ice and snow, low temperatures the air with elements of rock climbing and ice climbing, descents and dizzying in a variety of surfaces). Let us now analyze briefly the main features in the selection of shoes for every type of outdoor activities.
Buy Now: Best Hiking Boots
Shoes for hiking
- Hiking - pleasant walks along the maloperesechennoy areas. It can be roads and trails in the extensive parks, nature reserves, urban setting. Usually it is done in weather conditions quite favorable. Shoes for such places, depending on the temperature can be the trip sandals, almost any shoe, but it is better when shoes placed by the manufacturer operating as intended for hiking or cross country skiing lessons - which are stronger, have developed with the sole lugs. If you're moving in places with frequent rain, shoes better suited to hiking boots or light membrane.
Easy hiking - "transition" between hiking and trekking. In fact, this is the same walk, but more widespread, the area can be quite dangerous in some places, as long descents and ascents can occur. Shoes can be the same as for walking, but if you are not an experienced traveler who knows how to walk a lot and easily protect your feet advise something more serious. As a general rule, most people opt for the tasks that light hiking boots are described, even if the measure is necessary in hot climates. The "above" Unlike sneakers and, above all, sandals, shoes are set more reliably leg, ankle area to protect against bumps, scrapes and sprains light, keep out humidity. These shoes also receives less dirt, sand, insects. If your habitations walks poisonous snakes and insects are also advised to put in more serious and higher shoes. Most protected trekking light shoes to get wet or membrane at least water repellent,you need to renew often enough - ask the seller!
Shoes for hiking and light trekking is not very suitable for use at low temperatures and snow, as it is either completely incompatible with devices for movement on the ice and snow (cats, snowshoeing, hiking bike), or adapt to flip.
However, if you still have to use a shoe light trekking in difficult conditions, can partially compensate for their deficiencies with special water repellent covers for shoes (see below.) Including: so that completely covers shoes .
Shoes for easy hiking
However, for more serious charges of extreme tourism should seek trekking shoes - the most versatile travel shoe. Hiking shoes on the feet of travelers who meet almost everywhere - from tropical forests to polar regions. With varying degrees of stress, hiking boots in this category are suitable for most types of off-road travel. His versatility - a great advantage. Yes, these shoes are not so easy, like shoes, discussed above and not as sophisticated technologically and "indestructibility" as hiking boots, but give the owner the freedom of movement for all is more or less human price.
Footwear of this type produces almost all shoes autdornoy company. Therefore, you can choose according to your taste interesting design - high-tech to classic. The use of a membrane in these shoes the problem is still debated and controversial, but manufacturers tend to decide for us, and buy hiking boots without a membrane to be increasingly difficult each year. Marketing - formidable obstacle, and shoes with the easiest "smart" technology to advertise, and it costs more. Very convenient, in my opinion, shoe around the perimeter is gummed. This significantly reduces the shoe Namokaemost in rain, in snow, in high wet grass - conditions, often even when the membrane does not always provide reliable protection. At the same time, according to my observations, water vapor permeability of the shoe is not affected significantly. Hiking shoes unlike mountaineering shoes and heavy trekking shoes have a sole of plastic, which makes it easier to feel the relief of the surface and place a large city with less fatigue. At the same time, the rigidity of the shoe, as a whole, allows us to talk about adequate protection of ankle sprains in many situations.
Hiking boots, if necessary, make it possible to use them in the snow, although a shoe full winter call difficult because these shoes generally have no special insulation, although quite hot due to the materials used - A combination of nubuck / leather (recently found top made of composite materials -. artificial leather, Cordura, etc.) of sufficient thickness at the top and lining / membrane inside the shoe allows quite comfortable to wear this shoe with a pair hot to -10 degrees socks.
Also, if necessary, in many cases, these shoes can be used in a set of special means - cats ( "soft style" designed for nerantovanuyu shoes), snowshoeing, ski tourism. ie this class shoes - is almost a universal commitment and is perfect for beginners tour "for all occasions", until they themselves acquire highly specialized shoes for all types of travel.
Heavy hiking shoes
Heavy hiking shoes - in fact, a transitional stage between walking and specialized shoes for climbing. Unlike the previous group mainly tight, only "inflexible", often by the presence of rear welt under the cat - "semi-automatic", the thicker the material from the top. The distinction between this type of footwear and the next class - mountaineering shoes is quite conventional. Some of these shoes are equipped with an additional layer of insulation for use in cold conditions. Especially as the shoes are very popular with mountain tourism, which, along with significant transitions every day has to do quite complex technically climbing a mountain.
Climbing shoes in the campaign
Cat feet - higher autdornoy footwear both in price and applied technologies. these shoes are used in sophisticated, multi-layered sole, often with steel reinforcements, special front and under automatons or fixing ski-temperature-cat ski rear hives. Often, these shoes have extra insulation, sometimes several layers, special protection of snow and moisture at the center, sophisticated system laces. obrezinka shoe often discarded. frequent and multilayer structure consisting of an inner and outer shoe, reciprocal investment. Sometimes the top of the shoe is made of cold-resistant plastic, at least - is as high shoe with zip and Velcro (options for height). In this type of footwear it is climb high in the big mountains. Unlikely not scale if a person needs these shoes for the passage of the usual routes. It is very difficult, relatively heavy, sturdy and excessively expensive, is not very suitable for long transitions on flat ground.
Water Sports footwear
If you are planning a raft of several days in rivers and lakes to swimming facilities, canyoning classes and other activities taking place in continuous contact with water, you need special shoes. Many companies produce sandals, slippers and boots of materials that are not afraid of constant contact with water, legkosohnuschie. In this case, the waterproof membrane is unnecessary, however must attend the acquisition of neoprene socks - will keep your feet warm at a constant wet.
Climbing Shoes
The so-called "cat feet" - a highly specialized footwear, made of special rubber "sticky" should be possible to firmly cover the leg. It allows up in a very difficult rocky routes, of course, if you have special training, but it is not at all suitable for movement on the ground. A commitment can be a special shoe with long lacing to toe and sole with a special section for climbing - that are comfortable for walking and really quite easy to climb rocks. In addition, these shoes are well suited for complex routes "via ferrata", common in the Alps and allows beginners climbers conquer the rock mass.
The membrane hiking boots
For decades in the manufacture of shoes are widely used called membrane technology, manufacturing many well-known clothing apparel. famous and expensive brands are generally used, the GORE-TEX membrane, other manufacturers - the membrane of its own production or lesser-known manufacturers. Just in case, I remind you that the membrane is applied to the intermediate layer of the fabric and forms a kind of waterproof from the outside, but the "average" inner vapor permeable inside the shoe. Therefore, it seems that the shoes get wet, but good "breathing". It seems idyllic. But unfortunately, this is not true. Why? First, the waterproof membrane is still wet after some time, this time depends on many factors, but often only a "very wet" days. Also, sometimes, water can penetrate the skin "above". Second, breathe a shoe with a membrane, as a rule, is still lower than the same boot without it, which is very essential in the campaigns in hot areas. In the wet membrane shoes they are very difficult to dry in field conditions, and you have to walk indefinitely in wet shoes. Therefore, with some reservations, we can recommend a shoe with a membrane for those who do not move in very wet conditions, or the ability occasionally to dry shoes in a comfortable environment. To complete the "wild" several days or even travel several weeks we can recommend without membrane of shoes, with the highest rubber trim around the perimeter, to protect it from getting wet shoes can be ointments and additional impregnation. But, when wet, these shoes have a chance to dry in the "field". In mountaineering activities in high promokaemosti (frequent water crossings, the movement for a very wet snow, etc.) should think about the double top shoes footwear is made of plastic.
Another alternative membrane shoes - socks membrane, recently available in the market. Allow to keep feet warm and dry in wet shoes. Its disadvantage - the high price and weight compared to conventional socks.Gaiters and leggings on a mountain hike
A special clothing designed to prevent entry of water element, dust, dirt through the top of the shoe. Also, it is more protected from getting wet shoes blades. Sometimes membrane made of materials, usually of a wear-resistant fabric. Many trips are trudnozamenimoy shoe covers part of your clothes. Usually, specialized socks websites are called products, covering only the top of the shoe, shoe covers - all shoes in whole or most of it. In the "home" this is usually referred to as the general concepts of "booties" so that there may be confusion. Specify moments associated with the terminology of the seller. As a general rule, most used travel socks, shoe covers only needed for winter expeditions.
Leggings
Also remember that the shoe must look carefully after, and smarter than shoes, usually the most intense attention is required. See Before buying shoes in a store, which care products must be purchased. Immediately buy special trekking socks, in line with the region proposed travel choice. This will protect the feet from abrasions and blisters. Carefully choose shoes in the store, spend adjustment at least 20 minutes, which you have to spend on new shoes in the socks, which are supposed to use it. Avoid buying shoes just before the trip - shoes in the campaign should not be totally new! Only the choice of shoes for your trip, remember that, in addition to its weight shoes must support the weight of the backpack, it is often not easy, that is, in the long march for men - is + 20-30 kg its own weight. Above all, you need to pay attention to when choosing the light shoes for warm climates - hiking sandals, running shoes, lightweight shoes.
I hope this brief summary will help you choose the right shoes for the trip and make the most of your trip, no matter how difficult it has not shown its route. At present, the footwear market for adventure allows you to choose for themselves is "his" partner - exactly what you need. I want to make a good choice!
