Category: hiking

Buying hiking boots is an important endeavor for an avid hiker or backpacker. Hiking boots are one of the key investments towards the success of any hiking or camping trip since the feet have to carry the person where they need to go, and if the feet are uncomfortable, the person will be uncomfortable throughout the trip. There are many different types of men’s and women’s hiking boots, so it is important to have some idea of the type of boot and the fit that should be expected, as well as how to break in a new boot before a trip.

Buying New Boots

If a person normally only goes on day hiking trips so that there is little to no weight on his back and he is not walking for days in a row, then the type of hiking boot should fit that type of hiking. Day hiking usually only requires light, flexible boots, and quite possibly only a hiking shoe, especially if the terrain is mild. A hiking boot will give more support than a hiking shoe, so if a person knows that he has trouble with his ankles then a lightweight hiking boot is probably the best choice. Since these boots are made of lighter material they do not hold up as well under longer hiking conditions, and since they do not give as much support as a heavier boot, the hiker will also end up feeling more fatigued.

If it is a backpacker buying hiking boots, or a person who participates in more extreme day hiking trips, then they will want to buy a mid-weight boot which will provide more support for those activities. These boots have a stiffer sole than the lightweight boots so they feel a little more awkward walking in them since they do not bend with the natural bend in the foot like the hiking shoes and lightweight boots do. However, these boots give solid support to the foot and ankle in rougher terrain which allows the hiker to have more endurance on the trip without fatiguing their feet and legs.

Mountaineering hiking boots are needed when the camper is going on a long trip requiring a heavier backpack and usually more off-trail hiking. These boots are the stiffest to wear but will provide the best support for the foot and leg. This type of boot can also be designed to be used with crampons for hiking in glacial regions.

With any type of hiking boot, if the hiker knows that he will be hiking through snow, puddles, or streams, it is a good idea to get a waterproof hiking boot. There are some boots that are not waterproof even though they look like the boots that are, such as Gor-Tex. If there is not a water issue, then the hiker would probably be better off not getting waterproof boots since the other kinds provide more air, or breathing, for the foot.

There are many different places to go hiking, whether it is up in the mountains for a camping trip or down rugged seashores, and can be done in every season of the year. Depending on the type of hiking a person does, there is different equipment that is needed, from clothing to camping gear.

Types of Gear

When planning for a hiking trip, there are different types of clothing to think about, especially if the trip is overnight. If the camping is done in warmer weather and around water, then flip flogs or other sandals that can be used in the water are important in addition to a bathing suit (although shorts and t-shirts work as well.) If the weather is colder, there is more gear required, such as long underwear, extra socks, fleece jackets, rain gear, hats and gloves or mittens. In addition to these wearable items, clotheslines for drying things and a dirty clothes bag to keep them separate from the clean ones in the pack are also helpful hiking gear items.

Hiking boots are essential gear since everything is done by walking, including carrying packs that can be cumbersome if not done in a lightweight manner. There are different types of boots or even hiking shoes that can be worn depending on the hiking that will be done. Day trips in easy terrain usually only require hiking shoes that do not have as much protection or support as boots. Overnight trips in more rugged terrain require a boot in most situations, but it does not have to be as supportive or tough as mountaineering boots which have to be able to support crampons.

In addition to clothing and boots, hiking gear for overnight trips also includes cooking materials, such as camp stoves, eating utensils, pots, plates and fuel. All of these materials should be as lightweight and stackable as possible, so that they fit securely in the pack without wasting space or much weight. In addition, food and water must be packed in, which can add a lot of weight to the pack, although the weight diminishes as the trip progresses. Water weight can be reduced by bringing a water purifier rather than packing in the water itself.

Overnight hiking trips also require tents and sleeping gear, which should be lightweight and very compact so that they easily fit into the pack or can be strapped onto the back of the pack. There are many lightweight tents on the market which are easy to assemble and sleep anywhere from two to ten people, depending on the trip. Sleeping pads and sleeping bags are also lightweight and made for the weather conditions that the person thinks they will encounter on the hiking trip.